Htet followed Hana to the cafeteria, his stomach growling faintly as the aroma of food wafted through the air. The cafeteria was a lively hub, with long tables arranged in neat rows and students chattering in a mix of languages. Some groups laughed loudly, while others shared quieter conversations over steaming bowls of food. The cafeteria had a comfortable, international vibe, with some students enjoying Japanese dishes, while others opted for Western-style meals. The mix of cultures felt like a fusion, with different sections offering a variety of food options from across the globe.
Hana (gesturing toward the counter): “Alright, newbie, let me show you how this works.”
Hana (picks trays for each): “You grab a tray, pick whatever you like from the options, and find your seat. The key point here is to be mindful of others, so no rushing. It's all about good manners and enjoying the meal peacefully."
Htet nodded, his eyes scanning the rows of food behind the glass counter. The vibrant colors and enticing smells made it hard to decide. On one side were rows of neatly stacked rice, bento boxes, and soups. On the other side, there were Western options like sandwiches and pasta. The variety was striking.
Htet (thoughtful): “So… um… Any recommendations?”
Hana (smiling): “Oh, definitely the karaage bento. It’s crispy fried chicken with rice and a side of pickled vegetables. Simple, but so good. You should try it if that's your taste.”
Taking her advice, Htet picked up a tray and added a karaage bento to it, along with a bottle of green tea. Hana grabbed a similar meal, and they made their way to an empty table near the window.
---
Seated by the large glass panes, the two began to eat. Htet took his first bite of the karaage, the crispiness giving way to a burst of flavor.
Htet (pleasantly surprised): “Wow, this is really good, it's crunchy, juicy and just… wow!”
Hana (grinning): “Told you! Japanese food is amazing. You’ll probably find a new favorite dish every week.”
As they ate, Htet couldn’t help but observe the other students around them. The cafeteria felt like a small representation of the world. He noticed students chatting animatedly in Japanese, English, Korean, and other languages he couldn’t quite identify. A group of girls nearby caught his attention when one of them spoke loudly in French.
Student (excitedly, in French): “Ce karaage est délicieux !” (This karaage is delicious!)
Her friend laughed and replied in English, “Told you, Akiko’s food recommendations are always the best.”
Htet smiled slightly, appreciating the casual blending of cultures and languages around him. It felt like a dream.
---
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Before they continued their meal, Hana noticed Htet had just finished a bite of his karaage and was about to pick up his drink.
Hana (gently): “Ah, before we continue, there’s something important to remember. In Japan, it’s customary to say a few words before and after eating to show gratitude.”
Htet (surprised and curious): “Oops i just took a bite. So what do you say before eating?”
Hana (smiling): “Before eating, we say ‘いただきます’ (Itadakimasu), which translates to ‘I humbly receive.’ It’s a way to show appreciation for the food and the effort put into preparing it.”
Htet (nodding): “Oh okay, ‘Itadakimasu!’”
Hana (grinning): “Great! And after eating, we say ‘ごちそうさまでした’ (Gochisousama deshita), which means ‘Thank you for the meal,’ to show gratitude to the cook and to the food itself.”
Htet (enthusiastic): “Got it! ‘Gochisousama deshita!’”
They exchanged a smile, and Htet couldn’t help but appreciate the thoughtfulness behind these small but meaningful gestures.
---
After finishing their meal, Hana led Htet to the main courtyard. The space was open and bright, with benches under shady trees and a majestic fountain in the center. Students lingered here between classes, some studying, others chatting or playing games.
Hana (proudly): “This is probably my favorite spot in the school. It’s super peaceful, especially in the morning when it’s quiet.”
Htet (nodding): “It’s nice. Feels like a little escape from the classrooms.”
As they walked, a voice called out from behind them.
Liam (teasing): “Hana! Are you showing off the school again?”
Hana turned, grinning, as a tall, sandy-haired boy approached them. He had an easygoing demeanor and carried a basketball under one arm.
Hana (mock offended): “Hey, someone has to make the new guy feel welcome.”
Liam (smirking): “Fair enough. I’m Liam, by the way. Same class. You’re the new student, right? Sorry for not greeting you during your introduction. I fell off my bike on the way to school. Just a usual day for me.”
Htet (awkwardly): “Yeah, the name's Htet. Nice to meet you. No problem, but are you sure you're okay?”
Liam nodded, tossing the basketball lightly into the air and catching it.
Liam (casual): “I'm totally fine, just the usual greetings from life to me. If you ever want to shoot some hoops, let me know. We’ve got a court out back.”
Hana (rolling her eyes): “Don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to recruit everyone for his basketball team.”
Liam (mock serious): “It’s called team spirit, Hana.”
The lighthearted exchange made Htet feel a little more at ease. He could see himself warming up to these people, even if it would take time.
---
The afternoon passed quickly, with Htet attending a few more introductory classes. Each teacher introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of their subjects. By the time the final bell rang, he felt both exhausted and exhilarated.
---
Class scene: Science Period
One of the most interesting lessons of the day was science with Ms. Tanaka. The classroom was filled with lab equipment, microscopes, beakers, and posters of the periodic table.
Ms. Tanaka (enthusiastic): “Welcome, everyone! Today, we’ll start with something simple yet fascinating: the water cycle. I’m sure most of you are familiar with it, but let’s dive a little deeper.”
She picked up a marker and began sketching a diagram on the whiteboard. Htet watched as she labeled each stage: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.
Ms. Tanaka (explaining): “The water cycle is a continuous process that circulates water throughout the Earth. For example, when water in rivers or oceans heats up, it turns into vapor and rises into the atmosphere. That’s evaporation. Then, as the vapor cools, it forms clouds through condensation. Eventually, it falls back to Earth as precipitation: rain, snow, or hail.”
She turned to the class, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.
Ms. Tanaka (encouraging): “Now, can anyone tell me how human activities might affect the water cycle?”
A few students raised their hands, and Ms. Tanaka called on a boy in the front row.
Student (confidently): “Pollution can make precipitation more acidic, which affects plants and animals.”
Ms. Tanaka (nodding): “Excellent point! Acid rain is a serious issue in some parts of the world. It’s important to be aware of how our actions impact the environment.”
Htet found himself genuinely interested, scribbling notes as Ms. Tanaka continued the lesson. It reminded him of his old school, but the detailed explanations and hands-on approach felt refreshing.
---
By the time Htet returned to his assigned dorm room, he was mentally drained but content. The day had been a whirlwind of new faces, lessons, and experiences, but it was a good start. He unpacked his things, setting up his small space with a few familiar items from home: a framed photo of his family, a Burmese tapestry, and a few books alongside action figures that he cherished his whole life.
As he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts wandered to the day’s events. There was so much to take in, so much to learn not just academically but about the people, the culture, and himself.
Htet (thinking): It’s only the first day, but maybe… maybe this won’t be so bad.
A faint smile crossed his face as he drifted off to sleep, the sounds of the bustling campus fading into the background.
---(End of Chapter 2)---
