The sky was leaden gray, and the drizzling rain was like an unbreakable thread of sorrow, silently soaking the land of Kyushu. The air in the shrine was chilly, carrying the scent of wet soil and grass, which felt worlds apart from the intense and enthusiastic atmosphere of Yahoo Dome on game days: no streamers, no champagne, only black clothes, white flowers, and a silent crowd.
Inside and outside the shrine's hall, there were clusters of pure white chrysanthemums; at the center of this sea of flowers hung a photograph of Mrs. Akiyama Chie, wife of Manager Akiyama Koji, softly smiling—after her husband relinquished his managerial duties intending to dedicate himself fully to her, Mrs. Chie ultimately couldn't defeat the illness, passing away unexpectedly; and today is the farewell ceremony.
