Business and Bows
NISHINOMIYA MIDDLE SCHOOL’S last period ends, and summer break begins. As we bustle off, everyone buzzes about vacation plans. Many are taking the bullet train to Kyoto or Tokyo to sightsee. Some talk about the beach and camping. Others have more industrious activities.
I gape at the workbooks Shiori shows off as we leave school. “English and Spanish summer classes?” Just looking at the foreign words, so different from our Japanese characters, makes my head hurt.
She pokes me with her elbow. “Eri, some of us enjoy learning languages.”
“If you ask me, that stuff’s too complicated to enjoy.”
Shiori laughs. “I can say the same about kimonos. All those knots and sashes—I don’t know how you can remember them, let alone think they’re fun. Speaking of which, is that what you’re doing? Working extra hours at your grandmother’s kimono shop?”
“For now,” I say hesitantly. “I’m thinking about doing something else to make money.”
“If you want something different,
