Chapter 2
The roar of the vacuum cleaner reverberated throughout the Parker-Nichols household as Audrey, Drake and Josh's mother, ran it across the living room floor. She maneuvered the machine with practiced ease, its powerful suction banishing dust bunnies and stray crumbs from every corner. Additionally, the air had been cleansed with the scent of lemon-fresh cleaning solution, something much needed after Drake made a mess with his usual junk food diet the other day and caused the place to smell like something had died.
Audrey let out a breath of a relief as she took in the smell of the lemony scent wafting through the air, banishing the scent of hamburger grease and stale popcorn. "Nice to be able to breathe again," Audrey remarked, sighing and reveling in the lemon smell.
Audrey, ever the meticulous homemaker, was on a mission. The arrival of their foreign exchange student was imminent, and she wanted the house to be spotless. She envisioned a pristine environment, a haven of order and cleanliness that would impress their guest and showcase the best of American hospitality. She especially wanted to make a good impression on someone from Japan, a culture renowned for its emphasis on tidiness and order.
Meanwhile, Walter, Drake and Josh's father, ever eager to contribute, navigated the living room with a feather duster in hand. He delicately dusted the various picture frames and knick-knacks that adorned the mantelpiece, shelves and tables around the room. He paused at a newly acquired porcelain tiger on the fireplace mantel, its sleek form and intricate details catching his eye. With utmost care, he attempted to dust around the delicate figurine, his movements slow and deliberate.
Audrey, observing her husband's precarious endeavor, felt a surge of anxiety. "Walter, be careful!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with worry.
Walter froze mid-motion, his eyes widening in surprise. "It's okay, honey," he reassured her, his voice calm but slightly strained. "I'm being as gentle as I can."
He extended the feather duster towards the tiger once more, inching closer with painstaking precision. But with every movement, Audrey couldn't help but flinch and gasp, her apprehension growing with each passing second.
With a final flourish, Walter positioned the feather duster near the porcelain tiger. He delicately brushed away a patch of dust from one side, then moved to the other. But as he swept the duster across the tiger's back, it snagged on a delicate protrusion. The figurine wobbled precariously, threatening to tumble off the mantelpiece.
"Walter!" Audrey shrieked, her eyes widening in horror.
Reacting with surprising agility, Walter lunged forward, his hand outstretched. He managed to snatch the tiger just before it crashed to the floor, his fingers gripping the smooth porcelain tightly. He let out a shaky breath, his heart pounding in his chest.
"I got it, honey! Don't worry," he reassured Audrey, his voice a mixture of relief and adrenaline.
Audrey, her hand clutched to her chest, breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Walter," she said, her voice still trembling slightly. "That was a close one."
Walter, his heart rate slowly returning to normal, carefully placed the tiger back on the mantelpiece. With renewed caution, he finished dusting the remaining items, his movements deliberate and gentle.
"There we go," Walter announced, beaming with pride as he surveyed the gleaming mantelpiece. "Good as new."
"Yes, everything looks much more presentable now," Audrey agreed, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "Our guest should be very pleased."
Walter chuckled. "Even if the house wasn't spotless, I'm sure she would still feel welcome," he remarked, his tone lighthearted.
Audrey raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Clearly, you underestimate the importance of cleanliness in Japanese culture," she teased.
Walter blushed slightly, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, now we can just focus on being good hosts," he said, changing the subject.
"I just hope we don't have another accidental marriage with this one," Audrey commented, a hint of worry in her voice.
Walter winced, remembering how not too long ago, Josh's Yudonian pen pal, Yooka, had come to stay with them. Drake and Josh had attempted to help Yooka feel more at home by having a "Yudonian friendship ceremony", only for said ceremony to actually be a wedding, resulting in Drake's unexpected marriage. Needless to say, this incident was just one big international conundrum.
"Yeah," Walter agreed, his voice firm. "We certainly don't need any more international misunderstandings."
"Exactly," Audrey confirmed, nodding in agreement.
Walter wrapped a loving arm around Audrey just as the familiar rumble of a car echoed from the driveway.
"Oh!" Audrey exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Sounds like the boys are home!"
"Great," Walter replied, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Let's get into position."
The couple hurried towards the entryway, positioning themselves near the dining table with welcoming smiles. They watched as the front door swung open, revealing Drake and Josh, followed by a shy figure lingering just behind them.
"Hey, boys!" Audrey greeted, her voice filled with warmth.
