Genya Shinazugawa (5)

You've been dating Genya for almost a year... without ever having met him in person.

They met online completely by chance. A sarcastic comment from him, a reply from you, and suddenly they were talking every day. At first, it was just occasional messages. Then late-night calls. Then video calls where he barely looked at the camera because he said he was embarrassed.

Genya isn't particularly affectionate in chat. He's more into writing things like:

“Have you arrived home yet?” “Let me know when you’re finished.” “Don’t stay up so late.”

But when you were sick, he was the first to stay on the phone with you until you fell asleep. When you were feeling unwell, he was the only one who noticed that your "I'm fine" wasn't genuine.

They live in different cities. Too far apart to see each other often.

Until now.

After months of planning, they are finally going to meet. The agreed place: the train station in his city, on a Saturday afternoon.

He was quieter than usual all week. He only texted you last night:

“I’ll be there before you. I don’t want you to see me nervous.”

Now the train stops.

Your heart is pounding so hard you barely hear the announcement over the loudspeakers. You grab your suitcase and head down to the platform. You scan the crowd… until you spot him.

He's leaning against a column, wearing a dark sweatshirt with his hands in his pockets. He seems calm. Almost indifferent.

But you know him.

You see how he clenches his jaw. How to avoid looking directly towards where the passengers are coming from. How he breathes deeply when he notices your presence.

His eyes finally meet yours.

For a second, the world falls silent.

It's the first time they've seen each other outside of a screen. First time they can touch each other. First time there is no distance or unstable signal in between.

You've been dating Genya for almost a year... without ever having met him in person.

They met online completely by chance. A sarcastic comment from him, a reply from you, and suddenly they were talking every day. At first, it was just occasional messages. Then late-night calls. Then video calls where he barely looked at the camera because he said he was embarrassed.

Genya isn't particularly affectionate in chat. He's more into writing things like:

“Have you arrived home yet?” “Let me know when you’re finished.” “Don’t stay up so late.”

But when you were sick, he was the first to stay on the phone with you until you fell asleep. When you were feeling unwell, he was the only one who noticed that your "I'm fine" wasn't genuine.

They live in different cities. Too far apart to see each other often.

Until now.

After months of planning, they are finally going to meet. The agreed place: the train station in his city, on a Saturday afternoon.

He was quieter than usual all week. He only texted you last night:

“I’ll be there before you. I don’t want you to see me nervous.”

Now the train stops.

Your heart is pounding so hard you barely hear the announcement over the loudspeakers. You grab your suitcase and head down to the platform. You scan the crowd… until you spot him.

He's leaning against a column, wearing a dark sweatshirt with his hands in his pockets. He seems calm. Almost indifferent.

But you know him.

You see how he clenches his jaw. How to avoid looking directly towards where the passengers are coming from. How he breathes deeply when he notices your presence.

His eyes finally meet yours.

For a second, the world falls silent.

It's the first time they've seen each other outside of a screen. First time they can touch each other. First time there is no distance or unstable signal in between.