April 11th

The young man, Yu Narukami, snapped awake and breathed deeply. His grey eyes peered out the train window across the rural landscape. He brushed a strand of equally grey hair out of his face and stared for a time at the emerald hills off in the distance. A slightly older boy sitting across from him cocked his head.
"Hey, you alright?" the other boy asked in an American English, temporarily removing the headset from his ears.
Yu turned his head to face him, "Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine." Yu replied softly and returned to his silent vigil.
The American shrugged his shoulders and laid his head back against the seat, his blonde hair peeking out over the other side, and stared at the ceiling as the Japanese language CD iterated the foreign tongue over and over.
"Attention, in a few moments we will have arrived at our final destination, Yasoinaba Station. All passengers please prepare to disembark." The announcer's voice rang through the train cars.
The American was started by the tapping of a finger against his shoulder. Yu was standing next to him.
"Hey, you're getting off here right?" he asked softly.
The American blinked, "I...guess? Are we at Yasoinaba?" He asked uncertainly.
Yu nodded and raised an eyebrow, "That's what they just said."
The American gathered up his things and followed Yu off the train and onto the platform.
"Last stop, Yasoinaba. Yasoinaba station." The automated message's chant droned through the air.
Yu and Michael glanced around. Aside from the scarce other passengers disembarking and the few visible station staff, the place seemed almost deserted.
"There is absolutely nothing here," Yu muttered in awe.
"Hum!" The American replied, "That includes our rides it would seem."
The two looked around and saw not one person awaiting them. A silence hung between them for awhile until the American finally looked in Yu's general direction.
"I forgot to thank you for back there, I would've missed my stop." The American said and extended his hand, "I'm Michael."
Yu glanced at his hand for a moment and smiled, accepting it, "I'm Yu, Yu Narukami."
Michael smiled in response, "If this desolate scene is any indication of the rest of this place, we'll probably be seeing each other around quite a bit."
Yu nodded, "Yeah, probably."
They were interrupted by a girl clearing her throat behind them. They both turned and beheld a rather attractive, yet singularly dressed, female approximately two to three years their junior. She stood uncomfortably, her eyes off to one side and her striped stocking-clad legs turned in a defensive manner. One arm was tucked under the crux of the other which held a small piece of paper out lazily.
"Hey, one of you dropped this," she said.
Yu and Michael glanced at each other.
"I didn't." Michael said.
Yu reached into his pocket and gave a small start, "Oh, yeah, that's mine. Thanks." He admitted and took the paper from the girl.
"Yeah whatever." The girl scoffed, turned on her heel, and marched in the opposite direction.
"Huh, a punk chick. Quite the singular character in a place like this,." Michael said.
Narukami nodded, "Yeah, no kidding."
"Hey there!" A man's voice called out.
The two boys turned toward the car park and saw a man dressed in a gray business casual outfit accented by a red tie walking toward them with a small girl in a pink and white dress trailing behind.
"Gee, you're more handsome in person than in the pictures!" The man said extending a hand to Yu. "Goodness, I haven't seen you since you were in diapers!"
Yu gave a nervous laugh and Michael noticed a quick glance of uncertainty in his eyes.
The man noticed this and gave a wry smile, "Ah, you don't remember me do you? I suppose that makes sense, it has been awhile. I'm Ryotaro Dojima, your mother's younger brother." Dojima motioned to the girl clinging to his leg, "This is my daughter, your cousin, Nanako. Go on say hello, Nanako."
The girl's grip on her father's leg tightened and she partially hid her face from view.
"H-hello." she replied meekly.
"Hey what are you being so shy for?" Dojima said with a laugh, receiving a smack on his back by the little girl.
"Ow!" He said with a laugh. His laughter stopped as his eyes settled on Michael.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Is this a friend of yours?" Dojima asked.
Yu shrugged, "We just kinda sat across from each other on the train."
Michael cleared his throat uncomfortably, "I'm sorry for the intrusion. I think I'll go grab myself a soda. Thanks again Yu-san. I guess I'll see you around."
"Wait a moment," Dojima called after him.
Michael stopped and turned, "Yes sir?"
Dojima rubbed the back of his head, "I apologize, I suppose I was being a little rude. You're not from around here either, are you?"
Michael gave a small chuckle, "What gave it away?"
"It's not often we get visitors in Inaba, especially not foreigners. Are you alright being on your own around here?"
"I appreciate your concern. I'm just waiting until my ride gets here, I'm supposed to meet the concierge from the Amagi Inn."
Dojima raised his eyebrows, "Ahh, so you're the American exchange student that folks have been talking about."
Michael looked surprised, "People have been talking about me?"
Dojima gave a wry smile, "Small town gossip is remarkably efficient, even more so now that all the youngsters are tapping away at those cell phones day in and day out. Hey, if you need a ride, we can swing by the Amagi Inn and drop you off."
Michael put up a hand and smiled warmly, "Your concern is touching, but I would hate to inconvenience my hosts so early in my stay. Again thank you, and I fear my singular situation has sidetracked your original mandate. I will excuse myself to the soda kiosk. It has been a pleasure meeting you all. I'll see you around."
With that, Michael turned and headed toward the soda kiosk.
"He's quite well spoken, " Dojima observed, "Well, anyway, Yu must be exhausted. Nanako, help him with that bag. Let's head home."

