Duane Swanstone

26 October 20XX

Japanese Club

WEIRD NAMES

They all have weird names. Shingo, Chickarrin, I think Jim’s the only one that doesn’t. Well, that is, when Chickarrin isn’t calling him “Guro-san.” Oh yeah, and Lisa, I guess.

“Hey, Guro-san!” she says, “Harowiin ni nani wo shimasuka?”

“Wakarimasen,” Jim says.

And, y’know, he thinks he’s good at Japanese, and most people think so too, but I swear, half the time that’s all he says. And it means “I don’t understand,” so, I call bullshit, a little. But who cares, he’s whatever.

“Un. Wakarimasu, yo,” Chickarrin puts her hand to her chin and makes a funny face. “Rokku san wa?”

“I’m ‘onna get together with my family and eat a shit-ton of candy. Oishii, desu nee. Isn’t that how you say it, right, Chickarrin?”

“Rokku-san wa Nihongo ga totemo jouzu desu nee!” she squeals.

“Oh, sugoi, you learned how to say that by yourself!” Jim says. He kinda had this jackass thing about him, I swear.

“Screw off, and no, I didn’t. Chickarrin taught me,” I say, “She’s my ‘Nihongo no sensei,’ she calls it.”

“You’ll need better help,” he says.

“Like you can do any better, ‘Wakaru-san!’”

“What’d you call me?”

“Wakaru-san!” I said,“That’s your new nickname!” I point at him, and Chickarrin starts laughing, and I like that.