Chapter two

You sit up as the sun creeps in on Saturday. Today was the day. You were finally going out with Nagisa and the rest of the swim team. You knew under normal sicrumstances you might have to try to avoid questions about joing the swim team. However, they were just trying to be nice. He knew this in his heart. They wouldn't take advantage of you like that.

You drag yourself into the bathroom and get your shower. You dress in your casual clothes. Your dad insists that you wear a business suit to school. It makes you look more offical or so he says at least. You never really liked it but your mom thought you look cute so you don't really fight it. There would be no use. Besides you can wear whatever you want at home and out in public on the weekends. How else would you make it through the week?

You start eating your breakfeast and go out to the car. Your mom gives you some money. It's definanly not your prefered way of going out but your mom won't let you cut the neighbor's yards to get money. She says it's unethical and all of that good junk parents so often say to keep you from doing things to get money.

"So where are you and these friends of yours going?" She asks curriously. She just wants to be sure you're not going to be doing anything bad where you're going. Normally she trusts you but this is off base so it's understandable she'd want to know.

"We're going for ice cream and then we'll do some regular shopping before pizza and Haru's house." You explain. That had been what Nagisa filled you in on what the plan was both Thursady and yesterday. You expect things like this not to change in twenty four hours. It's just easiest if it doesn't. You know how things work.

"Well ok, just be careful. I don't want your name on the six o'clock news alright?" She is only worried. You normally don't ask to go off base even if it's with friends from school.

"Ok mom." You agree. Japan might not be as dangerous as the US kidnapping wise, but it was still pretty dangerous. You also knew your mom is a bit paranoid. It can be really annoying at times. You've been through it all. that's the way things work around your house though. If you're not following dad's orders, you're making sure your mom feels very secure about you not getting hurt. You know she only wants you to be safe, but it drives you up a wall. Why can't she trust you?

You look out your window. Japan is a sort of calming backround that passes. You much prefer the country side. You've been to Tokyo once and it was nice to vist, but you'd never want to live there. Just too noisy. It reminded you of the time you lived in New York. There was noise everywhere at all hours. That made it extreemly hard to sleep. You just always felt annoyed when an area makes you feel like that. It just is no longer enjoyable. You prefer the nice urban setting of the small town you're in. It just feels better. You don't know how to explain it.

You see everyone else as you pull up to Haru's house. Nagisa is standing up waving. Rei looks surprised that your mom is driving on the right side, but then he seems to remember that you're from the States so he calms down. Makoto stands up and goes into Haru;s house. Haru must be in the bath again, he normally is when you come over. He just loves water you guess. Things like that are weird but you're very nice so you don't point it out.

"_ -chan!" Nagisa exclaims running over. You're used to this by now though. You catch him in the middle of his attempt to hug you. You smile. You had grown accoustemed to his need to be affactionant over time. It had weirded you out at first, but now it wouldn't be the same if he didn't try to hug you.

"Wow clam down Nagisa-chan." You laugh a little. "We saw each other yesterday so I don't think you really need to act like we haven't seen eachother in years."

"So you don't want free hugs?" He pouts at you.

"No I want the free hugs." You reassure him. "Maybe I should be a bit less harsh."

"No it's fine." He laughs. "I'd hug you anyways."

You shake your head.

"Why does your mom still drive the american made car if you guys currently live in Japan?" Rei asks. He had been silent up to this point but he had to know. It didn't make sense. To him, you seemed to be the only member of your family trying to learn the Japanese culture.

"Rei-chan don't be so rude!" Nagisa says looking at him directly. This isn't the way he wanted this day to go. He hated the way Rei seemed to be acting.

"It's fine Nagisa." You say putting a hand on his shoulder. "Rei-chan is only currious, and it is a valid question that deserves to be answered." You turn to Rei. "My family can't afford more than two cars right now, besides we always have the chance of being restationed. So mom isn't to keen on the idea of bying a car that will make everyone look at us weird back in the states."

Rei looks confused. "Well don't rich people in the US by cars with the steering wheel on the left side just to show off when they drive themselves?"

You think for a moment. "Well yeah, but my family isn't rich. My dad is an officer in our Navy. Here we might be considered rich but we're only the middle class back in the states. It's the same with most military families."

Rei looks a little surprised but he nods. "Well _-chan your culture in america seems so weird. I don't know how you do it."

You shake your head again. "Believe me if I had the choice I'd have a simpler culture I could use I would. However, I found in my travels, that all culturesa are weird in a way. I think you just get used to it while you grow up in a certaint area."

Rei nods. "That would make sense. I guess I'll just have to see it to believe it."

Makoto and Haru finally come out.

"Hey guys I hope you're ready for a fun day at the shopping center." He says.

You nod. It's finally time. You had such a great idea, you'd have so much fun. You just hoped everything would turn out ok.