Back at the station, Michael downed another refill of water. Train rides make him nauseous and the uncertain excitement of the whole trip did little to calm his nerves. He reached into one of his bags to retrieve his current book of choice when a voice caught his attention.
"Michael-san!" A harried voice called out.
Michael turned and saw a well-dressed man jogging toward him. He rose from his sat to meet the man.
"Michael-san! My deepest apologies! I'm the concierge for the Amagi Inn. I beg a thousand pardons for my tardiness! My car was held up behind a delivery truck that was clearly piloted by an inexperienced driver! I-"
Michael held up his hand and smiled warmly, "It's all quite alright. You've done me a favor, really. I get sickeningly claustrophobic and this brief time of open air has done wonders for my temperament. Let this truly serendipitous trespass be an absolved one."
The man bowed and led Michael to the waiting car.
"Please sir, relax and enjoy the ride." The man said cheerfully, as the car cruised softly down the street.

Michael's car finally arrived in front of the Amagi Inn. The old inn built in the traditional Japanese architecture gave a very warm and inviting vibe. Michael stepped out of the car as the concierge collected his bags. Michael noticed and gathered up a few of them himself.
"No sir, please, you don't have to do that. I'll have the porter out here in a jiffy to collect your remaining belongings." The concierge insisted, placing his hand on the strap of one of the duffel bags.
Michael smiled, "Considering I'm gonna be spending an entire year here, I have every intention of pitching in however and wherever I can. Carrying my own bags would be an adequate start."
Michael glanced at the man's torso and noticed a discrepancy in the tucked, neatly pressed shirt. He continued, "Besides, I couldn't allow your back problems to worsen on my account. As a fellow victim of the affliction, I am a strong advocate for team lifting."
The concierge raised his eyebrows in shock, "How did you know my back was acting up? I hope I hadn't groaned or anything else unpleasant!"
Michael chuckled and shook his head, "No no, I just happened to notice the outline of your back brace underneath your shirt. A wise precaution, I might add."
The concierge looked down at the aforementioned outline and laughed, "You have a good eye, sir."

The two men carried the bags into the front lobby of the inn. Three individuals dressed in kimonos stood assembled to greet them. An adult male, an adult female, and a teenage female approximately Michael's age made up the welcoming group. The three bowed.
"Michael-san, welcome to the Amagi Inn." The man spoke first, "I am Mr. Amagi, this is my wife, Mrs. Amagi," The older woman bowed and placed her hands upon the shoulders of the young girl, "And this is our daughter, Yukiko." She finished. Yukiko bowed, "I hope you enjoy your stay..." She said quietly.
Michael set down his bags and bowed in response.
"You honor me. Your establishment is beautiful." Michael replied with a smile, "I am looking forward to the coming year."
Mrs. Amagi smiled, "Your words are kind. My husband will show you to your room and have your bags brought up to you. We are having a meal prepared for you, after that trip you must be famished."
Michael began to politely protest, but an audible growl from his stomach made him flush and betrayed the urgency of his hunger. If only for an instant, he noticed the briefest flash of an amused smirk on the young Yukiko's face.
"I'll tell the chef we may need a larger portion." Mrs. Amagi said with a laugh.
Michael, the concierge, and Mr. Amagi brought the remainder of the luggage to Michael's room. The moment he stepped inside he was overcome with wonder. The residential architecture was far different from the streets and train stations he had visited thus far in the country. The room was meticulously kept and organized with the charming warmth of a country residence. Despite seeming somewhat minimalist in appearance, Michael identified nearly all the necessities for the life of a bachelor and high school student while at the same time keeping with an elegant and conservative furnishing. Michael turned to his host.
"This room is absolutely beautiful and so well kept. It would feel a blasphemy to put even one pillow out of place." He said earnestly.
Mr. Amagi smiled and shook his head, "Please, make yourself entirely at home. You will be spending the whole year with us, I would hate for you spend it walking on eggshells."
"I'll keep that in mind, Amagi-san."

