"Yuki, I'm going to need your help here," I said.
I stared into the closet that contained "Ryu's" or mine, kind of, pile of clothes trying to pick what to wear for the yearbook photo.
Everything the guy owned was black.
Black t-shirts.
Black yukata.
Black harem pants.
His badass black kimono with the matching black dragon on the back.
I get it, Ryu, we're got a black dragon spirit connected to us, but other colors absolutely exist.
Then I saw, in one of his jacket pockets, a crumpled note.
Dear Ryu,
I want you to know that I respect your wishes to wear black in honor of your father's recent passing. It wasn't easy for you, after your adoption and move to a new nation, with a new family, and learning a new way of life.
But you were never alone in your journey.
Though we're not your 'real' parents, your birth parents, please do not think that we loved you any less because our bond was not forged from family ties.
Our bond was forged with real experiences, difficult choices, bad decisions, and even better intentions.
In short, the bond your father and I forged with you was created with love. And though he is no longer here to share that love with you, know that I will do the best I can to honor the love he gave you.
If you ever need anything, I'll always be here.
Love,
Mom
Even though I'd never met Ryu's adoptive mom, reading her letter made me feel better than I had in a long time..
Somewhere, in Kyoto, on mainland Japan, I had an adoptive mom who was waiting for me. And Ryu's dad passed away recently?
I held the crumpled paper in my hand and sat down at the chair beside my desk.
My own father died when I was in grade school. Ryu's father lived for a couple of years longer than my own, but I could still feel for his loss.
I wonder if he'd written his mom.
Suddenly, I felt guilty for not reaching out to Ryu's mom the whole time I'd been at Crescent Moon Academy.
I looked back at the closet, feeling like my own problems were much smaller by comparison, until I remembered that I might be turning into a black dragon, I was inhabiting the body of a fifteen-year-old who borrowed large portions of my own identity, and somehow a mythical kitsune had isekai'd me here.
It still sucked that Ryu's dad died.
"Ryu, what are you doing?" Yuki asked.
I looked up and saw her floating beside the closet.
"I thought you were getting ready to go to school," she said, confused.
I smiled at her.
"Yeah, I was, but then I found this letter from my mom."
I showed Yuki the letter.
"It made me feel a little emotional, but you're right. I need to get ready," I said, getting up.
Yuki floated to the desk and began reading the letter as I looked for something to wear for school photo day.
"Oh, Ryu, I'm so sorry! I never realized," Yuki started.
I turned from the closet and looked at her over my shoulder.
"It's okay, Yuki. I appreciate it. I… wish I'd known Dad better," I said.
That was true. I hadn't known Ryu's dad at all.
In fact, I'd hardly known my own father before he passed.
I sighed, this wasn't getting me anywhere.
"Yuki, I need your help," I said.
She floated to my side immediately.
"Of course! What is it?" she asked, glad to be helpful.
"I've got practically nothing to wear for the school yearbook photo, and no money to buy anything. Everything I own is black or grey. What am I going to wear?" I asked.
Yuki looked confused.
"What do you mean you don't know what to wear?"
I gestured towards my clothes.
"See, everything's black, and I have, like, no nice outfits," I said, exasperated.
She tilted her head.
"Ryu, you're going to school. Wear your uniform," she said, sounding as if she were talking to a child.
I winced.
"Oh yeah, the uniform. I guess that's required, huh?"
She giggled, nodding.
"Yeah, and you shouldn't have to think this hard about not being an idiot"
Man, I was so used to picture day in America.
Not to mention in the 1990s.
Hey everyone,
If you've made it this far — thank you.
I can't tell you how much it means to me to have watched this weird, awkward, but strangely earnest story grow week after week. Seeing it connect with people has been a surreal, deeply humbling experience.
Now that we've reached the end of the first volume, there's something I need to confess:
I'm a former English professor at Alderson Broaddus University — an awesome little college in a small town in West Virginia.
When I started writing this story back in February, I broke just about every rule I used to teach my students — especially the big one:
"Have a plan before you write."
I didn't.
My university had closed about a year earlier, and since then I've been struggling — really struggling — to find and keep work. One night, I just sat down at my laptop and started typing. I didn't know where it was going. I only knew I had to write it.
This is the kind of story I've always wanted to read but could never find.
And honestly? If ABU hadn't closed its doors, I probably never would've written it.
Not because I didn't want to — but because I was too comfortable to take the risk.
Too afraid to put my work out there.
In that way, I'm a lot like Andy/Ryu.
Just like him, I wanted to know what would happen if anime and manga went deeper — emotionally, thematically, spiritually. Not that they can't — I think sometimes they just get a little shy or awkward.
Who can relate, right?
So, I started writing this.
Now we're 40 chapters in and — no hype, just real talk — it's only getting started.
I mean that.
I've got at least three more volumes planned. I'm working on them now.
Seeing this story grow on Royal Road, Inkstone, and other platforms, means the world to me — and that's because of you.
Your follows, reviews, ratings, and comments are the reason this story is alive.
So again — thank you. For everything.
The story picks back up in three weeks with Chapter 41: A Day in the Life.
If you want to read ahead, it's already available on my Patreon, along with a bunch of free content and bonus lore. I post over there almost every day — and I'm currently working on Chapter 56 or 57 now.
I hope I see you there.
And if not — I'll see you soon, right back here.
—Daniel Ryu Kazeyama
Azuki wanted me to post my links here. She said: "Remind them that Kindle Unlimited Subscribers can read for free! Oh, and mention that Patreon subscribers help keep you writing (bc you've got to pay the power to keep your laptop on!)"
Azuki is inviting you to chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/j9kYZerG
The entire VOLUME 1, in one edition is here: https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B0F5NK5QNN
✨ Vol 1 Part 1 – https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B0F54JX6D1
✨ Vol 1 Part 2 – https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B0F54P1VTJ
✨ Vol 1 Part 3 – https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B0F5DZQQQ8
✨ Vol 1 Part 4 – https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B0F5NLF4Y3
Shameless Patreon plug: https://www.patreon.com/c/Ryujin2xd