And Then, They Fell in Love

“Miss Adams . . You seem to be failing this class. I’m sorry; your parents will be notified as soon as possible.”

That one line had been spoken to her three times in one week. Three times, teachers had informed her she was failing their classes, and would be requiring a tutor. Apparently, the Japanese took their work very seriously, and if one didn’t understand the language, one failed. They took no prisoners.

The schooling was different to the one in her own hometown. Instead of moving from class to class, the teacher moved to you. They had no break, as she was used to, and their lunch break was extremely short. To Sara, the Japanese were focused on one thing - Studies. It wasn’t exactly a bad thing. The Japanese were one of the most intelligent cultures on Earth.

The school year was much longer here as well. In the United States, school started in August/September and ended May/June with 170 school days. In Japan, the school started in April and went 240 days. She still wasn’t sure when the school year ended.

“You’re the American student, aren’t you?”

Startled, Sara broke from her train of thought, turning her attention to the girl in front of her. “Yes?”

The girl smiled, and made a bow. “Suzuki Itaria.”

Right. They didn’t shake hands, they bowed. Returning one, Sara replied. “Sara Adams. Nice to meet you.”

Itaria laughed and grabbed a chair, placing her lunch on the table While most schools didn’t offer cafeteria’s, Sara’s did. It made a nice break from sitting in the same desk for eight hours or more a day. “You looked lost. I decided I should come to your rescue. Hard week?”

“Beside the fact I’m failing three classes after a week of school? Oh no. Nothing is wrong at all.”

Itaria laughed again, rolling her eyes. “Oh no.”

“I don’t understand the language, I can’t understand the . . .symbol things.”

“Kanji,” Itaria corrected. “Don’t worry. Most exchange students have a bit of a problem at the beginning. It does not help that many teachers are not very kind to them. They will get used to you, and you will learn their style. You might want to find yourself a . . .” Itaria stopped and rolled her eyes up in her head. “A . . tutor? Someone who helps you learn?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes. You could find one of those. I would suggest . . . Well, I am not sure he would do it. The person who could help you is a bit. . .how shall I say it . . . Rude when he wants to be?”

Sara was reminded of the boy in the supermarket. “I’ll handle it. As long as he doesn’t scream at me, I think I’d be okay.”

“Well,” Itaria shrugged. “He is a bit popular. . . A genius. Literally. Many attempt to take advantage of him. I used to date him. He is still a very good friend of mine. Look! There he is!”

Itaria waved a teen over, and Sara found herself staring once again at Ichijouji Osamu. He appeared more uptight in his grey school uniform, and it seemed to Sara his eyes were colder. It amazed her how anyone she had hardly spoken two words too could dislike her so much.

“Ichijouji-san,” Itaria greeted him, smiling. He grinned at her and sat down, and the two erupted into a conversation. It was clear the two were close friends. . .apparently more than that at one time.

“This is Sara,” Itaria finally said, turning her attention to Sara. “She is our new student --”

“We’ve met.” Again, his voice went back to that cold drawl.

Itaria sent him a slight glare and continued. “She is our new student and she is having a bit of trouble in some areas. I was wondering if you could offer to help?”

Osamu sent a look at her. “Oh? Just what do you need help?”

Sara spoke for herself this time. “The language. I’m having trouble --”

“Wouldn’t it have been smart to learn it before coming to Japan? This isn’t America; we do not conform to fit your needs alone.”

Sara was beginning to lose patience with him and she hadn’t even said a full sentence. “I made a mistake,” She spoke very slowly, determined not to be interrupted this time. “I’m regretting this now but --”

“So it’s your own fault,” Osamu stated, leaning back in his chair. “Why should I help you?”

“Because normal human beings with feelings help others!”

She had pressed her luck too far. One look at Osamu told her that.

“I’m sorry,” he spat at her. “Apparently, I don’t qualify under ‘normal human being. I don’t have time to deal with people who have nothing better to do than beg for mercy. You got yourself into this position- get yourself out. Leave me alone.”

With that, he shot from his chair, leaving Sara and Itaria to stare at his retreating figure.

She was seething by the time school was over. Her encounter with Japan’s ‘prodigy’ had left a bad taste in her mouth. Forgive her for being stupid, he had no reason to treat her as he did. Even if he was right. To Sara, that made it worse.

English class had been the worst. He had the nerve to accuse her of cheating off him. The entire paper was in English.

“I speak English!” she had yelled at him, ignoring the stares from others. “Why would I need to copy off you!”

“Never stopped anyone else.” That was his reason. His reasoning was beginning to hack her off.

Sara was trapped in her thoughts, and hardly noticed when she side bumped someone. It wasn’t until she heard what she assumed was a curse did she turn around. Her heart stopped.

Her day had just become worse.

Just as her luck would have it, the person she had offended yet again, was Ichijouji Osamu.

Fate hated her.

Osamu stood there, glaring at her for a moment, his fists clenching and unclenching in anger. “You --”

“Nii-sama?”

Osamu whipped around, letting Sara get a glimpse past him. A younger boy stood behind Osamu, blinking up at him in curiosity. Speaking in words Sara couldn’t understand, the boy tugged on Osamu’s arm, burying his head in the older boy’s shoulder.

Sara though she saw a hint of a smile.

That smile disappeared as Osamu’s gaze landed on her again. Without saying a word, he brushed past her, ignoring her as he went on his way. She glared at him behind his back, highly resisting the urge to use the four muscles in her middle finger.

Instead, Sara started on her way toward the apartments, only to find herself following Osamu. He ignored her for the most part.

Until they reached the crosswalk across from her building. All Hell broke lose.

“Why are you following me?” His eyes were fixed on the street, as if it had caused him some major offense.

“I’m not following you,” People said kindness killed. It was worth the effort. “I have better things to do than fan girl you. I’m sorry to crush your ego.” She sent a brilliant smile his way. “I am simply going home.”

“In my direction?”

“You just happen to be going the same way I am.”

If looks could have killed, Sara would have died on the spot. When the light changed, he chose to ignore her again and continued on his way. It wasn’t until she reached the elevator, she realized he was still in front of her.

“Now you are following me,” Osamu said as he climbed into the elevator, pressing the third floor. Sara shot him a look and pressed the sixth floor.

“I live here.”

He rolled his eyes.

Hearing a slight noise behind her, Sara saw what she assumed to be Osamu’s younger brother. He was holding his hand over his mouth, his eyes twinkling with laughter.

Wonderful. Even he is laughing at me. What a glorious impression I seem to be making on Japan.

The elevator stopped it’s climb, and the doors opened. Osamu shot her one last look, dragging his brother along with him.

‘Fine,’ Sara thought as she exited the elevator herself. “If this is how it’s going to be . . .so be it.”


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Author's Notes: Thanks to all the reviewers for the first chapter! They are greatly appreciated!