Seiko sat on her bed. Around her, all her worldly possessions stuffed into a duffel and two suitcases. Her backpack lay on the desk she had staked out upon arrival. She glanced to the dorm room door every five seconds in anticipation of her new roommate. What would the girl think of Seiko? Would she be friendly? Tolerant? Or would this American make Seiko's life a living hell?

Not without trying, but Seiko was informed that the Freshmen dorms were not single occupancy. The best they could do was a double arrangement with someone the university assured Seiko would be understanding of her "situation". Seiko shifted uneasily on her bed. It had taken all of her willpower and persuasion to even let her into the Girl's dorms in the first place. Long Beach prided itself on its progressive way of thinking, but there were still conventions that attended the assigning of rooms and roommates. By all rights, the Housing Authority should have placed Seiko in the Boy's dorms, but Seiko had politely suggested that she would take her educational opportunities elsewhere if such were the case.

The door opened and a tall, yet unassuming young, olive skinned woman entered the room, followed shortly thereafter by people Seiko assumed to be the girls' parents. Seiko smiled nervously as she stood and bowed politely.

"Kon ni- "Seiko caught herself before switching to English. "Excuse me. Good Afternoon, my name is Seiko Kotobuki."

The girl smiled broadly in return. "Filicia Guzman. Pleased ta meecha."

Seiko cocked her head at the loose pronunciation. She decided to go along with what she assumed to be a greeting and took Filicia's hand. Filicia looked about the room.

"I see you took the bed by the window," she observed.

Seiko nodded politely. "I can change if the arrangement does not suit your needs."

"It's all good, mija." Filicia smiled warmly. "You got here first, so you get first dibs."

Seiko again stood confused. "Mee-ha? Dibs?"

Filicia choked back a chuckle. "You're not from around here, are you?"

"I am from Osaka," Seiko stated with a hint of pride. "I just graduated from Meido Academy and chose to study abroad."

"Oh, this is going to be a fun semester," Filicia grinned good-naturedly. "No worries, I'll take good care a ya." The camaraderie was abruptly broken by a sharp cough.

"Ai, where are my manners?" Filicia smacked the side of her head. "Allow me to introduce my mom and papa."

Seiko bowed to them and proffered her hand in greeting. "I am Seiko Kotobuki. Please regard me favorably."

"A pleasure," Mr. Guzman replied. "I hope you enjoy your stay in the States."

Seiko smiled politely. Mrs. Guzman stepped forward and offered her hand. "If there is anything we can do, mija, let Filicia know."

Seiko blushed at the offer. "Thank you. I will try and remain out of the way."

"Where're your parents?" Filicia asked. "You didn't come all this way alone, didja?"

"Ah, no." Seiko replied. "My parents are currently at the hotel. It was a long flight and they are very tired."

"You gonna stop by later?" Filicia asked. "I can show you the buses to take."

"That would be greatly appreciated," Seiko said. "I thank you."

The Guzmans returned to their home and left the girls to their fun. Seiko and Filicia spent the remainder of the afternoon acquainting themselves to the university, the campus and each other.

"Is it true?" Filicia murmured on their way back from the Dining Commons.

"Is what true?" Seiko cautiously replied.

"That you're, y'no…" Filicia trailed off.

"That I'm what?"

"Like me?"

Seiko could not answer. "I'm Japanese," she ventured to say.

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" Seiko pressed. "My English is acceptable, but I am not prepared to play word games."

Filicia swallowed hard before slowing to a stop. Seiko turned to face her roommate. Filicia looked Seiko dead in the eye and drew a fateful breath.

"That you were a boy like me?"