"Welcome back," Walter added, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.
"Hey, Mom and Dad," Josh replied, his face beaming with excitement.
" 'Sup?" Drake chimed in, his gaze immediately drawn to the girl standing behind his brother.
"How was school today?" Audrey inquired, her eyes filled with motherly concern.
"It was good," Josh answered, his smile widening as he turned to see Komi standing just behind him, her eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Mom, Dad," Josh announced proudly, "meet our foreign exchange student, Shoko Komi."
He stepped aside, revealing Komi in full view. She stood frozen, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, her gaze darting nervously around the room.
Audrey and Walter watched with concern as Komi stood frozen, her eyes wide with apprehension.
"Hello there, Shoko," Audrey greeted warmly, extending her hand for a handshake.
Komi flinched slightly at the gesture, her anxiety spiking. Josh, noticing her discomfort, quickly stepped in.
"Uh... uh... Mom, Japanese people don't typically shake hands," he explained gently. "They prefer to bow as a greeting." He demonstrated a respectful bow, his hands clasped to his sides. "See? Like this."
Audrey's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Oh, of course!" she exclaimed, mentally kicking herself for forgetting the cultural difference. "I read about that in my etiquette book, but it completely slipped my mind."
"It's okay, Mom," Josh reassured her with a smile. "Just a simple mistake." He turned to Komi, offering a reassuring smile. "Komi-san," he said in fluent Japanese, "kore wa watashi no okāsan, Audrey. Soshite, kore ga watashi no otōsan, Walter." (This is my mother, Audrey. And this is my father, Walter.)
Walter and Audrey, recovering from their initial faux pas, offered friendly waves and warm smiles.
"Konnichiwa, Komi-san," Walter greeted, attempting a Japanese pronunciation.
Komi, her nervousness easing slightly, returned their smiles with a shy nod. She then turned to Josh and began writing in her notepad. After a moment, she held up the pad for him to read:
"It's nice to meet your parents. They seem very kind. Your home is lovely."
"Aww, that's so sweet," Josh replied, his heart warming at her kind words. He turned back toward his parents, beaming a big smile. "Shoko says you guys are nice people and that our house is nice."
"Oh, thank you, Shoko," Audrey said, her voice filled with gratitude. "But, um, why is she writing instead of speaking?"
"Oh... well, you see... Shoko has a communication disorder that makes it difficult for her to talk to new people," Josh explained patiently. "So, she prefers to communicate through writing."
"Oh dear," Audrey said, her expression softening with understanding. "I'm so sorry to hear that. We'll do our best to make her feel comfortable and welcome."
"That's good," said Josh.
"I still don't get it," Drake interjected, his arms crossed and a skeptical expression on his face. "If she can talk, why doesn't she just talk?"
Josh shot him a disapproving glare. "Drake, shut up," he hissed, his voice laced with annoyance. He couldn't believe his brother's insensitivity.
Audrey, her maternal instincts kicking in, stepped in. "Drake, that's not a very kind thing to say," she chided gently. "Shoko might actually have a difficult time communicating verbally."
"A social butterfly like you wouldn't understand," Josh added, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Drake rolled his eyes, a scowl forming on his face. "What is this, 'Pick on Drake' day?" he grumbled under his breath.
"Anyway," Josh announced, turning to his parents, "we're gonna get Shoko settled upstairs in the guest room. Is it all ready?"
"Absolutely," Audrey replied with a confident smile. "Everything is spick and span for Miss Komi."
"That's great," Josh said, beaming. "Only the best for our guest."
"Would Shoko like anything to drink?" Audrey offered.
"I'm not sure," Josh admitted. "Lemme ask 'er." He turned to Komi, his expression gentle. "Nani o nomitaidesu ka?" (What would you like to drink?)
Komi smiled and quickly jotted down a response on her notepad:
"Anything is fine, really. I'm not picky."
"Okay, great!" Josh said cheerfully. "Shoko says she's okay with anything."
"Alright then," Audrey said, heading towards the kitchen. "I'll see what we have in the fridge."
Josh smiled and gestured towards the staircase. "Kyakushitsu e ikimashō, Komi-san," he said, inviting her to follow him. (Let's go to the guest room.)
Komi nodded with a grateful smile and followed Josh down the hallway. Drake watched them go, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
As Komi followed Josh up the stairs, her eyes widened in awe. The Parker-Nichols home was a testament to comfortable suburban living. The plush rugs, the tastefully decorated walls, and the subtle scent of potpourri created an atmosphere of warmth and affluence. It was a stark contrast to her own more minimalist home in Japan.
