It is a dark period for all of us who had the honor of befriending Shiroyuki, who departed from this world at the tender age of 15. As we comprehend this profound loss, each tear we cry is a note of love rising to the heavens. In our anguish and sorrow, I believe her friends, along with me, would sincerely wish and pray that she'll be in a happier place. I hope that happier place would also have lots of anime and manga, and regular episodes of Gintama to entertain her.
I first met Shiroyuki on 7th December 2009, when I just joined -Animewatcher-'s Banner Making Club. I recall being very impressed with her profile page and her humility when I praised her, and we talked about my lack of talent in making artistic things and banners. I told her I'd learn from her or -Animewatcher- someday. Shiroyuki was enthusiastic in helping recruit members to join the then fledging Banner Making Club, and was ever ready to assist in making banners. Being outspoken, creative and resourceful, she set up the following clubs: "Claims, Claims and Claims!", "Shimura Shinpachi Fanclub", "Kuronuma Sawako", "Junpei Kousaka Fan Club! <33" and last but not least "We love Mikura Kazuma <3". Shiroyuki was also the first person to have an anime compatibility of 87.9% with me. I bemoan the fact that I didn't seize the chance to interact with her more.
I have learnt much from Shiroyuki. She introduced Gintama to me, which I regrettably kept procrastinating in watching due to my personal commitments. In the ultimate sacrifice of her life, I learnt not to take my friends for granted, and to treasure them, for they could just be like her and depart from the human realm so suddenly. It is so ever unfortunate and yet an honor for me that the first club I create would be one that enshrines her on MAL.
Goodbye, Shiroyuki. Although I only got to know you for 2 months, it wasn't in vain. But... ... We could have interacted more, wasn't it?
Please, rest in peace. What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, we may not understand why you left this Earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. Your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget. |