The plane touched down on Tokyo's tarmac with a soft jolt, and Eadlyn Greyson stepped into the humid embrace of Japan, his mesmerizing hazel eyes adjusting to the bright lights of the airport.
At 16, with blonde hair that fell just right and a jawline sharp enough to captivate any passerby, he carried himself with an easygoing aloofness.
Back in the UK, he'd witnessed the raw brutality of young love—friends ghosted over texts, hearts shattered by fleeting crushes, the endless cycle of hope and heartbreak in this generation.
It had made him wary, teaching him that emotions needed careful navigation. But novels had shown him another side: love as a journey of growth, empathy, and support.
Maybe here, I can learn to be more human, he thought, respond to feelings without the armor.
He hailed a taxi, handing the driver a slip with an address. "Take me here, please," he said in accented Japanese, practiced from apps and audiobooks.
The cab zipped through neon-drenched streets, skyscrapers blending with ancient temples in a way that felt straight out of his fantasy reads.
Finally, they arrived at a villa that captured old-era elegance—curved roofs, shoji screens—with modern sculptures adding a sleek twist, like a bridge between past and present.
Eadlyn rang the bell, and the door opened to his grandmother, Fujisaki Sakura. Her face, etched with age but glowing with joy, lit up.
"Oh, my lovely grandson Eadlyn! How are you?" She launched into a hug, her blossom-scented perfume wrapping him like a comforting blanket.
From the doorway, his grandfather, Ichijo Reno, chuckled, his refined features softened by a kind smile. "Let him breathe, honey. The journey must've exhausted him."
They ushered him inside, the house a warm mix of tatami mats, polished wood, and family photos that told stories of enduring love.
Over steaming tea, Sakura fussed like only grandmas could. "You should've told us about your arrival! We'd have picked you up from the airport."
Eadlyn grinned, his aloofness cracking. "It's alright, Grandma. I was curious about the city and wanted to surprise you both."
He glanced around, memories flooding in: their tales of meeting during a cherry blossom festival, defying family expectations, building a life together.
It had captivated him as a kid, a counter to the superficial romances he'd seen crumble among peers. Their story proves love can evolve, he mused, with empathy and support, not just passion.
Reno leaned forward, eyes sharp yet gentle.
"Are you staying with us, Eadlyn?"
"Yes, Grandpa. Mom and Dad gave permission for me to study here. Hope I won't be in the way."
Sakura beamed. "In the way? We'd love having you! Stay as long as you want." As they chatted, Eadlyn felt a subtle shift—his guarded heart opening, ready to learn from their example.
Japan wasn't just a new place; it was a chance to grow, to respond to life's brutal twists with real humanity.
( Keep reading to find it get more interesting- signing off)