The plane drifts through the clouds with a gentle hum, and Ren has his forehead pressed to the window. Japan stretches out below like a living painting—rows of buildings, bright city colors, and small patches of green between them. Everything looks peaceful. Soft. Almost unreal.
Kai squeezes his hand, his voice calm. "Excited?"
Ren leans away from the window and smiles so big his cheeks hurt. "More than excited. I feel like I'm in a dream."
Kai looks relieved, happy, and a little shy. "Good. Our first trip as a married couple should feel special."
Ren curls closer against him. "Even if we don't do anything and just stay in the hotel room, I'll be happy."
Kai chuckles quietly. "We're going outside. I already made a list."
When they land in Tokyo and step out of the airport, Ren is instantly overwhelmed—in the best way. Bright signs glow in all colors. Vending machines hum beside the sidewalks. People move with a kind of calm energy he hasn't felt before. He turns his head everywhere at once.
"It's beautiful…" he whispers.
Kai watches him instead of the scenery. "Yeah. It is."
Their hotel in Shibuya is soft and warm-toned, with a full window overlooking the neon-filled city below. The room smells like cedar, the sheets look fluffy enough to sink into forever, and the welcome tray on the bed has tiny pastel mochi cakes decorated with little faces.
Ren picks one up gently. "It has blush cheeks. Look at it! It looks alive."
Kai picks up the other mochi and bites it immediately. "It tastes good too."
Ren gasps and throws a pillow at him. "You didn't even appreciate it first!"
Kai catches it easily. "I appreciated it. But I appreciate you more."
Ren freezes, pink rising to his ears. "You can't just say that out of nowhere."
Kai steps close and kisses his cheek. "I can. And I will."
The next day is quiet and gentle. They visit a shrine hidden behind maple trees, walking slowly up the stone path. The air feels cleaner here, softer somehow. Ren stops every few steps to look at lanterns or wooden plaques hanging under the eaves.
"Let's write a wish," he whispers.
Kai nods and takes one of the wooden ema boards. They both write their wishes privately.
Ren writes, May our life together stay as warm as today.
Kai writes something he hides even more carefully.
They hang their wishes side by side without speaking. For a moment, the world feels still around them. Then a light drizzle begins. Not heavy, just enough to dap Ren's hair.
He lifts his head. "It feels like a movie."
Kai immediately drapes his coat around Ren's shoulders. "Don't get cold."
Warmth swells in Ren's chest. He holds the coat tightly as they walk to a small café to escape the rain. The place is cozy, full of the smell of matcha, red bean pastries, and steamed milk.
Ren takes a seat by the window while Kai goes to order.
A few seconds later, Ren hears Kai talking to the barista.
And the words make Ren's soul leave his body.
Kai is speaking Japanese. Perfectly. Fluently. Naturally.
No accent. No hesitation. Full sentences. Reactions. A casual conversation like he's done it his whole life.
Ren's eyes widen so much they hurt.
Kai returns with two drinks and sits down.
Ren stares at him. "You."
Kai sips his drink. "Me?"
"You speak Japanese."
Kai shrugs. "Yes."
"No. No, not 'yes.' You speak fluent Japanese! Like—like native-level!"
Kai raises a brow. "Is that surprising?"
Ren hits the table lightly with his palm. "I've been struggling to read signs! You let me mispronounce things! You watched me look up phrases on my phone—"
"I corrected you gently."
"You knew EVERYTHING this whole time?!"
Kai tries not to smile. "You looked adorable trying to figure things out. I didn't want to ruin your fun."
Ren groans and sinks into his seat. "You're impossible."
"But loved," Kai says, reaching out to flick his nose gently.
Ren hides behind his cup to hide his embarrassment. "I'm still mad."
Kai leans forward and kisses his forehead. "I'll translate for you from now on."
The rest of the trip is soft, colorful, and overwhelmingly sweet. They wander Harajuku, where Ren buys matching phone charms shaped like tiny onigiri. Kai helps him haggle easily (in Japanese), making Ren pout dramatically every time Kai talks too smoothly.
They find a ramen shop Kai "coincidentally" knew about. Ren eats until he's warm and sleepy.
They wander through bookstores, where Kai reads manga titles out loud with a voice Ren could listen to forever. Ren keeps pretending he doesn't understand just so Kai will read more.
They take pictures in a sticker booth, laughing until Ren nearly falls off the little bench inside. Kai catches him and kisses him on the cheek before the camera clicks.
That night, they go up to a rooftop observatory. The Tokyo skyline stretches below them like a glowing river of stars.
Ren presses his hands to the glass and whispers, "It looks like a galaxy."
Kai stands behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist. "If that's a galaxy, then you're the brightest star here."
Ren's entire face turns red. "Can you NOT flirt every five minutes?"
"No," Kai says against his neck, placing a soft kiss there.
Ren melts like warm chocolate.
They stay that way for a long time, just breathing together, watching the lights pulse below.
Their last morning in Tokyo is quiet and gentle. Ren buys one last set of sweets from a convenience store. Kai helps him pack because Ren folds clothes like chaos. They take a sleepy taxi to the airport and Ren falls asleep on Kai's shoulder almost immediately.
Kai strokes his hair the entire flight.
When they land in South Korea, stepping out into the fresh Seoul air, Ren exhales, smiling without even meaning to.
"It feels like we were gone for a month."
Kai laces their fingers together. "But we're home."
Ren bumps their hips together. "Next time we go to Japan, you're doing all the translating. And don't pretend you can't anymore."
Kai laughs softly. "Of course."
They walk out of the airport together, sunlight warming their faces, bags in hand, hearts full and closer than ever.
Ren glances at Kai and says, "I still can't believe you kept that secret."
Kai kisses the top of his head. "I'll tell you many things from now on. Promise."
And Ren leans against him, smiling—married, happy, and completely in love.