Voices
April 4: 27th-3rd
15/04/27
Monday
Ishida Yamato
I'm starting to think this whole band thing was a huge mistake. You would not believe the people who've been auditioning. Someone tried to get into a rock band with a recorder! A clarinet! And even worse, I've had a bunch of girls who want to sing, and even a few who want to be the club's "manager." What does that even mean for a high school band? It's gotten so bad that I've had to go around to all of the fliers and write on more information.
At least I've found a guitarist and a keyboardist. I still need drums, and I guess someone for rhythm guitar, since I need a fifth to meet the minimum club size. Our guitarist is Hiro, this smirky kid from 1-A who thinks he's hot shit. He's tall, black-haired, black-eyed, and he swaggers, with his legs and arms bent and his hands in his pocket. It's obnoxious, and I'm worried about his attitude, but here's the thing: he is hot shit, at least when it comes to playing guitar. The keyboardist is Akihiko, a mellow guy from 1-B with brown hair and a sort of glazed expression, like his mind is far away. He composes, too, which is great, but his lyrics are meaningless b.s., like beatnik poetry.
Actually, I could use someone who is good with words, especially in English. Takeru is helpful for editing my lyrics, but until he grows a little older, he just doesn't have the maturity to write something worth singing about. I mean, what do middle schoolers have on their brains, anyway? For me, it was rampaging emotions, mostly. Not sure about Takeru. Not sure I want to know.
In other news, we might have the world's biggest idiot in my class. Yagami-kun really rubs me the wrong way, it's like everything he does is calculated to annoy me. He can't talk without half-shouting. He'll ask you a question, then talk over your answer. And he always talks to me- or at me, anyway- like we're best friends. I swear, if he puts his hand on my shoulder one more time, he's not getting it back.
Kid's an enormous idiot, too. Has he turned in a single homework assignment yet? Seems like at least five minutes of every class is devoted to teachers scolding him about not doing his work. What a joke!
But the most annoying thing of all is that people seem to like him! He just wanders around talking to whoever he feels like, boys, girls, whatever, and most of them just let him blather on.
Sometimes I really don't understand people.
15.04.28
Tuesday
Kido Jyou
I think I'm starting to get the hang of high school life. I'm attending a great cram school a few days a week, which excuses me from some of the medical club meetings. The medical club studies medical journals and developments together, and we also help out the nurse after school in shifts (someone has to be on duty at school until the athletic club meetings are finished each day, in case of injury).
The classes are interesting and demanding. We're taking Japanese I, contemporary society, mathematics I, science I, English I, physical education, and music, art, or calligraphy. I'm completely tone deaf, and I can't draw, so I chose calligraphy. I don't like how the subjects are mashed together, though. For example, "mathematics" and "science" are so vague, and concepts from different branches are presented together. Things will get more specific next year, and I'm looking forward to that. For now, I just have to stay sharp and learn whatever is thrown at me.
I generally have few friends, since I focus on studying so much, but I think I've struck up a comfortable alliance with Izumi Koushiro. He spends lunch breaks reading computer books, and I asked to join him last week. We read together, and sometimes I convince him to help me make sense of math class.
He's smart, but I don't think he's too interested in his grades. He's incredible at math and science, naturally gifted, you know. But he doesn't seem to care much about his other subjects, although his performance is still above average. It's a little frustrating- if he just applied himself more, he'd probably get perfect scores on everything. But as far as I can tell, he's interested in three things total: computers, math, and science. Nothing else even registers on his radar. It's really pretty incredible.
Anyway, I was pretty surprised when our little group expanded the other day. Anami Eimi, a tall American girl, asked to join us. At first, I was shocked and a little annoyed, honestly. A girl has never walked up to me and asked to sit down before. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it, but it's just generally… Not done. But she likes to read, and I guess she must not know anyone in the school, since she just moved to Japan, so I guess I can understand. But I liked our group how it was- small and serious.
But when I looked at her, it really hit me- Anami-kun is American. She's a native speaker of English, which is probably my worst subject. I don't know how smart she is, but she's more than worth befriending for that alone. I stood so fast to get her a chair that my knees cracked.
