A young man grasps for his consciousness, trying to bail out from a state of deep abstraction. It was made more difficult to notice the distinction of reality when voices spoken in an unusual language lingered through his ears.

The feeling of awakening from a slumber brought about by a long journey could be disorienting, but it only took a few English words and a physical touch for the young man to assess his situation.

"Mister, the plane has landed an hour ago."

The young man scattered his gaze across every direction his eyes could reach only to find himself in a big room with empty seats. The moment he became conscious of his surroundings, it gave him a sense of uneasiness. Somehow, the atmosphere just brims of something unusual. Oddly enough, it just reminds him how everything existing right at this very moment was a mystery; it is devoid of familiarity.

The vast amount of prolepsis he could think of made him unsure whether he’d feel nervous or excited. Perhaps, both. Regardless, the young man prepared himself to set forth as there was only one way to discover. With his eyes closed, he slowly inhaled and released his tension through a deep sigh.

A strong surge of cold wind blew past the young man the moment he sets his foot on the ground, forcing him to protect his eyes with his arms. All the while he was trying to cover his eyes, he couldn’t help but snatch a glimpse of what surrounded him. The gush of wind only endured a jiffy. Partly perceiving the scene drove the young man in many wonders after completely discovering the image of his whereabouts. Eyes wide, mouth shut—slowly turning into an impeccable grin. The young man stood dumbstruck as he peered towards the ethereal image before him.

The night sky was incapable of reaching the pinnacle of its dimness due to the brilliant lights that circle the entire area. The young man never would’ve thought that darkness could concur with such vibrant colors. The lights are too bright—he was no longer familiar with the night sky he usually sees. He'd never suspected he'd see a night with scant bodies in the sky, as though he just slipped into another dimension.

Beneath this setting occupies a crowd, milling over the area while minding their own business. One could clearly notice the busy expression on their faces as if they’re not paying heed to anything else other than what is before them.

He eventually realized the inaudible noise that was prominent in the scene all along. As far as he remembers, dusk usually cues the entry of silence. One would never hear any form of noise when night falls. Conceivably, people in this place could also find serenity in clamor. Silence isn't always comforting after all.

Reaching the deeper parts of the city, the young man finds himself astounded by the eccentric architecture of the environment. The delighted expression written all over his face suggests that he had never seen such structures that make everything else look minuscule, wouldn't it be scary if they came to life and suddenly moved?

Discovering another face of the world carried a feeling of anticipation. The young man couldn’t help but feel the tension and fervor. Feeling two contrasting feelings at the same time was a first experience, and the look on his face implies that was not a bad thing.

Be that as it may, such an impression was an ephemeral thing. It only took a swift moment for his eagerness to vanish. The young man gleefully perambulated across the city only until the brilliant lights accommodating him subsequently disappeared. He continues striding and riding vehicles alike, but his spontaneous decision to set forth ultimately leads him to an unknown destination.

With no sense of affirmation, the young man finds himself completely lost in an unfamiliar place. The sparkling expression on his face molded into a frown the longer he hauls himself into an indefinite objective. He’d intermittently glance at what was behind him only to discover how the bustling city lost its presence every time he looks back. In due course, it could now only be seen flickering at a distance. Yet, he was not getting any closer to his destination.

Discovering his short-lived enthusiasm gradually dissipating discouraged the young man to move forward. But at this point of no return, he had no choice but to earnestly commit to his decision. Come what may out of his determination, the exhaustion he has accumulated started to catch up.

The pent-up agitation eventually forced the young man to take a break on the nearest seat he could perceive. No matter how he puts a valiant effort to get back on his feet, his leg would twitch, imminently constraining him back on his seat. His collapsing endurance was exponentially stimulated when the thick, cold air pierced through his nose, making it harder for him to breathe.

The young man placed his hands close to his face, delicately brushing them against one another. He diligently made an attempt to produce warm air to take in. Though, his remaining strength did not allow him to persist. The nearby lamppost that kept him awake precedingly glimmered before its light fleetingly perished. He struggled to keep his eyes open, but the dim surroundings—along with the dead silence—discretely robbed off the young man’s consciousness.

