by Kayla Morgan
“Johnson-san! I can’t believe we have lunch at the same time today, too! If we continue being this lucky, maybe we could end up eating together every day!” Akio beamed at her.
Oh my Osamu, please no.
“That would be so awesome!” Emily beamed back, lying through her teeth. She wanted to be friends, but lunch together every day? That was a lot. Plus, their class together? She looked back over at that sweet smile and swooshed-up beautiful black hair.
Yeah, okay. It would absolutely be worth it. She’d get used to his charms eventually, right?
And because the fate apparently thought it would be a hilarious joke, Akio ended up being right. Even though the odds were as low as the famous tanuki’s gonads, the four of them ended up having the same lunch period open the entire week. Plus, Emily still had 2D Design with Akio. It was a lot of time to spend with someone she was desperately trying to keep at a manageable distance, but things were getting easier. If she pretended that she had always been Johnson Emily, half-Japanese girl from Chicago (because her actual town, Midtown, was too small to use, just in case Mrs. Kenzou remembered where “Clarissa-chan” actually was from) and whose parents owned their own (nonspecific) business, she didn't get confused with the real Emily Johnson. She liked Johnson Emily better anyway.
By Friday, they had settled into their little lunch routine quite nicely. Even Hamada had started coming out of his shell and actually talked to Michi, instead of just looking like he was going to hyperventilate.
“So what are we up to tonight?” Akio asked. He was practically jumping out of his seat with excitement.
“I was thinking about heading over to the art store and stocking up on some more G-pens. Mine have seen better days,” Emily answered. “Probably get a head start on my Design portfolio.”
“Oh,” Akio mumbled, “I thought maybe we could all go do something. You know together?” A slight blush actually hit his ears and that surprised Emily. He was usually so vibrant and sure of himself.
“Oh? You guys wanna go out?” she asked, hesitantly. “You mean, like, be social?” She tried not to let the disgust creep in her voice, but she must not have done a very good job since Michi busted out laughing.
“Yes, Emily-chan, we want to actually go out and be near people and do outside activities,” Michi teased.
Emily let out a groan. “Do we have to?”
Even Hamada laughed. “It'll be alright, Johnson-san. There are actually a lot of fun things to do in Tokyo that won't kill the anti-social, and they don't all involve drinking,” he joked.
Emily's eyes widened. She hadn't even considered that she could drink here. The drinking age in Japan was 18. “We’re gonna drink?” she squeaked.
The other three burst into laughter. “You don't have to if you don't want to,” Akio promised.
“I mean,” Emily fumbled on, “I'm still an American citizen. I don't even know if I’m allowed to!”
“You’ll be fine,” Michi promised her.
“You don’t have to make any decisions now,” Hamada added.
She hadn’t had more than a couple glasses of champagne at her parents’ parties. But she’d be 21 in March….
“Bonjour, Michi!”
Emily’s thought process was derailed by an incredibly buff new guy with dark green eyes and cropped auburn hair standing by their table. He was built like he had been drinking protein shakes and lifting weights since he had come out of the womb. Which usually wasn’t her type, but even Emily couldn’t help but stare.
Michi brightened and replied back, “Bonjour, Lucas!” Then she started rattling off to him in French, so Emily didn’t understand a word. Because when most of the girls in her school were busy learning ‘S' il vous plaît’ and ‘merci’ in French class, Emily had opted out for the self-study option with Japanese. But as she watched Michi and Lucas talking, she couldn’t help but notice what a beautiful couple they made.
“Who was that?” Emily asked incredulously, eyebrows wagging, as Lucas walked off.
Michi waved off her intrigue. “He’s just some guy from one of my business classes. He was asking about the homework.”
“He was kinda cute!” Emily replied.
“Yeah. All the girls in the business department call him “Our Handsome Prince”, because his family is also incredibly wealthy. He has a personal translator who comes to all his classes to translate for him and teaches him Japanese on the side. I heard he’s here on a soccer scholarship.”
“Really! That explains why—”
“Hey! Focus, you two!” Akio interrupted, “If you’d quit ogling obviously-overcompensating guys, maybe we could actually pick where we’re going tonight.”
