March 20th, 2022, 12:19 AM
Well, from the bad news I learned today at least I got a new diary, which I’ve been needing for a month. I suppose you and I should get acquainted, new diary. I’m Keiko Kuromiya, how are you? Yes, I know treating my diary like a sentient being seems a little weird, but I’ve made a name for myself for being weird. Maybe this diary will end up somewhere when I’m older, those readers should at least know my name. I’ll get into the bad part of today now, it’ll probably be the most interesting thing to happen for THIS, diary #37. And yes, I’ve had 36 previous diaries.
It all started during spring break. I was hyped because who doesn’t love a break? I started planning outfits and stuff while talking to my friends but then my parents dropped the bomb on me just earlier today.
We’re moving to Japan the 25th.
Despite the sound of my name and my physical appearance (which is very east asian looking, except for the fact I have freckles from my mom), I’m Japanese-Irish. Papa grew up in Japan and was there all his life until college. He went abroad to study, where he met my mom. All of a sudden, his priorities changed. My Japanese grandparents weren’t happy for him wanting to leave, but he refused to stay. It would be easier for him to move to America where he already knew the language and was already familiar with everything there, compared to my mom, who would have to start learning and becoming familiar. To appease them, he did promise that someday we would move back to Japan.
Originally the plan was to move when I was eleven, but we kept pushing it off for another year, then saying to let me finish middle school first. Would there ever really be a good time though? I knew it had to happen eventually, my paternal grandparents were too stubborn to ever let it go.
So earlier today we were sitting around the dinner table at home, the very small and brown one. We were eating miso ramen, which Papa grew up eating. Some of the ingredients we can’t find around here though, not even at any of the asian supermarkets which annoys him to no end.
I’m just sitting there, enjoying my ramen, when my mom starts to ask me a question.
“Keiko, you know how your grandparents always wanted us to move to Japan?”
“Oh no, is that happening soon?” I shrank in my seat.
“Yes. We debated whether to tell you in advance or closer to the moving day. We couldn’t decide in the end so unfortunately we could only tell you now. I’m sorry Keiko.” Papa apologized, bowing in his seat.
“Couldn’t we have waited until I was older?” I protested.
“We’re sorry, but we already bought a house and everything, it’s too late to back out now.” Mom apologized again.
I was already close to tears, so I went to my room. I was sobbing for hours and hours. I stayed in bed for a good couple of hours, overthinking everything, which is what I do every day of my life, so that’s not very unusual.
I’m kind of annoyed they waited THIS long. Not just kind of, extremely, EXTREMELY annoyed. No, not annoyed, upset and angry. I knew this was happened at some point, but why do I have to find out this on my spring break, and it’s happening in four days? I think it might’ve been fun to buy a house with them if they just told me earlier!
I did suspect this though, because I was looking at a few colleges just for fun (listen, you can never be too prepared for college) and they were quiet and kept staring back at each other.
Anyway, at like, 9 PM my mom knocked at the door.
“Keiko, are you awake?” She whispered.
“Yes.” I sat up in my bed, revealing myself from the covers.
“Your father and I were talking. What if during holidays your friends can fly out to Japan or we can go visit them. I know that doesn’t fix us moving but I know how important it is you keep seeing them and everything.” Mom said.
“Please, I want to keep seeing them in Japan.”
“Alright. We’re leaving the 25th. Maybe we can have one last big hurrah before then?”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll tell them tomorrow.”
“Oh, and one more thing. We finally got you a new diary! Sorry it took so long. Okay, goodnight Keiko.” Mom handed me my new diary before closing the door. In darkness I come make out a black composition notebook.
Obviously, I wrote in my diary first before actually going to sleep. Which I guess I’ll be doing right now. Goodnight.
March 21th, 2022, 5:29 PM
Four Days Until The Move
Time is limited so I will be updating this diary after dinner, which I just finished. Today I had to break the news to my freinds. I also recorded the entire text chat. In the future my diaries may be fine literature and I’d like to look back at them if anything does happen to them. But also sometimes I can write conversations into my diary while bored and trying to think of something to write about.
Me
Guys I have important news I learned last night
10:48 AM
Clay 😠
How are you awake so early
Anyway what’s up that doesn’t sound good
10:48 AM
Me
You guys know how I’ve talked about how I’ll probably move to Japan someday
We’re moving there on the 25th
10:49 AM
Clay 😠
WHAT
YOU DIDN’T THINK TO TELL US
10:49 AM
Me
IF IT WAS UP TO ME I WOULD’VE KNOWN WAY EARLIER
MY PARENTS TOOK TOO LONG TO DECIDE ON IF THEY SHOULD’VE TOLD ME WAY IN ADVANCE OR CLOSER TO THE MOVING DAY BUT THEY DEBATED FOR SO LONG THEY ONLY THOUGHT TO TELL ME LAST NIGHT
10:51 AM
Lukey Boy
Your parents are a little stupid tbh
10:51 AM
Anneville
THEY WHAT?
