Kyuusei Chapter 1: Hedateru
"My name is Yumeka Haruesaki, 15 years old. I am from the island of Japan, and I look forward to getting to know you all." I practiced those words in my head, over and over, then I said them out loud, the uncomfortable English words rolling around my mouth like sharp knives. The only words that felt natural was my own name, which was the only beacon of light.
"Honey! We're here," Mom said in Japanese, as the car rumbled to a halt. Cars were odd to me. Living in Toyko, we had used taxis a lot. The United States were so different from my own home.
"Mom!" I said in English, and she grinned, and wagged a finger at me.
"Yumeka, I can speak Japanese if I want." Mom was fluent in Japanese, obviously, but she was also adept at English. Which annoyed me. Please speak English when we are in America, Mom.
Oh! And it's not like we are never going back to Japan. Mom promised we would visit once or twice a year. We have grandparents there, anyway. The only reason we are stuck in America right now is because of stupid Dad. He got a job in computer programming. He's the normal Japanese man, wears suits every day and is the smartest person in his workplace, but he couldn't be smart or Japanese enough to say, "No. We are staying here in Japan, with the sakura trees and perfect life." NO. He said, "Yumeka! This will be a great experience! And I will be making lots more money. Maybe we can get you that dog you always wanted!"
Yeah. I wanted a dog, Dad, not a trip to America! We could've gotten one off the streets or something! But no, as soon as we got here, Dad got me a dog. A tiny puppy. He's really sweet but Mom hates him cuz he pees on everything. She keeps on telling me to train him. I'm trying, Mom! Don't bug me! Sheesh! It's already stressful enough, being here-
"HEY!" shouted someone. "KOREAN KID!"
I'm. Not. Korean. I get out of the car, my fists knotted up in my jacket.
It's a tall boy, maybe 17 or 18, his back to the school. Blond hair and blue eyes. The perfect American appearance, one that in Japan is unheard of. "Look who we have here. A cute little four-eyes. Maybe she can do our work. Right boys?" He grinned at his buddies, then stepped forward and shoved me into Mom's car. She saw this, got up, and strolled towards the bullies.
"Hey, get away from my daughter!"
"Oh. Whatcha gonna do about it, shortie?" the boy said in a manner that made my mom grind her teeth. She was short, but she also could hold her temper.
"Yumeka, if these boys do anything"- she glared at them-"to you, you tell me, got it?"
I stayed quiet. The bullies were muttering my name in a high pitched squeak. "Yumeka, Yumeka, Yumeka," they taunted.
"Yumeka, did you heard me?"
"Yes..." I said quietly, and the boys howled with laughter. Angered, I turned around, bringing my leg high and hitting the ringleader with my heel. He fell back, not hard, but with a slight thud. His mouth was bloody and I felt proud.
Not my mom.
"Yumeka!" she said. But then the bell rang. So, taking my arm in her tight little fist, she slowly marched me to the classroom. 1-7. She opened the door, gave me a kiss, and said quietly, "Honey, please. I don't want us to get in trouble. If you are gonna defend yourself, please, please, please, be careful. I do not wanna get mad at you. Okay?"
I nodded, the pride slowly going away.
She smiled.
"See you after school, then. Be safe, and don't use karate on everyone, please. Only on those who are looking to hurt you, okay?"
"Yes, Mom-sama."
She pulled me close and hugged me. "That's my little Yume-chan..." she said, then she let go. "Now, have fun and learn!"
I nodded and entered the room. The teacher came in and said, "Class, we have a new student, Yumeka. Please come here, Yumeka!" I approached the homeroom teacher, who was a stout man, and began my speech.
"My name is Yumeka Haruesaki, 15 years old. I am from the Island of Japan, and I look forward to getting to know you all." I said. I had practiced those words in my head, over and over, then I had said them out loud, the uncomfortable English words rolling around in my mouth like sharp knives. The only words that felt natural was my own name, which was the only beacon of light.
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America? Please listen to me.
I don't wanna be here, but I am.
Please accept me the way I am. Isn't that what you're here for?
Well, I hope I learn to accept you.
I hope we can be friends, and that you can be my home away from home.
Cuz one of these days, I wanna be able to say I have a friend.
A friend.
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To be cont.! Hope you liked it.
Links to Chapter 1:https://www.kidzsearch.com/questions/34996/kyuusei-chapter-1-hedateru
Link to Chapter 2: https://www.kidzsearch.com/questions/35072/kyuusei-chapter-2-tekishitsu
Link to Chapter 3: https://www.kidzsearch.com/questions/35077/kyuusei-chapter-3-otousan
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Link to chapter 1 translation: https://www.kidzsearch.com/questions/35068/kyuusei-japanese-translations-pt1-chap1
Link to chapter 2 translation: https://www.kidzsearch.com/questions/35074/kyuusei-japanese-translations-pt2-chap2
Link to chapter 3 translation:https://www.kidzsearch.com/questions/35079/kyuusei-japanese-translations-pt-3-chap3
