In the same light

CHAPTER 1 Startline The moment the plane touched down on the land, I opened my eyes fully. Now… I'm really here. At the place I had wanted to visit for so long. I remembered my Grandma told me countless stories about this place, about all the beautiful things. And now… I actually made it here. I couldn’t help it—Im happy and so excited I could barely contain myself. I got off the plane along with the other passengers, walking down the aisle toward where my luggage was. It wasn’t heavy at all since I didn’t bring much with me. When I grabbed my bag and headed straight for the exit, I froze—and my smile couldn’t get any bigger. Because finally… After 8 years, I saw her again. “Grandma Sanae!” I shouted, running toward her without thinking. I couldn’t help hugging her tightly. “P—” she started, but I cut her off immediately. “Serenity, Grandma!How are you? Thank God we finally meet again!” She hugged me back just as tightly, looking into my eyes. I could see so much she wanted to ask, but I knew my grandma would understand me anyway. “I’m fine, dear. Thank God you finally came! How have you been? I can’t believe how much you’ve grown… and so beautiful!” She's already tearing up, and I couldn’t help laughing at her words. “Of course! I inherited it from you,” I said, making her laugh even harder. “Oh, so I’m the one you got it from, huh? Hahaha!” We looked at each other again and hugged. I really missed her so much. Eight years,Eight long years… and now it is finally over. My heart was so full, so happy, and I prayed this moment would last. She pulled away a little and brushed my hair gently, looking at it and stroking it softly. “Alright, let’s go home now so you can rest,” she said, and together we walked toward the car. As we walked, I couldn’t help but take in the air. It felt so refreshing, so peaceful. I hadn’t expected Japan to feel this way. The air was perfect. I wondered what it would feel like in the morning, knowing Japan is called the “Land of the Rising Sun.” I couldn’t wait to watch the sunrise. I really love watching it—it makes my heart so happy. I can't help myself but to sigh dreamingly Once we got in the car, I couldn’t stop staring out the window at everything passing by. The lights… They were alive, vibrant. Japan really did have this calm, elegant vibe. I’d read about it before, but experiencing it… wow. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Grandma said from beside me. “Yes… so beautiful,” I said, smiling widely. She brushed my hair again. “But you’re more beautiful, dear,” she teased, making me facepalm. “Grandma! You already know where this beauty came from,” I replied, laughing with her. She just looked at me meaningfully, as if she wanted to ask something, but stayed silent. “I thought you were planning to grow your hair long. Why is it still shoulder length?” she asked, touching it. “Ah, well I used to be, but now… I just don’t feel like it. This looks better anyway,” I said, laughing at my own words, even though it wasn’t really that funny. She just looked at me, with that look that said she knew more than she let on. After about an hour, we finally arrived at her home in Fujiyoshida. I was blown away—and excited. The view of Mount Fuji was so unclear because of darkness. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow to see it clearly; I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep from excitement. Since it was already night, grandma guided me to my room. She told me that tomorrow she would accompany me to my school, which was nearby, and we’d also explore around—making me even more excited. I glanced at the clock—it was past 9 PM—so I brushed my hair and sat on my bed. My room was simple but cozy, painted beige with clean, elegant designs. Paintings, old vases, a piano full of pictures… Everything looked beautiful. I looked around and noticed a sliding door leading to a balcony. I opened it, and the cold night breeze brushed against me, making my hair sway. The moon and stars above… I couldn’t stop smiling. The wind chilled me, but it was comforting. I know why people say Japan is perfect for unwinding. I just… breathed it all in. Inhale, exhale. My heart calmed thanks to the wind, the stars, and the moon. I noticed a balcony across from mine. The lights were off… the person there must have been asleep. I smiled to myself, closed my balcony door, and got ready to sleep. The next morning, at 4:45 AM, I woke up, too excited to see the sunrise. I rushed to the balcony, but it was still a bit dark. Maybe I was too early. I shrugged it off. I went downstairs and saw grandma preparing breakfast. She hadn’t noticed me yet, so I snuck behind her and hugged her, startling her a little. “Oh my-you really are a child! I’ll be gone early if you keep doing this.” she said, hand on her chest. I frowned. “Grandma! That’s not funny!” I said, crossing my arms. She faced me, smiling. “Well… you know it will happen in the future , Seri, so you shouldn’t be surprised,” she replied. I froze—she was right. But no, I can't accept it “Okay, fine… I said that so you’d live longer!” I laughed, making her laugh too. We had breakfast happily, and I finished so quickly from excitement. I went upstairs to shower and get dressed: puff blouse, black skirt, Mary Jane shoes, and a cap. When I peeked at the neighboring balcony, I noticed the owner was awake too because I can see that the window of their balcony is already open. Out of curiosity, I wondered who they were… but Lola called me downstairs, so I had to go. “Coming!” I said, glancing back at the balcony. I smiled at the thought of meeting them later. My mood was already lifted from yesterday and now. I hurried downstairs and saw Lola waiting for me. She looked me over from head to toe and frowned a little. “Ah… what’s the matter, Grandma?” I asked, confused. “Nothing. It’s just obvious you didn’t grow up here in Japan,” she laughed. At first I didn’t understand, but then I realized she meant my style. I shrugged—it was my style after all. My dear grandma and I started walking toward the school. It was close by, just walking distance. I couldn’t help but go wow at the cherry blossom trees lined along the street. The wind made the petals dance beautifully. I also caught glimpses of Mount Fuji and a river—it felt like I was in heaven. I almost wanted to cry from how breathtaking it was. Paradise “I’m glad you liked it on your first day, dear,” Lola said, smiling. I nodded repeatedly, smiling back. Words couldn’t describe the beauty… the flowers, the clean streets, the chill in the wind. I forgot I was even somewhere new. I should have brought a jacket, but pride… I just braved the cold. Minutes later, we reached school. And just like the videos, it was huge. Cherry blossoms everywhere. “Here we are, dear. Fujiyoshida Municipal Meisei Junior High School, in short… Meisei Junior High,”Grandma said, smiling at me. I smiled too. Finally… I was really here. This was my reality, starting at Meisei Junior High. Grandma walked me to the gate. The facilities were huge, fountains, and immaculate grounds. She said it was Friday, so most students didn’t have class due to teacher activities. Only a few were around, staring at us. “Dear, I’ll submit the requirements. Go explore the school,” she said, making me smile even more. I nodded and ran off, excited. The school was gorgeous. Huge facilities, endless cherry blossoms and flowers. Covered courts, tennis courts, baseball fields… the students looked like professional athletes already. I couldn’t find the soccer field yet, but I’d see it Monday. As I explored, the sky slowly brightened. The sunrise was coming. I wanted the perfect view. The only place I could see it was atop a tree in the middle of the courtyard. Dangerous? Yes. But perseverance won—I climbed it just in time. And then… I saw it. The sunrise hitting my face, petals glowing, flowers waking up, Mount Fuji shining even brighter. Peace, beauty, everything alive. I closed my eyes, breathed in the warmth, the wind. But then, instinctively, I looked down to my right—and gasped. A man was staring at me. He spoke one word: “Kirei.” And my heart… stopped. Shocked. Awed. Confused. Who was he? What did he just say?