a r c s i n

“When something was strange, everyone thought they had the right to come stomping in all over your life to figure out why. I found that arrogant and infuriating, not to mention a pain in the neck. Sometimes I even wanted to hit them with a shovel to shut them up, like I did that time in elementary school. But I recalled how upset my sister had been when I’d casually mentioned this to her before and kept my mouth shut.”
― Sayaka Murata, Convenience Store Woman

“Between us, we have the fire and the water. I'm quite sure that together, we can take on the wind.”
― R.F. Kuang, The Dragon Republic

“SELURUH hidupku adalah perangkap. Tubuhku adalah perangkap pertamaku. Lalu orangtuaku, lalu semua orang yang kukenal. Kemudian segala hal yang kuketahui, segala sesuatu yang kulakukan. Semuanya adalah jebakan-jebakan yang tertata di sepanjang hidupku.”
― Okky Madasari, Pasung Jiwa

“Jasmine flowers are so pale, so delicate. You think they couldn't survive in this relentless tropical heat. But they thrive on it. They go strong and gorgeous, and they bloom. Their perfume is . . . intoxicating, so strong that it leaves its mark on you long after you've left behind.”
― Hanna Alkaf, The Weight of Our Sky