*SHINODA FAMILY DINER - VENUS FORT - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
AKI: "...Huh?"
I didn't expect to be greeted in English here of all places.
???: "Oh, have I got the wrong guy? Sorry, I heard the Chairman here could speak English.
Whoops, a major embarrassment for me! Heh heh."
AKI: "No, you've got that right. I'm the Chairman. Akihiko Suzuki."
???: "Do you prefer English? Or is Japanese okay?"
AKI: "Either is fine. Probably for the best; we keep it to Japanese, though."
JENNIFER: "Nice! Hello! My name's Jennifer. My favorite Japanese word is 'seigi.' It means justice!"
AKI: "Mm-hm... You're not from Japan, are you? Let me guess; you're from Y.G International?"
JENNIFER: "Right! I'm actually the leader of the School Idol Club there, so it's nice to meet a fellow leader!"
AKI: "I've read a few things about your school; it seems interesting. Isn't it an institution for foreign students?"
JENNIFER: "Yep! Our school brings together students from many different countries. So we have different customs, like different foods, and we have different ways of spending our free time."
AKI: "I see; it's very globalist. But isn't there the risk of a culture shock? Like...you know... Xenophobia and stuff."
JENNIFER: "Oh, that? We all get along, but it seems like there's this insurpasable divide between us..."
AKI: "At Nijigasaki, we're no strangers to cultural differences. Our Emma is from Switzerland, Mia is from America, and Lanzhu is from Hong Kong. Hell... I'm half-American myself."
JENNIFER: *Chuckle* "Makes two of us, huh?"
AKI: "You're half-American?"
JENNIFER: "Sure am! But I guess the Japanese side to me knows how to settle into this country pretty well. As for the others? It can be a little tricky."
AKI: "I can imagine so."
JENNIFER: "So I thought we all needed something special to help us band together."
AKI: "Oh?"
JENNIFER: "And then I discovered school idols. I proposed it to everyone, and we've been thinking of costumes and songs. We've come so far."
AKI: "So everyone was on board with it? That's pretty impressive."
JENNIFER: "At first, it was unfamiliar, and everyone was bewildered... I'm glad we didn't give up."
AKI: "The School Idol Festival will be your time to shine to bring some international flavor to the event!"
JENNIFER: *Giggle* "You bet! Every day we grow closer and closer as friends. As school idols.
But I've put so much effort into this that it's not just about the friendships anymore.
I want to succeed as a school idol, too."
AKI: "I believe in you, Jennifer. If you've come this far already, I know you can make it work."
JENNIFER: "Thanks, man. Hey, can I introduce you to the girls? I know they'd love to meet you!"
AKI: "Sure, I've just finished meeting the Chitose Bridge girls, so I suppose I can fit in some more introductions."
Hopefully, there isn't too much of a language barrier. But Jennifer has got that covered for me.
JENNIFER: "Sweet! Hey, Becky, get over here!"
REBECCA: "Yes?"
JENNIFER: "This is the Chairman of the School Idol Festival we're a part of! Isn't that cool?"
REBECCA: "What's your favorite Buddhist statue?"
AKI: "Eh? I don't know."
REBECCA: "What? ...You don't have one?"
AKI: "No...?"
REBECCA: "Buddhist statues, right?"
AKI: "Um..."
REBECCA: "Don't tell me you don't know what they are?"
AKI: "Not really."
REBECCA: "Wow... That's impossible."
AKI: "Eh?"
REBECCA: "It's okay; I'm still studying myself. I could always use a study buddy in studying Japanese culture."
AKI: "I don't follow."
REBECCA: "I'm Rebecca; you can call me Becky. I came here to Japan because I saw a picture of Sanjusangen-do in a textbook."
AKI: "Sanwhatnow?"
REBECCA: "When I first arrived in Japan and stepped foot in Sanjusangen-do for the first time, my heart sang, 'This is heaven!'
I want to learn so much more about how unique Japanese culture is."
AKI: "Okay, listen... If you're trying to sell me a religion, I'm not interested. Plus, I'm not that interested in history.
REBECCA: "Really? *Sigh* Japanese people should have much more pride that they were born in Japan and learn more about the country."
I don't know whether or not I should be complimented or offended by that...
REBECCA: "I want to gain a deeper appreciation in the essence of Zen."
AKI: "Uh..."
JENNIFER: "Okay, thanks, Becky!"
A lot of foreigners seem pretty obsessed with Japanese culture... But, being half-Japanese myself, I don't see why.
It's not like my other half is interested in it, either. But damn, do I love school idols.
