The Japanese stereotype of Americans is a
little off for this one guy I know. He seems to always
have something on his mind. Doesn't speak a lot. A
quiet guy, one of those smart ones too. Since I've met
him, my grade point average has gone up!
He's been here, in Japan, for a couple years.
Its only been this time around that he's been in some
of my classes. Last year, he was in Kasumi's math
and lit periods. She has a solid belief that he's an
arrogant jerk, and usually she's right. I usually don't
doubt he, she's the smartest girl I know. Then again,
she's the only girl I know that is close to my age. But,
I've gotten off track.....
I think I proved Kasumi wrong. That's hard to
do, really hard to do.
I've met his family, they're very nice. Well,
his whole family just includes his grandfather and his
sister, Mei. I don't know what happened to his
parents, he doesn't seem like he'll ever tell. But
that's okay, I really don't need to know.
There's stuff in life, cause life is really
confusing as it is, that we aren't meant to know.
There's a lot about this guy I feel I'm not meant to
know or ask about. Maybe I should just wait and he'll
tell me.
Oh no! I'm late for school! K'so, gotta go!
Art class. I love art, I doodle over all my
binders and notebooks, I paint on my walls at home,
but I hate art class! Its either the teacher -- Bijuts-
sensei, blah what a bore -- or the fact most of the
people in art can't draw, they just needed the credit.
Out of a class of twenty, about five really know how
and love to draw. Five including me.
The girl who sits across from me is one of
them. She's one those dreamers too. Right now she's
staring out the window, watching the birds. Her hand
is moving, probably drawing the creatures.
I looked down at my own piece of snow white
paper, then up at the teacher. Bijuts-sensei just
assigned the work. Draw someone that you admire.
Profile of some sorts. Allowed to use up to only six
colors, including black and purple. Not allowed to
draw anyone attending this class or any teachers
working at the school. Due date blah blah blah. Two
weeks.
The girl, Bijin I think her name was, looks
bored with the assignment. She looks extra bored
when Bijuts-sensei tells the class it can only be one
person. That probably shot down whatever creative
thought she had. She looks at me for a moment, one
of those looks that screams 'I hate this guy, don't
you?', before looking back out the window.
I start tapping my pencil on the desk. Now
who could I draw?
The bell rings, lunch time. Most people rush
out, like me. I can see out of the corner of my eye the
Bijin is taking her time packing. She always is the
last to walk out.
Lucky for me, okaa-san still packs me a lunch.
I don't need to get into a line and wait most of my
lunch hour.
"Satoshi-kun! Satoshi-kun get your butt over
here!" Kasumi, she's a wacko, she's my best friend. I
can see her waving her arms from her sitting place
under a tree. The school uniform really doesn't suit
her, the black and purple doesn't really go with her
fiery hair or her pale skin.
"Sumi, genki des ka?" I flop down beside her
and grin one of my goofy grins.
"Fine. And don't call me 'Sumi', nezumi!"
She playfully hissed, grabbing my lunch from out of
my hands. She opened it and grinned. "Wanna
trade?"
"Tondemo nai! I don't like your cooking!" I
laughed as she stuck out her tongue and pulled down
one eyelid. I seized back my lunch bag.
Its this kind of light hearted play that makes
me love Kasumi. As a friend of course. This is the
stuff I wish Shigeru would experience. I can tell he
doesn't, that's why I wish he could. Now I think I
have a goal.
"Hey, Kasumi-chan? Who do you think I
should draw for my art assignment?" Kasumi hates
having her picture drawn. This one guy made this
horrible cartoon of her once.
"How 'bout Ookido?" She asked, pointing a
blue nail polished finger at the boy with auburn hair.
I just blinked owlishly. Why hadn't I thought
of that?
"Shigeru-kun?" I walked backwards in front
of him, watching his expression. He has that
amused/annoyed look in his eyes. I'm sure he is more
amused then annoyed.
Whack! Telephone poles are too hard!
"Satoshi-kun? You okay?" He's concerned,
how sweet. I wish my back didn't hurt so much, I
want to take in that look. I know he's beside me,
hand hovering over my shoulder that's opposite to
where he's standing. Head bent forward slightly to
look at my face. Here I am looking at my shoes, arms
wrapped around my stomach.
"If I had any pride, it would be hurt!" I
spluttered, breathing still a little hard.
I could have sworn I heard him chuckle.
"As long as your okay....."
I snicker and grin up at him. I can see the
concern lingering in his eyes for a moment before its
replaced with the amusement. I stand up straight,
feeling his hand briefly brush my shoulder. He pulls it
back, taking a step away as if I would bite.
"Shigeru-kun? Will you let me draw you?"
That's gotta be the corniest thing I ever said!
We continued our journey home. He didn't
look up at me until we reached my place. Only then
he glance up and said, "When?"
I would have jumped for joy, but then I'd look
like a complete idiot.
He wanted to see my previous works. No
problem. I can understand that. Nobody wants their
portrait done by someone who really can't draw. I
know I can draw good, but he doesn't know how
good.
I hear him snicker and looked up from my
hands. Geez, I've noticed I'm staring down a lot.
