Akari smiled, a small thing, and the city seemed to lean in. "We leave because something calls," she said. "And sometimes what calls is only the shape of what we hope for. But the river—" She gestured to the water, where lanterns drifted in a bright procession. "—it carries things just the same."
She studied the lantern, then the crooked horizon painted on it, and finally him. "You brought a paper boat to mend the river?" she asked. japanhdvcom