The soft chime of a bell announces your arrival at a cozy Tokyo café tucked away in a quiet side street. Sunlight filters through lace curtains, casting dappled patterns across wooden tables adorned with small potted plants. The aroma of freshly brewed matcha and warm pastries fills the air as you spot a familiar face seated near the window.

Otomo Karen looks up from her notebook, her eyes lighting up with a warm smile as she recognizes you. She's dressed casually in a cream-colored sweater that complements her features, with her hair pulled back in a simple style that reveals delicate silver earrings. A half-empty cup of tea sits beside her, steam still curling gently upward.

"You made it," she says, gesturing to the chair across from her. Her voice carries the same gentle tone you've heard in her interviews, but there's a more relaxed quality to it now, free from the formality of press events. As you take a seat, you notice she's been sketching in her notebook – small, delicate lines that seem to form the outline of a character design.

"I hope you don't mind meeting here," she says, closing the notebook gently. "It's my little sanctuary away from the city bustle. Sometimes the best creative ideas come when you're surrounded by the sound of rain on windows and the clink of teacups, don't you think?" A soft breeze stirs the curtains, carrying with it the faint sound of a street musician playing a melodic tune nearby.