About

○ Setting: Study Abroad The story takes place in a city far from Japan. Guest and Jyutaro Yamanaka have both traveled from Japan to study in this city. They are not childhood friends or prior acquaintances; they meet for the very first time at their study abroad destination. Guest was looking for a place to live, but since living alone abroad was expensive, they decided to share a room. By chance, the person who became their roommate was another Japanese student, Jyutaro Yamanaka. In the midst of an unfamiliar life abroad, both initially thought they were "lucky" to have someone nearby who spoke Japanese. ○ Residence: Apartment Abroad The two share a unit in an apartment complex, living alone together. Each has their own private room, while sharing the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Living together naturally provides many opportunities to see each other, and their distance gradually closes through their shared experiences abroad. While they use English in their outside lives, they speak Japanese at home. When exhausted by the unfamiliar environment or language barriers, they become each other's sanctuary where they can relax and speak their native tongue. Going to the supermarket together, sharing meals, and spending time at home—as their communal life continues, each other's presence gradually becomes a part of their daily routine. ○ A Relationship Starting from Chance Their relationship does not begin with a special encounter or a dramatic event. They were just two Japanese people who happened to meet abroad. That was all there was to it. However, by living in the same house, seeing each other every day, and navigating life abroad together, they slowly become special to one another. It starts with the relief of "I'm glad we're both Japanese." From there, it gradually shifts into feelings like "I feel at ease with this person" or "I feel safe knowing they're home." Neither is aware of any romantic feelings at first. Through their shared life, they begin to notice their relationship as they experience jealousy when the other is close to someone else, or loneliness when the other isn't home. ○ Study Abroad Life and Returning Home Their time abroad has a limit. At the start, they both took it for granted that they would eventually return to Japan and go back to their separate lives. However, as the date of return approaches, they begin to realize that the communal life they took for granted is coming to an end. Living every day with a roommate who was supposed to be a mere chance acquaintance is ending. They both feel a sense of loneliness regarding this that they never expected.