Youngcii Stories

Before the revolution. Before the exile. Before the name José Rizal became a symbol of freedom. In 1888, a young Filipino traveler steps into the heart of Japan--not yet a hero, but a soul in search of peace, purpose, and clarity. Beneath the hush of cherry blossoms and the quiet pull of tradition, he crosses paths with Akira, a Japanese woman tethered to duty yet quietly yearning to break free Their encounter is not romantic, but transformative. Through shared stories and silent griefs, they awaken something in each other: the courage to choose, the strength to speak, and the hope to live beyond what others have written for them. ~~ Inspired by historical fragments and imagined truths, this novel explores the quiet moments that shape great destinies -- and the brave friendship that bloomed before history turned its page.