It’s always a bit weird seeing people out of context. Whenever I think of my life in Japan, I think of this bunch. I think of the smell of sizzling okonomiyaki filling their home while anime blasts on the TV. I think of Taylor Swift playing on their car stereo as we drive to Eiheiji. I think of basketball games in school gymnasiums and okayu deliveries during flu season. I think of love and home and everything else that’s wonderful about existing.

Fukui Station has always been the setting of our hellos and goodbyes, so seeing them in San Francisco was a bit odd. Amazing — I never dreamed I’d meet up with them in California! — but odd nonetheless. We only had one day together, but I’d fly around the world to spend an hour with these four.