Hasegawa walked away from the head of the table with measured steps, moving toward the far wall where an elaborate mural dominated the space.
The painting was absolutely stunning up close, the kind of artwork that demanded attention, that made you stop and stare.
Hand-painted, probably decades old judging by the subtle cracks in the pigment and the way certain colors had faded with time.
Five cherry blossoms arranged in a perfect circle, each bloom rendered in exquisite, almost obsessive detail.
Pink gradients shifting seamlessly to pure white at the edges. Delicate veins visible through translucent petals, so realistic they looked like you could pluck them from the wall.
Traditional Japanese art in its purest form.
A piece of history preserved on this crumbling building's wall.
But as Hasegawa's hand reached out and touched the center blossom, something modern revealed itself.
The petals lit up.
