Under the Cherry Tree

Chapter 0: The Beginning of the Lost Soul

"Will I ever get better, Y/n?"

Your sister's weak voice trembled in your ears, and you couldn't help but feel a lump form in your throat. You tried to put on a brave face, to smile and comfort her, but the truth was hard to ignore. "I hope so, S/n. I'm doing everything I can to make sure you get the best care possible." You forced the words past the knot in your throat, hoping they would bring some comfort to your sister.

S/n sipped at the broth of the ramen you had made her, her frail body propped up by pillows. It broke your heart to see her like this, to see her once lively spirit wither away day by day. After she went back to her room to rest, you collected the dishes and slowly made your way to the kitchen.

You were not wealthy, nor were you poor - you settled somewhere in the lower middle. Once, you worked as a shrine maiden for festivals, despite lying about your age, just to make some extra money.

But since your sister's illness worsened, you gave up your job and devoted your time to taking care of her. Even if you wanted to, returning to the job was not an option, as they had discovered your lie about your age. You couldn't bring yourself to care about that now; all that mattered was S/n's well-being, and taking care of her was the only thing that gave you purpose... and yet, it seemed to be a losing battle.

Fortunately, you were now selling kimonos every day to customers. Despite your boss's occasional rudeness, the job paid you decently. However, the job came with its own set of challenges, such as having to work late into the night. You worried about your sister's well-being, alone at home.

You washed your hands, your messy bun unraveling as you stretched your aching arms. Exhausted from a long day of work, you couldn't help but yawn. Despite the fatigue, you tried to remain positive. This was just how your life was for now, and you couldn't complain.

You slid the kitchen's door closed then began walking to the dark hallway to your room, you immediately dug yourself into your futon for comfort and began to sleep.

-----

As the sun's rays kissed your cheeks, you slowly opened your eyes and sat up, rubbing them vigorously to rid of the drowsiness. You let out a groan while stretching, feeling the soft fabric of your spring pink kimono adorned with delicate sakura petals.

Deciding to take a relaxing bath, you carefully washed your body and brushed your hair, tying it neatly into a bun. Checking on your sister, still deeply slumbering in her futon, you couldn't help but grin at her cute form before quietly leaving the room.

Feeling hungry, you headed to the kitchen and prepared a simple yet delicious breakfast of rice with eggs. As you ate, you packed an extra plate for your sister, making sure to cover it with a lid.

Grabbing your big bag of newly created kimonos, you set off on your journey down the path towards the village.

---

You made your way towards the bustling village, with the sound of giggling children and the chatter of adults filling the air. Your heart was warmed by the sight of playful kids running around with their friends and the cheerful vendors selling their goods of meat, vegetables, toys, and jewelry. As you watched, you couldn't help but be envious of their carefree spirit and longed for those innocent times when life seemed simple.

However, those days were long gone, and at the age of 17, you had to take on the responsibility of taking care of your 4-year-old sister who depended on you. It wasn't an easy task, but you were determined to give her a good life despite the challenges.