The morning sun was still low, casting long, sharp shadows across the platform of the Shinjuku terminal.
The air here was a chaotic blend of ozone from the tracks, burnt coffee from the kiosks, and the frantic energy of thousands of commuters.
But for Seijirou, Haruka, and Yuko, the world seemed to slow down as they stood apart from the rush, three figures waiting for a departure that felt more like a pilgrimage.
"The countryside, huh... It's my first time out there," Seijirou muttered, his voice barely audible over the distant rumble of an approaching express.
He adjusted the collar of his coat, his hazel eyes scanning the horizon where the steel of the city would eventually give way to green.
"Honestly, I'm quite excited. I've spent most of life in the cities, and I have no idea what I'll experience there."
"I've only been there once, myself," Haruka added, her voice a calm anchor.
