It's the day

The first day. This is the first day of the young man. The first day of work, also the first day of summer vacation. Spending a summer vacation in a new place or city is normal, but different if you try to spend the summer vacation he have in a foreign country.

People who can go abroad are only those who can afford it. The rough language is those who are rich, because the expense to travel between countries is not cheap. It can't be with $1, 100 yen or 1000 rupiah. What is needed is around millions or ten millions, they have to prepare everything—including those that are not money.

What is that like? An example is knowing the ins and outs of the famous tourist attractions of the country, as well as the culture or language used. At a minimum, it must understand everyday language that is simple and not too complicated—to facilitate communication between the two parties; even if you do a tour abroad there are guides.

If you want to stay abroad for 3 days, it's natural not to worry too much about the language to communicate because you can do it through the tour guide... but what if you stay more than 3 days? So someone must seriously study the language recommended.

Indeed. That is the situation faced by a young man named Ondra Dwi Putra, a student from Indonesia who do a Practical Work abroad, namely his dream country called Japan. He is happy and grateful, and disappointed at the same time.

Because he was not stationed in Tokyo, the center of Japan like Jakarta, which became the capital of the Indonesian, but to remote rural areas and not so well known to many people. He even doubted that the village he lived in was currently in the tourist list. He never heard the name of this village, Asahigaoka.

If it wasn't for his connection with Kazuho, whom he met on social media, then that young man's name would never be remembered. What a miracle coincidence, he did not expect that would happen.

Even though according to him, the campus does not provide practical work abroad, even foreign scholarships only reach Korea and not Japan. Even though he wants to get a scholarship from Japan, not Korea—because there are no anime in Korea!

He can't register the novels he wrote to Korean publishers, he doesn't really like the format of comics from Korea because it's like Webtoon. It is colored but not detailed in the scene, just a piece of each scene—he becomes less understanding and less satisfied with such a system.

But it can't be helped, it is a new format in comics, so he can't protest and boycott like those in his own country.

After washing his face, he remembers that Japanese people have such a habit to bathe at night or finish doing activities such as school or work, he walks into the living room and is greeted by Kazuho who is in the kitchen—he feels strange seeing Kazuho wearing an apron.

Feeling someone was nearby, Kazuho turned and greeted Ondra with his smile.

"Oh, are you awake? It's still 7 o'clock in the morning. "

"Ah, in my house I even wake up at 6 in the morning."

"So early! Ahahaha, I was shocked to hear that. In here, someone will begin an activity like school in general at 8 am. I think you really will adjust to your new environment, huh?"

He nodded. Indeed he had to adjust himself to face a foreign environment that he had just stepped on right now. He currently lives in a place so far from his hometown and university, so he can't help but have to adjust himself.

"That's how it is. I can't whine spoiled to go home because I'm already here."

"Heeeh... really?"

"…Okay. I admit, yesterday I thought about it but now it's not. I hope..."

Kazuho laughed at that, making Ondra rather annoyed.

"Sorry-sorry. Apparently you're a bit hypocritical? Not expecting it."

"I can't deny it. Also, you prepare food, Kazuho?"

Nodding, the woman smiled and responded to the question from the young man.

"That is how it is. Because I'm the oldest in this house, so I should do as much as possible in the household."

"It must be tiring."

"Ahaha! That's how it is, but I can't complain. Only I can do it."

Ondra paused when he heard it, he didn't want to say the word 'I'm sorry...' while putting on a sad expression on his face, as if to say that their parents died and he felt sorry.

That's a wrong way. He didn't want to listen to the past flashback of the Miyauchi family, especially if it was Kazuho. Ondra also couldn't put a sad expression if someone died, even if it was his own brother, somehow that could happen.

He isn't expressionless, but hard to be sad.

"Want to be helped? Even though I can't cook, at least prepare something else."

Kazuho was a little surprised but paused for a moment, then nodded while putting on her typical smile.

"Oh! Sure, sure! Doesn't it bother you? You are a guest."

"And I'm a guest who will stay here for 3 months. What kind of guest do I have if it troubles my host? This is not a hotel, so at least I have to help you in something, including your work as a school teacher."

"OK. I accept your good offer! "

"Yes, yes."

☆

After helping Kazuho prepare food, Ondra sat in the dining table chair while tidying up the dining table that would be used for breakfast for all residents of the Miyauchi family's residence, except Ondra who was a guest and stayed in their house.

Ondra wanted to offer to wake Renge and Hikage, but Kazuho refused because he told him the reason that the young man was still not too familiar with the family members in this house. Reasonable reason and it was well received by Ondra, he just nodded and tried to tidy up the dining table.

Ondra understand the intent of Kazuho, indeed, if viewed it a bit cruel, but the reality is not so good like a fiction. He must be familiar first so that he can do something like that, wake up family members from the residence, because there might be a situation of misunderstanding that occurred and the older sister of the Miyauchi family didn't want it to happen.

He also did not want that to happen, because it would be troublesome and destroy the trust he made later. The young man with glasses didn't feel sad or sick, because he was also not very familiar with them, so there was no need for dramatic action.

The sound of footsteps rang out, showing three female figures who had come stepping into the dining room. Hikage and Renge still looked sleepy, the two of them yawned and rubbed their eyes, accompanied by Kazuho who looked at Ondra while waving her hand which of course the young man nodded in understanding.

"Ondera-nii! Nyanpasu!"

"Nyanpasu too, Renge."

"G-Good... morning."

"Yo, good morning too."

