-ds- -21 - I Met My Cousin - Tomoda Ayaka - Dec... -

Late December. Cold air, warm tea, and an unexpected knock on my door.

“I’m staying the night,” she said, like it was already decided. -DS- -21 - I Met My Cousin - Tomoda Ayaka - Dec...

I didn’t know how to respond.

It’s been years since I last saw my cousin, Tomoda Ayaka. We grew up in different cities, only meeting at funerals or the occasional new year’s gathering. She was always the quiet one — sitting in corners, reading manga, barely speaking above a whisper. Late December

“I remember you used to draw too,” she said. “You stopped.” Late December. Cold air