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.

yaebusobak