Oh, speaking of girls… Have I mentioned Tachikawa Mimi? I didn't really notice at first, since I was so nervous about starting high school, but I have literally never seen anyone as beautiful as her. Not movie stars, not idols, no one. I'm not sure I can describe it well enough, but… She's dainty and graceful and confident, and she has hair like browned honey, and her lips are so pink, and her voice is like a wind chime, and I'm going to stop because I'm embarrassing myself.
I'm sure I'll never be able to do more than admire, since I'm busy studying, and girls aren't my strong suit. But it's a nice perk of being in this class. I wish I could talk to her, but I wouldn't know what to say, anyway.
It's best to focus on my studies.
15/04/29
Wednesday
Yagami Taichi
Ughhhh! I tried out for soccer club, but get this- they don't tell us who made it until May 4th! We have a competitive club and a recreational one, and I tried out for the competitive one, so I have to wait until everyone tries out before I get the results.
But I mean, there's no reason to worry. I was great, so no big! Right?
Anyway, would someone tell me what's up Ishida's butt? Probably his own big head... I went to talk to him today, right? And just as I'm saying hi, he whips around, gives me this evil death glare, and says, "Personal space, Yagami-kun."
So I guess I had my hand on his shoulder, which, I mean, is that such a huge deal? I don't even think about that stuff. Anyway, I let go, and I said, "Sorry, man. Didn't realize you were so delicate."
I think he wanted to say something back, because his face went all pink, but then Takenouchi, this soft-spoken girl with killer legs, showed up out of nowhere and started talking to me.
Obviously, I'd rather talk to her than argue with Ishida, and the next thing I knew, we were talking soccer, and I forgot about him.
I wonder what all of the girls see in Ishida? I swear, his name is like a buzz whenever class isn't going on. Whatever. If they want a pretty jerk, they can have him.
I bet girls like Takenouchi are smarter than that...
April 30, 2015
Thursday
Anami Eimi
Dear Kitty,
At first, I was too busy adjusting to notice it, but... I truly don't know a single person in Japan, do I?
I spent the lunch breaks last week desperately trying to memorize some kanji, but... I really want to talk to someone. I haven't really so far, and... Well, I would like to. It's lonely, having no one in an entire hemisphere.
So this Monday, I took a good look around the room during lunch and made my choice. Oh, maybe I should back up here. Lunch break is sort of... different here. There is no cafeteria, so everyone has to bring a lunch from home. I bring leftovers from dinner, because my grandmother makes so much. We eat in our classroom, although I think you can move around a little if you want? I don't know anyone in the other classes, so there's no point for me.
Right, so I was looking around, and I saw that Izumi-kun and Kido-kun were sitting together. But they were totally ignoring each other and reading. This was kind of stupid of me, because I know how annoying it is to be bothered while I'm reading, but I guess watching them read felt inviting. I asked if I could join them, and only Kido-kun looked up.
Have I mentioned Kido Jyou? I like him! He's really tall (taller than me, which means that I have to like him a little automatically, haha) with dark hair that almost looks blue. He has dark eyes and glasses, which I think complement his long face. Or at least, I can't picture him without the glasses. He's kind of thin, stretched out, and gawky, but he's nice.
At first, I think he was surprised, and maybe a little annoyed. But then he jumped up and dragged a desk over for me and put it up against his, isn't that nice?
I really expected that he would keep reading and I would study, but he shut the book and started asking me about English. Before I knew it, we were pouring over his notes for our English class. He had so many questions, I don't think I've been spoken to so much all together since I left the states! He was really easy to talk to, since he directed the conversation and listened when I answered.
I've been sitting with them all week. Izumi-kun hasn't looked at me once the whole time, but today he nodded to me when I sat down. I think he's reading computer books. That's what SQL is, right? Computer talk for databases? Maybe tomorrow I'll ask him.
So anyway, I don't have to awkwardly sit alone anymore, and I think they're both really nice, even if Izumi-kun doesn't speak. I don't think he's stuck up or superior; he just has his mind on other things.
But I still have a problem, because I'm supposed to pick a club! I've attended some meetings at the choir club and a few a capella clubs, but I don't know... I'm sure I'd like them, but the music is so unfamiliar to me (I didn't listen to much Japanese stuff growing up). I wasn't too interested in any of their pieces, and... Well, I hope this isn't too rude, but... Well, I sort of... Sing a lot better than they do...? I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I had this problem in the states, too... I want everyone to be at my level (or better, preferably), but of course it isn't possible when you're joining a club for fun with no real entrance requirements.
