November 10th 2612

From:

To:

Hey Hikari,

(I told you I'm gonna be using that nickname, so get used to it, haha)

How are you and Akira doing? How is your Auntie Chiharu? Things are going "business as usual" in Black Elm. Aside from the continued fights between our parents and the stress it brings us, the twins and I are fine. I'm starting the last quarter of eleventh grade and man, I wasn't prepared for how grueling it is. The curriculum back home necessitates that students in the eleventh grade take two foreign languages, none of which can be the languages they speak at home, so I couldn't just go the easy route by taking New Guinea Pidgin or Indonesian. I really wanted to add Silver Pine Sign Language to my schedule, so that I could better communicate with Ezie if I ever visit you guys again, but my dad discouraged me by saying there would be no reason to do it since the chance of our family going on another vacation to the same planet is slim to none. This of course fueled another debate between him and my mom. Headache, am I right? I don't get why they always argue about every single thing. They're impossible! Their personalities are so different—Dad doesn't like surprises and is a meticulous planner, while Mom is an explorer who loves adventures and excitement; I wonder how they got together.

So, anyway, I'm taking Japanese (because why not) and Latin. Yeah, I know that the latter is a dead language but it's helpful for aspiring scientists and also for someone like me whose dad is pushing him to memorize biblical passages in his free time. I don't find Latin too difficult but Japanese is a beast. You should consider yourself lucky it is your mother tongue. Those hiragana and katakana drills are kicking my butt. I got all of the little symbols mixed up but you know what, I promise to keep on trying because I do want to be writing to you in Japanese one day.

Nardho and Nardhia are sending you their hugs. They wanted to let you know that they have finally caught up with the latest episodes of Angelic Siena and are excitedly waiting to hear your theory about what could happen next with the titular protagonist and her friends. Me, I think the animator is plotting something terrible for the second volume of that series, but we shall see.

Aku rindu kamu (that's "I miss you" in Indonesian),

Johan

November 12th 2612

From:

To:

Hey to you as well Johan,

Arigatou for writing! Akira and I are doing alright. Auntie Chiharu is hanging in there and we are all keeping an eye for her as she begins her routine trips to the hospital every other day for check-ups and consultation with the kidney specialists. She is also working with a dietician to come up with adjustment to her diet in preparation for the kidney transplant, which if everything goes right will be taking place sometime in the next couple moths. Akira is understandably on edge about it, asking Uncle Lee repeatedly if she could stay home from school for a while to be with her mother in case the transplant fails and she would be motherless. It pains me to see my dear cousin so pessimistic but I have to admit that she is seeing the world through a realistic lens.

As for Ezie, Baz, and Aiden...

Dude, I don't even know where to begin but I guess I could summarize the events of the last few weeks (I got their permission to fill you in about the matter at hand). On the Eve of Pinean Founders' Remembrance Day, I accompanied Akira and Otou-san on a shopping trip to fetch several key ingredients Oka-san told us to get to make sukiyaki. Just as we were about to load the groceries onto our car, Akira got a lengthy text from Ezie saying that he needed us to meet him at Platform 7 of Mizunotori Train Station immediately because it seemed Aiden was in trouble. Ezie said the poor guy was running away from his abusive, drunken, deadbeat dad.

We arrived to see Ezie comforting a crying Aiden, who confessed that for several nights in a row he was coming home hungry and the fridge would always be empty. According to his confession, he tried to feed himself by stealing cash from his dad's wallet but after a few nights of doing so he unfortunately got caught. Aiden was beaten real bad he sustained some bruises on his back and broke his left arm. When Ezie found him, he was shivering under a sleeping bag and there was a cardboard sign with his handwriting, which said "young victim of an insanely dysfunctional household, please spare loose change so that I don't starve or freeze to death."

Uncle Lee brought Aiden to our home and Oka-san made a shoulder sling for his broken arm and fixed him a meal to eat. A serious discussion ensued between the three other adults in the dojo and Ezie. It was a very long discussion, but the gist of the situation was that Uncle Lee was ready to adopt Aiden if only he didn't have Auntie Chiharu to take care of. Hearing that, Otou-san offered to go through with the adoption in Uncle Lee's place, but after talking to Aiden, who refused the offer because he is (and I quote) "not a charity case to be pitied", everyone agreed to let the Swenson brothers decided what to do on their own, as unbelievable as it might sound.

