The muffled buzz of train wheels against the tracks filled Yuki Ishikawa's ears as she clutched her tote bag tightly, her thumb nervously tracing the edge of her phone case. It had been a long day at university, and the gentle rocking of the train was lulling her into a rare moment of peace. She glanced around the carriage, letting her eyes skim over the passengers.
That's when she saw him.
He stood near the doors, one hand gripping the overhead rail, the other idly scrolling through his phone. His posture was relaxed, his face calm and composed, but there was an air about him—like he existed in his own world. He had sandy brown hair that looked like it had been tousled by the wind, and his sharp features were softened by a faint, almost wistful smile.
But what caught Yuki's attention wasn't just his good looks. It was the way he barely reacted to the station announcements or the faint chatter around him. Instead, his focus shifted entirely to the woman beside him when she began signing.
Yuki's heart quickened as she watched him respond effortlessly, his hands moving with a fluidity and confidence that mesmerized her. The exchange was brief, and the woman soon stepped off the train, leaving the man alone once more. Yuki couldn't take her eyes off him. She'd always been curious about sign language, though she'd never had a reason to learn. Something about the way he communicated felt… beautiful.
Before she realized it, the train jolted, and her tote bag slipped from her grasp, spilling its contents onto the floor.
"Oh no!" she gasped, crouching down to gather her belongings. A small paperback book tumbled closer to his feet.
By the time she reached for it, he was already holding it out to her. She blinked, startled by how close he suddenly was.
His lips moved, forming words she couldn't hear. Yuki hesitated, unsure how to respond, until he raised his hand and tapped his ear, shaking his head slightly.
He's deaf.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She fumbled for her phone, typing out a quick message: Thank you for picking up my book!
He took the phone, his eyes scanning the text, and his smile widened. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his own phone, and typed something in return.
No problem. Nice book choice.
Yuki glanced at the cover of the book—a romance novel she had been rereading for the third time—and smiled nervously. He must think I'm so boring, she thought.
But he didn't seem bored at all. In fact, he looked amused, his eyes sparkling with something like curiosity. He gestured toward the seat beside her, raising a brow in question.
Yuki nodded quickly, scooting over to make room. He sat down, pulling his phone out again to type another message.
I'm Itsuomi Nagi. And you?
She typed back, her fingers trembling slightly. I'm Yuki Ishikawa. Nice to meet you, Itsuomi.
His smile grew, and Yuki felt her nerves slowly start to ease. He wasn't intimidating at all—just warm and calm, like a steady current.
Over the next few stops, their conversation continued through their phones. Itsuomi asked about her studies, and Yuki shyly admitted her love for books and language. When she asked him what he enjoyed, his answer surprised her.
Travel. I want to see the whole world.
Her eyes widened as she read his words. Even though you can't hear it? she typed hesitantly, then immediately regretted it, worrying she'd overstepped.
But Itsuomi didn't seem offended. If anything, his expression softened. He took a moment before responding.
The world isn't just about sound. There's so much to see and feel. I don't need to hear to know how amazing it is.
Yuki stared at the screen, her heart fluttering. She'd never met anyone who thought like that before.
As the train approached her stop, she felt a pang of disappointment. She didn't want the conversation to end. Gathering her courage, she quickly typed one last message.
It was really nice meeting you. Maybe… we could talk again sometime?
Itsuomi's smile turned into a small, mischievous smirk. He nodded, taking her phone and typing in his contact information.
Let's. You seem interesting, Yuki.
With her heart pounding in her chest, Yuki stepped off the train, clutching her phone tightly. She turned back to see Itsuomi watching her through the glass, giving her a small wave as the train pulled away.
For the first time in a long while, Yuki felt something shift inside her—a spark of excitement she couldn't quite name.
And so, a new chapter in her life quietly began, carried forward by the steady rhythm of the train and the memory of a boy who smiled like the world was his to explore.