He's looking at one of my pictures from my sketch
book. I wonder what's so funny.
He show me the picture that he's snickering
about. K'so, forgot about that one. I can't help but
blush.
I was in the park once, trying to draw a tree. I
hate drawing trees, they're always so hard. Under the
tree I was trying to draw was a couple involved in a
little play fight. Two girls. It was interesting to watch
as they tumbled about and tickled each other. But like
all play fight with couples, it ended with a kiss. I had
felt inspired. Screw the tree, ne?
"Long story....." That's all the explanation I
give him.
"Feh, don't really want to know."
He gets back to flipping through my art. I
can't remember if I drew anything else like that...... I
don't think so. The only other couple I remember
drawing is Takeshi and Joi, they only lasted a week.
Poor Takeshi, can't keep a girlfriend......
I yawned and looked out the window. I've
always loved this time of year, it always looks like
picture outside. A picture I just can't draw.
"You're pretty good. I wouldn't mind getting
drawn by you."
"Thank you!" Great, now I don't have to
worry about who I'm going to draw. But, ahh when
will I draw him? Its getting late now. "How 'bout we
do it tomorrow? Its almost seven as it is."
"Okay. Tomorrow then."
I should really clean my room, my colored
pencils are spilled across the floor. I don't remember
what color my carpet was.
Everyone wears their masks, I've learned that
much in my little life. I know Shigeru does. A person
is special only when they can get to see under the
masks. At least, that's my opinion. My opinion never
really passed for much, not like Kasumi's. I think she
can always see under peoples masks, she's brought
people out of their shells before. I don't think she saw
under Shigeru's though. His is on tight. But......
I think I've had brief glances of what he's
really like. When I think about it, these glances
amaze me and fuel my curiosity. I want to see what
he really is completely. But, I'm suddenly so
afraid.......
Its hard to understand this fear, I have a hard
time explaining it to myself.
This thought of a higher friendship. Higher
then any I've had or been or seen before. I don't
know if I can survive as a friend, survive just having
him as a friend at that high level.
Kami-sama, he's beautiful under that mask.
I've never been taught what to do in this
situation. Nobody has ever brought it up, not in front
of me that is. I'm scared I'm going to screw up. Bet
you've heard *that* before.
I've never had a girlfriend. I've never had the
urge to. The only girls I love are Kasumi and my
okaa-san. But......this is hard to say, let alone write.
Well......
I don't love him like Kasumi and okaa-san.
The higher friendship thing.
........Its confusing..........
I wonder what I'll come out as in the end?
Cause.......
I think........
To put it simple, I'd rather have him as a
boyfriend then a friend........
little off for this one guy I know. He seems to always
have something on his mind. Doesn't speak a lot. A
quiet guy, one of those smart ones too. Since I've met
him, my grade point average has gone up!
He's been here, in Japan, for a couple years.
Its only been this time around that he's been in some
of my classes. Last year, he was in Kasumi's math
and lit periods. She has a solid belief that he's an
arrogant jerk, and usually she's right. I usually don't
doubt he, she's the smartest girl I know. Then again,
she's the only girl I know that is close to my age. But,
I've gotten off track.....
I think I proved Kasumi wrong. That's hard to
do, really hard to do.
I've met his family, they're very nice. Well,
his whole family just includes his grandfather and his
sister, Mei. I don't know what happened to his
parents, he doesn't seem like he'll ever tell. But
that's okay, I really don't need to know.
There's stuff in life, cause life is really
confusing as it is, that we aren't meant to know.
There's a lot about this guy I feel I'm not meant to
know or ask about. Maybe I should just wait and he'll
tell me.
Oh no! I'm late for school! K'so, gotta go!
Art class. I love art, I doodle over all my
binders and notebooks, I paint on my walls at home,
but I hate art class! Its either the teacher -- Bijuts-
sensei, blah what a bore -- or the fact most of the
people in art can't draw, they just needed the credit.
Out of a class of twenty, about five really know how
and love to draw. Five including me.
The girl who sits across from me is one of
them. She's one those dreamers too. Right now she's
staring out the window, watching the birds. Her hand
is moving, probably drawing the creatures.
I looked down at my own piece of snow white
paper, then up at the teacher. Bijuts-sensei just
assigned the work. Draw someone that you admire.
Profile of some sorts. Allowed to use up to only six
colors, including black and purple. Not allowed to
draw anyone attending this class or any teachers
working at the school. Due date blah blah blah. Two
weeks.
The girl, Bijin I think her name was, looks
bored with the assignment. She looks extra bored
when Bijuts-sensei tells the class it can only be one
person. That probably shot down whatever creative
thought she had. She looks at me for a moment, one
of those looks that screams 'I hate this guy, don't
you?', before looking back out the window.
I start tapping my pencil on the desk. Now
who could I draw?
The bell rings, lunch time. Most people rush
out, like me. I can see out of the corner of my eye the
Bijin is taking her time packing. She always is the
last to walk out.
Lucky for me, okaa-san still packs me a lunch.
I don't need to get into a line and wait most of my
lunch hour.
