Chapter One

Hi, I'm Akito Nozuka. Nozuka isn't my real last name, but it's what people have been calling me since I was six, so I can't really remember what my real name is. I can't ask my family for help about names, because they live on the other side of the world.

I've been studying abroad for my entire school career. I've lived in almost eleven counties so far, and I'm only sixteen. I can prepare many specialty dishes from each of those countries, and they all taste like a five star meal. I can do a lot of stuff really, but I don't like to brag.

I like my life, its fun and entertaining. Everything is wonderful.

Then the letter that changed everything came.

For the past year, I've been living in a small community in Ontario, Canada. I have a small circle of friends and nobody really hates me, which is unusual but nice. I live alone, like I have since I was ten. It was the same as every other time.

It was the end of the first semester. I was returning home after finishing my last exam. I felt that something was going to change soon, but I wasn't sure what. I decided that it was probably just going to be news about where I would be studying next.

When I reached my house, I grabbed the mail and walked inside. I dumped my bag on the floor by the table and sat down. I sifted through the mail, finding just bills as usual. Then I came to the last envelope in the pile.

What I noticed right away was that it had come from out of the country. I opened it and glanced at the writing. It was short and in Japanese, so I knew that I was moving again. I skimmed the letter for the country, but didn't find anything. I read it properly to see what was going on.

Akito,

After ten years studying around the world, we feel that you are well educated. We request your immediate return home to finish high school. There are plane tickets enclosed for your return.

There was no signature, but I knew that it was from my dad. I sighed and put the letter back in the envelope. I was a little exited to be returning home, but I was worried that I would feel like a stranger.

I turned on my computer and checked my e-mail. There were a few from my friends asking how my exams went, but nothing really important. Without replying to anyone, I started a new message. I only wrote a few words.

I'm moving: Japan.

Then I addressed the message to all of my friends and sent it. In no time there were replies. I felt tears forming as I ignored them and shut off the computer. I found out a long time ago that it is best not to drag out goodbyes.

I emptied my school bag and put it with all of my other carrying packs. I filled each suitcase and closed them. I stood in the middle of my room and thought about what to expect when I return.

I thought about my brothers. My older brother is two years older than me, so he'd be starting University. My younger brother (who was only five when I left and probably won't remember me) would be starting high school. I wondered for a bit about what they would look like now. I smiled at the thought of my older brother being tall and strong and looking out for me.