JENNIFER: "Next, we have Rakshata."
RAKSHATA: "Um, nice to meet you. My name is Rakshata. I'm here to study the ways of the idol."
AKI: "Ways of the idol, hm? Is that why you moved here?"
RAKSHATA: "Not entirely. I made up my mind that I would do what it takes to manage myself in Japan.
But if I can't do that well, I will have to return to India... Which means I won't be able to eat Japanese curry anymore."
AKI: "Oh, you're from India. That's pretty cool."
RAKSHATA: "Are you familiar with mild curry?"
AKI: "Considering I hate spicy food, I'm familiar with it. It tastes good."
RAKSHATA: "I absolutely love mild Japanese curry. It's thick and mild, like something a mother would make.
And there are even cute stickers in the box. I put those stickers all up in my room. They're my treasure."
AKI: "I've eaten my fair share of those boxes before. Usually, I give the stickers to my neighbor since she loves arts and crafts.
How is life as a school idol for you?"
RAKSHATA: "It's great. If I ever get to do a meet and greet, I would love to sign boxes of mild curry and give them to people as presents."
AKI: "That's an interesting idea. Say, I heard a great café in Yongen-Jaya serves a great bowl of mild curry."
RAKSHATA: "Wow! I must try it. If it is mild, then I must indulge."
AKI: "I'm sure they'll appreciate your patronage."
Nice to see a girl who loves things mild like I do, rather than little demons who would throw hot sauce all over everything.
JENNIFER: "Next, we have Maria; she's from Spain."
AKI: "Nice to meet you."
MARIA: "Am I...in love?"
AKI: "EH?!"
MARIA: *Giggle* "Did I surprise you? I'm Maria; nice to meet you."
AKI: "D-Don't toy with a man's heart like that... Ugh, anyway, um... What's with the fan?"
MARIA: "Oh, this is my pericón. They're used in flamenco dancing."
AKI: "Flamenco?"
MARIA: "Yes, I was about to start a Flamenco Club at Y.G International, until Jennifer found me first. Now I'm a school idol."
JENNIFER: *Giggle* "And I'm happy I did!"
MARIA: "Even if the short skirts aren't as relaxing as flamenco costumes... But I still feel content every day."
AKI: "What was with the whole 'love' thing? Kinda different to greet someone like that."
MARIA: "Huh? You're more interested in whether I'm in love?"
AKI: "Kinda."
MARIA: "I'll just leave that up to your imagination. But I think those who've experienced true love will be able to perform passionate dances."
AKI: "Passionate dances?"
MARIA: "Emotions bubbling up from the depths of your heart, spilling forth... Do you know what that's like?"
AKI: "U-Um..."
MARIA: *Giggle* "Kind of embarrassing, huh? How about we dance together sometime? I'll give you a taste of the passionate rhythm flowing through me."
AKI: "U-U-Uh..."
JENNIFER: "Okay, someone is about to blow a fuse. So let's move on to the next girl.
This is Ranpha; she's from China."
RANPHA: "Hot, hot..." *Munch* *Munch*
JENNIFER: "Um... Ranpha?"
RANPHA: "What is it? I'm busy."
JENNIFER: "I'm introducing you to the School Idol Festival's Chairman. But if you want to keep stuffing your face, then be my guest.
...Man, that does look good, though."
RANPHA: "Wow, you're really drooling, Jennifer!"
JENNIFER: "Well, duh, I haven't eaten all day."
RANPHA: "If you're really that hungry, then it can't be helped... Here, I'll give you half of my pork bun."
JENNIFER: "Really? Thanks, Ranpha! You're the best!"
RANPHA: *Munch* *Munch* "Mmm... Pork buns stuffed with bamboo shoots make everyone happy... I can't believe this diner makes them!"
AKI: "I'll leave you to your meal, Ranpha. It's nice to meet you, anyway."
RANPHA: "Who are you?"
AKI: "Akihiko Suzuki, Chairman of the School Idol Festival."
RANPHA: "Oh, really? I'm Ranpha. See you."
JENNIFER: *Munch* "Mmm, that's better! Anyway, over here is Yukari."
YUKARI: "Nice to meet you, I'm Yukari Saotome."
AKI: "That's, um... A pretty Japanese-sounding name compared to the rest of the girls."
YUKARI: "Yes, I know. To be one of the only Japanese girls studying at Y.G International has some challenges, but there's also a lot of fun every day."
AKI: "Challenges, hm? I can imagine it took some getting used to at first."