The threshold between falling asleep and staying conscious could be bizarre, and the young man was hopping on both ends. All his senses were already numb; he would not even realize his state in a minute. His consciousness was seconds away from slipping within his grasp when a rustling sound, progressively getting louder, anchored him from falling asleep.

The sharp, thudding commotion soon invaded the silence that enfolds the young man’s hearing. As spent as he is, the half-conscious fellow strived to sit up straight on his seat. He probed at what was ahead of him only to discover a superficial image of a silhouette; considering the shade enfolding the entire area. He laid his remaining strength on his legs considering the possible danger that could befall him. An inch closer, he would’ve fled.

The figure closing him in halted in an instant it discovered his vigilance. The sudden movement impressed an unambiguous portrayal towards the young man, mitigating himself of suspicion as the stress on his legs immediately loosened.

"Uh... I’m sorry to disturb you."

“A woman?" he muttered having particularly heard an acute voice. There was not even a time to get surprised. The next moment, the nearby lamppost resuscitated its own light, forcing the young man to cover his eyes brought about the abrupt transition of brightness.

The sharp strain in his eyes temporarily deprived him of his sight. He marginally reverted his gaze towards the woman; the sudden transformation of the scene snatched his attention otherwise. The young man’s jaw dropped—In the blink of an eye, the vivid scenery that deserted him reinstated throughout what encompasses him

The dim lamppost that barely kept his awareness now extends its light through the very edge of the scene. Beyond the figure of the young woman were obtrusive, alluring, intangible, round images produced by the rejuvenated light. If such illumination incidentally served two purposes—it was to glisten and obscure her presence. Along with what hazes her depiction emanates a sense of affirmation, quelling the young man off his guard.

Feeling the tension steadily leaving his eyes, the young man slowly moved his arms off his line of sight. He spared no effort in averting his focus on the conspicuous figure before him. To no avail, the image of the young woman still appeared fuzzy; as if his own sense of sight was deluding him.

Discerning the loss of his agitation, the young woman slowly approached him once more. Finer subtleties of her appearance followed naturally soon as they were only half a meter apart. The young man’s eyes involuntarily twitched having seen a clear image of a young woman in a silk beret, cotton mittens, an A-Line skirt with dark stockings covering her legs and thighs, and an oversized coat with a tan scarf wrapped around her neck. It was nothing more than an ordinary autumn outfit, but on the other hand, such simplicity indicates her stylishness.

The young woman was about the same age as him—in their late teenage years. A thin, slender figure emphasized her slightly-above-average height, which made her around a head shorter compared to the young man; who stands six feet tall. With her attire covering most of her skin, one could hardly notice the pale, rosy tone of her complexion resembling an alabaster vase with a variety of pink roses.

The moment she stripped her beret, the brilliant lights happened to act as a catalyst when her peach, blonde hair beamed a glitter in his eyes. It couldn’t be distinguished at first glance how short her hair is with the scarf she wears as her hair bobs against it.

From his angle where he’s somewhat underneath her, he came upon a velvety, shapely nose and cheeks. Along with the invigorating angle were her wide, round eyes that barely point upward. If he were to sustain his gaze towards them, the young man might just end up being enticed.

The sudden moment she blinked manifested the radiance in her cyan eyes. It could be blinding if one were to stare at them directly. Her surreal gaze reminded the young man of someone—it only took one glimpse to convince him of the well-meaning of her intentions.

He had his moments of stillness with various other people. For the record, their instance was the longest. The particular time he gets a good look at her appearance, time just seemed passive. It was too irrelevant for the young man to notice.

As a matter of fact, the young woman was astoundingly a much-welcomed sight. He purely behaved out of astonishment. From the young woman’s perspective, on the other hand, the young man has been gawking in her direction for the last few seconds. This inevitably placed an unnecessary tension between them.

The least of her purpose was to put the young man under her spell. All she did was show her concern. In accordance with what she knows, the person from across the street was one whiff away from falling into slumber with no roof over his head. With the humid weather moistening everything it touches, he'd likely wake up with a fever.

