"Let's go!!"
Jun shouts like a battle cry, grabbing Mei's hand and sprinting through the bustling expanse of Osaka Station.
Beneath the warm morning sun, the station buzzes with footsteps, chatter, and bursts of color—backpacks, suitcases, laughter.
Behind them, Raven pants as she cradles Mallow in her arms like a prized sack of rice. Mallow, on the other hand, looks utterly horrified. The bizarre sight turns heads as passersby stare, half-confused, half-amused.
Ahead, Hiroki, Yuna, Hikari, and Starlin are already waiting. Starlin clutches an absurdly long itinerary board like it's sacred.
Jun collapses to her knees in front of Hikari, pinching the child's chubby cheeks. Hikari blinks wide-eyed, lips puckered in startled silence.
"Oh my goodness, too cute!" Jun gushes. "Remember me? I'm Jun! The one who's always with your dad~"
Hikari nods shyly, her eyes shining.
"Everyone here's really nice. You'll get used to it, okay? Are you scared?"
She shakes her head immediately.
"Good girl!" Jun ruffles her hair and calls out, "So! Are you ready for the big adventure?"
"Yes!" Hikari puffs up with excitement, making Yuna chuckle.
"Wait, so what's the plan for this trip exactly?" Raven jumps in dramatically, hands clasped dreamily.
"This isn't just a vacation," Jun says with mock-seriousness, stroking her chin. "It's an experience."
A beat passes. Then she drops the bomb: "...Which I haven't prepared for at all."
"WHAT?!" the group choruses. Raven and Mallow look petrified. Mallow even pretends to faint.
"I've been dreaming of this cross-country Japan trip since... I was born!" Raven wails.
"Luckily..." Jun smiles, serene as ever, "this man has handled everything."
All eyes turn to Starlin—the dependable oldest brother of HIMrs6—still hunched over his detailed travel map, studying it like a military campaign.
"Fear not. Our trustworthy big brother has planned every step."
Starlin simply nods. His wife and daughter are off touring Europe, giving him time to reconnect with his muse on this soul-searching journey.
Yuna peeks at the map, her wide-brimmed hat swaying. "That's... long. And complicated."
"Hikari wants to see too!" the little girl chimes in, tiptoeing beside her mother.
Jun turns to Hiroki, flashing a thumbs-up—their adventure is just beginning.
….
The train rolls out of Osaka, slicing through silky green fields and layered mountain ridges. Inside the premium cabin scented with wood and jasmine tea, everyone settles into their seats.
Yuna leans over, pointing out the window. "See those rooftops? That's old Kyoto. And that red shrine over there? That's Fushimi Inari."
Hikari eagerly opens her sketchbook, beginning a colorful drawing.
"What's our little artist up to?" Yuna smiles.
Still focused, Hikari mumbles, "A present for Shin~"
Nearby, Raven and Mallow are in luxury mode—one vlogging, the other shrieking over gourmet sashimi.
"This... is peak experience," Raven gasps, dual-wielding bottles of premium sake.
Across the aisle, Mei reaches out to the glass, feeling the subtle vibration of the tracks. Though blind, her eyes close softly, absorbing the scent of sake, children's laughter, and the whisper of wind.
Jun sits beside her, narrating the world beyond the window—a vivid picture painted in words. She describes the snowy forests of Aomori, the lush plains of Sendai, and the crystal-clear bays of Kagoshima.
Petals from distant cherry trees flutter past the window in a dreamy, pale-pink haze.
"What season do you think it is?" Jun asks playfully.
"Spring, of course!" Mei replies, pressing her nose to the glass. "It smells like almond blossom and mochi with sweet bean paste."
Both girls burst into laughter. Just then, a blossom lightly taps the glass—right where Mei's hand lies. She whispers, "Feels like a dream..."
At the far end of the carriage, Hiroki and Starlin sit hunched over the map.
"Osaka, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Honshu, then Hokuriku, Kanto, Tohoku, Hokkaido... and back to Osaka," Starlin murmurs like a mantra.
"No time limit?" Hiroki asks.
"None. We go where the wind takes us."
Hiroki leans back, arms behind his head. "When we find a nice mountainside... let's smoke a cigarette and chat for a while."
Starlin smirks—one of his rare smiles. "Count on it."
And so begins their journey—not rushed, not bound by plans. Just music, friendship, family, and the landscapes of the country they love.
Hiroki relaxes into his seat, hands folded behind his neck. For the first time, he isn't on the outside looking in.
Though no one says it aloud, they all know—this will be a trip they'll carry in their hearts forever.
First Stop: Kansai – Where Sounds Begin
The journey begins in Kansai—a land where tradition meets modernity.
At Arashiyama, they wander through the Sagano bamboo forest, the towering stalks swaying like ancient guardians. They cross the famed Togetsukyo Bridge, surrounded by scenes so breathtaking it feels like walking through a seasonal painting.
Along the path stand rows of moss-covered Rakan stone statues. Raven and Mallow can't resist mimicking their quirky expressions, much to Hikari's delight—and occasional horror.
Next, they board a boat along the Hozu River, its waters a shimmering emerald. Even dipping a hand in seems to ripple the entire forest.
Their first destination is peaceful, almost sacred. Japan's vast, untamed nature washes away the burdens of everyday life.