"Satoshi-kun! Satoshi-kun get your butt over
here!" Kasumi, she's a wacko, she's my best friend. I
can see her waving her arms from her sitting place
under a tree. The school uniform really doesn't suit
her, the black and purple doesn't really go with her
fiery hair or her pale skin.
"Sumi, genki des ka?" I flop down beside her
and grin one of my goofy grins.
"Fine. And don't call me 'Sumi', nezumi!"
She playfully hissed, grabbing my lunch from out of
my hands. She opened it and grinned. "Wanna
trade?"
"Tondemo nai! I don't like your cooking!" I
laughed as she stuck out her tongue and pulled down
one eyelid. I seized back my lunch bag.
Its this kind of light hearted play that makes
me love Kasumi. As a friend of course. This is the
stuff I wish Shigeru would experience. I can tell he
doesn't, that's why I wish he could. Now I think I
have a goal.
"Hey, Kasumi-chan? Who do you think I
should draw for my art assignment?" Kasumi hates
having her picture drawn. This one guy made this
horrible cartoon of her once.
"How 'bout Ookido?" She asked, pointing a
blue nail polished finger at the boy with auburn hair.
I just blinked owlishly. Why hadn't I thought
of that?
"Shigeru-kun?" I walked backwards in front
of him, watching his expression. He has that
amused/annoyed look in his eyes. I'm sure he is more
amused then annoyed.
Whack! Telephone poles are too hard!
"Satoshi-kun? You okay?" He's concerned,
how sweet. I wish my back didn't hurt so much, I
want to take in that look. I know he's beside me,
hand hovering over my shoulder that's opposite to
where he's standing. Head bent forward slightly to
look at my face. Here I am looking at my shoes, arms
wrapped around my stomach.
"If I had any pride, it would be hurt!" I
spluttered, breathing still a little hard.
I could have sworn I heard him chuckle.
"As long as your okay....."
I snicker and grin up at him. I can see the
concern lingering in his eyes for a moment before its
replaced with the amusement. I stand up straight,
feeling his hand briefly brush my shoulder. He pulls it
back, taking a step away as if I would bite.
"Shigeru-kun? Will you let me draw you?"
That's gotta be the corniest thing I ever said!
We continued our journey home. He didn't
look up at me until we reached my place. Only then
he glance up and said, "When?"
I would have jumped for joy, but then I'd look
like a complete idiot.
He wanted to see my previous works. No
problem. I can understand that. Nobody wants their
portrait done by someone who really can't draw. I
know I can draw good, but he doesn't know how
good.
I hear him snicker and looked up from my
hands. Geez, I've noticed I'm staring down a lot.
He's looking at one of my pictures from my sketch
book. I wonder what's so funny.
He show me the picture that he's snickering
about. K'so, forgot about that one. I can't help but
blush.
I was in the park once, trying to draw a tree. I
hate drawing trees, they're always so hard. Under the
tree I was trying to draw was a couple involved in a
little play fight. Two girls. It was interesting to watch
as they tumbled about and tickled each other. But like
all play fight with couples, it ended with a kiss. I had
felt inspired. Screw the tree, ne?
"Long story....." That's all the explanation I
give him.
"Feh, don't really want to know."
He gets back to flipping through my art. I
can't remember if I drew anything else like that...... I
don't think so. The only other couple I remember
drawing is Takeshi and Joi, they only lasted a week.
Poor Takeshi, can't keep a girlfriend......
I yawned and looked out the window. I've
always loved this time of year, it always looks like
picture outside. A picture I just can't draw.
"You're pretty good. I wouldn't mind getting
drawn by you."
"Thank you!" Great, now I don't have to
worry about who I'm going to draw. But, ahh when
will I draw him? Its getting late now. "How 'bout we
do it tomorrow? Its almost seven as it is."
"Okay. Tomorrow then."
I should really clean my room, my colored
pencils are spilled across the floor. I don't remember
what color my carpet was.
Everyone wears their masks, I've learned that
much in my little life. I know Shigeru does. A person
is special only when they can get to see under the
masks. At least, that's my opinion. My opinion never
really passed for much, not like Kasumi's. I think she
can always see under peoples masks, she's brought
people out of their shells before. I don't think she saw
under Shigeru's though. His is on tight. But......
I think I've had brief glances of what he's
really like. When I think about it, these glances
amaze me and fuel my curiosity. I want to see what
he really is completely. But, I'm suddenly so
afraid.......
Its hard to understand this fear, I have a hard
time explaining it to myself.
This thought of a higher friendship. Higher
then any I've had or been or seen before. I don't
know if I can survive as a friend, survive just having
him as a friend at that high level.
Kami-sama, he's beautiful under that mask.
I've never been taught what to do in this
situation. Nobody has ever brought it up, not in front
of me that is. I'm scared I'm going to screw up. Bet
you've heard *that* before.
I've never had a girlfriend. I've never had the
urge to. The only girls I love are Kasumi and my
okaa-san. But......this is hard to say, let alone write.
Well......
I don't love him like Kasumi and okaa-san.
The higher friendship thing.
........Its confusing..........
I wonder what I'll come out as in the end?
Cause.......
I think........
To put it simple, I'd rather have him as a
boyfriend then a friend........