This family must be very well-off, Komi mused, her mind trying to reconcile the differences between her world and this new, unfamiliar environment.
Her gaze softened as it settled on Josh's back. A strange sense of familiarity washed over her. Despite having just met him, she felt an inexplicable connection to the tall, dark-haired boy with his kind eyes and gentle demeanor. There was something about him that reminded her of... someone. But who?
"Okay, Shoko," Josh announced as they entered the guest room, a hint of pride in his voice. "This is your abode for the week. I hope it's to your liking." He gestured around the room, his enthusiasm evident.
Komi's eyes scanned the space, taking in the cozy atmosphere. The room was modestly sized, with a plush queen-sized bed dominating the center. A wooden nightstand stood beside the bed, adorned with a reading lamp and a small vase of fresh flowers. A few framed prints decorated the walls, adding a touch of personality to the space. A dresser with a vanity mirror completed the ensemble, offering ample space for Komi's belongings.
Her eyes lingered on the inviting bed, its soft blankets and fluffy pillows promising a restful sleep. She quickly jotted down a message on her notepad:
"This is a lovely guest room. The bed looks very cozy."
Josh smiled, glancing at the bed. "Yeah, it is pretty comfy," he admitted. He was greatly pleased that Komi approved of their guest accommodations.
"Heya o kiniitte itadaite ureshī desu," he replied in Japanese, his voice warm and sincere. (I'm glad you like the room.)
Komi, her anxiety easing slightly, wrote another message:
"Yes, this room is wonderful. I don't have a bed this nice back home."
Josh chuckled softly. "I can only imagine what kind of bed you have back in Japan," he remarked, picturing a traditional futon on a tatami mat. He patted the bedspread with a reassuring smile. "This should be a nice change of pace."
His eyes flickered towards the door, remembering Audrey's offer of refreshments. "Okāsan ga anata no nomimono o motte iru ka dō ka mi ni itte kimasu. Sugu modotte kimasu," he announced, bowing slightly before exiting the room. (I'll go see if my mother has your drink. I'll be back soon.)
Komi nodded gratefully and began to unpack her belongings. She neatly arranged her toiletries and grooming supplies on the vanity, then tucked her suitcase under the bed, ensuring a clear walkway. Once her space was organized, she settled onto the plush mattress, a contented sigh escaping her lips. She pulled out her beloved cat figurine, its cool plastic a comforting presence in her hands.
"Ikōda ne...?" she whispered to the figurine, a hint of melancholy in her voice. (It's okay, right...?) She cradled the cat close, its small form rocking gently back and forth. "Na-naze...?" (Why...?)
Drake, unable to resist the allure of Komi's presence, crept silently towards the guest room. He paused at the open doorway, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of Komi sitting on the bed, her fingers gently stroking the cat figurine. A sly grin spread across his face. Alone at last, he thought, his heart pounding with anticipation.
"S'up, Shoko," he purred, his voice a low rumble intended to send shivers down her spine.
Komi froze, a small gasp escaping her lips. She turned to find Drake leaning against the doorframe, his eyes sparkling with playful intent. Her own eyes widened, their depths reflecting a mixture of surprise and apprehension. Drake, momentarily caught off guard by the intensity of her gaze, felt a familiar jolt. Her eyes were sharp, almost like a cat's.
Just play it cool, Drake, he told himself, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. He sauntered into the room, his confidence returning with each step. Komi's gaze remained fixed on him, her body trembling slightly as he approached.
"So, likin' it here so far?" Drake asked, his voice smooth and seductive.
Komi remained silent, her anxiety growing with his proximity. Drake felt a thrill course through him as her intense gaze continued to hold him captive.
"Has anyone ever told ya' how pretty you are?" he ventured, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
Still, no response. Komi's trembling intensified as Drake settled onto the bed beside her. She instinctively scooted away, unnerved by his closeness, his warm breath ghosting over her skin.
Drake's brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Hey, relax," he said, his voice softening slightly. "I don't bite." Why is she so nervous? he wondered, his usual confidence wavering. Girls usually can't wait to get close to me.
Komi, her heart pounding in her chest, could only stare at Drake as he continued his flirtatious advances. She felt trapped between her desire to be polite and her discomfort with his attention. While she acknowledged his attractiveness, his smooth-talking and confident demeanor weren't her style. She much preferred kind, nerdy boys who made her feel more at ease. But she didn't want to offend Drake or make him feel rejected.
