The train slowly began to lose speed.
The sound of the wheels against the tracks grew quieter and quieter until finally—
it stopped.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
I immediately pressed myself against the window.
"...Whoa."
The station outside looked completely different from anything I had ever seen.
Wooden pillars supported the roof above the platform.
Paper lanterns hung from the beams, their warm orange light dancing gently in the night breeze.
There were no electronic signs.
No advertisements.
No loud announcements.
Only silence.
And somehow—
that silence felt alive.
My eyes sparkled.
"KEN!"
"Hm?"
"This is amazing!"
Ken glanced outside casually.
"You haven't even seen the city yet."
My eyes widened.
"There's more?"
"Obviously."
A grin spread across my face.
I couldn't stop staring outside.
For years I had dreamed about things like this.
Ancient kingdoms.
Time travel.
Seeing history with my own eyes.
And now—
I was actually here.
"Ken..."
"Hm?"
"You're amazing."
"I know."
"...Can you at least pretend to be humble?"
"No."
I laughed.
For once, even Ken looked slightly amused.
Then he stood up.
"Come on."
The train doors slowly opened.
A cool night breeze entered the carriage.
I remained glued to the window.
Trying to absorb every detail I could.
The lanterns.
The wooden platform.
The people dressed in traditional clothing.
Everything felt unreal.
"Ryu."
"One second."
"Ryu."
"Just one more second."
A pause.
Then suddenly—
I felt my body rise into the air.
"...Huh?"
Ken was holding me by the back of my collar.
Like a cat.
"KEN!"
"We are leaving."
"Put me down!"
"I don't know how long I have to babysit this child."
"CHILD?!"
"Yes."
"I'M NOT A CHILD!"
"You are acting like one."
"I AM EXPERIENCING HISTORY!"
"You are licking the window."
"..."
"..."
"That happened once."
Ken sighed.
"Hopeless."
He carried me straight toward the door.
"KEN!"
"Walk."
"I CAN WALK!"
"Good."
The moment we stepped off the train—
he released my collar.
Unfortunately—
he released it immediately.
"Wait—"
THUD.
I landed directly on the wooden platform.
"...Can't you be a little gentler with me?"
Ken looked down calmly.
"You survived."
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
Ignoring my complaints, Ken started walking.
I quickly stood up and followed him.
As we moved through the station, I looked around in amazement.
Everything felt different.
The smell of old wood.
The faint scent of smoke from distant lanterns.
The sound of footsteps on wooden boards.
No engines.
No phones.
No modern noise.
It felt as if the world itself had slowed down.
Then we reached the station exit.
I stepped outside—
and froze.
My breath caught in my throat.
Rows of wooden buildings stretched beneath the moonlight.
Warm lanterns illuminated narrow streets.
People in traditional clothing moved between shops and small food stalls.
The distant outline of mountains could be seen beyond the town.
For a moment—
I couldn't say a word.
A dream I had imagined countless times...
was standing right in front of me.
Ancient Japan.
And somehow—
this was only the beginning.
I looked at ken....ken?
Hmm ?
You didn't even have to were a wig also your hair already reaches the shoulders which is perfect for this Era...
Yeah I think so...
By any chance do you belong to this Era?..
No more questions....we are here for training...
Oh?..so you brought me here for training... that's amazing i actually want to experience something like this....
So, first it is already late night..we have to find a place to stay....
Woh! Woh i can't wait we are going to stay here...my eyes were glowing and I was seeing everything..the Markets like the food stalls , the wood carvings and many more...
Ok now stop you will scare the people around you.. after training we will explore this place..is that ok?..
Hmm yes .... wait are you visible to me only or to everyone?...
To everyone
Ok, just inform me when you are only visible to me and when you are visible to everyone...
Some girls were passing past us....oh he is so handsome...
They were looking at Ken and saying that...
Why?...I am also good looking then why always you are one who gets compliments?..
Because I have that charm you know...
Yeah yeah whatever....
Now come with we can't waste our time ,your training will start early morning.... it's night first we have to look for a place to stay...
Then ken said me to follow him as if he know every place.....I was just wandering why he will hide things..why he just can't share them with me...am I not worth it for that....i guess so...
We stopped at a place...
"Ryu is is the place where we are going to stay....it is a hotel were the travelers stay often in a journey..we can stay here for only one day, Tommorow night we are going back...
Huh?... That's unfair we came just now I want to see every place....i don't want to gooo.....i don't waaaaaant.
Huh first stop acting like a kid...we just can't stay here
"There are reasons."
"Then tell me."
"I can't."
"...Why?"
Ken stayed silent.
My chest tightened.
"Am I... not allowed to know?"
"It's not that."
"Then what is it?"
"I can't tell you."
For a moment—
neither of us spoke.
The bustling sounds of the street suddenly felt far away.
A strange ache spread through my chest.
I lowered my head.
"...Again."
Ken frowned slightly.
"...Ryu?"
"I thought..."
I forced out a small laugh.
"I thought maybe this time would be different."
Images from my childhood flashed through my mind.
People avoiding my questions.
Being left out.
Being told I "wouldn't understand."
Being ignored.
I clenched my fists.
"...Forget it."
Without waiting for an answer—
I turned around.
"Ryu."
I started walking.
Then walking became running.
The lanterns blurred past me.
I didn't know where I was going.
I just wanted to get away from that feeling.
The same feeling I had promised myself I'd never experience again.
Behind me—
Ken didn't call my name a second time.
He simply watched me disappear into the darkness.
The night swallowed the sound of my footsteps.
And before I realized it—
I was completely alone.
The streets had grown strangely quiet.
Too quiet.