The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of Ryuji’s bedroom, casting gentle rays across his face and stirring him from a restless sleep. He blinked slowly, allowing his eyes to adjust to the soft light that bathed the room in a warm glow. For a moment, he lay still, listening to the distant cries of seagulls and the rhythmic murmur of waves crashing against the shore—a familiar symphony that usually brought him comfort.

Today, however, a subtle unease lingered in his chest, remnants of the previous night’s tumultuous thoughts clinging to him like morning mist. Memories of Kazuki’s visit played through his mind, each detail vivid and insistent—the youthful spark in Kazuki’s eyes, the earnestness of his smile, the brief, electrifying touch of their hands as he handed over the wrapped book.

Ryuji exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face as he tried to center himself. It was foolish to dwell so intensely on a single, fleeting encounter. And yet, despite his attempts to dismiss it, the thought of seeing Kazuki again brought an unexpected flutter of anticipation to his heart.

Rising from his bed, Ryuji went through his morning routine with practiced efficiency. He showered, dressed in his usual understated attire, and prepared a simple breakfast of rice, grilled fish, and miso soup. As he ate alone at his small kitchen table, the silence of his home pressed in around him, more noticeable now than ever before.

After tidying up, Ryuji gathered his belongings and set out for the shop. The streets were already coming alive with the bustle of daily life. Shopkeepers swept their storefronts, children in uniform hurried to school, and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from the nearby bakery, mingling pleasantly with the salty sea air.

As he walked, Ryuji couldn’t help but scan the faces of passersby, searching subconsciously for a glimpse of dark hair and bright eyes. Chiding himself for his distraction, he quickened his pace, focusing instead on the tasks that awaited him at the bookstore.

Upon arriving, Ryuji unlocked the door and stepped inside, inhaling the comforting scent of aged paper and polished wood. Sunlight streamed through the front windows, illuminating motes of dust that danced lazily in the air. He moved through the familiar space, turning on lights and organizing displays, finding solace in the routine.

The morning passed quietly, with a few regular customers stopping by to browse and exchange polite conversation. Ryuji assisted them with his usual calm demeanour, but there was a subtle restlessness beneath his composed exterior, a part of him that remained attuned to the door, waiting for the soft chime of its bell.

It was shortly after noon when that anticipated sound finally echoed through the shop. Ryuji looked up from his ledger, his heart skipping a beat as Kazuki stepped inside, bringing with him a burst of energy that seemed to brighten the entire room.

Today, Kazuki was dressed casually in a light blue shirt and khaki pants, a canvas tote bag slung over his shoulder. The sea breeze had slightly tousled his hair, and a cheerful smile lit up his face as his eyes met Ryuji’s.

“Good afternoon, Ryuji,” Kazuki greeted, his voice warm and inviting. “I hope it’s okay that I stopped by again.”

Ryuji felt a small, genuine smile tug at his lips as he closed the ledger and straightened up. “Of course, Kazuki. You’re always welcome here.”

Kazuki’s smile widened as he took a few steps further into the shop, his gaze roaming appreciatively over the shelves. “Great. I had some free time after my morning classes and thought I’d explore more of your collection. Plus, the weather’s much nicer today.”

Ryuji nodded, noting the clear skies visible through the windows. “It’s a perfect day to be out and about. How were your classes?”

A spark lit up in Kazuki’s eyes at the question. “They were good! We had a lab session this morning, studying some samples I collected from the tide pools yesterday. It’s fascinating how much diversity exists in such small ecosystems.”

Kazuki’s contagious enthusiasm drew Ryuji in, prompting him to ask, “You’re studying marine biology, correct?”

“That’s right,” Kazuki replied, his excitement evident. “I’ve always been drawn to the ocean. There’s so much we don’t know, so many mysteries beneath the surface waiting to be discovered.”

Ryuji listened attentively, finding himself genuinely interested. “It sounds like a rewarding field of study.”

“It is,” Kazuki agreed, then hesitated briefly before adding, “Maybe I could show you some of the interesting spots along the coast sometime? There are some beautiful hidden places not far from here.”

The unexpected invitation caught Ryuji off guard, and he felt a flicker of hesitation. He hadn’t ventured much beyond his routines since moving to the town, preferring the comfort of familiar surroundings. But the hopeful look in Kazuki’s eyes made him consider the offer more seriously than he might have otherwise.

“That sounds enjoyable,” Ryuji found himself saying, surprised by the sincerity in his own voice. “I haven’t explored much of the coastline yet.”

Kazuki’s face lit up, clearly pleased by the response. “Great! How about this weekend? The weather forecast looks promising.”

Before Ryuji could respond, the phone on the counter rang, interrupting the moment. Offering an apologetic glance, Ryuji picked up the receiver, handling a brief call from a supplier regarding a delayed shipment. As he hung up, he noticed Kazuki browsing through a nearby shelf, his fingers gently tracing the spines of several poetry books.

“Sorry about that,” Ryuji said, stepping out from behind the counter.

