Prologue: The Announcement
"Alright," Pasket-sensei stepped up to the front of the classroom holding several sheets of papers. "At the end of the year, more around summer, Japanese levels 2 and 3 can go on a trip to Japan. There are plenty of opportunities to raise money for the trip," he continued, passing the papers to each row. "Here's the base amount that's needed for the activities, meals, hotel rooms, and the like. We'll mostly be staying near Tokyo but we'll travel around toward either Okinawa or Kyoto."
I snatched up the paper, looking through the dates and the prices of each thing.
Mostly hotel and airplane expenses, food costs and anything else we want to do.
Ok, it wasn't a bad cost, just most of my life savings, that's cool. I felt a poke on my shoulder so I turned around. A cute blonde haired boy was sitting behind me, someone I've had a crush on since middle school, Max. He smiled and gave a thumbs up at the paper, looking excited. I smiled back at him, just as excited!
"You're going right?" he asked me. I scoffed.
"Of course! I'm not missing this for the world!" Well, I did last year, but anyway, I couldn't wait to find my friends and tell them I'll be coming with them this time!
"Alright, alright," Paskett said, bringing the noise down a notch. "You have until summer to save up enough. That also means preparing your language skills. Let's get started today, Hajimemashita!"
I met my friends for lunch after class and told them the news. Megan squealed in absolute delight
"Can you friggin' believe it?!" Megan's voice rose with each word in her excitement. "We're all going to Japan! The dream has come true my dears!" I tried hushing her as our peers turned to see what was happening, even though I was smiling just as wide as her. She laughed "Sorry, I'm just really excited, ya know?! This is what we've been talking about all last year! Going to Japan and seeing the sites, talking to hot Japanese guys-"
"Shut up!" I pushed on her face playfully. She retaliated by raspberrying in my face."That's what we've all talked about, you fart, and keep your voice down!" People were still staring. Mostly I wouldn't have cared – heck, most of the time it's me that makes the ruckus – but it was slightly embarrassing to have something slightly personal being shouted down to the next school!
"But Japan!" Megan whined, dragging out the last syllable for a while, making it high and whiny to low and morbid and back.
Ali silenced her with a hand to her mouth. In fake seriousness, she said, "Yes, Megan. Japan." I rolled my eyes.
This year was starting out just beautifully.