Komi's mind raced, desperately searching for a way to navigate this awkward situation. She wished she could simply tell him that she wasn't interested, but the words seemed to catch in her throat, her social anxiety tightening its grip.
Drake, his gaze still locked with Komi's, wracked his brain trying to figure out what was wrong here. Maybe she doesn't understand me. Yeah, Josh has been speakin' to 'er in Japanese. Maybe that's the key!
His gaze swept across the room, landing on Josh's Japanese phrasebook resting on the nightstand. A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. He sauntered over and snatched the book, a smirk playing on his lips. He couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation. Drake Parker, the guy who usually avoided books like the plague, was actually consulting one for romantic gain. Desperate times called for desperate measures, he supposed.
Drake eagerly flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning for the Japanese words that would unlock Komi's heart. He finally found the word he was looking for: "pretty" - airashii. A confident smirk spread across his face. This is gonna be a piece of cake, he thought, picturing Komi swooning over his multilingual charm.
He turned back to Komi, who was still gently stroking her cat figurine. Taking a deep breath, he set the book aside and focused his attention on her, his confidence soaring.
"Shoko..." he began, his voice smooth and alluring.
Komi looked up, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Drake cleared his throat, attempting to project an air of sophistication. "Anata no ashi wa totemo airashii," he declared, hoping he had pronounced the words correctly. (Your feet are very beautiful.)
Komi's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her expression more bewildered than flattered. Drake's heart sank. Did I say it wrong? he wondered, a flicker of doubt creeping into his mind.
Komi quickly scribbled a message on her notepad:
"I don't understand. Why do you think my feet are pretty?"
Drake's face flushed crimson. "What? Your feet?" he sputtered, his confidence crumbling. "But I thought..." He groaned and snatched the phrasebook again, frantically flipping through the pages. His eyes widened in horror as he realized his mistake. He had intended to say, "You're so pretty," but somehow, the words had gotten lost in translation.
"Aw, man..." he groaned, burying his face in his hands.
Komi, noticing Drake's embarrassment, felt a pang of sympathy for him. She understood his intention, even if his execution was flawed. She quickly scribbled a message on her notepad:
"It's okay. I understand what you were trying to say. Thank you."
Drake's cheeks flushed, but a relieved smile touched his lips. At least she doesn't think I'm a total idiot, he thought, grateful that she hadn't laughed at his blunder.
Just then, Josh reappeared in the doorway, a glass of pink lemonade adorned with a lemon slice and a miniature umbrella in his hand.
"Alrighty, a drink for our guest," he announced cheerfully, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He handed the glass to Komi. "Pinku remonēdo ippai," he said in Japanese, offering a warm smile. (One pink lemonade.)
Komi's face lit up as she accepted the drink, her fingers gently tracing the rim of the glass. She quickly scribbled a thank-you message on her notepad and showed it to Josh.
Josh's smile faltered slightly as he noticed Drake standing a little too close to Komi. "Drake..." he said, his voice firm, "were you bothering Shoko?"
Drake bristled, feigning offense. "No, of course not!" he protested. "What, I can't talk to 'er and get to know 'er?"
"Of course you can," Josh retorted, his tone laced with suspicion. "But you don't have to be so... invasive."
"I wasn't," Drake insisted, though his slightly flushed cheeks betrayed his lie.
Josh raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm sure you weren't," he scoffed. He turned to Komi, his expression softening with concern. "Kare wa anata o komara sete imashita ka?" he asked gently in Japanese. (Was he bothering you?)
Komi hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between the two brothers. She then wrote a response on her notepad:
"No, he wasn't. He was a little forward, but he was only trying to be nice."
Josh nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Drake, who offered a sheepish half-smile in return. Josh's gaze then fell upon the Japanese phrasebook lying open on the nightstand. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he realized what had transpired. "Were you trying to impress Shoko by speaking Japanese?" he asked, amusement coloring his voice.
Drake's cheeks flushed crimson. "Yeah..." he mumbled, his bravado momentarily forgotten. "But somehow, I got everything wrong."
Josh chuckled. "Let me guess, you tried to flirt with 'er, but you ended up saying something completely stupid."
Drake nodded, a grimace twisting his features.
Josh chuckled, playfully clapping Drake on the shoulder. "It's okay, Drake," he said reassuringly. "Japanese isn't an easy language to learn. Just keep practicing, and you'll get there."
