Chapter 1
Taiyaki and Strawberry Milk: The Journey Back Home
Emily Hawkins sat in her seat, the hum of the airplane engines lulling her into a drowsy state. She was on her way to Tokyo, Japan, a place that held a mix of memories—some sweet, some bittersweet. Her long wavy hair, dyed half pink on the right and half blue on the left, framed her face, casting a vibrant contrast against her fair skin. Freckles dotted her cheeks and her pale blue eyes, now heavy with sleep, fluttered closed. Wrapped in her favorite light pink hoodie and gray sweatpants, she felt comforted, though a twinge of nervousness tickled at the back of her mind.
As she drifted off, memories from her past surfaced like vivid dreams. She was back in middle school, sitting at the back of a classroom in Japan. The chatter of her classmates filled the room, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony she had never grown accustomed to. Unlike now, her hair was a short wavy light blonde back then, and she wore the typical Japanese school uniform—a navy-blue sailor suit with a white collar and bow. To block out the noise, she had always worn her big light pink headphones, a barrier between her and the world around her. Music was her refuge, a safe haven where she could escape the overwhelming stimuli of a classroom filled with lively, animated students. She often felt out of place, the only foreigner in a sea of Japanese faces.
But there was one person who made her feel less alone. A boy with short wavy blonde hair and warm dark brown eyes, just a little shorter than her, called Mikey. Every morning, he would approach her with a cheerful grin, holding out a plastic-wrapped taiyaki—a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste. Taiyaki was his favorite snack, and he never failed to bring an extra one just for her.
This morning was no different. She felt the familiar press of the taiyaki package against her cheek and looked up to see Mikey standing beside her desk. His smile was genuine, innocent, and warm as always—everything that made her day a little brighter. "Good morning, Emiricchi!" he greeted, using the nickname he had given her. She couldn't help but smile back, accepting the taiyaki as she replied, "Good morning." Mikey then settled into his seat beside her, happily munching on his own treat.
The memory felt so real, as if she were reliving that moment, the taste of the sweet taiyaki and the warmth of Mikey's friendship wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. But then, the soft chime of the airplane's intercom interrupted her reverie, pulling her back to the present.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing at Narita Airport in Tokyo shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts and ensure all carry-on items are stored securely."
Emily's eyes fluttered open, the remnants of her dream still lingering in her mind. She blinked, adjusting to the dim cabin lights and the reality that she was no longer that young girl in a Japanese classroom. She was 25 now, a woman returning to a place that had once felt like both a home and a foreign land. She whispered to herself, "We're already here, huh? It's been a while."
As the plane began its descent, Emily fastened her seatbelt, her heart beating a little faster with anticipation and nostalgia. Tokyo awaited her, along with all the memories she had left behind. She wondered if the city had changed much, if it still held the echoes of her past. And she wondered, too, about Mikey—her friend who had been like a ray of sunshine during those uncertain school days. Was he still in Tokyo? Would she be able to meet him again?.
The wheels touched down on the runway. She was back in Japan, and though much had probably changed, one thing was certain: she was ready to rediscover the place that had shaped so much of who she was. As she prepared to disembark, she couldn't help but smile at the memory of taiyaki and Mikey's warm, innocent smile. Emily stepped off the plane and into the bustling world of Narita Airport. Her pink trolley trailed behind her as she navigated through the terminal, her mind swirling with a blend of excitement and nervousness. As she approached the immigration counter, she felt a familiar flutter in her stomach hearing someone talk in Japanese again.
"Purpose of your visit to Japan?" the immigration officer asked, looking up from his desk.
Emily handed over her passport, showcasing her student visa. "I'll be doing my master's in Criminology at Keio University," she replied.
"Criminology—now that's a rare one. Good luck!" the officer said with a gentle smile. Emily nodded, offering a grateful smile in return.
With her big suitcase in tow, she made her way to the ticket counter to purchase a bus ticket to the city. As she had a half-hour before the bus departure, she took a leisurely stroll through the airport, exploring the shops and wandering aimlessly. Eventually, her curiosity led her to a vending machine that offered a variety of drinks. Emily's eyes lit up at the sight of the machine, a nostalgic reminder of the unique culture she had grown fond of during her years in Japan. She remembered how much she loved these vending machines—especially in winter when they dispensed warm drinks, and in summer when they provided a refreshing chill.
Her mind drifted back to a winter evening from years ago. She remembered Mikey taking her for a bike ride to a park nearby. The ground was covered in snow, and they had built a grand snow castle together. As they admired their creation, Mikey noticed Emily shivering slightly and suggested they head to a nearby vending machine to warm up.
"I'll take a warm Calpis and you?" Mikey had asked, his breath visible in the cold air. Emily, indecisive as always, had hesitated. "I'll take the same as Manju-kun," she said softly, her voice barely audible.
Manju-kun—Mikey's nickname, derived from her childhood confusion over Japanese sweets. To her, all Japanese sweets were "Manju," and the name had stuck. Mikey's real name was Manjiro Sano, so Manju was a playful twist Emily had given him.
"No, you can't take the same," Mikey had pouted, his cheeks rosy from the cold.
"Why not?" Emily had asked, confused.
"Because Calpis is my drink!" Mikey repeated, his pout deepening.
Emily had looked at the array of drinks, but before she could choose, Mikey had already selected a warm, pink can of strawberry milk for her, while he took his beloved Calpis in a milk bottle-like glass container. "This one fits you better, Emiricchi!" he had said, handing her the can with a grin. Emily had blushed, touched by his thoughtfulness.
Back in the present, Emily stared at the vending machine's options, but the nostalgic drinks were nowhere to be found. "Well, I guess there's no way they'd still have those. It's been ten years after all," she mused with a wistful sigh. Instead, she opted for a coffee shop she had spotted earlier and decided to indulge in a strawberry matcha latte. It was early in the morning, and after a long 12-hour flight from London, she craved caffeine.
When Emily pushed open the door of the airport, she was immediately greeted by a wave of fresh, salty air. The scent of the ocean carried on the breeze made her pause for a moment, her senses overwhelmed by the familiar fragrance. It was a smell she hadn't experienced in years, one that vividly evoked memories of her time in Japan. She made her way to the bus stop, her thoughts still drifting back to the past. On the bus, she settled into her seat and put on her headphones, letting the soothing music and the gentle sway of the bus guide her into her new chapter in Tokyo.
After closing her eyes, she recalled the memories of winter evenings spent with Mikey one more time, the gentle hum of the vending machines, and the serene beauty of the snow-covered parks. As she inhaled deeply and took a sip from her strawberry matcha latte, the taste of the strawberry milk from that wintry night came back to her—a sweetness that contrasted with the cold but warmed her heart. The memory of Mikey's kind smile and the way he had chosen a drink just for her felt as refreshing as a cool breeze on a warm spring day like today.