First Day of School, 13-year-old Alex in Japan

[Alex Kayton]

Alex frowned a little as he peered at the strange Japanese characters in the book. There were a few Chinese words in it (what were they called...kanji?) though, and he understood that a little, considering the fact that he just got here from China.

"Cool, that'll be great!" he said enthusiastically. "Oh, and can you help prevent me from looking stupid in front of others? I'll appreciate that."

[Heishiro Shimizu]

Heishiro frowned as the taxicab pulled over in front of the large middle school. Gathering his things, he paid the driver, opened the door hesitantly, and walked off. Heishiro gazed at the cab drive off into the distance.

Heishiro just moved into the country a year ago, now the 13 year old was going to embark his first full year of school. Taking a step, Heishiro stared at the public school for minutes, remembering the past year spent in his new life style.

He moved in, following the crowd inside the doors. He didn't really know what to do so he followed the students that entered with him. He found a woman who was standing beside a door engulfed by students asking for the information center. A girl similar to his question asked and she was given a direction. Heishiro followed and made his way through the halls.

He waited in a line that formed. The teachers were pilled with student's papers and information. Heishiro was next, "Excuse me, but what class am I in?" The boy asked as he stepped aside to allow another student to pass.

Heishiro nodded as he heard the class. Once out of the room, Heishiro looked up to the room numbers.

"It should be here somewhere...."

Heishiro entered the room and saw that it was nearly empty. Patiently he chose a random desk and sat down. It didn't matter to him; he thought that soon everyone was settled that they would be sitting in alphabetical order just like in America.

Heishiro stood up and was fascinated by the number of students entering the school with a bright smile. Sighing, Heishiro returned to his seat and waited for the rest to get settled.

Before he knew it lots of students came pouring in as though the room was a black hole and the students were its victims. He looked to the front of the room, listening intently for the teacher’s orders. His eyes turned to the new student, remembering his own hard times as a new person. His eyes left him as the teacher started to write a brief summery of what would be learned that week or month.

He flipped the pages of his new textbook and read the Japanese characters over and over again. His Japanese language wasn't great. He just started learning before he came to Japan. He was ten years of age when he wanted to learn. His will to learn Japanese came from a cartoon show he watched and loved. Even though he couldn't really understand it, he still loved the theme. It hit him later on that if he understood the language, it would help more.

Random words were taken from the textbook as he repeated them out loud in a whisper. He would look to his pocket guides of Japanese meanings. He had about 3 of them and if he learned something that wasn't given in his books then he will simply ask and then jot it down for future reference.