“Geez, jealous much?” Michi teased, but Akio just glared back. “Well, she literally hasn't been anywhere in this city yet,” Michi explained, pointing at Emily. “All she does is curl up on that bed of hers and draw.”
“Hey!” Emily protested, but knew, of course, that Michi was right.
Even Hamada was surprised. “Really, Johnson-san? Nowhere?”
“I don't even have an IC card yet,” she admitted.
“What?” Both Akio and Michi shouted.
“How have you been using the trains then?” Akio asked.
Emily smiled awkwardly. “I haven’t?”
“I have failed you as a friend,” Michi muttered. “We have to go out tonight. No more excuses.”
Emily groaned, but she was secretly happy they were taking her out. Maybe someone could finally explain that damn train map to her.
“Tonight,” Akio stated with finality, “you actually get to know Shinjuku. I mean you are living here. You should probably know the section you live in first! But we will be getting you that IC card next time, Johnson-san.”
“Sounds good to me,” she replied. “Let’s take on Tokyo!”
“Actually Johnson-san,” Hamada started. “Shinjuku is merely a section of—”
“ —Tokyo. Yup I know,” Emily interrupted.
Michi loudly whispered in Hamada’s ear, so Emily could obviously hear her. “Just let the introvert have her moment.” Then she was viciously attacked by a pile of crumpled napkins. Emily just sat back with a satisfied grin.
Emily and Michi made their way towards the edge of campus. They had agreed to meet in front of the ramen shop around the corner since both of the boys lived off campus. Hamada was living in his own apartment close by, and Akio was still commuting from his grandmother’s inn every day.
Emily kept pulling on the blue checkered sundress Michi had put her in. She looked lovely in it, along with her jean jacket and the dark blue bow that was holding back part of her hair. But it was much shorter than the clothes she was used to wearing and it was making her feel incredibly uncomfortable.
“Will you quit fidgeting with that dress?” she barked back at Emily. “You’re gonna rip it in half and it costs a lot more than you would think.”
Emily groaned. “Gomen, but it’s just…” She sighed. “Are you sure I have to wear this?”
Michi glared back and replied, “Yes, you do. This is what girls in Tokyo wear when they go out. You’re the one who wanted to fit in so badly.”
She was beginning to regret that decision. Besides, she didn’t know what was so wrong with the Tokyo clothes she had picked out this morning. But Michi had insisted they weren’t right.
They rounded the corner, and there stood Akio and Hamada dressed in their own casual evening wear. Emily’s eyes were immediately drawn to Akio; he was wearing black jeans and a dark gray shirt that showed off his thin but somehow still-somewhat-muscular body underneath his long tan coat. Her heart groaned. How the hell was she supposed to be just friends with this guy? But then she remembered her big secret and reality came crashing back down on her.
This sucks.
But as her heart checked itself back into reality, she realized that Akio’s gaze was pinned hard on her. Those gorgeous brown eyes shone as he whispered, “Johnson-san...you look
beautiful.”
“Ah! Ha ha ha!” A horrible awkward-as-hell giggle-screech had erupted from inside her. What was wrong with her?
Play it cool, idiot.
Still giggling nervously, but trying really hard not to, she replied, “A-arigatou, Akio-kun. You...and, uh, Hamada-kun look nice tonight as well.”
Good save, Johnson! Way to bring in the other guy friend to make things more chill.
Michi stood off to the side smirking her ever-irritating grin. She threw her long hair over her shoulder and finally broke the silence. “Sooo, that was even more fun than I expected. Should we actually get started on this night of adventure?”
“Yes, please!” Emily squeaked, desperate to move on from this awkward moment. Michi was obviously enjoying Emily’s suffering, and it was really pissing Emily off.
How much jail time could she really get if she suffocated her roommate tonight? Maybe she could plead insanity?
Right now wasn’t the right time plot revenge though. Instead, Emily shook off her intense irritation and joined them the rest of the group as they began to walk down the street.
