Asada Himari -

No answer. But the window was open a crack. The autumn wind nudged the curtain like a shy visitor.

Himari lowered the phone. She did not cry. Not yet. asada himari

Up the small embankment behind the hospital. There was no shrine here. Only a bench and a single persimmon tree, stripped of fruit. No answer

"Can you hear me?" she whispered.

But she had not let go. Not really.