The Set Up

The next day, I wake up for school around 6am with a smile. I wouldn't call myself a morning person, but this morning I was happy because everything is different.

I am no longer the girl without a match. I smile to myself, I have a match at last. I get out of bed and begin my usual routine. I'm putting on my uniform when I get a text on my phone. I pick it up and see a voice note from my best friend Kaede.

"Kimi-chan, good morning! I'll be at the bridge in a few minutes" Kaede's note says. I check the time and realize I'm running a bit behind. I throw on socks and dash down the stairs.

I grab my bento and an egg sandwich from my mother and head to the door. "I'm off okaa-san!" I shout putting on my shoes. I quickly run out the door and towards the bridge where I meet Kaede to walk to school.

I opted to attend a regular Japanese high school instead of the American school on base because I didn't like the other kids on my base and I wanted to attend a Japanese university. It's a lot harder to attend a university in Japan when you've taken an American curriculum.

My Japanese is fluent enough to understand what's being talked about in class thanks to my mom maintaining a Japanese speaking household. She only spoke to us in Japanese growing up and we could only respond back in Japanese.

After running for a minutes, I finally reach the bridge and see Kaede standing on the bridge on the phone.

"Kae-chan! Good morning!" I exclaim, giving her a hug. I take her hand and start running towards the school. "Come on, we'll be late for school." I laugh, but Kaede doesn't move. I stop and turn around, confused as to why she's not running with me like usual.

"James-san, he hasn't talked to me since two days ago. I don't know what to do." Kaede sniffles wiping her eyes. I sigh and walk back to her, pulling her into a hug.

"It'll be okay. He'll talk to you when he's ready. It's not like he's breaking up with you. You both will be fine, i promise" I say as I try to comfort Kaede. I look at the time and gasp. "Okay, now we'll really be late for school! Let's go!" I exclaim pulling Kaede by the arm.

We somehow make it into the classroom before the bell rings. I check my schedule on my phone to see what classes we have today. "Japanese history, English, Calculus, Study Period, and Exam Prep. Not bad, not great." I mumble to myself as I sit down in my seat. Soon my thoughts are interrupted by a text message.

"Hello, I'm Omari, your match. When are you free to meet?"

My eyes widen but my slight panic is interrupted by the class representative. "ATTENTION. BOW" , shouts the class rep. After I sit back down, my thoughts go a million miles a minute.

What do I say back? Do I text back right away? Should I play it cool and text back after class? AM I FREE? My panicked thoughts are interrupted again but my phone vibrating again.

"I can meet you today after my classes if you want. I'll pick you up."

I want to scream and open my mouth to do so but stop when I realize class has already started. I decide to send him a quick text before finally paying attention class.

"Hey, I'm done with my classes around 2:30 if that's fine. I'm at Shoya High School in Momozuya Prefecture."

I hit send and sigh. I really just set up my first meeting with this guy. This is the beginning of the rest of my life.