"Sorry, Ondra. It's troublesome for you to tidy up the dining table."

The young man shook his head while waving his hand at Kazuho.

"Ah, it's okay. I understand what you mean. Come on, have breakfast first."

"Okay! Renge, Hikage, wash your face first."

"Umh!"

"Fine…"

Hearing the orders of their sister, Renge and Hikage immediately went to wash their face, because it was still a mess due to sleep. Ondra can only laugh softly while just sweatdrop when he sees it.

'Somehow I also like that. Well... everyone like that too.'

Kazuho sat in her chair, as well as Ondra, while waiting for the two sisters from Kazuho to finish washing their messy sleeping face. It was completely different from the habits of Ondra, it was rare for him to wash his face when he woke up.

If Japanese are used to bathing at night because they are tired of work, then Indonesians are used to bathing 2-3 times a day and they do it because according to them bathing as much as that can keep the body clean and not look dirty—that's what Ondra knew.

But here he seems to have to follow their habits, which is to take a bath at night when there is work. Maybe also when going out with friends or there is an important event, he also has to take a shower because to maintain the appearance and smell of the body.

It seems like he will use perfumes and others to keep his body odor from becoming unpleasant.

For a moment thinking about it, Ondra heard a voice and saw two people he knew.

"Kazu-nee, we're done..."

"Finish! Breakfast, I want to eat!"

They are Hikage and Renge. It seemed they had finished washing their faces, especially Renge who seemed enthusiastic about the breakfast. Her eyes beamed, she seemed to feel impatient.

"Okay, okay. Renge, calm down a bit so we can eat calmly."

"Uhm! Renge understands!"

"Nice. Hikage, don't stay quiet. Come on, eat it."

"...O-Ondera is eat with us too?"

'Of course!'

Ondra who heard that he could only put on a smiley face while feeling rather annoyed, he did tsukkomi in his mind, seeing Hikage who seemed uncomfortable while pointing towards the young man.

"That's how it is. Come on, don't think about it. Come on, let's eat, the food will be cold."

'Ha ha. Take that!'

Hikage put on an expression as if she wasn't willing, holding back something which of course she tried to throw away what she wanted to say while taking her chair and immediately sat down. Renge immediately sat in her chair, so enthusiastic, followed by Kazuho and Ondra who also sat back.

"Alright, before breakfast... Ondra."

"Hmm? What's up, Kazuho?"

"This is your first day here as well as the first day to do the assignment, so I don't think you really understand the ins and outs of this village. Do you want to use today as a tour to know various places here?"

That made Ondra paused for a moment, trying to think about it, even though the answer he would issue was—

"—no need. I think I can go around on my own while doing my job. Think of it for me to get to know it better."

"Hoooh...?"

"If I can find out for myself, I might find some interesting things; eg hidden routes or instant routes to a place."

"I'm just worried if you get lost. If that happens, what should I report to your university?"

Taking a spoon of rice and some rice into my bowl, holding a chopstick, I looked at Kazuho.

"Then, I ask for your number. You have a cellphone, don't you? So if I get lost later, I can contact you."

"Isn't that not efficient? It's more efficient if I guide you so you don't get lost, right?"

"It is okay. Don't worry. I will be fine."

So true. Ondra did get lost even if only once but at least he could ask directions to the surrounding residents. Even though he was so afraid to ask strangers, but this could be a good opportunity to overcome the problem.

There's no way he won't get lost a second time. He had learned from his experience, so he was sure of it.

...even though he can't be 100% sure.

'The biggest thing is that I can be sent back to Indonesia...'

As much as possible he didn't want to because he was already in Japan, although at first he was rather complaining because it was placed in a village that was so quiet like this and not an urban area. Somewhat frustrated because of the quiet atmosphere so peaceful in this village.

"How's that…?"

"I'm still... not 100% sure."

"What do you think, Hikage?"

The person who was asked was a little surprised to hear that, even though she was nervous, she tried to respond.

"I... um. I guess that's fine, Kazu-nee."

"Hmm? Why do you think so, Hikage?"

"Sometimes, someone wants to know a foreign place by themselves. Think of it as a sense of satisfaction and maybe more able to know more about that place than just being guided like a tour. People who are guided while on tour, tourists, only know from the outside and not inside—so I guess it's okay."

Ondra and Kazuho paused, they were amazed to hear the words that came out of the Hikage. They don't know what to reply as to what, it makes Hikage feel confused and suddenly blushing—it seems like she is ashamed of knowing it.

"It's like that. I also... sometimes like that."

"...you know Hikage, I didn't expect to get an answer like that."

"Hikage is grown up now, it turns out."

"Hika-nee is cool! Amazing!"

"A-Awawa...! Stop it! We better have breakfast!"

Ondra and Kazuho just laughed at Hikage's current behavior, because her behavior seemed cute and could make them laugh, Renge clapped in amazement at Hikage who she said had such extensive knowledge.

Exhaling deeply, Kazuho turned to Ondra.

"Alright, as Hikage said, you can go alone."

"Thank you, Kazuho."

"Yeah, but remember... if you don't know how to back here, call me."

'If only there's a signal here.'

But Ondra nodded at that.

"Okay, don't worry."

With that, they returned to breakfast, so that their food did not become cold because it was left too long. Kazuho was worried, because besides being the person who proposed this assignment, she was also responsible for the condition of the young man while he was here.

She was indeed paid for by the university, as well as the promotion of this village, but she had to carry out this assignment well and as much as possible without any serious problems. She really must be responsible, can't be lazy anymore.