Japan

The plane's wheels touched down with a soft bump, jolting me awake. I blinked, disoriented, as the seatbelt sign flickered off. Dad gave me a gentle nudge.

"We're here, Ava," he said, his voice warm and steady. His fluency in Japanese was effortless, a smooth rhythm of words that I could barely catch anymore.

I nodded, groggily gathering my things. The airport outside was busy, filled with the familiar sounds of Japanese announcements over the speakers. My father spoke to a clerk in rapid Japanese, and though I could catch a word or two, it all sounded like a blur to me.

"頑張ってね,アバ," Dad said softly, ruffling my hair as we walked.

"Do your best, Ava."

We made our way out of the airport, the cool air hitting me as I stepped outside. Dad quickly waved down a taxi, speaking with the driver in fluent Japanese, giving him the address for Granma's place.

I barely understood the conversation, only catching a few words here and there. The driver nodded as he started the car, and Dad sat beside me, his expression unreadable.

"日本の空気はいいね," Dad murmured as we drove through the streets.

"The air in Japan is nice, isn't it?"

I smiled weakly, the words comforting in a way, even though everything still felt so unfamiliar. I was no longer in Los Angeles. This was home now. But it didn't feel like it—not yet.

We arrived at my grandmother's house, a cozy little place with a traditional Japanese feel. It felt like stepping into another world—one full of warm smells and memories.

Before we could even step inside, my grandmother appeared at the door, her face lighting up with joy when she saw me. She reached out immediately, pulling me into a tight hug.

"私の小さな赤ちゃんがこんなに大きくなった!ああ,こんなに小さかったのに."

"My little baby has grown so big! Ahh, you were so small."

Her words were a flood of warmth, but I could only nod awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. My grandmother kissed my cheeks multiple times, and for a moment, it felt like nothing had changed. I was still her little girl, even though I hadn't seen her in years.

"I made your favorite dishes for you!" she said, her voice filled with excitement, and I could see the effort she put into making everything just right for me.

I just nodded again, a little overwhelmed. I couldn't bring myself to speak much—everything felt so foreign now.

Dad laughed beside us, clearly enjoying the moment. He looked at my grandmother and said in Japanese, "アバ,日本語を忘れちゃったんだ."

"Ava forgot Japanese."

Granma paused for a second, then laughed heartily, a warm, melodic sound that felt like home. "Ava forgot Japanese?!" she said, trying to say it in English, her voice full of playfulness, but it came out in broken English. "No forget... remember... ha ha!"

We all laughed together, my awkwardness melting away just a little. For the first time in a while, I felt a small sense of comfort, even if it was fleeting.

As we were settling into my grandmother's house, I was still trying to adjust to everything around me when a sudden voice shouted, "スリ・リー!" (Suri Lee!)

I looked up, confused, but before I could even react, a girl my age ran toward me and jumped on me with a laugh.

It was Jia—my childhood friend, who I hadn't seen in ages. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized her immediately. She grinned mischievously, speaking rapidly in Japanese as she swore at me, "なんで今まで連絡くれなかったのよ,スリ!"

"Why the hell didn't you ever call me, Suri!"

I laughed nervously, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "I… I don't remember Japanese well, Jia," I said, looking at her with an awkward smile.

Jia smacked me lightly on the shoulder, her eyes widening in mock disbelief. "どうして母国語を忘れるのよ!"

"How could you forget your mother tongue?!"

She playfully punched my shoulder again, her grin still wide. "We used to speak it all the time. How could you forget me like this?"

Despite my nervousness, I couldn't help but smile at how easily she slipped back into her old, teasing ways. It felt like I had never left.