The girls have been gossiping about Ishida-kun's club, which is a rock band. I found one of the fliers today and had a major giggle fit that made some people stare at me, I think. He's added by hand that he is looking for a drummer and a rhythm guitarist ONLY, underlined, bolded, and in caps. I wonder what's got him in a snit? It must be really funny to see that pretty face all irritated.
Still, you know, I bet it would be worth checking out, just for fun. I can play guitar... sort of. Alright, I power chord like no one's business, but hey, at least I'm bringing the correct instrument. And I bet he'll be surprised when I sing. They usually are, and I don't mean that proudly. What I mean is, people never seem able to reconcile my voice with the rest of me, which I'm pretty sure isn't a good thing.
Well, I'll think about it, I guess.
Classes are really something here! Back home, students were separated on the basis of their abilities. We had normal, honors, and advanced classes. Here, everyone is assumed to have the same academic ability, so they teach everyone at the highest standard. I really miss the freedom to choose my schedule that I had in the states. Here, the whole class takes the same classes together, so I don't get to choose which type of science or history I want to take. The teachers come to us in our homeroom, except for P.E., music, and lab classes, so we sit in the same room almost all day. My only choice was between music, art, or calligraphy, so of course I chose music, but I wish I could take art, too.
Luckily for me, there's no history this year! I don't know anything about Japanese history, so I thought I'd be at a huge disadvantage, but we're taking contemporary society. I thought that meant "social studies," which is basically history, but we're studying what's going on around the world now (I told you I couldn't read the darned textbook). Phew! I have a year to try and catch up, since second years take Japanese history here.
Maybe Kido-kun has some kind of primer he'd be willing to lend me…
Yours,
Eimi
15.05.1
Friday
Izumi Koushiro
I've joined the computer club. I'm happy to see that we are allowed to sit at our systems and do what we please during the majority of each meeting, but I would still prefer to be at home. My club mates have taken to asking me questions, and the more I answer, the more they ask. I'm apparently already building a reputation as something of an expert, which is ridiculous. I've a long way to go before I reach that level.
Furthermore, the system I use at school is a dinosaur compared to mine, and mine has my preferences, projects, and favorite programs loaded on it. This is all so troublesome… Besides, I can't drink oolong tea here. I mentioned that to my mother, and the next day she packed me an extra snack and an oolong tea in a small cardboard carton.
I've decided to stop complaining.
Until a few days ago, I had a pleasant lunch arrangement with Kido Jyou. We sat together and worked on separate pursuits, which removes a ridiculous social stigma surrounding reading alone. But a few days ago, Anami Eimi asked to join us. My heart sank when Kido-san accepted. Females tend to chatter. This is a generalization, of course; for example, Yagami-san speaks more than Anami-san, in my limited experience.
Kido-san and Anami-san generally discuss English for the entire lunch period. It took a day or two to adjust to the new sounds. I've found that Anami-san's voice is a pleasant background noise, and she's very articulate, more so than Kido-san. Perhaps it would be wise to listen to some of her explanations. English isn't my best subject, but my reading material is so much more interesting.
Speaking of, I had better complete tonight's worksheet.
15/05/02
Saturday
Tachikawa Mimi
Dear Diary,
Maybe I should have stayed in the states for high school. The classes here are so much harder, I don't understand anything! And American kids get all of the fun stuff, dances and proms and dating and parties. Everyone here is so serious, I want to scream!
I don't understand. Usually I make all kinds of friends with no problems, but it feels so much harder now. Is it because I became too American, or something? Everyone liked me in the states, and everyone liked me in Japan before I left, but now everyone is either buried in their books or shutting me out. And some of the girls give me such mean looks...! What's with them?!
Ugh. Forget them! At least I have Sora-chan. She's this quiet, nice girl who is somehow totally older than the rest of us on the inside. I don't really get how she can be so patient and thoughtful all of the time. This girl in our class totally snubbed her the other day. Aiko-kun was supposed to be doing day duty with Sora-chan, and she just bailed and went to try out for Ishida-kun's band. Sora said, "Go ahead, good luck," even though Aiko-kun didn't apologize or anything. She was so calm, but I was so mad! You can't bail on a girl just to try and impress a boy, no matter how hot he is.
