Chapter 1

Passed Perfect

So I started again, everyday of my life, dreaming every morning when I wake up. Hey why do I do that anyway! I woke up today wondering if this day would be different from any other days I have spent 20 years of my life. I'm Kumiko Yamaguchi, Japanese? No. I can be considered 25 percent Japanese but since my mom said that grandfather naturalize to Filipino, I considered myself to be one having dominant Japanese features. Wah! I didn't even saw my grandfather, mom said that grandpa (that's what I like to call him), left to Japan for some important reason. They don't even tell me what it is. They said, it doesn't really matter. I am no popular if you think I am, well, I consider myself not ill-looking either. Born with a natural instinct to study harder than ever before. Sometimes I even wondered, how can I do such unexplainable things like when I was in my PE class in grade school I kicked the soccer ball and it reached to the nest building. I also wondered why I can carry up to 2 sacks of rice in one blow. Yah, you've guessed it! I'm kinda unusual after all and kinda geeky too, as some of the popular girls say when I pass by them during my first year in highschool. But hey, I'm studying now in one of the greatest school in my country. St. John's University, yah, you've heard it right, St. John's school of rich, talented and smart people. But I have a problem I'm smart, considered myself talented in my own way, but rich? Forget that word! So how did I manage to study there? I didn't gain any scholarship, any financial assistance or some sort. In fact, my parents just strive hard in order for me to study there. Hey why am I still daydreaming! I'm late!

"Kumiko, wake up! It's already 8:30 am, you'll be late for your formality interview!" Mom shouted

"Yeah, yeah I'm already awake!" I forgot, this day will be the day that I will know if I passed the test at eitoku high. I've already thought about it, why study at Japan if I can study here. Maybe, I thought this is my one true opportunity to help my family escape financial crisis.

I took a bath, put up my regular t-shirt and pants, rubber shoes and pony tailed my hair pinned my bangs and yeah this is me formality interview or not. I thought they need charms rather than oh so formal conversations, well that's only what I thought.

"Mom, I'm going out! Close the door after I leave!" I shouted to mom as she does the laundry.

"Ok, take care, good luck at your interview" mom kissed me good luck and I left. Dad wasn't there, working hard as usual as a mechanical engineer in a private company. Not earning too much, and not earning to low. Just adequate to meet our everyday needs. Hey back to business, I walked up to the highway and took a bus that will pass the train station.

This will be another good day for me, I supposed. I've always expected everything will be fine. Train station is always full. Peak or non peak hours, doesn't matter. There are so many people here in manila; it's the central of urbanity here in the Philippines. As I've waited for the train to stop at the 9th station yeah, my school is far actually from my home, I wonder if I pass or not. What if I pass, what if I don't? I'm just repeating myself over and over again.

"It's going to be alright Kumiko, just keep fighting!" I murmured to myself. As people around me thought I was weird or something.

Walked out from the train station and went to the career office of St John. There were many people there almost 20 I suppose. All of them wanting to grab the opportunity of either going to Japan to have fun or spend their lives there. They are all rich kids, knows the fad, ins and outs, in every part of the world I suppose. Me? Yeah I've watched some TV shows Disney, nickelodeon, and oh yeah cartoon network. The rest of the time I do house chores and study. It's not that I don't want to do other stuff but I think that it is my responsibility to do what I supposed to do.

The facilitator led us to the conference room where all students are very anxious if they passed or not.

"Good morning everybody!" The facilitator started discussing. "As we all know this is the formality interview if you passed the school you applied for in Japan. As you can see there are four schools available for the scholarship. Narashima high, Tenchou high, Kongwei high and Eitoku high."

First, I thought that repeating in highschool in Japan is just too exhausting but since this is one time opportunity for me to study college there more easily, I moderately hesitated. Everybody seemed excited to enter Eitoku high. I think that's because of the good reputation and student achievers that they groom to be. But hey, why did I choose Eitoku high? I don't know any school in Japan, oh I remembered!

Flashback

When I'm filling up my application form group of rich girls talking.

"You know eitoku high is the best because they are accepting students who are talented and smart not only they have Sawada Shin but all.." one of the girls said as they went to pass their application forms.

I guessed all schools in Japan are great. Sawada Shin? Is it a course or what. I think it is a lecture or some sort. I didn't figure it out either. I wrote down my preferred school.