As it turned out, the Mizunotori Boarding School for the Deaf has a program in which the siblings of any enrolled student can stay on a motel next to the campus for up to a year in an immersion program called "Hearing the World through Deaf Ears". The program is free as long as the participants help around the campus by cleaning the halls and classrooms, taking turns cooking in the communal kitchen, being an assistant in the principal's office, or tutoring the Mizunotori students during the daily music lessons—Baz will get back to us on the fine prints.

This arrangement would obviously be a temporary one, but I'm glad Aiden doesn't have to live in a place where he would regularly face physical abuse. It's insane how a dad can be so ruthless.

P.S.: Tell Nardho and Nardhia I said hi and that I believe something horrifying might happen in the next few episodes of Angelic Siena but also I'm not that worried since everybody has magic to rely on. Oh, and Johan, if you want me to proofread your Japanese homework just tell me.

Boku mo kimi aitaidesu (I miss you too),

Kenta

November 11th 2612

From:

To:

Goodness gracious Hikari!

I'm at loss for words. What can I say to let Aiden know that I sympathize with him? It's likely that nothing I can say will bring comfort to that boy. I understand now where all of his past awful behavior toward you came from—he must be frustrated and tried to use his jealousy of your peaceful home life as an explanation for why he is so unhappy. It's a miracle that he's working toward being nicer and kinder and I do hope the program at the Deaf school is helping a bit.

Actually, I've been toying with the idea of running away and taking the twins with me, but it's just that, an idea. A part of me is horrified at Aiden's action—stealing money and living at the train station are extremely risky—but another part of me is impressed at him for doing what I am too scared to do. What stops me from running away is the knowledge that I could scarcely get a decent job without a high school diploma and without a job I wouldn't be able to support two growing kids, not to mention Mom would be sad about her oldest son leaving her forever. This brings me to my next point: Hikari, do you think my wanting to go to Blue Orchid University is a form of escapism? Do I really want to study xenobiology or am I simply looking to escape a nightmare? Does it make me a coward, escaping a terrible home life while my siblings are stuck?

And I'm dealing with something else too. There's a person I think I'm falling in love with, but I'm afraid of telling this person directly because, as I'm sure you understand, rejection would hurt. On top of that, confessing to that person means accepting that I have to defy what my dad has been indoctrinating me all these years, the stuff about men not allowed to be with men. Maybe I'm just indecisive. Maybe when I go to college I should try to get to know more girls.

Your confused friend,

Johan

November 16th 2612

From:

To:

Dearest Johan,

Aiden seems to have settled down no problem at the Mizunotori Boarding School motel and he gradually learns from Baz the ins and outs of how deaf and hard-of-hearing students perceive music. Akira and I visited the motel last weekend and Aiden demonstrated what Baz has taught him about muscle memory and using one's eyes to observe the finger positions used in organ songs. The two of them even collaborated on possibly negotiating with the Deaf School principal and the East Hinotori High principal about having a joint Winter Ball, with Baz ensuring the details of the acoustics of the dance floor is deaf-friendly and Aiden overseeing the Ball's committee, which also includes Akira and me. Interesting development, don't you think? I am surprised myself. A few short months ago, I would be too shy to embark on such a big project.

As for your family situation, I'm sorry. I'm sending you my warmest hug. It sounds like your parents' fight have stressed you out a lot. I may not know how it feels to have parents fighting days and nights, but nonetheless my heart goes out to you and your siblings. I wish I could just snatch the three of you away, no joke. If only we can say abracadabra to make our problems disappear... Alas, magic only exists in the pages of Nardhia's fairytale books and TV shows.

For the record, I would NEVER ever think wanting to escape a bad home life is a sign of cowardice. If I were you, Johan, I would want a way out too. Just focus on a better future for yourself that you will get by going to a good college like Blue Orchid University. I promise you're not selfish, you're just doing what you can to help yourself and by helping yourself you help your parents focus on taking care of your younger siblings since they don't have to worry about you. If I were Nardho and Nardhia, I would be very proud of having a brother like you.

Now, onto your question about confessing to a person you love. I get that you're afraid he might reject you, but what's the worst that could happen? Your heart breaks from him saying no, but you would heal and maybe find another person to love. I know, easier said than done, as I too have a person I am yet to confess to. Let's make a deal, Johan. If you do end up trying to be with a girl and it does not work out because you just can't find girls as attractive as boys, you HAVE to finally accept that you're meant to be with a boy. Do that and I'll confess to my crush, okay?

Thinking of you from afar,

Kenta