Am I legally allowed to throw hands
10:52 AM
Me
No.
So like are you guys free between now and the 25th?
Would you guys also wanna like come to the airport and see me one last time before I go to Japan.
10:53 AM
CLEAR SHEPARD
I just woke up what the heck I didn’t wanna be hit with you moving away
10:54 AM
Lukey Boy
You should’ve tried not staying awake until 3 in the morning
10:55 AM
CLEAR SHEPARD
Whatever I’m not getting into a fight right now
Anyway Keiko I’m free today maybe we can do something? :D
I don’t care what my parents say though I WILL be there on the 25th. Just tell me what time
10:56 AM
Clay 😠
I’m free the 25th too
10:56 AM
Lukey Boy
Me too!
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
10:57 AM
Anneville
Me as well!
I’m gonna be on vacation until that day unfortunately so I won’t see you until the 25th but we’ll make the best of it!
10:58 AM
Me
Okay okay good
Let me ask my parents what time we’re leaving
10:59 AM
Me
Okay so they said the 25th at 5 PM
We’re basically gonna spend the morning going to places I grew up and doing like a last goodbye
We’re getting up at 8 AM to pack and everything
You guys can either come to the airport in the afternoon just for the send off part or join us in the morning too.
The car is getting taken by a friend so we can drive you guys in the morning but after we leave for Japan you’re gonna need a ride sorted out because obviously we won’t be there to drive you back home
This is the schedule mom and dad set up
8:00 - 8:30 Pack away stuff, put in the car
8:30 - 9:30 Eat breakfast at IHOP
9:30 - 10:00 Go to the playground at the elementary school
10:00 - 10:10 Drive past the middle and high school
10:10 - 11:00 Visit my mom’s side of the family
11:05 - 2:00 Drive to the airport
2:00 - 3:00 Bag checks
3:00 - 4:00 Lunch?
4:00 - 5:00 Wait until it’s time
5:00 Time.
11:10 AM
CLEAR SHEPARD
Do you know where you’re moving to?
How long is the flight?
11:11 AM
Me
Somewhere in Hokkaido
The actual flight itself is like 30 hours
We’re doing like 2 layovers
Gonna be a very long flight
I’ll be texting you in between landings
I’m gonna have to get a new phone though so I may need to like write a letter sending you my new number or something
Anyway we’ve been talking about this way too long Clara what should we do
Anyone else that’s free can tag along
11:12 AM
CLEAR SHEPARD
I can! :D!
Let’s hang out at 2
Maybe at the ice cream shop or something
11:13 AM
Clay 😠
I’m bored I’m gonna tag along
11:14 AM
Me
Kk see y’all in a bit!
11:14 AM
And then nothing else exciting happened until we met up.
Oh, I didn’t properly introduce my friends! Clay is Clayton Van Der Veen, Clear Shepard is Clara Shepard, Lukey boy is Lucas Slater and Anneville is Annika Granville. Don’t mind the joke names that’s just how I name people in my contacts.
Okay moving on. I cannot possibly explain and write all the conversations we had. I think the memories of today is better through the videos and quotes I took. But yeah we had fun getting ice cream and reminiscing the past years of our lives.
Eleven years of friendship and in four days it could fizzle out. Or we could become more bonded than we’ve ever been. I’m terrified, honestly. My friends have a better time staying close with people when they can interact with them. Personally I don’t, but our group has had people come and go.
There was once a girl Clara, Luke, Annika and I knew for a really long time. Her name was Jia Xun. She was one of the other few Asian kids in the school. Screw it, honestly, maybe even in the entire district. We met in 2nd grade. But a year ago on the summer before we were starting highschool she had to move away. Things went on kind of normally for like six months. We still talked constantly, we’d visit whenever we could. But after that six month honeymoon period slowly everyone else started to distance away from her. We made a new group chat just for the four of us. A group chat of the people that live in town, they said. I still talk to her quite a lot, she doesn’t respond much.
And sometimes I wonder, did I contribute to all that by accident? Is that why she doesn’t respond to me a lot of the time? What if I become the next Jia? Clay was essentially Jia’s “replacement”. We met him quite literally the day after Jia moved away. What if they ditch me and I get replaced?
It’s getting late. Tomorrow I guess I’ll bring it up to whoever can hang out with me.
March 22nd, 2022, 6:05 PM
Three Days Until The Move
I rushed through dinner to update my diary tonight. Literally shoving down chicken and rice down my throat. I almost choked, that was pretty fun. Mom and Papa tried to have a little conversation with me but I could only respond with my mouth full of food. Anyway, hopefully I can properly log everything that happened today.
Me
Who can hang out today
Kinda wanna talk about something important
Besides Annika
Mom and Papa are out doing important moving stuff so I have the house to myself for awhile
1:49 PM
CLEAR SHEPARD
I WOKE UP EARLY FOR THIS
YES
Do your parents know how to make coffee by any chance by the way
1:50 PM
Me
Yes
Also oh my god the prophecy has been fufilled
1:50 PM
Lukey Boy
Yes
Anybody wanna play some video games I can bring some
1:50 PM
Clay 😠
I’m also free
1:51 PM
Me
You guys can come over like right now if you want
1:52 PM
Lukey Boy
Kk!
