Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I was handling the undercurrent of sadness all right until Shige refused Pi's jacket. This is beautiful. It's really fascinating to see how they've both arrived at a similar state of life but in such different ways. Both of their approaches seem very well suited to their personalities.

I have to say that I was love from the start, from the description of the world in general. The statement about bad times...it just sets a phenomenal tone for the entire piece. Dark, reluctant, desperate. It's gorgeous.

On a side note, I will admit to emitting a delighted squeal over "Mori-san". It's the little things, you know.

<3