The Decision to Leave
We face many departures in life, either with family members, friends, or lovers. However, we should not become numb as we experience more of it. Instead, we learn to cherish the time we can still be together. Although saying farewell is hard and sentimental, life still goes on. We will carry the memories of the departed, the beautiful parts that warm our hearts, and walk toward the future fearlessly.
Farewell, my first love.
A Stage Photography Project in summer 2024, inspired by Stefanie Sun’s Song, 我不难过.
Though of You(Image 1): The wind softly brushed through the face, and the mild heatwave accompanied the chirpings from both sides of the rice field. It was July 10, 2003. Stefanie Sun published a new album 未完成(To be Continued). Jiaxin just graduated from the university. In the early summer afternoon after the graduation ceremony, Jiaxin stood alone in the rice field, listening to music. High school memories flashed through her eyes as the music played. The silhouette of a boy gradually became clear.
The Acquaintance(Image 2): It was a day in the second year of high school. Zhaoqi and Jiaxin happened to work at the library on the same day. There were not many students returning books at noon. Zhaoqi was reading a manga while Jiaxin was sorting out the check-out forms. A student came to return and placed the book on the table. This is a moment between Zhaoqi and Jiaxin, who were so engrossed in their tasks that their hands brushed, just briefly, as they reached for the same book.
Do you know Stefanie Sun?(Image 3): The work at library was repetitive, if not tedious. One day, Zhaoqi found a vinyl record by Stefanie Sun sitting on a shabby shelf in the library. They put the vinyl on the player. As the vinyl spins, the story between Zhaoqi and Jiaxin begins.
Wait For Me(Image 4): Zhaoqi and Jiaxin were running in the rice field. It was a day of celebration and remembrance. Jiaxin won the first place in the running competition at the school’s sports meet. In a rice field surrounded by formidable mountains, they held each other’s hands with ribbon, ran toward home, and future fearlessly.
Relaxing by the Rice Field(Image 5): Zhaoqi and Jiaxin are closer now. They often sit by the rice field, listening to music and thinking about the future.
First Date at the Coffee House(Image 6): It was Zhaoqi and Jiaxin's first date. They went to a classic coffee house in town, a place with a charming, timeworn atmosphere. Now, they are both fans of Stefanie Sun's music.
Words Bubble Up like Soda(Image 7): When you are in love, you hope your feelings and thoughts could reach the other person immediately. Words bubble up like soda as they talk about Stefanie's songs. Jiaxin shares her favorite song while Zhaoqi listens patiently.
Jiaxin’s Shyness(Image 8): Jiaxin is quiet at home and school. She just realized she had been talking all the time. She shied her face away and turned to look at the cake on the table, which has yet to be eaten.
Zhaoqi’s Gaze(Image 9): Zhaoqi listened patiently. His gaze landed on Jiaxin's blushing face.
1/6000000000(Image 10): In the summer, Jiaxin and Zhaoqi traveled to the seaside together. “It says that the possibility of two people meeting and falling in love in the world is 1/ 6000000000”, Zhaoqi said as he drew on the sand.
At the Beach with a Windmill View(Image 11): Jiaxin splashes the waves onto Zhaoqi’s face. Laugh mingles with the sound of ocean waves as they engrave the moments into memories forever.
The Ocean Waves(Image 12): Many years later, in the blue hour, Zhaoqi walks on the beach again. The place has not changed much, but the person who was beside him is no longer there.
Youth Times Rendering(Image 13): Throughout the years, Zhaoqi and Jiaxin had returned to the rice field and the seaside. Across space and time, they held the Discman in the air, hoping the other person would pick it up and listen, just like they had done many times in high school..
First Love (Image 14): Memories came to the end as the music stops. Zhaoqi is not there anymore. Those sweet memories became the past. Jiaxin woke up from the dreams.
Life Goes On(Image 16): Despite the sadness, life goes on. They will remember the best parts of each other and face the future fearlessly.
TIFA 2024 Honorable Mention
TIFA 2024 Honorable Mention
The Decision to Leave has won Honorable Mention Award in Tokyo International Foto Awards 2024!