Hamada, though, was still staring at the back of Michi, looking like he was trying to work up the courage to say something. Emily watched as he opened his mouth again and again, but eventually he gave up. Emily heard a soft whisper that faded into the wind. “I think you look beautiful too, Michi-chan.”
Her heart twisted and broke for poor Hamada-kun. It was fairly obvious that he was head-over-heels for Michi, but it was also very obvious that he thought he didn’t stand a chance with her. Emily knew the feeling well.
“So Johnson-san,” Akio started, barging into her thoughts, “are you ready to see some Tokyo nightlife?”
“Yeah! I actually am.” She beamed up at him. She really was excited to hang out with everyone tonight. She never got to do stuff like this back home.
“Well, Shinjuku has a lot to offer, during the day as well, but we are just gonna keep it simple tonight. Dinner at the karaoke bar? Right, Michi-chan?” he yelled up at her.
“You know it!” she shouted back.
“Awesome! You’re gonna love it, Johnson-san!”
Karaoke? As in singing in front of people? In front of my definitely-not-a-crush? Yeah, no way. Not gonna happen.
But Akio seemed so excited, caught up in telling her all about the city surrounding her, that she kept her thoughts to herself for the time being. As they strolled along, they all took turns pointing out the sights. There was Shinjuku Gyoen, still bursting with cherry blossom trees over on the other side of the street. There were elegant shrines dotted everywhere. Emily secretly hoped she could go back and visit one of those soon. The shrines had always intrigued her with their ornamented beauty.
Emily had barely taken in the wonder of it all, before being shoved into one of the many buildings, which she could only assume was their karaoke spot. They were given their own private room, as was common in all Japanese karaoke spots apparently, and a phone to call in their food and drinks.
Before she knew it, the table was covered in all sorts of delicious goodies. The others happily indulged in their beers. Emily decided to indulge too, but not with beer. If she was going to have to sing in front of other humans, she was going to need something to help her out. She ordered some kind of alcoholic peach drink. It was actually pretty good. She made sure to sip it slowly. She had no intention of getting drunk tonight, even though that didn’t seem to be Michi’s plan. She was already giggling like a mad woman. After a few drinks, even Hamada-kun seemed to be loosening up. He laughed right along with Michi’s crazy antics.
Suddenly, Michi quickly jumped up on the long couch they were all sitting on.
“Singing! Now! Emily-chan, let’s go!”
She froze, peach drink still half-way to her lips. “Oh, yeah, no Michi. That’s not gonna happen.”
“What are you talking about?” Michi demanded.
“Yeah, I’m not gonna sing.” She cleared her throat. “Clarification: I can’t sing.”
“Psht! Bullshit. You sing in the shower all the time.”
Oh no. She heard that? She thought Michi was out at class during her shower-singing time.
Michi laughed and pointed at her. “Ha! See! You’re singing with me. Deal with it.”
She felt a warm hand on her right shoulder. Akio was smiling down at her. “It’s really a lot of fun, Johnson-san. I think you’ll like it. Besides,” he added, “it’s only us, so there’s no one to get embarrassed in front of.”
Ha! Yeah that’s what you think, buddy.
But between Akio’s continued soft smile and Michi’s overly loud begging, Emily felt her nerves start to settle. The peach drink was certainly helping too.
“Fine, why not,” she finally agreed. It’s not like it would hurt anything. Michi let out a cheer and flew up onto the small stage.
“Ganbatte, Johnson-san!” Hamada cheered her on.
“Thanks, Hamada-kun,” she mumbled back, and climbed up onto the stage with Michi. She was bent intently over the screen, searching for a song. She finally let out a yell and stood up triumphantly. Emily looked up at the screen.
“Michi!” she groaned. “Britney Spears? Are you serious?”
Michi’s gaze hardened. “Um, absolutely! Britney Spears was my childhood idol!”
Emily just shook her head, thinking that her friend really needed to make better choices when it came to childhood idols, but chose not to say a word.
“Oops!...I Did It Again” came blaring through the speakers and Michi began belting out the words in English. Emily flinched.
Michi was awful. Like ear-bleedingly awful.
