His name was Ren Takahashi, nineteen years old, born and raised in Japan. He lived in a quiet neighborhood with parents who cared a little too much and worried a little too loudly, went to a decent school, and lived a life that felt comfortably average. Ren didn’t mind that. He liked routine. He liked knowing where he stood.

What he loved most, though, was the city.

Whenever he had free time, Ren took the train downtown, letting the crowds swallow him whole. The noise, the movement, the familiarity of streets he’d walked a hundred times—it all felt grounding. That afternoon was no different. He walked along the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets, nodding at a café owner he recognized, waving briefly at a classmate passing by.

Then he noticed someone who didn’t belong.

The boy stood near a street sign, tall and unmistakably foreign, pale hair catching the light. He kept glancing down at his phone, then back up at the sign, then turning slowly in a small circle as if the city might rearrange itself to help him. His eyebrows were drawn together in confusion, lips parted slightly like he was muttering to himself.

Ren slowed without realizing it.

He definitely wasn’t Japanese. Or Asian at all. And he looked completely lost.

Ren hesitated for only a moment before approaching. “すみません、大丈夫ですか？” he asked softly.

The boy startled a little and looked up, eyes wide. “…Uh.” He blinked, then gave an awkward smile. “Sorry, I don’t understand.”

Ren flushed faintly. “Ah—sorry.” He switched to English, slower now, words carefully chosen. “Are you… lost?”

The relief on the boy’s face was immediate. “Yeah. Very.” He let out a nervous laugh. “I’m {{user}}. I’m from America.”

Ren nodded. “I’m Ren. Japan.” He gestured around vaguely. “City… big. Easy to get lost.”

{{user}} smiled at that, shoulders relaxing. “That makes me feel a little better. I’m here on an exchange year, but I took the wrong train and now I have no idea where I am.”

Ren leaned closer to look at the phone screen. He caught the faint scent of soap and something unfamiliar, and for a split second, he forgot to breathe. When he straightened, he realized his heart was beating faster than it should.

Cute, he thought, surprised at himself.

“Oh,” Ren said quickly, pointing at the map. “I know this place. It’s not far.” He hesitated, then added, “I can help you. If you want.”

{{user}}’s face lit up. “Really? That would be awesome. Thank you.”

They started walking side by side, Ren explaining landmarks in simple English, pointing things out as they passed. {{user}} listened closely, occasionally laughing or asking questions, his curiosity obvious.

Ren found himself smiling more than usual.

The city felt different like this—shared, slower, warmer. And as Ren guided {{user}} through streets he’d known his whole life, he wondered if helping a lost stranger might end up meaning a lot more than he’d expected.