Chapter 87

Shota decided to go down to the harbor and see how Captain Minoru was coming with the sails. He loved the sea and he loved sailing. Riding the wind across the water was close to flying, but different, because it was connected to both the earth via the sea, and the sky via the air. He rode the wind when he flew. He couldn't imagine doing without flying on his own wings, but adding the duality of experience with the water created something new that he also couldn't imagine living without. He flew to the harbor like he always did and changed in the gnarled pines that created a windbreak just inside the beach. From there, he ran.

Renko had a calligraphy project she wanted to work on. When she slid open the door to the workroom, she could tell Azuki had been crying. Quietly, she glided over to her own workspace and knelt. Whatever could have been in that letter?

Renko didn't want to intrude; Azuki deserved her privacy unless she wanted to talk about whatever it was.