and it feels like a dream i've seen before

THE BEAUTIFUL DANCER OF YEDO,
her mother's favourite tale.

It was a fitting story.

Sakura-ko embodied the girl in the story. She who had many admirers but chose none for fear of falling in love. A gentle being, a selfless one. So kind and innocent, pleasing to the eyes. So dark and haunted on the inside.

A lonely soul.

If only her parents had foreseen the burden such a name would be to their daughter.

"WHY DO YOU HIDE?"

"I AM AFRAID."

"OF WHAT?"

"OF LOVE."

"WHY DO YOU CRY?"

"I AM SAD."

"FOR WHAT REASON?"

"LOVE."

"LET US IN. LET US LOVE YOU."

"I CAN'T."

"WHY?"

"IT'LL HURT TOO MUCH."

"WE ARE HERE FOR YOU."

"THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SWEET LIE."

"HAVE YOU BEEN LIED TO BEFORE?"

"ONCE. NOT AGAIN."

SAKURA-KO YOSHIYUKI,
the girl who lost one person and decided
to make it everyone's problem