YUKARI: "Until I got used to things, I thought I was praising people. But I had it backwards... I was hurting them. The language barrier is so large..."
AKI: "Yeah."
YUKARI: "But now, I know how to bring everyone together and have them connect emotionally.
Even if our languages are different, or we have other hair or eye colors, a song can bring everyone together by speaking the language of the heart.
That's why I want to sing! I want to keep singing forever!"
AKI: *Chuckle* "I like that way of thinking. Music is the universal language, after all!"
YUKARI: "Correct, it is music that-"
JENNIFER: "Uh oh."
YUKARI: "...Wait, what?! What happened?"
JENNIFER: "Y'know, the usual."
YUKARI: "Oh, Leo ran off again?!"
AKI: "Leo...?"
YUKARI: "Leo still thinks cars are enemies."
AKI: "...Eh?!"
JENNIFER: "Don't worry about it."
YUKARI: "Damn it... Jennifer, will you help me?"
JENNIFER: "Sure, let's go get her! Did you bring the net?"
YUKARI: "It's right here."
JENNIFER: "Great! Let's go catch her!"
AKI: "Um..."
What the hell just happened?
I need just a moment or two to process what they were just talking about...
Cars as enemies?
What?!
*BUMP*
AKI: "Whoops, sorry."
???: "Oh, I bumped into you. Excuse me..."
AKI: "No, it's okay. I'm the one who-"
???: "Wait, 'Excuse me' probably isn't the right phrase. What do I say in this situation? Um... 'I'm sorry'?"
AKI: "Uh..."
???: "How's that?"
AKI: "What?"
???: "Oh, it doesn't fit?"
AKI: "You're acting a little too modest. Don't worry about it."
???: "I know that. Rebecca's always getting mad at me, telling me I need to act more like a school idol..."
AKI: "So you're a school idol, hm? Nice!"
ISABELLA: "You like school idols too? Aren't they great? Oh, I'm Isabella, by the way."
AKI: "Akihiko Suzuki, I don't just 'like' school idols. I love them. It's why I'm the School Idol Festival Chairman."
ISABELLA: "That's pretty impressive."
AKI: "Thanks, but being a school idol yourself is more impressive than that."
ISABELLA: "Since becoming a school idol, I've met so many girls who are passionate and chasing after their dreams."
AKI: "That's usually the mindset that a school idol has. They always keep going until they reach their goal.
I wholeheartedly respect that."
ISABELLA: "The Japanese are very courteous, and their humility is one of their virtues... But there's much more to it than just that."
AKI: "Hm?"
ISABELLA: "I will obtain the power to ignite people's inner fire..."
AKI: "Oh, you mean inspiration? Yeah, school idols inspire others daily. So go for it."
ISABELLA: "Danke schön. Thank you, Chairman Suzuki."
AKI: "Please, call me Akihiko."
Suddenly, Jennifer and Yukari returned with a net...carrying a girl?
Wait, what?!
JENNIFER: "Let her go; here is fine."
They released the feral girl from the prison of the net.
AKI: "What is...? Um... Who...is this?"
JENNIFER: "So, this is Leo."
LEO: "...Name's Leo."
AKI: "Uh-huh."
LEO: "..."
YUKARI: "It's okay, Leo, he's friendly."
LEO: "I like forests..."
AKI: "Um... Where is she from?"
JENNIFER: "The forest."
AKI: "The forest?!"
JENNIFER: "Yeah, the forest."
AKI: "Which forest?"
YUKARI: "Um... I couldn't say."
JENNIFER: "No idea."
AKI: "S-Seriously? So your school grabbed a girl from an unknown forest and brought her here as a student?!"
JENNIFER: "Well, anything will sound stupid when you put it that way."
LEO: "Leo left forest... I was alone. That's why I left the forest."
AKI: "I see... So she walked out of the forest of her own freewill and joined Y.G International?"
JENNIFER: "Probably."
AKI: "Probably?!"
YUKARI: "Look, the earlier you accept it, the better."
AKI: "I'm still in the stage of comprehending it!"
LEO: "This is different than forest. Many people here. Not lonely."
AKI: "Well, the place is full of school idols."
LEO: "Everyone is Leo's family. Everyone is important."
That's...pretty wholesome.
LEO: "Will you be Leo's family too?"
AKI: "Sure, I guess."
LEO: "...Thank you. Now you're Leo's family. I'll care for you."
AKI: "D-Don't worry about that. It's fine."
JENNIFER: "I think she likes you."
Okay, suddenly Chitose Bridge seems pretty normal compared to these girls...