les jours tristes

Food is a complicated feeling.

Arashi doesn’t remember her last meal with her mother, but she remembers many meals after, alone and rooting through trash and then not, pulling herself from the brink one bite at a time for the sake of love promised.

Her last meal with the Seals comes on fast. This time she’s ready to catch it.
These days the Academy is mostly empty but there’s still food on the table, smiles and laughter as plates are passed around. There’s still life here, and love, in the face of everything.

It’s the best meal she’s ever had.