After the most catastrophic war the world had ever witnessed, Shikotan, a small island, was incorporated into the Sakhalin Oblast. In this far-flung corner of the planet, on the unhealed border, children from two different nations tentatively forged friendships, determined to surmount language barriers and the tides of history. Based on true events. It was on August 15th when we were informed of our defeat in the war. Back then, we struggled to grasp the reality of it all. However, that all changed when unfamiliar soldiers donning uniforms descended upon our island. It was on that fateful day that I first encountered Tanya.