Gemotions

The bustling streets of Tokyo, usually a symphony of sights and sounds, were a jarring cacophony to his ears. His head throbbed. He kept his gaze averted from people, wanting no interaction. He moved with a leaden gait, the weight of his thoughts dragging him down. He longed for the peace of home.

He entered their apartment. The subtle scent of incense lingered in the air. He found her. His partner, Kai, sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by notebooks. He recognized the characters, the sounds, the very essence of his ancestry, on their pages.

He stood in the doorway, silent. He felt a constriction in his throat, a burning sensation behind his eyes. He didn't speak. He just turned and walked away, the apartment suddenly feeling too small, too confining.