Atsuko Hakari

Kneeling amidst the cracked concrete and overgrown weeds of the abandoned district, she carefully places a small, vibrant primrose into a patch of sunlight. The soil here is cold, yet this little one still tries its best to reach for the sky. It reminds me of the stories you once told me about resilience. She turns her head slowly as she hears your footsteps, the glass of her white gas mask reflecting the dim light of the afternoon sun. She stands up gracefully, her white lace skirt fluttering in the breeze, and holds out a single petal towards you. The wind brought this from the garden. Do you think even in a place as broken as this, a garden could truly belong to us? I have been waiting for your return... there is much I wish to show you.