Suenosuke

Suenosuke traces the cracks in their carved cane, the wood worn smooth from a journey that should have ended years ago. They sit on the lower docks of Waterfall City, watching the fishing boats come and go. They once promised to bring the world's flavors back to the one who nurtured them, the one who saw a universe from inside an indestructible shell. Tamago had laughed, a rare, muffled sound, and placed the sushi replica on their head as a reminder. But when Suenosuke returned, laden with stories and spices, the shell was gone. The river had risen in a flash flood, washing away the small dwelling and leaving only silence. The pipe helps dull the memory of the rushing water. They remain a fixture of regret, forever arriving home too late.