From Tokyo with Love
Chapter 6: Goodnight
  Ellie raised her hands upward and hugged Ryo out of excitement.   His heart started to pound rapidly. ‘Why am I feeling this? Why am I so nervous? And why is she pleased with that?’   Ellie smiled and wanted to laugh aloud. ‘Ha-ha-ha! He voluntarily said it! Ha-ha! I’m going to pass my Nihongo now!’   “Oops. I’m sorry.”   “It’s okay.”   “Actually, I’m going to ask you about that matter. But I think it would be awkward.” She smiled again. Let out a faint giggle. “That means we’re fair right?”   “Uh-huh.” Ryo smiled sheepishly. “Ellie, you said your surname is Yu. Are you half Japanese or what?” Ellie drinks another glass. She pours one and passed it on Ryo.   “Uhm. Yeah? My grandfather is Japanese.”   “Oh. So have you been in Tokyo or any part of Japan?”   “Yeah. In Tokyo.”   “My hometown is in Osaka.”   “Really? That’s cool. I like the weather in Japan and the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)”   “How old are you, when you went on Japan?”   “10 or 12? I can’t remember. My memory is not that great…” She paused. “Or you can say it’s, low. I can easily forget things”   “That’s bad. So you haven’t ever been back in Japan?”   “Nope. My parents barely come home. They’re just here during holidays. Approximately December to January.”   “Oh. That’s sad, me too I barely see my family.”   “Why?”   “Because I’ve been living on Tokyo and you know, work is.”   Ryo stopped telling his story. He remembered that he shouldn’t been telling this to anyone. ‘Baka ! You shouldn’t tell her, even though you’re friends, neighbor or what so ever!’ His brain screamed.   “What about work? So do you mean you’re not studying there in Japan?”   “Nope.”   “What is your work back there?”   “Ah... I’m... a... back dancer! Yeah. I dance when I have a free time... from school. Sing... Dance... Sing?”   “Whoa! That’s... awesome... you know what, I hate dancing. Or maybe because I on it, that’s why I hate it.” She express amusement, and continued, “So during holiday do you go home at Osaka and spend it with your family?”   “Sometimes.” He said in a low tone. She noticed the sadness in Ryo’s eyes.   “Ryo, for my opinion you should go home, in your hometown; at least once a month, to show your love to your family, especially to your parents. My mom always says to me ‘friends do come and go but your family with stay with you no matter what.’ Honestly, I kind of envy on you. Because anytime you want, you can go and s