The young woman stepped backed as she began to notice his foreign aspects. Not to mention, a big suitcase half his size, abuts him. The feeling of uneasiness was discharged as she exhaled. With her hand partly clenched on her chest, she mustered up her initiative in speaking a language unconventional to her.

“Are you feeling unwell?” she uttered in a broken accent. Her voice— listless, but in no way lifeless—thwarted the young man out of his clouded thoughts. The moment he realized how enchanted he must’ve appeared, his eyes widened before he gently bowed his head.

"My apologies. I was out, distracted," hearing his own groggy voice reverbing through his ears, the young man cleared his throat before making eye contact with the young woman, "I'm not good at it, but we can speak your native language."

The young woman expressed an unapparent smile, "You are not from somewhere around here, are you?" She delicately delivered. Try as she might, every syllable she uttered occurred like an erratic tune to the young man.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

He would mumble what comes out of her mouth to completely understand long remarks. As he finally comprehended what the young woman expressed, his eyes lit up.

"Is it obvious?" he thoughtlessly asked. The young woman’s eyebrows plowed downwards having heard his remark.

"Obvious..."

She indicated a deadpan expression on her face as her eyes landed on the young man’s foot, then quickly escalating all the way up to his scalp. It is ridiculous how he asked at this rate.

"Yes."

Her eyes then widened when she recalled the sole reason why she approached him in the first place, "More importantly, you were about to pass out. That would've been bad."

The young man mimicked what she just said and he finds himself shrieking when her comment registers into his thoughts. In an attempt to hide the embarrassment, he lets out a soft chuckle.

"It's a good thing you came to my rescue then."

Amidst the moment, the young woman noticed a nibbling movement on the young man’s hands. The leaflet he was holding appeared like something trivial at first. But the fact he held it like it was his lifeline indicated it was something far important.

"Uh, would you mind if I have a look at that?" She asked as she pointed at the leaflet.

The young man seemed perplexed until his attention practically transferred on the object tactfully housed beneath his hands. He clutched the object as he glanced at it one last time before finally lending it to the young woman. She skimmed over the leaflet. With her familiarity over the area, it did not even take long until the young woman recalls the image imprinted on the object.

"I know how to get there from here." She mumbled as she transitioned her sight from the paper to the young man. While the young man initially curbed into partaking in the kind, young woman’s offer, he eventually reminded himself of his dire need for assistance.

Although hesitant, he expressed a dignified reception by slightly bowing his head downwards.

"I humbly accept your offer. I'm in your care."

The young woman obliged and took off, in which he immediately followed her lead.

All the while they were progressing was a moment of stillness. Having heard only the crunches from their steps, the young man became conscious of the silence enveloping the both of them. It took him a while to put his resolve together in initiating a conversation. But by the time he diverted his gaze to the young woman, her attention was already all over him.

"A tourist?" she asked.

The young man slightly shook his head, “I’m an immigrant”, he responded.

The young woman deliberately lost her lead in being able to walk beside the young man. She partly stared at him as she covertly appraises his appearance. She then looked up before regressing her attention back to the young man. "...Europe?"

"Somewhere inwards."

"Heh. Correct," she mumbled. The smug expression on her face shows one's sense of achievement. While the young man was initially uncertain what to feel towards her reaction, he sequentially beamed a smile on his face as if he was flattered how something trivial pleased her.

It did not take long when he noticed how she concurred with the deep blue sky atop them. At this point in time, one could barely perceive someone lurking deep in the night. Let alone, a young woman who’s likely underaged. Such thought inevitably escalated questions.

"That reminds me. What are you doing at this time of the night?"

She slowly turned her attention towards his direction. From the far side of her arm came the faint rustling of a plastic bag. And steam emitting against the cold weather.

"I've bought some meat buns."

The look on the young man’s face suggests he was not familiar with the object she was holding. But the appetizing scent from the mist sure did make his stomach growl. He couldn’t have felt more uncomfortable. As far as he remembers, he never produced such sounds with the presence of anyone else. Having a young woman hear it, he tensed in silence as he was unsure how he would react.

