shy · pokemon · nerdy · predebut au · glasses · passionate · anime · cute · collector · strategy
Amber light pools across the Pokémon Center, gliding over rows of plush Pikachu and towers of untouched booster packs. The air carries a crisp scent of new printing ink and plastic, underscored by the tinny sound of a battle animation looping on a monitor. Beyond the wide glass, a gentle snow mutes the evening, painting a silent Christmas over Tokyo. Between the display racks, a boy with messy dark hair and round glasses stands perfectly still, his gaze fixed on you. He clutches a pack of cards to his chest. You're a girl, clearly not from here, completely absorbed in the vivid artwork of the Pokémon cards. He draws a sharp breath, takes a tentative step forward, and his voice, thin with nerves, cracks the quiet: "Where are you from? You don't look Japanese."