Is Bali a Country?

Chatter… chatter…

"Seriously, why is the baggage claim area this crowded?" I muttered, my eyes darting nervously through the sea of travelers. Hurry, Koharu. Just grab the bag and run before one of Dad’s agents spots you in this mess!

I squeezed through the crowd, desperate to reach the front of the conveyor belt. The moment a black suitcase—the twin of mine—slid into view, I lunged for it and made my escape.

Wait... why does it feel so much lighter? I shook my head, dismissing the thought. It’s probably just my imagination. Anyway, how am I supposed to talk to people here? Do they even speak Japanese? Is the homestay far? Should I just walk? What if the driver is an undercover spy sent by Dad? Help, I’m terrified!

I hurried toward the airport exit. On the giant digital board, a sea of red text flickered: FLIGHTS DELAYED DUE TO TROPICAL STORM. Through the glass doors, the sky looked like a bruised eggplant—ominous and dark, though the rain hadn't started yet.

But the moment I stepped past the sensor, the heavens collapsed. A wall of water slammed down with a deafening roar.

Are you kidding me?! Oh... I see. Dad must have hired a shaman to sabotage me. He wants me to suffer so I’ll go home. No... I won't let it get to me! I’m staying in this country called Bali, no matter what!

I paced back and forth near the glass doors, my brain running a marathon of panic. How do I even get to the homestay in this deluge? How do I hail a taxi without sounding like an idiot?

"Excuse me, Miss. I think our suitcases are swapped."

In the middle of my mental meltdown, I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.

"Agh!!!"

I shrieked, spinning around and jumping back like a startled cat. But the moment my eyes locked onto the man standing there, the heat of my panic turned into ice.

Oh... my... god... A PRINCE?!

"Miss? Hello?"

"O-oh... w-what? Are you here to kidnap me?" I stammered, my brain completely short-circuiting.

"Huh? You’re... interesting," he said with a teasing smirk.

My face instantly reached boiling point. My blood felt like it was being pumped through a high-pressure hose. I stood there, frozen, lost in his gaze. By the time I snapped back to reality, the man was already walking away. I looked down at the suitcase handle in my hand—the luggage tag now clearly displayed my own name.

Wait... did he just swap them while I was staring at him like an idiot?!

I frantically looked around for him and spotted him outside, talking to someone in a light blue uniform. Clutching the handle of my actual suitcase, I crept closer, trying to be as inconspicuous as a ninja with a giant suitcase.

The Prince was talking to a Ngurah Rai Taxi driver. I couldn't understand a single word of their conversation, but then—like a beacon of light—I heard it.

"...Homestay Bharata..."

My ears perked up. Homestay Bharata? I quickly pulled up my booking app. Wait—that’s the place I booked! Should I follow him? Maybe he’s just another guest... but at least I know that car is going exactly where I need to go!

As if by some miracle, the rain began to subside. As the Prince stepped into the left side of the car, I bolted toward the driver before he could close the trunk. I shoved my suitcase toward him. The driver hesitated, looking at me with a confused expression.

Wait... is he suspicious? Does he think I’m a stalker? Who follows a total stranger like this? Or... is HE an agent? Did Dad hire a local?!

In a fit of panic, I flashed a wide, painfully awkward smile. The driver blinked, then nodded slowly and loaded my bag into the trunk. I scrambled into the right-side door and sat directly next to the Prince.

I turned my head toward him with the mechanical, jerky movements of a horror movie ghost. He was staring at me in silence, tapping his phone. The silence was deafening, making my skin feel like it was simmering.

"We're heading off then," the driver said cheerfully, breaking the tension.

Oh... the driver speaks English?!

I stared out the window, praying for the best. Anything is better than being stranded at the airport... I think.

Before I knew it, the car stopped in front of a massive, ancient-looking gate.

Is this... actually the homestay? It says 'Bharata’, but the gate looks like the entrance to a haunted temple. Am I being sacrificed? Am I going to become the Sadako of this country? Help!

Clack!

The Prince stepped out, and I followed him like a lost puppy. Curiously, the driver didn't take the Prince's bag first—he specifically handed me mine, as if the Prince had requested it. Then, without a word, the man opened the gate and walked right in as if he owned the place.

Wait... shouldn't we call the owner first? Why is he acting like it’s his house? Panic flared again, and I hurried after him, terrified of being left behind.

My breath caught as I stepped through the gate. The exterior was... stunning. Despite the terrifyingly traditional gate, the courtyard was spacious and beautifully maintained—perfect for children to play. The house itself was a masterpiece of modern architecture.

As I walked slowly, admiring the view, I heard a woman’s voice from inside speaking in a language I didn’t recognize. She and the Prince seemed close. Even though he acted cool and indifferent, their interaction didn't feel like a simple business transaction.

The woman stepped out and spotted me; her eyes widened. She immediately bowed.

"Welcome to Homestay Bharata. Are you checking in under the name Aoyama Koharu?" she asked in fluent, friendly English.

"Etto... y-yes. I'm Koharu," I squeaked, nodding frantically.

The woman looked at the Prince, her expression shifting from confusion to a sudden burst of laughter. I stood there, offering a weak, confused smile.

"Miss Koharu," the woman said, wiping a tear from her eye. "You certainly had an... interesting first day."

"W-what do you mean?"

"This is Arjuna Dewantara. His family owns Homestay Bharata. He’s the one taking over management today—I was only looking after things until he arrived."

I felt like I had just been struck by lightning. My head snapped between the two of them, my eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

WHAT?! THE OWNER’S SON?! Koharu... you are so clueless! I’ve been stalking the landlord this whole time!

I spun around, desperate to hide my burning face. "I thought he was just another guest," I whispered to the floor.

"Come, let me show you to the guest house next door," the woman said, effortlessly taking my suitcase.

I nodded and followed her, stealing a tiny glance at the Prince as I passed. He was watching me with a warm, gentle smile. I immediately looked away and doubled my pace.

That smile... wait! DOES HE LIKE ME?! WE JUST MET!

We reached the second building, separated from the main house by a walkway. The woman explained the layout with professional grace—guests stayed in this building and the one at the back. There were lounges on both floors and eight rooms in total.

"You've got the whole place to yourself for now, Koharu," she said softly. "You can pick any room you like. If you need anything, just use the room phone to call Arjuna."

"I... I will. Thank you for your kindness," I replied with a shaky smile.

"Just call me Gita. I'll leave you to it then. Enjoy your stay!” With a bow, Gita disappeared back toward the main house.

I collapsed onto the sofa, letting out a long, ragged breath and patting my cheeks. My first day in Bali is already this much of a disaster...how on earth am I going to survive the rest?