For all case and purposes, nobody has any racial distinguishable features, since all anime characters look the same no matter what nationality they are…. just wanted to clarify why the girls didn't outwardly say he looked different…. technically he doesn't look different

Cold.

I can't remember when was the last time I felt warmth.

The weather here is merciless, but ironically, it does not bother me as much as it should.

This place suits me well; it is as cold and barren as my heart feels.

How I got here I cannot remember.

All I know is that I am here now.

I wanted to forget. But forgetting seems to be impossible for me.

My wounds won't heal.

My heart won't let me forget

I know what I need to do, but I do not have the courage to face my sins yet.

All I want is to be forgiven.

All I need is love.

I want somebody to let me cry on their shoulder. Somebody that will hear me pour my heart out and won't judge me.

Somebody that will fill my cold and barren heart with warmth.

I left everything behind, yet I cannot forget.

I never thought that I would ever feel this guilty.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

'What is that?'

'What does it look like, it's a young boy.' A young woman said.

'But where did you find him Sashenka?'

'He was lying in the alley. I felt sad for the poor thing.' the woman addressed as Sashenka said.

'He's so handsome, it is no wonder you picked him up.' Another young woman said mischievously.

'Take that pretty little head of yours out of the gutter, Kharenka.'

'He looks foreign. You don't see red hair around here too often.' Another one said.

'Look, he's awake!'

When I came back to my senses, I was inside. It was warm. There were many women around me. They looked at me with worry and they spoke in a language I could not understand.

'How are you feeling?'

I looked at them blankly.

'He cannot understand what you are saying, stupid!'

'We have a problem.'

'Can we keep him?' Kharenka said.

'What is he, a dog?'

'But he is sooooo cute, and young and…'but Sashenka cut her off.

'Will you stop speaking nonsense. You, don't go around corrupting young boys, besides if he stays he will be our little brother.'

'Is it safe? Look he is carrying a sword.' A shy looking girl asked.

'I think it's safe Ninushka.'

'Who cares, in this line of work we are always exposed to danger. Don't tell me you are going to be scared of a boy with a sword?'

'N-no…I mean…I apologize for my foolishness Anna.' Ninushka said meekly.

'Anna! All of you stop this nonsense! The boy will stay and that is that!' Sashenka said forcefully.

The boss had spoken.

Even if I did not understand what was being said, I thought I should introduce myself.

'Kenji.' I said. All the women turned to look at me.

'I think that is his name.' One whispered.

Again I repeated my name and pointed at myself.

'Ah.' They said in unison.

'Easy enough.' One of the women said.

'Kharenka, Sashenka, Ninushka, Anna…' They proceeded to go around in a circle pointing at themselves and telling me their names.

As I walked to the door to leave, one of the women stopped me. She shaked her head, and I took it as a sign they wanted me to stay, and here I am.

It took me a couple of months to learn the new language, but now I know what is being said.

"Alexei! The clients will be arriving soon, so go to your room" Kharenka tells me.

I said I wanted to forget. The girls knew. And that is why they changed my name.

'Change my name, why?'

'So that you fit in better. You stand out as it is with that red hair of yours; we can find you a nice Russian name, or are you attached to your birth name? Besides if you are here is because you want to start from scratch, right? Changing your name will help you achieve that goal.'

'I am not attached to my name or anything that reminds me of my name, as a matter of fact, I want to forget I was once 'Kenji.' You can change it to whatever you want.'

I remember seeing them exchange glances. It was as if they knew exactly what I was feeling.

And that was how I became Alexei.

'How about Alexei?' one of the girls proposed.

'Alexei sounds fine.' I said

But even now that I've become 'Alexei', I still have not been able to forget.

I am still lonely even if I am surrounded by many people.