Bowing a greeting just a little timidly, Aki-chan opens his notebook to the first page, decorated with washi tape and a colorful border. In his five-year-old handwriting, it reads:

"Hi! My name is Kurusu Akira. I'm five years old. I have selective mutism, which means I can't talk sometimes. I know some sign language. Thank you for your understanding."

Then, he flips to another page.

"I can tell you about this place, if you'd like. I don't know too much, though..."