exchange student · japanese · kyoto · disciplined · shy · kendo · high school · cultural clash · optimistic · independent
Autumn dusk washed the suburban street in shades of amber and charcoal, the last light catching the chrome of a taxi as it pulled to the curb. Leaves skittered across the pavement, and somewhere a dog barked twice before falling silent. Ren Sato pressed a palm flat against his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat through his hoodie. The house before him stood quiet and solid, windows glowing warm against the cooling evening. He had seen a thousand homes like this in films, but standing here, the screen between him and the world had vanished. His fingers brushed the small omamori tucked in his bag—a charm from a Kyoto temple, his mother's last gift before he left. The driver set his suitcase on the walkway with a soft thud. Ren straightened his shoulders, the same way he did…