Winter into Spring | Grand Task

[Apotolofo 2204]

 

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Yukiko wipes the sweat from her brow, placing both hands on her hips as she mentally recounts the couple years of work- Taking in fruits of her labor. 

 

Her hair was no longer pristine white, with her big yellow rubber boots squeaking across the muck and grime. The work had been long, and it had been grueling- but she hadn’t minded. It had distracted Yukiko from the many sorrows that were chasing her.

 

She had followed the sewers out to the ocean, setting up grates and nets to ensure that no trash could make it to the ocean- filters, to ensure that oil couldn’t pollute the water. She had even gone around the island’s perimeter in a raft, soaking up patches of oil. 

 

She had moved the frogs, fish, and other small critters that somehow made their way into the canals out of the city, into the safer and healthier surrounding forests. She had nursed the sick ones back to health, including the poor oil-drenched pelicans. 

 

The Winter Child’s elder brother, Mikaze, had worked alongside her to create small automations that would help her maintain her Grand Task- Keeping Yorumachi Clean. 

 

It would be a constant task, Yukiko knew. The smoggers machines within the capital would always be tormenting nature. . . But she could do her part to limit the damages. 

 

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Are you proud of me, Okasan? 

 

Reiko?

 

Hyoka? 

 

Ichika-sama? 

 

Telly?

 

With the work done, Yukiko felt as the sorrow seeped back into her heart. Tears begin to trickle down from her blind eyes, leaving trails through the dust and dirt caked upon her skin. 

 

Why must people die? And I, unable to do anything?

Is my positive force on the world so little?

So weak?

 

A sniff, before she wipes her tears away. There was no time for despair. There was work to be done. Always, work to be done. Balance to preserve. Enemies of the state to kill- But mostly, balance to preserve. 

 

In Winter, all things must die. But with the Spring, there is new life. 

 

The moon must wane, before it can wax. 

 

I will make you proud. There is much work to do. 

 

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