Six Crimson Cranes

“I would not have you be alone, Lina, not in your joys or your sorrows. I would wish your strand knotted to mine, always.”

Sometimes the truth is the hardest poison to swallow.

“My parents think of marriage as a duty to one’s family and country,” Takkan said, by way of response. “I think of it as a duty to one’s heart. Food feeds the belly, thoughts feed the mind, but love is what feeds the heart. I hoped, with my letters, that Shiori and I might grow to make each other’s hearts full. That we might be happy together. After I met her, I thought yes—yes, there was a chance.”

“She’s the one being rude, not me.”

Pain doesn’t get easier, I reminded myself when I flinched. You just have to get stronger.

Shiori, this is madness. Think of me. I’ll die if you die! Haven’t we talked about caution as the creed of the wise? Shiori!

And fear is a mighty weapon.

“Greed is a great motivator,”

Fear is just a game, Shiori, I reminded myself. You win by playing.

“Find the light that makes your lantern shine,” she used to say. “Hold on to it, even when the dark surrounds you. Not even the strongest wind will blow out the flame.”