NAME: Kumiko Yamguchi

SCHOOL: Eitoku High

…

Present

I think it's a good school. Also sounds good with my name. Kumiko Yamaguchi in Eitoku High. Hmm. Sounds good indeed. Oh, got to listen, I might skip some important details.

"So these are the envelopes to be given to each student. These are 24 envelopes all in all" The facilitator said. I have a good estimate at things. Hah! And I've guessed we are 20 applying.

"All of you fall in line to get your envelopes. You will know if you pass if there is a school name at your envelope. If the name in your envelope is not the school you applied for, it means that you are not accepted in the school you chose but qualified to another school. If there is no writing, whatsoever in your envelope, it means that you didn't pass and may leave the room" Facilitator said with no hesitation.

"Hey that's harsh…" I've thought. What if I'm one of the sad applicants who went out because I failed? I was in the line; I think I'm the only one looking different here. All were wearing their branded things and clutch bags. I have my body bag that I'm proud of, complete necessary things in my bag, make up not included. Some students left the room, bursting into tears; I think there are already 3 going out. Some were shouting for joy. Other dismayed for not getting their school of choice.

"I didn't pass at Eitoku high, but I managed at Narashima high. It's ok it's only a few kilometres from there, I can go there easily. Oh, I lost the opportunity to see Sawada Shin. My dad said he will be giving me a car and a …" The girl said as the line continued to shorten. What do they like about Sawada Shin, is it a fashion course or what. I think I've chose the wrong school. Well, there is no turning back. As I approached the table of fear (where the envelopes laid and only three left), I became anxious.

"It's now or never.." I murmured again. I picked up the envelope in which my name was written in gold stamp. I look at the back of it and saw. EITOKU HIGHSCHOOL.

"waha, I've passed!" I've screamed not too loud as everybody can hear it. Some heard it and didn't even gossip where school I passed. They are all the same rich, beautiful people in St. John. They are all perfect, I'm not sure with the attitude though. Usually when I'm in class, I'm always the observer of things. Being popular and vocal is not my thing unless they went a fight with me. Ha! I will not be a coward before them!

"Now you have known that you have passed or not please group yourselves according to the school you have applied to by joining these 4 ushers. They will be giving you you're already finished transport papers including your student passport, ID, map of the school of your choice and many more. Proceed." The facilitator said.

So I went to the usher with a name plate eitoku high. We are five people who went to the usher. All four girls talking about Sawada Shin. Hey that course again? And about famous foreign and Japanese actors and actresses studying there. I didn't think that eitoku high was so famous after all.

"So how did you pass eitoku high?" One of the girls asked me.

"How?" I've thought what how? Well of course I've studied hard, put my brains into it, and didn't sleep thinking if I passed or fail.

"I've studied hard" I plainly answered.

"Really, well I've also studied hard, hehe, my dad has an onsen there. Oops sorry for the Japanese word onsen means sauna bath and told the school that he can afford for me to study in that school" The girl continued.

"Well, well, my parents talked with the principal of eitoku high and asked them if I can go there. My parents can sponsor the school with some stuff. And oh I am so happy I'm at eitoku!". The other girl said.

So they did not apply for scholarship. How stupid am I thinking that we all applied for scholarship. How silly of me. They are all rich. They can afford the school. But passing is the problem. They passed because they are rich. Hey why did I pass? Because of my charms? Because of the good description about me I gave to them when I accomplished my application form. Because of my looks? Because of… I don't know really. Maybe I have the brains to live up to. I didn't expect to pass eitoku high. This is so a challenge for me.

"And you know what girls, we can all see Sawada Shin! That is really oh so cool! He is all over the news lately his latest movie actually hit the charts. And his fan listings are all so out of this world." The other one said sounds very excited.

"Sawada Shin, eh?" I've thought. Hey it's a course right. Maybe it's the great ancestor of Japan or something. Like here we have JPRIZAL as a course code there they have Sawada Shin. They even made a movie about him. Wow. Good thing they have said that all people in eitoku high are fluent in English because it a school of distinction, foreign or non-foreign they bring the best out of each student.

"So girls do you know when we are leaving?" The last girl said while they all talk cheerfully about it. They didn't ask my name. Maybe they are just asking me something and another second I'm another stranger. Rich people are just like that.

"You will be leaving on Saturday, the school asked us for you to come early since classes will start next week" The usher said.

