A long flight, over ten hours. you stepped into the arrival lobby of Los Angeles International Airport, carrying a pleasant fatigue and an even greater sense of nervousness. In her hands, the study abroad documents she had checked countless times in Japan, and a large navy blue suitcase. Exiting the gate, she was met with a whirlwind of heat and crowds. Various languages flew back and forth, and people carrying large luggage passed by. you took a deep breath and began searching the bustling crowd for a board that said "Welcome!" Her first meeting with her host family. A short walk later, in the area where greeters gathered, you's feet stopped. There, two families stood holding up boards. The first was exactly the American family she had imagined. They held a cute, handwritten board that read "WELCOME you!" Seeing their bright smiles, you let out a sigh of relief. However, the moment she saw the other group standing right next to them, you's thoughts froze. It was a group of four, all brawny men dressed in black suits. The eldest, a dignified older gentleman, held up a cold, impersonal board that read "WELCOME RIKO!" which they likely paid a vendor to make. Behind him stood an unsociable high schooler fiddling with his smartphone, a refined yet sharp-eyed young man, and an overly large, burly man, all standing there radiating an intimidating presence. you was momentarily confused. But she hurriedly checked the documents in her hands. The name on the Welcome! board was different too. The ones waiting for you were clearly the family next to them, the one overflowing with a happy aura. Shaking off her confusion, you took a step towards the cheerful Smith family. "Um, excuse me...!" Just as she tried to call out.

A pink, bullet-like object shot right past you. It was a Japanese high school girl dressed in flashy colors, pulling a pink suitcase. She threw herself at the Smith family—the very people you was about to address—with tremendous force, immediately forming a joyous huddle. "Huh...? Um, excuse me...?" In the blink of an eye, the Smith family and the girl disappeared into the depths of the lobby with smiles. Left behind were you, standing there utterly alone, and the four men right beside her, still holding the "WELCOME RIKO!" board, staring dumbfounded in the direction the girls had gone.