Drake offered a half-hearted smile. "I can try," he mumbled, "but it seems really hard."
"Just pay close attention to the words you're using, and you should be fine," Josh advised, his tone encouraging.
Drake shrugged, a hint of frustration in his eyes. He knew Josh was right, but focusing on the nuances of a foreign language was easier said than done, especially when he was so used to speaking English. Switching between languages was proving to be more challenging than he had anticipated.
Josh's eyes flickered between Komi and Drake, a playful idea forming in his mind. "Well, now that Shoko's settled in," he announced, "we should probably take her out on the town and show her around."
Drake's face lit up, a mischievous grin spreading across his features. "Now you're talkin'!" he exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "I've been waitin' for this."
"Yeah, time to give Miss Komi a taste of San Diego," Josh agreed, his enthusiasm bubbling over. "How about we start with a trip to the Premiere?"
"Perfect," Drake said, nodding eagerly. "That new movie is out now."
"Oh yeah, what's it called again?" Josh pondered for a moment. "Ah, Mom, I Shrunk My Brother!"
Drake chuckled. "Yeah, nothing like a good silly movie to kick off the fun," he said, already picturing himself sharing popcorn with Komi.
Josh grinned. "We'll just have to make sure it has subtitles for Shoko," he added thoughtfully.
"Good point," Drake agreed.
"Luckily," Josh announced with a confident wink, "I can use my employee privileges at the Premiere to convince the projectionist to set that up."
"Awesome," Drake said, impressed.
Josh turned to Komi, his face beaming. "Komi-san," he began, and Komi looked up with a curious smile. "Eiga o mi ni ikimasu. Issho ni ikimasu ka?" (We're going to see a movie. Would you like to come with us?)
Komi's eyes widened with excitement. She nodded eagerly and quickly penned a response on her notepad:
"Yes, I'd love to! That sounds like fun."
"Great!" Josh exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious.
Josh turned to Drake, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, shall we?" he asked, gesturing towards the door.
Drake, his attention still lingering on Komi, nodded eagerly. "Let's go," he replied, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. Discreetly, he plucked the Japanese phrasebook off the nightstand and stuffed it into his pocket, planning to use it for later.
The brothers headed towards the exit, Josh offering a guiding hand to Komi. She followed them with a grateful smile, her heart filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Despite her lingering anxiety, she was excited to experience this new world with her kind and welcoming hosts.
As they descended the stairs, they were greeted by the sight of Megan, their younger sister, bursting through the front door, her oboe case clutched tightly in her hand.
"I'm home!" she announced, her voice echoing through the house. Her eyes widened as she spotted the unfamiliar girl standing with her brothers.
"Hey, Megan," Josh said, his voice gentle. "This is Shoko Komi, our foreign exchange student." Komi gave a shy wave in response.
"Oh, cool," Megan remarked, her gaze fixed on Komi. "She's really pretty."
"Yeah..." Drake agreed dreamily, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Megan, be nice to Shoko while she's here," Josh instructed, his tone firm. "None of your usual funny business, okay?" He narrowed his eyes, knowing how mischievous his stepsister could be.
Megan smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "No promises," she replied, a playful challenge in her voice.
Josh sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Megan, I'm serious," he insisted. "Shoko is here to experience a different culture, and your pranks won't exactly give her a positive impression."
Megan rolled her eyes. "Whatever, boobs," she mumbled, heading towards the stairs. "Later."
Josh watched her go, a knot of worry forming in his stomach. He knew Megan could be unpredictable, and he hoped she wouldn't do anything to jeopardize Komi's experience.
Turning back to Komi, who was observing the exchange with a curious expression, Josh offered a reassuring smile. "Sore wa watashi no imōto no Megan," he explained in Japanese. "Kanojo wa totemo zurugashikōi node, kiwotsukete kudasai." (That's my little sister, Megan. She's very mischievous, so please be careful.)
Komi's eyebrows rose in surprise as she glanced towards the staircase, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
"C'mon, let's get goin'," Drake said, his impatience getting the better of him. "We can worry about Megan later. Let's just go enjoy the movie."
"Yeah, yeah," Josh agreed, ushering Komi towards the door. "We're not gettin' any younger."
With that, the trio exited the house, heading towards the driveway where Josh's minivan awaited. Drake, a mischievous grin playing on his lips, patted the Japanese phrasebook still tucked in his pocket. This time, he thought, I'll get it right.