The young woman was taken aback for a moment with her usual deadpan expression until she realized she did not want her meal taken away from her. She turned her back defensively and made sure the meat buns were out of the young man’s reach, "You're not getting any." she foolishly mentioned. Encountering her playful reaction sets the young man in disarray. She then chuckled and ultimately surrendered the meat bun she held dear.

The young man blankly stared at the food extending from her hands. He took his time in collecting his thoughts. Somehow, he perceived how her behavior lacked dignity. But the fact that he’s been around people who are almost strait-laced all the time, he actually finds it amusing how her conduct contrastingly seemed like a breath of fresh air.

"My apologies, I'll take advantage of your offer," he answered as he took the object out of the young woman’s hand in what appears to be in a dignified manner. But that was only a front. Amidst his abstraction, he also recalled one thing.

Good thing, she was distracted by the fact I'd take it away from her. The young man’s lips contorted in a wiggly form. He passionately stares at the meat bun while recalling how his stomach almost escalated awkwardness between them. The downright embarrassment could’ve been catastrophic. He then mustered up his strength in setting off his suppressed emotion in one big bite.

The young woman was dumbfounded for a moment as she witnessed the biggest morsel one could potentially gnaw.

“You —I’m not bringing any drinks with me if you choked.”

Hearing the young woman’s remark, the young man giggled as he delightfully munched with his cheeks jiggling. In an instant, he finds himself bewildered of the warm and fluffy feeling he is experiencing. From what he recalls, most young maidens from where he came from would be too self-conscious within his presence. But the young lady, she'd strike a casual conversation nonchalantly. Her presence granted him unusual exhilaration, as expressed by the delighted expression on his face.

I see. Right here, I’m among the common people, he told himself. Although it was his first to experience it, he finds himself adapting to it fluidly.

People in his hometown are always uptight and focused on making good impressions. Conversations between the people in his hometown usually involved high regard and strict etiquette; his own family included. To him, it is just a front in conveying the respect they deem he deserves. It falls short of being a genuine thing. The young woman accommodating him right at the very moment on the other hand was just the polar opposite of this very description.

He intentionally declined the pace of their striding in an attempt to preserve their encounter. He knew right at that moment that he yearns for more. But no matter how the young man thought of many ways in slowing down their progress, it was just delaying the inevitable. Ultimately arriving at his destination didn't seem to feel too fulfilling, but further preserving their encounter one-sidedly would connote selfishness.

As the young woman seemed preoccupied in comparing a certain image of a building and the actual thing, the young man averted his gaze in her direction with discretion. He gave off a sullen look as the cold air brushed past their direction. His expression conveys one’s sense of defeat; at the least, he did not even get the chance to reciprocate the young woman’s benevolence.

The young man secretly let loose of a weak sigh, preparing himself from the conclusion of their encounter. But the young woman, who was just beside him, can’t help but notice what he had just done.

“Can you still manage?”

She then pointed towards a tall building that can be seen from inside the train station. Though the mist made the overall image foggy, the fact that it was taller than anything else within the premise made it really hard to miss.

“We’re almost there. But I’m afraid you’re on your own past this point. I cannot miss the last train.”

Parting ways was sort of a bittersweet feeling after finally discovering what he unknowingly longs for. He grasps for a silver lining, reminding himself of the new, ordinary life ahead of him and the vast encounters that await him.

"Thank you very much for accommodating me today." The young man responded as he slightly leaned his head with his body bent forward in a deep, formal bow.

The young woman raised one eyebrow when he articulated his gratitude. She precedingly shook her head before she locked eyes with the young man.

"No, raise your head. Besides..."

The next thing the young man sees was the young woman, holding out her hand, which suggested many things. It was clearly shown in his face how conflicted he was. To him, she was either telling him to embrace her hand or she wants a handshake. He almost felt apologetic for being confused and his face gave it right away.

"My meat bun, you're paying for it," she blurted. With his body still bent forward, the young man raised his head as he tried to process what she just said. He then realized that was actually her meal and he just took half of it. He quickly reaches out to one of his pockets, but the sense of emptiness reminded him he didn’t bring something he can use as an equivalent to her meal. At this point, he'd rather return it but it's already half-eaten.

