Chapter 1: First Day of Class
Ever since I moved to Japan, my life has been drastically improved. I've met some of the nicest and most thoughtful people I wouldn't have thought of ever meeting. I
moved to this city called Takashimi that was like Worcester in size, population, and awesomeness. I'm studying to become a pediatric psychiatrist so that I may help
children and teens with mental illness and help those without mental illness understand them or give them a place to discuss what is distressing. I am attending the
Academy of Psychology and Psychiatry and the school has a program in co-operation with Kisaragi Academy and Byakudan Senior High were I can observe the
psychology of students in the classroom, when a student needs counseling, when a student gets into trouble, and so much more. It's more of a social psych thing but
it definitely has it's pediatric elements and that's the main drawing point for me. Like other kids in the program, I get assigned to one homeroom class for each school
for the duration of my stay in the program. This week I am working with the students of 2-4 of Byakudan Senior High School. I took the bus to the school since buses
get a slight advantage over cars in terms of avoiding traffic jam and was very surprised when I walked in the front door. The secretary directed me to the student
support office where I was greeted by class advisers, the school's psychotherapist, and the principal. Hell, they even gave me my own office to use when students had
to be referred to me because of stuff like fights or if the kid had some serious psychological issues. They guided me to class 2-4 and told me the do's and dont's of this
place. I was allowed to wear what I wanted so long as it was tasteful and I could only approach students outside of school hours if the school board allowed for it
and the students invited me to any after class activity. The school could also randomly demand me to observe the students in extra curricular activities without me
even asking. I had arrived in the classroom before any of the students had and took my place in the corner to sit and attempt to hide myself. But that didn't help much
as several guys came in talking to each other rather loudly soon thereafter. A tall boy with spiky red hair noticed me and started interrogating me. "Who are you? Are
you a new kid? Why are you dressed like that?" I shyly ignored him and turned away to face the wall. "Hey! I'm talking to you, bitch! What the fuck are you doing
here?" He punched my arm and I cried a little. "Kai, what are you doing? Did you just hit a girl? You're disgusting!" The words came from a somewhat timid but
confident girl with clear and, dare I say, beautiful eyes. "Jesus, Tohko get off my back! I was just asking who this bitch in the corner was! Why don't you fuck off?!" Kai
screamed back at her. "Don't talk to me like that you jerk! She's not hurting you! Why don't you fuck off and leave her alone?!" Tohko looked like the girl who would
never normally say this to anyone, especially Kai, but her vibe radiated courage. "Whatever!" He went and sat down at his desk and put his bag on it. I tried hiding my
reddened face but that Tohko girl and another boy approached me. "Are you ok? Did Kai hurt you?" the girl asked me. "I'm fine. I just got a little bruise that's all. Is he
normally like this?" "Well, he is usually an asshole but not that bad. He's the kind of guy who likes to shit all over women. He hates me in particular but has been
helpful on rare occasions." She paused and introduced me to her guy friend. "This is Ohkawa-kun. He's a member of the student council like me and he's very nice and
will help you around the school if you ask nicely." "You can call me Tomohiro or Ohkawa. Either one is fine by me." His eyes and smile capture my heart and lift me up to
bring me back to happiness. "My name's Katie. I'm originally from America but I moved here a few months ago. I'm here because my college has a program with your
school..." "Oh! Are you part of that psych program thing? That's so cool!" Tohko interrupts but her attitude makes up for it. "Yeah. I'm here to help earn my degree in
pediatric psychiatry. I'm only 19 but I advanced through school so fast that I'm already in med school at such a young age. I've got a lot of schooling to do, but it'll be
worth it." "Well it was nice to meet you." The kids get to their desks and the rest of the kids come in followed by a male teacher. "Class, we have a guest this week. As
part of the Academy of Psychology and Psychiatry's co-operation with the school, please welcome Katie...uhhhh...Buuurrrak?" "It's Burak sir." I correct him. I refuse to
move out of my seat area and quickly sit back down upon revealing myself. I can hear some of them talking about me, and I look away at myself. "Why did I even want
to work in this damn field? I can barely talk to people and can't take criticism for shit." No time to talk to myself. I have to be involved and observe right now! I observe
the mindset of the students. Some of them are fidgeting while others are actively ignoring the teacher while another group takes down notes. There's one boy I see
who appears to have a flat affect or maybe a blunt affect going on? He's taking down notes and all, but his eyes...His eyes seem empty and soulless: full of anger,
hate, and a lot of thought. He's fucking massive! He looks like the kind of guy all the girls would fall for and to be honest, I wouldn't blame them. His hair is the color of
lavender and he has the most talkative friend I've ever seen but the tall kid doesn't seem to be interested in anything at all. I notice that class has ended and I've
barely written down anything. Fucking goddammit! I can't do anything right! I pick up my materials and am approached by Tohko again. "Do you go to all the classes
we go to?" "Yeah. I'm assigned to observe the psychology of the assigned class in all of their subjects. Sorry." I'm embarrassed. She smiles at me. Such a sweet thing.
"I'll walk with you." she assures me. A new beginning and my new life await me from this day forward.