Emily quickly fought past the shock and started quietly singing the song behind Michi’s scream-singing. It wasn’t a hard thing to do. She wasn’t sure if any human could sing louder than Michi was right now. Emily snuck a glance out into the room to see what the guys thought of their friend’s singing ability. Both sat wide-eyed; Akio was covering his mouth, trying not to laugh, while Hamada continued to smile up at Michi, although maybe slightly less love-struck than before.
What Michi lacked in tune and rhythm, she made up for in passion. She dramatically swung her arms to the music and even threw in her own little attempts at Britney-like dancing. It was enough to make Emily loosen up and start to smile. By the time the last chorus rolled around, Emily was singing with her eyes closed, like she was in the shower, where there was no judgement of her at all.
The song ended and the boys clapped politely. Michi grinned and took a bow. Emily smiled and did a weird little curtsy before stepping off the stage to grab another swig of her peach drink.
“So,” Michi said with a toss of her blonde hair, “what did you guys think?” She had come down to stand beside Emily and was watching them with excited expectation.
All three friends glanced at each other. Did she really not know what she sounded like?
“I think you sounded great, Michi-chan,” Hamada said with a small loopy grin.
“Uh yeah, really nice, Michi-chan,” Emily lied.
“Aw! You guys are so sweet!” Michi beamed. “But I know that you’re lying. I’m complete shit at singing.”
They all burst into laughter and words like ‘thank goodness’ and ‘so glad you know’ were shouted through the laughter.
“What I don’t understand,” Akio choked out, “is how such a beautiful girl can sing so terribly?”
Michi leaned across the table and whacked Akio across the head, but it only made him laugh harder. “Hey! I already have a stunning body and perfect hair. I can’t sing like an angel too. That just wouldn’t be fair to the rest of humanity.”
Emily felt a small twinge. So Akio did realize Michi was beautiful after all?
I guess him calling me beautiful earlier didn’t mean anything after all.
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she felt guilty. It didn’t matter that Akio knew Michi was beautiful. There was no point in being a
jealous idiot. Nothing could happen between her and Akio anyway. She couldn’t allow him to get that close. Then he’d find out her secret.
Pushing her feelings aside, Emily continued on, “Thank kami-sama you’re pretty, Michi-chan. Because if you weren’t, I don’t think anyone would marry you after hearing that.”
Michi punched her hard in the arm but laughed it off. “Well whatever, I’m going up again. You coming up too, Emily-chan?”
“Nah, I think I’m gonna take a break. You enjoy yourself. I can’t wait to see what ‘Michi: The Soloist’ looks like.”
Michi sauntered off. “Oh, you just wait. I’m gonna butcher another one of your American songs. You’re gonna love it!”
“Can’t wait!”
Michi climbed back up on stage and began to search for another song. It was like the things they had said didn’t even matter to her. Emily wished she could be more like that. Maybe Michi could teach her the secret of her success.
The new song swirled up on the screen. This time it was Christina Aguilera's “Genie in a Bottle”. Michi sure loved American 90’s pop stars. Specifically, blonde ones. It was a tragedy. There was so much better music in this world. Had she ever heard of K-pop?
As Michi sang, and Hamada continued to stare in drunken awestruck wonder at her, Emily felt the warm presence of Akio moving closer to her. He had to shout in her ear in order to be heard over the wailing.
“So what do you think so far?”
She smiled and shouted back, “It’s pretty fun actually! I might even go back up and sing with Michi again tonight after all. The peach drink helps. That’s for damn sure.”
He leaned in closer, so close that he didn’t even need to shout anymore. Instead he whispered in her ear, “Good, because I could hear you underneath all of Michi’s horrible shouting, and you have a beautiful singing voice.”
Electricity fizzled from her ear throughout her entire body. She could barely breathe as the tingles flowed through her over and over again until she slowly, slowly allowed herself to look at Akio. His face was still inches away from hers, and he was smiling back at her with that breath-taking half-grin. She forgot how to breathe. Akio slowly sat back and settled into the couch beside her, not looking at all like he had just whispered such a magical yet embarrassing thing in her ear. Emily decided to blame it on the alcohol.