1:53 PM
They came over in like twenty minutes. Maybe thirty minutes of them beng over, we’re in the tv room, gaming together, and having a great time. I’ve agonized over how and when to bring up the topic of moving, so I bring up Jia.
“Do you guys still talk to Jia at all? She doesn’t respond to me anymore.”
“Occassionally, yeah. She seems busy most of the time.” Clara said.
“Is that why we all stopped talking to her regularly?”
“Yeah, I think she’s very involved in new extracurriculars and she has friends in North Woods that she naturally got closer to since she probably sees them often.” Clay sighed.
“That makes sense. Do you think that… when I move to Japan we won’t be friends anymore?” I asked. I slowly breathed, biting my lip. I can’t cry here. Not in front of them. I hate crying in front of other people.
“Who knows for sure? We’ll do our best to make it work. Believe me, I felt the same when I moved away from my hometown.” Luke reassured me.
“Even if it does happen we promise our friendship wouldn’t end on a sour note.” Said Clay.
I was so relieved. I always was suspicious about Jia slowly getting pushed out of the group but it does make sense when I think about it.
After that it was mostly just. More dumb stupid shenaniganery, including but not limited to: Clara drinks so much coffee she starts shaking, Clay hates hiveswap, and Luke commits crimes in pokemon.
Another day better recorded with videos than in my diary. I wonder if they’d ever consider making videos playable in books or something. Anyway, goodnight.
March 25nd, 2022, 8:05 PM
3 Hours and 5 Minutes After Boarding
Okay, usually I am obsessed with my diary and recording my day but I was . get to do much else.
Gotta be honest, I’m a little tuckered out and sad so I’m gonna do a summary of today rather then a full detailed run down.
I woke up at like 6:30 to pack super early so I could dedicate some time to texting my friends. And to cry. This is something people do right? I thought if I cried in the morning I would have no tears to shed… but that didn’t do much I cried like every part of the day.
Then at 9 we went for breakfast at IHOP. We made a reservation since there was 15 of us. Us kids all sat at one end of the table while the adults were at the other end. We laughed, we all cried, we got a dessert. I also got gifts from Clara, Clay, Luke and Annika for some reason. Another diary from Clara, a new dress from Annika, what I can assume to only be a years’ worth of hair dye from Clay and some books about Japan from Luke. Luke’s been preparing for this since the day we met for some reason and he read up on Japan a long time ago and it was only fitting he pass them on to me. I never told Luke that someday I would move to Japan immediately so I don’t know why he had them since the day we met.
At 9:30 we hit up the playground at the elementary school. Luke never visited so we ended up recording a video like we’re doing an MTV house tour. Yeah don’t ask we don’t know either we thought it was funny.
At 10 we drove past the high school and middle school. We all reminisced about our middle school adventures and high school adventures. Then my friends all went to the airport since traffic was bad and my parents and I went to my maternal grandparents’ house.
We got there at 10:10. It wasn’t really a drive since my grandparents live right by the elementary school. I said hello and goodbye to a bunch of my relatives, though in all honesty I was more focused on talking to my friends. Grandpa and Grandma were bawling to my Mom and Papa. They love dad so dearly, since Mom grew up in a house of like, her and six other sisters.
Then at 11:05 we made our way to the airport. Traffic was bad, as usual. We got there at 2 for bag checks then met up with my friends for lunch. This was when it was really hitting me.
I mean we’re all in a position where we can visit each other no problem. Okay with some problems but those problems aren’t money. We’re not gonna be able to see each other regularly. I can’t tour my new school, talk about the teacher feuds and drama that the upper or underclassman have with them like I used to. I was bawling the entire time.
We finished by 4 and by then we basically had to play the waiting game. I was stressed out of my mind. I was too embarrassed to talk and let my friends hear my crying voice but I felt a little peace being surrounded by them.
At 4:50 we went to wait in line, my friends all joined us despite them not boarding so we could soak up as much interaction as possible. By then all of us were in tears and our parents were all starting to get sappy too. We started all saying goodbye. Then, it was the dreaded boarding.
They waved all in tears, I waved back, and I stepped down my gate, tears streaming down my face. My parents comforted me as we found our seat. I got the window seat and looked over and over at my gifts and my friends encouraging words. I wasn’t sure if I could be okay without them in Japan. I still feel that way.
I’m terrified. I can speak Japanese well. Papa has taught me the reading and I know katakana and hiragana fine, but I’m so bad at kanji. My grandparents in Japan wrote letters to me growing up so I could practice my writing, and though I have done my best to learn kanji I still need Papa to help me translate and read it. Thinking about this is starting to make me feel more upset so I’m going to try to calm down, maybe read one of the books Luke gave me.
The yokai seems interesting so I’ll tackle that one first. Later, diary.