The evening sky was calm as Ivan descended the steps of a quiet park.
A gentle breeze drifted through the air, carrying the faint scent of grass and flowers. Ivan stretched his arms wide, taking a deep breath.
Ivan: "What a nice breeze… The sky feels so fresh. It's been too long."
He glanced around, his eyes lingering on familiar sights. Memories began to flood back—warm summer days, the laughter of friends, and the energy of youth.
For a moment, he stood still, lost in thought, until a voice called out to him from behind.
???: "Hey, Ivan!"
Ivan turned, recognizing the voice instantly.
Ivan: "What do you need?"
The other person hesitated before speaking.
???: "You seem… off. What's on your mind?"
Ivan: "Ah, nothing much. Just thinking about a few things... maybe experimenting with another exothermic reaction?"
???: "No way, Ivan. Last time you tried that, you nearly burned the entire place down!"
They both laughed, the tension dissolving into the evening air.
???: "So, what are we doing here today?"
Ivan: "I just wanted to hang out. You know, it's been a while. Things have been a bit... distant lately. Thought it'd be nice to reconnect."
The other person smiled, nodding in agreement.
???: "True. Maybe we should just see where the day takes us. Like… visit the Botan Gardens?"
Ivan: "The Botan Gardens?"
???: "Yeah, I hear they're beautiful this time of year."
Ivan nodded, a faint smile forming on his lips as the two began walking together. The conversation flowed more naturally as they strolled into the deepening twilight, rediscovering the bond they once shared.
Ivan: "I still wonder where you went..."
His voice trailed off as he walked, his mind clouded with memories. The lost souls. incidents, a quiet ache nestled deep in his chest.
The path led him to a garden, bursting with vibrant flowers and lush greenery. The gentle hum of life filled the air, and a faint floral fragrance drifted on the breeze.
Ivan: "...Pretty."
He stepped onto the winding road that meandered through the garden. The setting sun cast a golden glow, painting the landscape in warm hues. The soft light gave off a sense of comfort, contrasting with the turmoil in his thoughts.
Ivan stopped in his tracks, his eyes fixed on the statue. He could feel the weight of history pressing down on him, the legacy of a man who had stood tall in a time of chaos.
???: "That's Botan, the first hero of Japan."
The voice echoed from his memories, the faint outline of a conversation long past.
Ivan: "Botan?" he had asked, his younger self intrigued by the name.
???: "Yes. He was the first hero of Japan, a man who rose to prominence during a time of great turmoil. The country was fractured, on the brink of collapse. But Botan… he had a vision, and the strength to see it through. With his leadership, he united a divided nation. He became more than a man; he was a symbol of hope."
Ivan: "And then? What happened to him?"
The voice had hesitated, tinged with a quiet sadness.
???: "After bringing peace, Botan vanished. Some say he died defending the country from an unseen threat. Others believe he chose to leave, tired of the burdens of being a hero. No one knows for sure, but his legacy… that lives on."
Back in the present, Ivan's gaze lingered on the statue. The details seemed sharper now, as if etched deeper into his memory. He could almost hear the faint echoes of that conversation, the weight of those words still resonating within him.
Ivan: "A hero who led and then disappeared..." he murmured to himself. The parallels gnawed at him, unspoken but undeniable.
The inscription beneath the statue seemed to challenge him, its permanence a stark contrast to the fleeting nature of human lives. What did it mean to leave such a legacy behind? To stand as a symbol, even when the man himself was long gone?
Ivan: "I wonder if he ever felt regret. Did he ever question if it was worth it?" he asked the silence.
The garden offered no answers, only the gentle rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. The statue stood resolute, its gaze fixed on the horizon, as if urging Ivan to find his own path forward. The fading sunlight painted the scene in somber tones, casting Botan's figure in sharp relief against the encroaching shadows.
Ivan turned away slowly, his thoughts heavy yet tinged with a strange clarity. As he walked toward the garden's exit, he cast one final glance back at the statue.
Ivan: "...Maybe someday, I'll understand."
The garden seemed to breathe again as Ivan disappeared into the twilight. The weight of its history settled once more, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as though Botan himself was watching, offering silent encouragement to a kindred soul navigating the uncertain of path of humanity.