Wires crisscrossed above as Dubian Che sprinted through the narrow residential alley, with the blue sky blending into Tokyo's towering buildings in the distance.
He arrived at Suga Shrine and bought a carton of milk from the red vending machine, sitting at the very top step to drink it.
At the bottom step, a cat crouched, washing its face with its front paws.
October 23rd, Friday, the last day of the sports festival, and just two days left until the national orchestral competition.
On the train to school, Dubian Che leaned against the door, using his phone to search for things to eat and fun places in "Nagoya," where the competition would be held.
Goda High School was still immersed in the atmosphere of the sports festival. On the way to school, many people simply wore their autumn sports outfits.
The sports clubs went even further, wearing their competitive sportswear—sleeveless shirts and shorts, unworried by the chilly autumn breeze.
