The Hatori Community House is symbolic of community and connection. The community center is located in the Hatori ward of Tokyo. It is connected to an elementary school. The center is “a two-story white building with a sign over the canopy at the entrance,” and it features in all of the primary characters’ individual storylines (21). The community center offers “all kinds of classes and events,” including “shogi, haiku, eurhythmics, hula dancing, exercise classes, lots of flower-arranging classes and lectures on different topics” (20). The center also regularly hosts a food market and has a library, which includes a special room where kids can play. The community house is a fixture in the community, and offers its members a place to connect with other people and to pursue new areas of interest.

All five of the main characters develop relationships and find direction during their time at the Hatori Community House. Tomoka Fujiki, Ryo Urase, Natsumi Sakitani, Hiroya Suda, Masao Gonno all visit the center for different reasons the first time they hear about it. These visits in turn inspire them to explore the community center’s library, where they connect with

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