I stayed with Sora-chan and helped her finish cleaning, and that's how we became friends. And when I get annoyed at Aiko-kun, Sora-chan just smiles and says, "It all worked out. We're friends now, right?"
And I'm like geeeeeeeez, heaven called, they're missing an angel.
So really, though, I guess it is okay. Who needs Aiko-kun and her friends when I have Sora-chan?
I hope Sora-chan is smart, too, because I'm looking at my math homework, and it makes me want to cry. You know who I think is smart, though? Anami Eimi, that American girl. Or at least, she gets the questions right when she's called on, and she sits with the nerd herd at lunch. Hey- that's actually a great idea! We can talk about the states, and I can tell her stuff about Japan, and she can help me with school.
Okay, well, I still have to do my homework, so goodbye!
XOXOXO
Mimi
15/05/03
Sunday
Takenouchi Sora
I've tried out for the tennis club. I only hope I did it for the right reasons... My mother kept talking about the home ec club, and I... I was getting frustrated, and I felt cornered. I hope I didn't join the tennis club just to assert myself. Of course, I don't know if I made the team or not yet.
What's done is done- I should be more cheerful, like Mimi-chan. She helped me out the other day, and now we're friends, and I'm very glad. She has a very vibrant personality, so I can't help liking her. She has a great sense of style, and we've been having a lot of fun talking about clothes. I wonder if I'll be brave enough to show her my design sketchbook someday? If someone as stylish as her likes my designs, then I would feel a lot better about my silly daydream of becoming a clothing designer.
I wonder if that would be feminine enough for my mother? You'd think so, but she's very insistent on my learning ikebana. There's an ikebana club at school, but my mother said it was below my skill level. I'm not sure that that's true. I'm not especially talented, no matter how much my mother wants me to be.
I wonder what she would think of my designs? I'm worried that she'd tell me to focus on ikebana instead, since it's the family business. It's true that our business is stable, and that very few people manage to break into the fashion industry.
Ah, Mimi-chan's here. She's going to show me her favorite stores on the mainland, and I'm sure it will be great!
End of the fourth week of April. See you next week!
Cultural Notes:
-Soccer/football: I had a reviewer point out that Taichi and Daisuke call this sport "soccer" in the original Japanese, which confused me because I know the sport is called "football" in Japan. I looked it up, and yes, officially the sport is called "football," by which I mean the Romanization "futtoboru." Their national league is called the Japanese Football Association. However, after American influence following World War II, people started calling the game "soccer," or rather "sakka." So basically, it seems both are correct! I will probably default to soccer from now on, though, since it's in the canon, and since I call the sport soccer myself. Thanks for helping me clear this up!
-Cram school: Many Japanese students attend more school after school by choice! The varieties of schools have different names depending on their type, but I'm going to simply translate it as "cram school." Some of these schools teach specific skills, but most are aimed at helping students pass entrance exams. Jyou's participating so early in his first year of high school is a bit… over-enthusiastic, since he won't take college entrance exams until his third year, but people do it, and Jyou is definitely someone who would.
-Staying in the classroom all day: As Eimi says, Japanese students stay in their desk in their classroom all day, except for classes that require special facilities. The teachers come to them, and they also eat lunch there. The students are also responsible for cleaning the classroom each day before they go home. This is supposed to instill a sense of pride and ownership over the classroom, and to create solidarity among the class. Also, since the class stays together all of the time, they all take classes at the same academic level, and there is very little room for students to make choices about their schedules. It's common for students to feel like their classes are simply beyond their capabilities.
-American kids get all the fun stuff: Yep, there are no dances/proms at Japanese high schools. Dating is strongly discouraged by schools and parents, and many Japanese youths don't have a chance until college (although for the sake of the story, I may ignore this). High school partying, drinking, and drug use is rare, too, at least compared to the states.
-Day Duty: Japanese students rotate daily responsibilities. Common duties include taking attendance and telling the students to stand and bow when a teacher enters the room, serving lunch if there is a school cafeteria, putting away equipment (gym materials, art materials, cleaning a lab, etc), and cleaning the classroom after school.
-Ikebana: The Japanese art of flower arrangement.
