A/N: I know, I stuck the Western label on this thing. So what. It's set in the West, at any rate, as opposed to the Far East. And I don't think there are any stories under that category anyway, so I thought that it was high time it got one. So there. As for the story, well, I just needed something fun to write while working on my other fic, Hidden Blessings, which will be posted once I finish it; which might take a while if current progress is any indicator. So, having said all that, enjoy! This is what you get when I'm stuck at home with a cold.

The room was dim as a young man stumbled through the door, tugging off his jacket as he kicked off his shoes with all the haphazard grace of a stork. He was tired. He was very tired; in fact, so tired that he didn't even bother getting himself anything to eat from the slow cooker as he make his way over to the bed pushed against the far wall. The blankets felt cool and inviting as he collapsed onto the covers, closing his eyes in relief. Too bad he had to get up to e-mail his sister, a daily ritual that he had yet to miss ever since he had arrived at the Windy City.

The laptop blinked admonishingly from the small table that was set in the middle of the kitchen unit, a small affair that was separated from the main room by a length of plaster topped with a thin strip of pseudo-marble. The realtor hadn't exactly been lying when he had said the two room apartment came with a complete kitchen plus a bar, but then again that would have to depend on someone's definition of "complete." Not that it mattered much anyway. He hadn't expected his stay in America to be glamorous by any means, college student that he was. Still, it would be nice if the air conditioning could work on nights like these.

Rolling off the bed, the young Japanese man made his way over to seat himself down in front of the screen, clicking the internet icon impatiently as he thought over what he would say. Maybe he should write about how he was lucky to get internet at all, considering that he was just schmoozing off the wi-fi from next door? No, he didn't want to tell her anything depressing. She hated how he was away from her as it was, and any sign of discontent would produce not so subtle hints about how he should come home, how much she missed him, how much mother needed him back at the family business; although in truth it had been his mother who had encouraged him to go overseas in the first place. That woman was all about expanding horizons and such.

The blank box waited for him patiently as he made up his mind. Fingers slowly pressing down on the keys, he typed out the following message to be sent across the ocean.

Dear Sis,

Today was pretty nice. I went down to Navy Pier and took a walk along the lakeside. You would have liked it, with the sailboats and joggers and people just out for a walk with their kids. People dress rather revealingly here when the weather gets hot, men even taking off their shirts and kids running around in the fountains in their swimsuits. Not that I think you would've have minded. You always liked being introduced to new cultures and mindsets, and I'm happy to hear that you're excited about that trans-Asia trip that you're going on with your friend this summer. Although I don't know how we're going to keep in touch regularly if you keep moving around. Too bad we're not telepathic, lol. Make sure you text me before you leave.

Affectionately yours,

Larg

He thought for a moment before adding something.

PS. Moro and Maru are doing well at their new jobs here as kabuki dancers. I would have never known that kabuki had a following here in the US, but I guess in Chicago anything goes. At any rate, they send their greetings and hope that you're doing well.

With that the young man clicked the send button, stretching and yawning as he did so. The restless Chicago night created a backdrop of noise that was far different than that of his hometown, but was soothing in its own way. He supposed that after the first few weeks he had gotten used to it.

Now, to get some sleep. He didn't want to be late for his first day of work at the warehouse, after all.