Monday, April 7, 1980
Arthur looked at the calendar, still dazed, as he got up. His mother had left his uniform on the chair by his desk and some money on the table. When he noticed the time, he realized he was already late. Quickly, he dressed and got ready to leave. After saying goodbye to his mother, he walked toward Azabu University High School.
On the way, he noticed the streets were full of students. Most were talking with their classmates, while others simply walked alone, just like him. When he arrived, he spotted the girl who had taught him the basics of Japanese: Emiko.
She greeted Arthur and approached him, saying something in Japanese. Arthur didn't understand well, so he just looked at her. Realizing his confusion, Emiko laughed softly. She pointed to Arthur's locker, and he walked over to open it with the keys Emiko had given him.
"Arthur-san, I asked for keys for you," Emiko explained in broken English. She used the excuse that he had been injured.
Arthur changed into his indoor shoes and followed Emiko to the classroom. They took their seats. Emiko spoke to him now and then in her halting English, and Arthur corrected her gently, while she also helped him with Japanese.
That was when the boy who had pushed Arthur appeared. Emiko said something to him in Japanese, but he replied in a calm tone. Then he turned toward Arthur, bowed deeply at ninety degrees, and apologized.
Arthur, astonished, replied in English: "It was an accident, don't worry about it."
The boy answered back in broken English: "I should not have acted that way. My mother told me we must not behave like foreigners."
Arthur instantly recognized it as a disguised insult, but he ignored it.
"My name is Daichi Nakamura. I'll be in your care," the boy added before sitting down as the teacher entered the classroom.
The day went on. When the bell rang for lunch, Emiko looked at Arthur and asked in Japanese if he wanted some of the food she had brought. Daichi stayed in his seat, staring at the blackboard, but when he heard Emiko, he turned to look at the two of them, his hand tightening into a fist before slowly relaxing. Without saying anything, he stood and left the classroom.
Arthur, watching him go, then turned back as Emiko offered him food with her chopsticks. Surprised, Arthur accepted.
After lunch, Emiko smiled.
"Do you know which club you want to join? I'm in the kendo club. I can help you if you'd like."
"I'll think about it. For now, I want to see which ones I like," Arthur replied.
Emiko nodded and returned to her seat, while Arthur remained thoughtful as the next class began.
When the bell rang again, Daichi approached Arthur.
"Can we talk?"
Emiko quickly stepped between them.
"Are you going to blame him again, Daichi?" she snapped.
Daichi looked slightly annoyed, but kept his eyes on Arthur.
"It's fine, Emiko. Nothing will happen," Arthur reassured her.
Reluctantly, she stepped aside, watching as the two walked out of the classroom.
Daichi spoke first.
"Look, I know I was at fault, but it was actually Emiko who pushed me, which made me bump into you."
Arthur nodded.
"But if I remember correctly, you threw the first punch."
Daichi's cheeks flushed.
"Well… that was in the heat of the moment. Still, I apologize for my behavior. I hope we can be friends."
Arthur extended his hand.
"In Texas, this is how we greet friends. It's formal, but better than nothing."
Daichi shook it awkwardly.
"Well, Arthur, what are your plans? I see Emiko is teaching you Japanese, but you already know quite a bit."
"Emiko is an excellent teacher," Arthur said with a smile.
Emiko, who had been listening secretly from the doorway, blushed.
"I can help you too, Arthur," Daichi insisted.
"Don't worry, Daichi. Emiko already taught me the essentials."
Daichi looked disappointed.
"Well then, do you know which club you want to join? The one I'm in could be good for your health—baseball."
Arthur thought about it but shook his head.
"Not yet. I don't feel like joining a club for now."This disappointed both Daichi and Emiko (who was still eavesdropping).
"Well, I can't force you. Just think about it," Daichi said before walking away. On his way out, he noticed Emiko crouched near the classroom door. He gave her a small smile.
"So I'm a good teacher, huh?" she teased when Arthur returned.
"The best," Arthur replied warmly.
Later, Arthur said goodbye to Emiko as she headed to kendo practice. Wandering the halls with his bag slung loosely over his shoulder, he stopped in front of a slightly open wooden door. Inside, a group of students chatted excitedly, surrounded by books, notebooks, and cheap cups of tea.
On the blackboard, written in white chalk, were the words: "文芸部 – Literature Club."
Arthur lingered in the hallway, intrigued. Something about the atmosphere made him feel at ease. One of the students noticed him: a boy with short black hair, round glasses, and a kind smile.
"Hey, you… are you new?" the boy asked, stepping out.
Arthur hesitated, then nodded.
"I'm Arthur Tanaka."
The boy grinned.
"Takashi Sato. I'm the president of the literature club. Want to come in?"
Arthur stepped timidly inside. About five other students sat there, reading magazines or scribbling in notebooks. The air smelled of paper and ink, so different from the noisy sports clubs.
"We were just reading some short stories by Akutagawa," Takashi explained. "But it's not only reading. Sometimes we write our own stories or even discuss movies. Interested in joining?"
Arthur looked at the table full of papers. He thought of the nights he spent writing in his notebook—video game ideas, scripts, even films. Maybe this was a place where he could practice without revealing too much of his secret.
"Sounds good," Arthur replied with a small smile.
Takashi patted him on the shoulder.
"Perfect. From today, you're one of us. Welcome to the literature club."
The other members looked up and greeted him with shy but friendly gestures. For the first time since arriving in Japan, Arthur felt like he had found a place where he could belong.