-eng- Chinatsu--39-s | Summer Vacation

Evenings were reserved for the community. The highlight of the trip was the local Obon festival, where the town gathered to honor their ancestors. Chinatsu dressed in a yukata, the stiff cotton fabric feeling both nostalgic and formal. Under a canopy of glowing paper lanterns, she danced the traditional steps she had learned as a child, her movements syncing with the beat of the taiko drums. As she released a paper lantern into the river, watching its small flame join hundreds of others bobbing toward the sea, she felt a profound sense of belonging.

Chinatsu, a bright and curious student, has just completed her school year. As she bids farewell to her friends and teachers, she feels a mix of emotions: excitement for the freedom and adventure that summer brings, and a hint of uncertainty about what the future holds. -ENG- Chinatsu--39-s Summer Vacation