"Oh cool I'm going to bring all my prada bags and good clothes I think 10 cases of clothing will do and 20 shoes in all and.." The girl with a father who owns an onsen in Japan said.

"Yeah, I think I will bring that much too or greater" the three responded almost the same. Four of them laughed. Why are they so much excited? Saturday is a day from now. So my time to be here is only tomorrow and I leave to Japan the next day. I'm so sad leaving, but I'm doing this for my own good, and for my family's sake.

"Ok, these are your student passport, school info, Japan's information. And by the way, four of you requested to leave by their private plane right?" The usher said

"Private planes, so they are way too rich really. But I didn't knew that they are interested in the history of the, I thought famous Sawada Shin of Japan that thoroughly, maybe they are different I guess" I've thought.

"The board agrees, but they have said to be on time when entering the school proper" said by the usher.

"Of course, we'll never be late, it's eitoku high remember? There is much sight seeing there right amber?" The girl said to the other girl who has a dad who owns an onsen in Japan. Amber nodded cheerfully and approvingly.

"So who is Kumiko Yamaguchi? Everybody can go, Ms. Yamaguchi, please stay". I stepped forward to the usher and the girls saw me with somewhat indifferent because I'm not having a private plane or whatsoever. Maybe they figured out that I am not rich as them.

"Ms. Yamaguchi, we are glad to inform you that you have passed eitoku high and have received the full scholarship and financial assistance going there. Actually they are very pleased that you would come because no one dared to join eitoku high, only rich students here often applied. Also, the Japan embassy readily agreed since you have a Japanese blood." The usher said firmly. So okay, they have considered my blood line but what surprises me, only rich students dared to enter?

"Only rich students? May I ask why only rich students apply at eitoku high?" I've said curiously.

"Oh you don't know?" Usher amazed why I asked him that question.

"What don't know?" I said.

"Eitoku high is one the top schools in Japan. Japanese or foreign students enter there because of its high reputation in arts and academic excellence. Also Sawada Shin, one of the greatest actor in Japan and other countries is studying there and he is all not looks but also brains and.." The female usher said.

"Hey, hey wait a minute isn't Sawada Shin a subject, like Jose Rizal's life being tackled in St. John's curriculum. Eh? And why is he studying in eitoku high. Do you mean he studied there?" I'm really confused.

"Oh no, he did not studied there, he is now studying there" The usher smiled very cheerfully. The usher figured out that I'm still confused.

"You don't know Sawada Shin? Really? Are you kidding me?" The usher asked.

"No, I don't know him sorry, who is he anyway?" I asked.

"is one of the most popular matinee idol in Japan and everywhere else in the world? Why you don't know that. You don't watch the news or something. You're missing the greatest fad today. He has many fans all over the world. Although he's only 18 he accomplished many things as an actor, singer, dancer, so good in arts and brainy that's why he was accepted in eitoku high with no hesitation. And you know Sawada family is one of the riches families in the world. Hey no one told you that and.." The usher said many things I didn't familiarized about, I let her continue her speech for I might disrespect her or some sort. So Sawada Shin is not a hero in Japan eh? Why am I so stupid thinking that? Of course, why do the fashionable latest to the craze girls talk about heroes anyway. I feel very awkward right now. I didn't even know who Sawada Shin is and now I'm studying there and passed there with full scholarship.

"You are very fortunate to pass eitoku high. I think the whole school revolves about him. Even foreign students enroll there because Sawada Shin is there. I thought you studied there because of him" The usher said to me. I only smiled to let her know that somewhat I know him although I don't.

"Thank you very much for letting this happen for me. To study in Japan for full scholarship" I gratefully thank her, also the school board who helped me make it through.

"We are glad to help. You are very lucky. I wished I would go to Japan to but I can't. I only want to enroll in eitoku high but I haven't passed in the past 2 years I've tried, so I considered myself as an usher this year. I'll just have to try next year. Good luck at eitoku high!" She said.

Jose Rizal is one of the greatest heroes in the Philippines. He is the national hero.

This is my first fic, hope you give some reviews about my story. I'm not that very good at English, but I tried my best to manage the story. Thanks for reading!

The title of the story passed perfect is based from the past perfect tense idea. Since Kumiko already passed eitoku high, she can never lose this opportunity and continue to study in this school. Have a wonderful school year Kumiko!