Memory and Prayer

Sakura

May 16 1:15 pm, Tokyo, Japan

It was an uncommonly bright day today. The sky was a clear blue, the sun shining bright onto the green below. Despite this, it wasn't hot at all, and a pleasant breeze with a faint smell of lavender swept through the streets of Tokyo. Colors seemed to just pop a little more brightly than usual, making the people just look a little cheerier than they actually were.

Sakura walked up a small hill, and stopped to look up at the red arch. She placed a hand on the smooth wood, taking in the surrounding scenery of trees and high-rises. It was a common sight here in Tokyo, but here, if felt especially incongruous and liminal, even as other people walked past her.

The wood felt cool on her hand. She stared at it for a while, at her long, smooth fingers. She had always liked her hands; how long and dainty they were. She had dreams of playing the piano when she was younger, but...