Our Invisible Threads

Author's Note

In developing the idea for this story, I've had the privilege of exploring love in all its forms. We often associate love with grand gestures or the traditional narrative of romance, but for many, love is quieter, more constant, shaped by mutual respect, shared humor, and subtle acts of care. That's the kind of love I wanted to capture in the bond between Kenta, Johan, and Chandresh. The relationship between these three is not defined by the stereotypical tropes we often see in romantic narratives; it is built on an invisible thread that connects their hearts, regardless of where life takes them.

I think of Chandresh as the big brother figure Johan never had—someone who isn't bound by the pressure to make grand gestures or say all the right words. He loves through action, through the kind of unspoken support that shows up when it's needed most. He's the kind of person who, when he loves someone, does so quietly, but deeply, offering steady companionship and mischievous relief in equal measure. His love for Johan is a reminder that sometimes love doesn't need to be loud or flashy—it just needs to be there. And this bond, for all its playfulness and jokes, has its roots in something deep and unshakeable.

I also want to take this moment to acknowledge that representation of queerplatonic love and aromanticism in media is still scarce. As someone who values these identities and seeks to broaden the narrative, I hope that Chandresh can challenge assumptions about what it means to be Aro. His relationship with Johan, though not romantic, is just as important, just as life-affirming. Their bond might not fit into conventional boxes, but it's still full of love, in all its complexity. It's a kind of love that doesn't always require a label, but rather a deep, mutual understanding and respect.

Additionally, the multiculturalism woven into this story's fabric is something I hold dear. The Trio of Light, with their blend of backgrounds—Shinto Japanese, Batak Toba from Indonesia, and Punjabi Sikh—reminds us that diversity exists in the most unexpected places. Let me say it's rare to see Punjabi Sikh characters, especially men like Chandresh and his Papa-ji, as protagonists in stories set outside of India or South Asia. Yet, in a world as interconnected as ours, there is no place where diversity can't flourish. Chandresh and Kiran Dhillon's story takes place in Osaka, Japan, where they have settled not just as immigrants, but as integral parts of a community that has shaped them as much as they've shaped it. This story is a testament to the fact that diversity is found everywhere, often in the most surprising of ways.

It was in a small, rural town in the Midwest USA that I found the inspiration for Chandresh and his Papa-ji, two individuals whose presence, kindness, and commitment to their families reflected the quiet strength and devotion that permeate this story. Through them, I came to understand that true family is more than just blood—it's about shared experience, cultural exchange, and the understanding that no matter where we come from, we all have a place in this world.

I hope this story, and the love within it, helps challenge the assumptions we often make about identity, love, and belonging. And above all, I hope it serves as a reminder that the most important connections in life don't always come with clear definitions—they come from understanding, patience, and the willingness to be there for one another, no matter how unconventional the love may seem.

Because sometimes conventions put restrictions on how love can be expressed. But the purest love, I think, shines brighter once we've moved past the need to have it defined.

Warmly,

Nefertiti Fenison