“No worries,” Kazuki replied, pulling out a slim volume bound in deep green leather. “You have an incredible collection here. It’s easy to get lost among all these stories.”

Ryuji joined him by the shelf, noting the book Kazuki held. “Ah, that’s a collection of traditional Japanese poetry from the Meiji period. It’s a personal favourite.”

Kazuki carefully opened the book, his eyes scanning the delicate script. “Would you mind reading one to me? I’m still learning, and it’d be nice to hear it spoken properly.”

Ryuji hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “Of course.”

Kazuki handed him the book, stepping slightly closer to listen. Ryuji turned to a bookmarked page and began to read, his voice low and measured as he brought the words to life. The poem spoke of fleeting moments and the transient beauty of nature, capturing emotions that transcended time.

As Ryuji read, he became acutely aware of Kazuki’s presence beside him—the subtle scent of sea salt and fresh air that clung to him, the attentive tilt of his head, the softness in his gaze as he absorbed each word. The intimacy of the moment was unexpected, a shared appreciation that bridged the years between them.

When Ryuji finished, a comfortable silence settled between them, filled only by the distant sounds of the town outside.

“That was beautiful,” Kazuki said softly, his eyes lingering on Ryuji’s face. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Ryuji replied, closing the book gently. “Poetry has a way of capturing emotions that are hard to express otherwise.”

Kazuki nodded thoughtfully, his gaze drifting back to the shelves. “Do you write as well, Ryuji?”

A faint smile crossed Ryuji’s lips. “No, I’m afraid my talents lie more in appreciation than creation.”

“I find that hard to believe,” Kazuki said, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “I bet you have a hidden artistic side.”

Ryuji chuckled softly, a sound that felt almost foreign to him. “If I do, it’s well hidden even from myself.”

Kazuki seemed about to respond when his stomach let out a loud, unexpected growl. He blushed, bringing a hand to his midsection. “Ah, sorry about that. I guess I skipped lunch.”

Ryuji glanced at the clock on the wall, noting the time. “It’s already past one. There’s a café next door if you’d like to grab something.”

Kazuki’s eyes brightened with an idea. “Actually, would you like to join me? My treat, as thanks for the poetry reading.”

Ryuji opened his mouth to decline out of habit but paused, reconsidering. The prospect of sharing a meal with Kazuki was both daunting and strangely appealing.

“Alright,” he agreed after a moment. “Let me just lock up.”

Kazuki’s face broke into a delighted smile. “Perfect!”

Ryuji quickly organized a few things around the shop, flipping the sign to indicate he’d be back shortly. As they stepped out onto the sunny street, a gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods from the nearby café.

The café, aptly named Sea Breeze, was a cozy establishment with outdoor seating shaded by colourful umbrellas. They chose a table near the window, and a friendly waitress promptly arrived with menus.

As they perused the selections, Kazuki began sharing stories about his studies and recent explorations along the coast, his enthusiasm infectious. Ryuji found himself listening intently, asking questions and contributing thoughts in a way he hadn’t done with anyone in a long time.

Their food arrived—a hearty sandwich for Kazuki and a simple salad for Ryuji—accompanied by steaming cups of green tea. The conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on topics ranging from literature to the best local spots to watch the sunset.

At one point, Kazuki leaned back in his chair, a contented smile on his face as he regarded Ryuji thoughtfully.

“You know, I’m really glad I walked into your shop yesterday,” he said earnestly. “I didn’t expect to make a friend so quickly here.”

The word ‘friend’ hung in the air between them, and Ryuji felt a warmth spread through him at the sincere declaration.

“Nor did I,” he replied softly, meeting Kazuki’s gaze. “It’s been a pleasant surprise.”

Kazuki’s smile widened, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them, sharing a simple meal and the beginnings of a meaningful connection.

As they finished their lunch and prepared to return to their respective routines, Kazuki looked at Ryuji hopefully.

“So, about that coastal tour this weekend—does Saturday afternoon work for you?”

Ryuji considered his usually empty weekend schedule and found himself nodding. “Saturday afternoon sounds good.”

“Great! I’ll meet you at the shop around two?”

“That works.”

They stood outside the café for a moment longer, basking in the comfortable silence before Kazuki glanced at his watch.

“I should get going; I have a study group meeting soon. Thanks for joining me for lunch, Ryuji.”

“Thank you for the invitation,” Ryuji replied. “It was enjoyable.”

Kazuki gave a small wave before turning and walking down the street, his steps light and confident. Ryuji watched until he disappeared around a corner, a subtle smile lingering on his lips.

As he returned to his shop, Ryuji felt a lightness in his step that hadn’t been there before, a sense of anticipation for what the coming days might bring. The threads of connection between him and Kazuki were growing stronger, weaving into something that promised warmth and companionship in a life that had long been defined by solitude.

For the first time in years, Ryuji felt the stirrings of change within himself. He was ready to embrace the unexpected and welcome the possibilities that lay ahead beneath the endless, open sky.