Starlin asks Raven to take a photo so he can send it to his wife—a rare tender moment. No matter where he goes, he always sends something back home, as if he is carrying the journey with him.
Their next stop is Todaiji Temple in Nara, where the great Daibutsu statue sits in majestic silence.
Each person offers quiet prayers amid the rustle of schoolchildren and the chime of wind bells.
Nearby, the famous deer park becomes Hikari's favorite. She giggles while feeding them, even trying to ride one before Yuna hurriedly intervenes.
In Kobe, the group splits up.
Raven and Mallow head to Meriken Park, skateboarding, snapping photos, cuddling by the seaside wind. They also help Starlin photograph landmarks: the BE KOBE monument, the Opera-shaped FISH DANCE HALL, and the luminous Kobe Port Tower.
Meanwhile, the others explore Kobe Harborland. On the stone jetty, they gaze at the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge—the world's longest suspension bridge. Hiroki strums his guitar while Jun sings a song she just comes up with:
"…Let's hit the road, let the wind blow the pain away
Let the heart beat brave, no more fear in the way
Light the fire of faith, let it blaze in our eyes
This journey begins — no more goodbyes
A long road ahead…
We move on, no looking back
Scars now sleep… in silent tracks
And before us… the sky turns blue
Let's hit the road — 'cause we know what we're born to do
Second Stop: Shikoku – A Dramatic Quest
The Shimanami Kaido, a legendary cycling route bridging Honshu and Shikoku via a string of sea-spanning bridges, marks the next leg of their journey.
Hiroki pedals with Hikari perched behind him, her arms stretched out like wings as she shouts gleefully into the wind. Yuna follows closely, her gaze lingering on Hiroki's back—the same back she once chased during high school runs. Her heart stirs, gently.
Mei clings tightly to Jun's shirt as she rides behind her. Though her eyes cannot see, her smile speaks volumes. She loves the sensation of the cool air brushing against her face and keeps urging, "Faster, Jun! This is amazing!"—and so they always take the lead.
If Mei could see, she'd witness Jun soaring like Howl, her hair flying wild in the breeze.
Later, they explore Canal City, dubbed "a city within a city," where souvenirs pile high like treasure. Then comes the Iya Valley, wild and rugged, with wooden cottages nestled deep in the forest.
The group gasps at the Peeing Boy statue teetering hilariously on a cliff edge—a cheeky challenge to gravity. They then brave the Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, which looks like it has leapt straight out of the Forbidden Forest from Harry Potter.
Their screams echo through the valley as they tackle white-water rafting, water spraying everywhere. It feels like the perfect way to mark the halfway point of their adventure.
Third Stop: Kyushu – Nature's Call and Soulful Echoes
At Yufuin Floral Village, fairytale cottages straight out of Andersen's tales enchant Hikari. She darts between rabbit and cat statues, dragging her parents along for endless photos. Even Starlin gets roped into taking cute selfies to send his daughter.
At Mount Sakurajima, a once-active volcano, they stand beneath the open sky and shout out their hearts' truths. Each cry carries a dream, a wound, a desire to let go.
But for Raven, Mallow, and Hikari, it's different:
"Mountain Spirit! Can you hear meee? I want vanilla ice cream!" Hikari yells.
"I want to travel forever with this girl," Mallow declares, pointing at Raven.
"And I want him to spoil me forever and eeeever!" Raven adds dramatically.
Their voices echo over the cliffs, laughter ringing like wind chimes. For a moment, it feels like cleansing rain.
Nearby stands the "Portrait a Shout" monument—commemorating Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, who once holds a legendary all-night rock concert here.
Jun gazes at it wistfully, whispering, "I want a show like that someday…"
Hiroki places a hand on her shoulder, his voice low. "If you do, make it your last."
Meanwhile, Starlin silently mimics the statue's shouting pose while Raven's camera flashes.
That night, they stay in a minshuku—a traditional guesthouse carved into the cliffs of Amakusa. As the stars blanket the sky, the group wanders down to the quiet stretch of Nishime Beach.
Above them, the Milky Way shimmers. Seagulls wheel past, wings outstretched in slow arcs. Farther down the beach, Hiroki and Starlin sit by an old palm tree, faces lit by the soft flicker of a campfire, trading quiet stories over shared cigarettes.
Closer to the shoreline, Raven, Mallow, and Yuna play with handheld sparklers. Mallow even brings colorful fireworks, which he fires into the sky in dazzling, fleeting bursts.
Amid the glow, Mei holds Jun's hand tightly as they step to the water's edge. The sea breeze tousles Mei's shimmering hair, salt tang clinging to her skin. For her, this becomes yet another "first"—the feeling of seawater lapping at her feet, sending soft shocks through her body.
She laughs brightly, fingertips kissed by the tide. Then she places her salty fingers to her lips, eyes gleaming violet.
"Hey, don't drink that," Jun chides gently, catching her wrist.
Still cheeky, Mei licks her finger again, savoring the raw taste of the deep.
Suddenly, Jun sweeps her up, carrying her farther into the surf, teasing, "I'll drop you in!"
Their skin brushes, their breath tangles in the salt air. Mei squirms in her arms, laughing with a thrill of mischief.
Jun's eyes sparkle with emotion as she gently sets Mei down, brushing back her hair. "Be good, okay?" she whispers.
Waves murmur behind them. The fire crackles softly. And above it all, the full moon rises, casting silver shadows over their footprints in the sand.