Page 6 - Beating Some Sense
I am still watching over Daddy still fighting for his life. Vital signs are stable, but I don't know what will happen. He is a fighter, and he'll never give up on us.
Uncle Takanori is at his side too. He cannot let go of his beloved twin, of course. But he has a very positive thinking.
Takanori: "He'll make it. Don't worry! He has been in life-threatening situations like this, you know?"
Ben: "I just hope so."
Takanori: "Also, one of our relatives will visit us here. I got a call a while ago."
Shin: "Who?"
Takanori: "Your cousin from Germany, Alex Eisenberg-Kanonji."
Shin: "Eisenberg, eh?"
Takanori: "Now, now, don't get hostile, okay? Let's treat him properly since he is a part of this family."
Shin: "I'll try not to. Besides, who knows he may have a hidden motive."
Kokoro: "Shin... it's not like that, okay?"
Shin: "Fine. I'll just head out and get coffee. Anyone wants some?"
Kokoro: "We're fine, sweetie."
And so, Shin heads out. I'm just worried for him. Why would he change like that? His tough guy attitude is a given, but not like he is too cold.
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While in the plane, Alex is reading a Japanese phrasebook.
Alex: "When meeting someone for the first time, one must say "Hajimemashte". Awww... there are too many phrases to memorize!"
Katrine: "Your uncle told me that it takes a lifetime to study Japanese. From preparatory years up until high school, it's a mandatory subject. Even in college, they still study it. Your father hadn't even mastered it before he died."
Alex: "How am I supposed to interact with my relatives this way? Bummer..."
Katrine: "Don't worry, they are well-versed in English. They are very eager to see you."
Alex: "Watashi means "I". Watashi is a general pronoun used by both males and females, and should be used only in a polite manner. For males, "Boku" or "Ore" are used, but the latter is more of an impolite pronoun depending on the situation.
Great, this has gotten more complicated...
And always end your sentences in "Desu" or "Deshta" (past tense). Example... Watashi wa Alex desu...
Hmmmm... seems okay."
Katrine: "You'll never finish reading that book as we land in Tokyo. Oh well, time to sleep."
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The next day, I see some foreigners visiting the Mochi shop. It seems that it's a mother-son duo. Uncle Takanori greets them, and it turns out they are the relatives he talked about last night.
Takanori: "Oh, just across the street lives one of our relatives."
Alex: "Oh there he is."
They saw me...
Katrine: "You must be Ben Kanonji, right? It's so nice to meet you. Oh, here is my son, Alex."
Ben: "Hi there. Nice to meet you."
Alex: "Ummmm.... hajimemashte..."
Ben: "Ahahahaha. Relax, we can speak in English."
Alex: "I want to learn your language."
Ben: "Oh... hehehehe. Nice to hear that."
Takanori: "You know, he is like your Uncle Axel! He's very knowledgeable in tuning!"
Alex: "Ummmmm..."
Ben: "Oh... good. Just what I need. I have an upcoming race, and I need a good mechanic to work on my car. Can you come with me?"
Alex: "Mom..."
Katrine: "It's okay, just meet me in the hotel by dinner, okay? You boys have fun."
I showed him my car. It's a heavily modified Lotus Elise. Unlike Uncle Takanori's Elise which gets a repaint like a person changing clothes, I keep mine in green. Green is the color of hope... that hope that was given to me by Daddy when he adopted me.
And I like things "little", since I was called as such. Hehehehe... I just love lightweight sports cars since the cars of today are getting heavier.
Ben: "Shall we have a ride?"
Alex: "Oh, okay."
And so we go the hills nearby. I love this little scamp devour the corners. Alex, meanwhile, is somehow weird. He is like making an observation.
After a brief run, he checks on the car.
Ben: "Something wrong?"
Alex: "Hmmmm.... you have some moments of unnecessary oversteer."
Ben: "Yeah, well Elises can also get cranky."
Alex: "Your front suspension is way softer than I expected. You have to balance it out. Or at least a few notches softer than the rear."
Whoa... he can tell it? He didn't even drive the car!
Alex: "That's all I can say for now. The car's acceleration rate is superb, and the downforce is more than sufficient for track use."
Ben: "Impressive. But you never got to see your father, right?"
Alex: "Yeah, but Mom tells me amazing stories about him that I decided to continue what he started."
Ben: "That's the power of inspiration. It brings a person to success."
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We return by sundown. And Shin is outside our home watering the plants.
Ben: "We're back."
Shin: "Who's your companion?"
Ben: "Oh, Alex, meet my little brother, Shin."
Alex: "Hajimemashte... Watashi wa Eisenberg Alex desu... Have I gotten it right?"
Shin did not even extend his hand and perform a handshake to Alex. Oh dear...
Shin: "Ahhh... omae wa Doitsujin no itoko da. Eisenberg... aruhito wa Otousan wo kuroshtai datta. Omae wa sono hito to shinseki da no?"
("Ahhhh... So you are our German cousin. Eisenberg... someone wanted to kill my father. Are you related to him?")
Ben: "Shin, mou yamero."
("Shin, stop it already.")
Shin: "Kotaero!"
("Answer!")
That's it... this is too much! I punched him on the face.
Ben: "Fuzaken da!
(Don't screw with me!) What the hell is wrong with you!? You have no regard towards other people!"
Shin: "You think sitting pretty around here and just watch Otousan lie down like a vegetable will make any progress? How about you? Have you even made a progress in your career? Because of these so-called emotions, and bonding times, you'll never be able to move up! They are trash! You'll never be stronger! You can just afford to sit down and relax? How will you achieve your dream if you just do that?"
I grabbed him by the collar. As the older brother, I have to teach him a lesson.
Ben: "Ask yourself. How did you manage to achieve a lot in your life, if these so-called "trash" are the ones that moved you up? You become stronger because people care for you. People support you, and you'll never achieve anything alone! Look at Daddy, he achieved a lot not only because of his skills, but also the people that love him!"
Shin just lets go and he goes back inside upstairs in his room. I just can't stand Shin being like that. He's not the Shin I know!
Ben: "Sorry about that, Alex. It's just that we're in a turmoil right now."
End of Page 6