Prologue
Hello, my name is Ian Penley. I was born in the U.S in the state of Illinois. In the village of Bradley. That is where I stayed until my father left. After a while, mom had tried to support me. Moving around the state a lot for her various jobs. Eventually, it became too much for her. A week after my 6th birthday. Mom killed herself. I had been placed in a foster home for two years. That was when I had been adopted by a Japanese family the Busujima. I was scared and Happy. Happy that someone finally adopted me and they were from a different country. Which meant I had to learn Japanese
Ian(my) POV
My 9th birthday came around and I was sitting in the park with my only friend and adopted older sister Saeko. We were sitting on the swings when three kids about my age came up to us. One of them was a girl of blonde hair she spoke first. "Hi I'm Rei," she said as she waved. Then she pointed to the boys she was with.
"This is my boyfriend Takashi. And this is our friend Hisaishi" The boys waved and the boy with grey hair now known as Hisaishi spoke, "Hi what are you guys' names?". I was still getting taught the language so my sister Saeko spoke," My name is Saeko Busujima and this is my adopted brother Ian. He can't speak Japanese. He's from America." Rei got really excited at the mention of America
" Really!? Is he from America? I've always wanted to go there." Rei said excitedly. Me listing the entire time spoke to Saeko who knew English enough to talk to me. "Hey, sis Can you translate?" She looked at me and nodded. Then turned her attention to the group of Friends. "My brother asked me to translate for him so if you have any questions you can ask.". Takashi was the first to speak, "What was your last name before you got adopted?" Before I got a chance to speak Hisaishi slapped Takashi in the back of the head, "That's kinda rude don't you think?". Saeko looked at me unsure. But I told her to translate. "My last name was Penley. I took my mom's name because my father had never married my mom." I said as Saeko translated.
" What happened to you, mom?" Saeko gave me a look. We may have only known each other a year but I immediately saw her as a big sister. She translated also choking on her words because she knew the story. Rei was slapped in the back of the head by Hisashi. As he did so I made a mental note of being polite around him. Then he spoke " Sorry for my Friends the can be rude sometimes without knowing it," Hisashi said rubbing the back of his head "But I do have a question, and I'm sorry if it's rude but where in America did you live?" I understood him and said " I lived in Illinois. In a little town called Bradley. 'Bout hours drive from Chicago." Saeko translated. Rei held out. "Hey, Ian. Do you what to be friends?" Saeko translated and I answered "Yea ok"