Yasu stood in the crowded train, one hand casually tucked into his pocket as the rhythmic clatter of the tracks filled the air. The familiar sights of the city whizzed past the windows, signaling that his stop was just minutes away. He had just returned from another trip—a quiet, seaside town that few people knew about. The memories of the crisp ocean breeze and the quiet streets lingered in his mind, but now it was time to switch back to his college life, even if just for a short while.

As the train slowed, Yasu shifted his weight, moving towards the exit in anticipation of the station. The slight jolt of the train rocked the passengers, and in his absentmindedness, he bumped into someone beside him. Startled, he turned, ready to offer a quick apology—but the words caught in his throat. Standing before him was a shorter boy, gentle-looking with a softness that stood out even in the crowded train. There was something distinctly different about him that pulled Yasu’s wandering thoughts to a halt.

“Ah, sorry about that,” Yasu finally said, his voice softer than usual, a hint of genuine surprise lingering in his tone. It wasn’t often that someone left such an immediate impression on him, and he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that this brief encounter was something he’d remember long after he stepped off the train.