A professor's assistant at Tokyo University uncovers a curious manuscript whose author weaves an elegant tale of the twilight years of the Heian court. As she reads between the gossamer lines of the narrator's account of a moonlit assignation, the quiet and unassuming scholar reflects on what happens in the shadows cast by civilization and enlightenment.
complete at 3000 words . ( on AO3 ) . illustration by @paristandard














