Feels Like the First Time

Prologue - The Arrival

I rubbed my dry eyes as I watched the luggage go round on the carousel. I saw two bags with purple ribbon on the handles and rushed forward to grab them, groaning at the weight of the largest case. You shouldn't have brought so many books, I thought to myself but just rolled my eyes, knowing that I would have brought more if I could have. The wheels of the cases barely made any sound as I walked through the empty departure lounge; it was 11 P.M here so I wasn't surprised. 

My eyes quickly scanned the many signs over the exit doors and I felt a new spurt of energy when I found the one that led me to the train terminal. I began to panic slightly when I realised it was taking me longer to reach it than expected but when the ticket machines came into view I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. 

The train was relatively empty so I was able to get the seat next to the luggage rack to keep an eye on my bags. Although, as we pulled away from the platform, I couldn't take either eye off the window in eagerness. The bay was lit by the buildings that lumbered over it, getting brighter as we got closer to the city. Before long, the buildings became a tangled jungle, obstructing any view of the bay and the darkness of the night was exchanged for the fluorescent glow of the city.

Two trains later, I arrived at the station near my new home and followed the directions I had written down along the well-lit streets. Keeping my head low, I walked as fast as my tired legs would carry me, not even pausing to look at a park I walked past. Tomorrow is for exploring, I thought and my patience was rewarded by the familiar exterior of the building that would now be my home. Walking inside, I took a moment to survey the interior; a warm but simple foyer area with what looked to be post boxes and a security desk. A weathered man sat behind the desk with a polite smile directed at me.

"Bura-oon- san?" He asked, my surname shifting to be easier to pronounce for him. I smiled and nodded, too tired to be polite in another language. Making my way over to the desk, I handed him a plastic wallet that held the documents that needed checking for me to stay here. After a few minutes, the man gestured for me to follow him as he made his way towards the lift opposite the door. Fortunately, the ride in the lift was short, my flat being only on the first floor. The man opened the first door on the left and I frowned, hoping that the lift wouldn't be too loud. 

"Have a nice stay." The man said with a slight bow before leaving me somewhat perplexed, still in the doorway. I took a deep breath as I scanned over the room. A small kitchen was on my right with glossy white cabinets and small lights that gave off a pleasant, warm glow. The plain wood effect flooring ran from the kitchen, through the hallway I was stood in and to the living room I could see round the corner of the kitchen. Pulling my bags behind me, I moved through to the living room and was pleasantly surprised by the comfy looking sofa, simple glass coffee table over a red rug and two seater table in the corner. To my left I saw two doors leading off a small hallway which I assumed were the bedroom and bathroom.

Before I had a chance to check them out, there was a knock at the still open door behind me. I span around to see a woman who looked slightly older than me with dark blonde hair that curled gently around her thin face. Her green eyes sparkled with amusement at my surprise but her lips stretched into a warm smile.

"Hello," I offered, still unsure about what to do.

"Hello," she chuckled slightly in a warm, husky voice. "I'm Yasumura Mei. I live across the hall." She continued with a nod of her head to the door behind her. "You've just moved in?" She asked even though she could definitely see my bags from where she was.

"Yes. I've only just arrived. I'm Brown Hannah. Nice to meet you." I said with a smile and bow. She was smirking at me again in amusement when I raised my head but I could tell it was at my formality and not because I'd made a mistake. 

"Would you like a drink?" She offered, moving to the side as if to turn towards her flat. For a moment I considered turning her down but she seemed friendly and it would be very useful to be on good terms with a neighbour. I nodded with a smile in response to her offer then grabbed the envelope with my flat number on it off the coffee table then followed after her when I have the keys. Her flat was very similar to mine with the same layout and decor but with warm, homely touches like photos, cushions and ornaments. 

"I have beer, wine, tea, coffee, water, maybe soda. What would you like?" She asked me, already moving into the kitchen. 

"Beer, please." I respond, awkwardly hovering in the entrance to the kitchen. She smiled and handed me a bottle while carrying one herself then led us through to the living room where we sat on the sofa. I took a good swig of the beer then sighed at the refreshing but sharp taste. 

"So, what brings you to Japan?" She asked, turning herself to face me.

"I'm doing my PhD." I responded, mimicking her posture and taking a moment to remember the phrases I had taught myself. "I'm studying Japanese theatre and was given the opportunity to study my PhD here."

"Oh cool! So how long will you be here for?" 

"If everything goes well, three years. What do you do, Yasumura-san?" 

"Call me Mei. I work at Hitachiin Fashions, I've just started working on my own line. It's really exciting."

"Congratulations!" 

"Thank you. Oh, are you single?" 

"Yes, I recently broke up with my boyfriend." A lump formed in my throat at the memory of Nick.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I think it was meant to be this way. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I know these guys ..." Mei trailed off the end of her sentence as she looked at a photo on the wall opposite us. Seven boys were huddled with Mei and another girl at, what looked to be, an amusement park. Mei had her arms wrapped around the other girl who had a bob of silky dark brown hair, Mei's other arm was thrown around a surly looking red haired man whose cheeks were stained a soft pink. On the side next to the red-head stood a tall, muscular man with black hair and a small smile, holding a blond haired boy on his back who looked more excited than I thought humanly possible. On the side of the girl with the bob stood two men of similar heights, a blond who was snuggled into the girl and a man with black hair and glasses that seemed rather nonplussed about the whole thing. To finish off the picture, two men with bright orange hair and sharp faces crooned in on either side of Mei's face, they were so similar I automatically assumed that they were twins. 

"You all seem close." I offered as Mei appeared to have journeyed into her own little world. 

"Yeah," she responded with an awkward chuckle before turning back to me with her amused smirk that I had a feeling would become a regular expression. "They're pretty awesome. Some of them are taken though unfortunately."

"Is the one next to you your boyfriend?" I asked, her easy manner was really winning me over.

"Yeah. Isn't he cute?" 

"Very. I love how you can see him blushing a little." I laughed, feeling a little part of the old me slipping back into place.

"Yeah, he likes to think he's the tough guy but he's such a softie." We both chuckled at this and my heart soared as I realised that this could be the start of a great friendship.