New School, New Life

My name is Bagas Samsudin, 16 years old. It's been 1 year since my father took me to Japan. Actually, at that time, I refused his invitation. I decided to continue my education in Indonesia for 1 year. Yes, in the end, I arrived in Japan when I was advancing to the 2nd grade of high school. I spent 1 year in Indonesia while I was in grade 1 of high school to study good Japanese literature. So I forgot something important in Japan, namely, the culture. I'm currently heading to my new school in Japan. Needed some adaptation when I got here.

Once one day, I greeted some people I didn't recognize with a genuine smile, like Indonesians greet. But, ended up with the sadness that I experienced.

“Hey, look! He's smiling to himself."

"Looks like he's crazy, huh!"

“Ah… what a shame. I just want to be a fish," I said.

For 1 year I focused on learning Japanese well, so I didn't have time to study the culture. I'm currently going to school in Tokyo. Maybe this will be difficult for me, especially when introducing myself there. This is a bit of a hassle.

The atmosphere here is very different from the atmosphere in Indonesia. For some reason, I was surprised when I saw the flowers blooming, let alone the cherry blossoms that adorned the road. The students also look happy when they go to school, even among them none of them use motorbikes or cars. This is different. They all walk and use bicycles to go to school. But it's a bit cold for me, maybe because the temperature in Jakarta is different from here.

"Cold..." I hugged my body with both hands to warm myself.

The uniform I'm wearing looks good on me too. This uniform wears a black coat with the school emblem on the left chest, and inside is a plain white uniform with the school emblem on the left chest. It seems that an emblem is very important for any school.

My father once said, “Son, in Japan there are 2 school uniforms. In summer you wear this!” My father showed me another uniform. “And this winter uniform!”

“Can you not put on a face like that?!” I said looking at my father's proud face.

Yes, although it's a little embarrassing. But he is my father whom I love very much, even if it is a little embarrassing.

I don't have a mother. My mother died when I was in middle school due to an illness. I also have a younger sister who is currently in the 3rd grade of middle school.

***

"So please introduce yourself!"

Crazy... I'm so nervous, they're all looking at me. This is the first time I've been nervous in front of people.

"My name is Bagas Samsudin." I lowered my head. "Greetings.!"

I hope I'm not wrong when I say it.

They whispered to each other as I introduced myself. Either I said it wrong, or maybe, they were confused because my name was foreign to them.

"Please sit over there!"

“Thank you, Sensei!” I walked to the empty seat near window number 3 from the front.

“Turn to page 21!”

"Okay, sensei!"

Although I don't have a favorite seat in the back, this seat feels comfortable because it is close to the window. Ah... the fresh morning air, even though I smell a bit of sock.

Oh, this is cool. There's even a place to put my bag next to the table.

The table is very clean, do they always clean it? I can feel the sun shining on this table. I also believe the wood material is the best. It's such a cool table, even I want to have it at home. Maybe I'll take it secretly, hehehehe. No, it can't be!

When I focused on the table, suddenly someone beside me saw me.

"Hello..." a woman said.

It was the first time a woman greeted me while in Japan.

"Hello!"

"Your name sounds so foreign. Where are you from?"

"I'm from Indonesia," I answered.

“Wow... amazing. I'm Maeda Mori. Nice to meet you!"

"I'm Bagas. Gree-” I realized that I mispronounced the name. "Bagas Samsudin. Greetings!" It should be like that since I'm in Japan right now.

Thank you animes for teaching me.

"So, Bagas-san."

I knew she would immediately call my name. Yes, actually not a problem for me. Besides, she didn't know that was my real name.

In Japan itself, very sensitive to the name. So you can't just say their real names. If you want to call him, you have to ask for his approval first. Usually, the name of the Japanese people consists of, family name and real name. For example, Maeda Mori. Maeda is a family name, while Mori is her real name.

"Yes!" I answered looking at the class.

"Excuse me, may I ask you a question?"

“Um… Go ahead!”

“Why did you move to Nihon?

I thought for a moment. If I'm not mistaken 'Nihon' is nothing but a 'Japanese' pronoun. The Japanese people call their own country as 'Nihon' or 'Nippon'. Luckily I found out from Mas Googte. Thank you, Sir.

I crossed my legs. “My father moved here for work. So, I moved here.”

"Oh, I see." Maeda Mori smiled faintly. "Good luck, huh!"

"Thank you!"

The lesson began. I don't have a textbook and only have a notebook. But it's useless, I can't write kanji. That's something funny to me. I can read it well, but can't write it. That's funny, isn't it?

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***