I am a transfer student from the other side of the world. born as a Mex-Ame. Growing up in NYC, I learned a lot about the Japanese culture in the US, and that interest grew as I got older and led to me applying for a transfer program to learn in Japan. After several tests, I was chosen to attend Japan and learn Japanese culture as a high schooler. I prepared myself for this as I was offered a place to stay by the program and a school to attend. A high school. I said my goodbyes to my family as I headed to Japan and started my path to grow and learn. I thought I was just going to have a regular school life, learning about the Japanese, but I didn't know that I would be having this somewhat sum of crazy events.

I arrive at a small city, full of many houses, but not too many skyscrapers, with a downtown full of shops, a park nearby with a fountain, for some weird reason, a field full of wheat, and then the houses that surround the little city. I was living in an apartment next to the shopping district, and I was able to see most of the town from my window. A small bed, a small bathroom, a small kitchen, a small closet, and a little TV. I felt like I was living poor, but this is what the program offered me. After settling down in my small apartment, I went out to the market to find food to make or eat and gathered many things to put in my fridge, which is also small. After returning to my apartment, I was all set to start my life in Japan. I called my mom to let her know I was in my new place and let them know that I have to be myself to others so I can make friends. Making friends back home was very hard, so I needed to make a good impression on myself to make the next day, I woke up and got my uniform for school. A cream vest with a white shirt with a collar and a blue tie and dark blue pants. To be honest, I look kind of weird and laughable, and I could have been teased about that back home. But never mind that, I head to my new school and make it to my locker where others were as I changed from my sneakers to loafers.

I walked through the school hallways and thought to myself 'I understand that the dress code is to wear uniforms. but how will I stand out in this sea of cream and blue?'

As I made it to my classroom, I was introduced by the professor.

"Good morning, class. I would like to introduce a new student we have today."

Most of the students were confused when they looked at me, but it's because I was a foreigner. Then, I started worrying a bit, but tried my best not to show it. However, was it because I was not fully American and see a bit of Mexican in me? Did I have a pimple on my face? Whatever it was, it bugged me, but I let it slide. So I introduced myself: "My name is John Nunez. Nice to meet you all. I'm a foreign student". I say, bowing my head.

Almost all the students started whispering, knowing how different I was. With a last name like Nunez in Japan, there was no doubt I was the odd one in this class. But, anyway, the teacher told me to sit in the second row near the door and so I did. And thus, the day starts. The whole first half, I had students looking at me funny and thinking that I was a sort of alien, and I started feeling insecure. It was hard to concentrate, but I did get my notes, and by the time it was lunch, I started to hear gossip and chatter, surely aimed at me. I sighed and put my head down on the desk.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my right arm. I looked up and saw the person who had tapped me. It was a young lady. She had long brown hair with bangs, a yellow ribbon tied as a bow, reddish eyes, and pale skin. She had a slim body too, wearing the female school uniform with long white socks and black Mary Janes for shoes.

"You must be John, correct"? She asked with a smile

I just nodded

"Welcome, I'm Mizuka Nagamori. It is nice to meet you." She introduced herself to me. I felt strange, but I knew I had to reciprocate the friend-to-friend talk.

"Nice to meet you...". Before I could finish, I was stumped. What should I call her? Mizuka? Nagamori-san? Nagamori? This was more confusing to conversate with someone in Japan, but I had to finish. "Mizuka...sorry, I don't know what to call you by."

Mizuka giggled. "It's okay."

I smiled back as she placed her lunch on my desk. I started to converse with her, and it felt relaxing.

"I'm from the U.S, I'm in a program that's allowing me to study here. I'm a New Yorker". I told Mizuka. She was intrigued by me being from the US but was confused about the New Yorker part.

Mizuka told me about herself. She plays the cello and is in the school's orchestra club. She also loves crepes and cats and has adopted 8 cats at her home.

As lunchtime was almost up, I thanked Mizuka for talking with me. "Thank you, Mizuka. I appreciate talking with you," I say to her

"You're welcome, John". She says as she goes back to her seat.

As the second half of the day goes by, I hear more gossip and chatter about me, but Mizuka gives me a reassuring look, and I calm down and focus on taking notes. When the bell rings, signaling the end of the day, I say goodbye to Mizuka as I hear more chatter from my classmates.

"Don't worry, you'll fit in soon enough. Well, I must be going, I have orchestra club practice today. Have a nice day John". She reassures me as she leaves for her orchestra club.

I head home and do my homework for the day. I then think about today.

'My first day, well I was expecting that, but being considered as a sort of alien just because I look different, it's gonna be hard to be liked around. But that girl Mizuka made things easier, a bit. For now, I just gotta focus on my studies and make sure I get good grades'

It was nighttime as I gave my mom a call and told her about my day and said good night as I fell to slumber.

Tomorrow is another day