Michael was summoned to the private dining room of the Amagi Inn for supper. The faces of the assembled Amagi family met him, and he them with a smile, as he sat down. He let out an involuntary grunt as he dropped to a cross-legged position at the low table.
"You aren't used to sitting this way are you?" Mrs. Amagi asked.
Michael chuckled dryly, "One of the many differences I will grow used to, I am sure."
Before him lay a modest assortment of, what he assumed, where Japanese staple dishes. He could recognize the sushi and tofu quite easily, but the rest was lost on him.
He looked up to address his hosts, "I shamefully admit that, despite my limited yet diligent studies of your country's etiquette, I am very likely to slip into standard habits of my homeland that you may find inconsiderate or rude. I implore your forgiveness in advance and equally entreat you to abandon all tact to educate me."
Mr. Amagi smiled, "No need to worry about that. We were informed by your sponsor that you are very unfamiliar with our ways. Learn at your own pace and do not fear reprisal."
Michael tilted his head, "My sponsor?"
"Yes, the individual who has paid for your lodgings for the year. They gave us many details about you."
Michael raised his eyebrow, "But, the exchange program paid for the lodgings, right?"
Mr. Amagi and Mrs. Amagi looked at each other in confusion.
"There was no exchange, no student from Inaba has been sent to America, the town would've been abuzz over it. As far as we know, only one person has organized this for you. You weren't aware of this?"
Michael looked at them with bewilderment, "No, no I didn't. What a singular situation..."
He broke from his thoughts and noticed the three pairs of eyes were on him. He flushed.
"Sorry, must've been a clerical confusion. R-Regardless, thank you very much for this food. It all looks fantastic, but if I may..." Michael's voice trailed off as he sought the words for the request he was trying to make.
"Yes?"
Michael gave a wry smile, "Put simply, can you tell me what some of this stuff is?"
The older Amagis chuckled causing Michael to flush further and pulled an embarrassed smirk from his face that quickly made his cheeks sore from the strain.
"Okay, here goes, this dish here..." Mrs. Amagi began. From the types of dishes that were present, to how to correctly hold chopsticks, to proper tea-pouring etiquette, Michael found himself in a deluge of cultural education that threatened to overwhelm him had his instructors not been so patient.
Later in the meal, the conversation was composed primarily of the Amagi couple educating Michael on the different points of interest in Inaba as well as general aspects of the country itself.
"The high school closest to us is Yasogami High, is that where you will be attending?" Mr. Amagi asked.
Michael nodded, "Yes, that's the one. I believe I am supposed to pick up my uniform from there first thing tomorrow morning. I hate to impose upon you further, but could you perhaps write down some directions for me?"
Mrs. Amagi shook her head, "There's no need, our Yukiko goes to the same school. You two can walk there together. Right, Yukiko?"
Michael glanced nervously at the young girl, who's passively somber appearance coupled with her remarkably beautiful looks made a singular feeling of intimidation well from within him.
"Oh, that won't be necessary. I would hate to impose upon her and I will have to get a rather early start in the morning, I'm afraid."
"...It's okay, we're both going the same way." Yukiko said so quietly that Michael was not sure whether or not he had imagined it.
Mr. Amagi smiled, "Then it's all settled. Yukiko will fetch you early tomorrow morning."
"I appreciate it, Yukiko-san." Michael said with a half-hearted grin. In his mind, he was unable to figure Yukiko out.
Is she just shy? Does she find my presence distasteful? Am I just over-analyzing things again? His thoughts nervously raced through his head until he forced himself to silence them.

Michael was lavish in his approbation of the meal and gave his parting pleasantries to the Amagis before returning to his room.
Guess I had better hit the hay early, he thought, glancing at the late hour upon the clock face.
He prepped himself for bed and settled down onto the mattress. He rose his head slightly to the sound of an unusual scuffling and what he thought were raised voices below him. In an instant later, the scuffling stopped. He listened a while longer and heard nothing. He began to settle down once again, but another alien noise roused him from the twilight of his imminent torpor. He swung his feet out and carefully tiptoed to the window. He looked down at the road below and noticed a male figure walking quickly down the footpath away from the inn.
Strange, he thought to himself. With a shrug, he drew the curtains again, returned to his bed, and let slumber quickly overtake him.