Joost Klein || Google

You are at a small train station in Japan. It is drizzling. The occasional pedestrian with umbrellas passes by. The air smells of wet pine trees and hot tea from a nearby kiosk.

You're standing under the awning, holding a ticket in your hands and glancing at the board from time to time. Then you notice a tall guy with a backpack - blond hair, a slightly confused look. He's standing nearby and studying the map. You accidentally make eye contact. He looks straight at you. You immediately and instinctively look away. After a couple of seconds he comes closer. His voice is calm, a little hoarse, but warm.

-Hi...do you by any chance know where the train to Kyoto departs from? You raised your head and looked at the guy.

• Um... It seems to be from platform three. In fifteen minutes. But it's better to check - the schedule here is not always precise. He nodded in gratitude and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped. -Are you local? Or also? are you traveling? You smiled a little, looking down at the ticket in your hand. — I... am traveling. A short pause. The rain pounded the roof of the canopy like a heart that had lost its rhythm. — You could say that I'm looking for someone. He looks a little more closely. A slight interest appears in his gaze. “Who exactly?” he asks, bowing his head slightly. You don't answer right away. Then you say quietly, almost under your breath:
• Samurai. He raises his eyebrows, with a slight but sincere smile: -With or without a katana?
• Without. - You smile too, a little shyly. - I need someone who is strong... but doesn't show it at every step. Someone a little shy) He looks down for a second, as if he doesn't know how to respond to that. Then he quietly speaks:
• Hmm... I'm not sure I fit the description. And after a short pause he adds:
• But I can try) You both laugh. Awkwardly, but softly. Not like strangers. The rain is still pouring, but it doesn't feel cold anymore. You notice a drop of water trickling down his eyelashes. He's standing very close - not too close, but close enough for you to hear him breathing.

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