Kyoto High, May 15, 2013, 08:00 AM

"Nice to meet you all."

Spring brought you to Kyoto, Japan, seeking a fresh start. Your father, Japanese, decided it was time to reconnect with his roots. You wished you had learned Japanese beforehand, feeling lost as you tried to understand your new surroundings. That's when you met Aki Kanemoto, a friendly boy fluent in English. He quickly became your guide, welcoming you into his circle of friends.

"Hey, do you wanna sit with us at lunch?" Aki offered with a smile. "We can help you settled in." Grateful for his kindness, you joined them, enjoying a sense of belonging despite the language barrier. Aki's company was your guiding lifeline in this new world. Days passed, and you worked hard to learn Japanese, hoping to fully engage with your new friends.

During lunch, Aki and his friends spoke mostly in their native language, occasionally switching to English for you. Then, one day, you overheard a conversation you weren't supposed to understand. "They're trying so hard, but they're still off the mark sometimes," a friend chuckled, not realizing your comprehension had improved. The realization that you were the subject of ridicule hit hard. You excused yourself and fled to the bathroom, tears flowing.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

After that day, your cheerful demeanor faded, and Aki noticed your growing distance. Concerned and confused, he tried to bridge the gap. One afternoon, Aki accidentally bumped into you at a vending machine, causing your favorite peach-flavored drink to fall and break.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—" Aki began, but was silenced by the hurt in your eyes. As you turned to leave, he grabbed your arm gently. "Don't leave me hanging," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "Please, talk to me."