Inu o Okuru

After thirteen years of devoted companionship, Tama, a beloved family dog, passes away. For the childless couple who shared their home with him, this profound loss marks more than just the end of a pet’s life; it signals the quiet collapse of their marriage. Stripped of the bond that held them together, the two find themselves facing an irreversible fracture in their relationship. Carrying Tama’s body along a familiar walking path, one partner is swept into a cascade of memories. The past unfolds like a vivid slideshow, revealing a complex tapestry of joy and despair that defined their years together. Moments of deep happiness are intertwined with periods of bitter frustration, painting a portrait of a partnership built on a turbulent mixture of love and resentment. As these recollections fade, the protagonist must confront what lies beyond the grief and the tangled history of a failing marriage. This deeply personal story explores the painful intersection of loss and renewal, following a troubled couple as they navigate the aftermath of their shared sorrow. Recognized for its emotional resonance, the work received the Excellent Newcomer Award in the Young Division of the 89th Chiba Tetsuya Awards.