The young woman almost felt sorry seeing the struggling expression from the young man’s face as she seemingly mentioned that as a joke. As awkward as it was, she took responsibility by exposing the nature of her remark.

"Sorry, my jokes are likely uncalled for," she expressed in a slow, monotonous voice. She slowly backed away after returning the leaflet she borrowed from the young man, "It's alright, you can have it."

Inexplicitly explaining her remark made the young man more baffled than ever. He blankly stared at the leaflet she returned, trying to process what just happened. As far as he was concerned, she has done nothing but to extend her kindness. An apology was out of the question. He did not even have the chance to collect his thoughts. The next moment he stares at her, she has already taken off.

The echoing steps from the young woman’s boots ringed in his ears. It was almost too late when he realized she was about to board the train. Fortunately, she made a quick pause and inadequately turned her gaze towards the young man.

"Well then, bye."

The moment she leaned towards the train was the exact moment his constrained emotions just came gushing out. Such a conclusion missed the mark of the closure he wanted. All things considered, he at least hoped to make amends. He did not even realize he already reached out to her and pulled her arm. Feeling the delicate grip on her own arm startled the young woman. Although she delivered a weak reaction, he could tell she was surprised.

"...Excuse me?"

The young man made sure to not let go of her arm until his gratitude comes across. He ventilates as he mustered up his courage to ask one last favor from her.

"Your accommodation, and. Ah! —also the meat bun. Please allow me to extend something in return."

While he mentioned that, he had no actual idea how to portray his words. He could feel the tension of the moment when the burst of determination he just felt dissipated out of thin air. This brought about a forced deliberation as he grabbed an object out of his pocket and presented it to the young woman.

"Right. Let's exchange contact information.” Such a short phrase that plopped out of his mouth impelled the young woman’s eyes to widen.

His eyes flicked on the corner soon as he became too conscious towards the heat of the moment. The tone of his voice simmered down having felt the downright embarrassment befalling him. “That is... If you do not mind."

Hearing the young man’s remark had the young woman blankly stare at him, likely thinking how’d she react. Although that was likely uncalled for, she particularly felt his sincerity. His earnest approach came across the young woman and it only took a moment until she gave off a frail smile and nodded.

"You did not have to think about it. But if you do insist."

They ultimately exchanged contact information. They had matching pleasant looks as they both stared at each of their devices. However, it did not take long for the young woman to show a baffled expression having seen the young man’s name.

"Hiragana?" she's definitely bewildered how the young man’s name was written.

Their moment was cut short when the bell of the train rang, signifying it was about to depart. Given the time constraint they had, the young man modestly expressed the most dignified grin he could offer the young lady.

"Well. Until we meet again, young miss."

The train doors did not even allow them to properly end their conversation. They solemnly raised their hands as they gently waved them; They were looking forward to their next encounter. Eyes closed, their lips pointing upwards. The young man heard, what appears to be muffled by the door separating them, her newfound acquaintance's voice.

"See you around. Sato, Kakeru–kun.”

For the first time, the young woman made a clear expression on her face indicating her relief with how everything turned out. The last image of the young lady he saw that night was her distinctively delicate smile as she waved goodbye.

Her presence is just weak and yet, her aura is brimming with something unusual. The paradox in her existence was mysterious.

Even without her presence, the young man still sensed the warmth of her accommodation. He slowly closed his eyes as he made a deep breath, channeling every bit of what remains from their encounter and putting it into one last ecstatic feeling.

The young man didn’t even realize he had been standing still for a couple of minutes already. He has been attempting to read her name time and time again. But no matter how many times he reads it, it was just impossible to speak something written in characters he’d never seen.

"It's strange how you called my name..." At this rate, the young man can't even fathom how he repeatedly made an attempt in calling out her name, "How does one read such characters?"

Thus far, he did not even realize how the uncertainty he had earlier utterly disappeared. The young man then diverted his attention towards the immediate journey before him. With an everlasting smile that won’t be leaving his face for a while, he prepared himself to set forth towards his new, ordinary life.

"Maybe I'll ask her the next time we meet."