The Spring I Met You

by Tanya Mindo

Zoe joins the queue and stands behind a Japanese teenager who is wearing a short, plaid skirt. She catches herself shaking her head in amazement.

  She is wearing skinny jeans, a pair of sneakers, and now, three layers of clothing. The cold still penetrates her skin down to her bones. Staying in a tropical country did not prepare her for this.

  Welcome to Japan, Zoe.

  Chapter Three

  Zoe gets off at Kichijoji station. With one hand in her suitcase, she shoves the other hand into her jacket’s pocket, her jaw dropping as she marvels at the sight. Japan is so amazingly unlike the Philippines. It’s as if she is inside a comic book—in a good way.

  The signboards hanging on buildings are colorful and bright. She hears footsteps on the pavement mixed with the rushing trains passing just above her head. The sidewalks are wide enough for pedestrians, and she notices that there are no vendors who might block traffic.

  Many people come from different directions, but none of them spare her even a glance. It is, like what articles say, a busy city.

  Strangely, she feels an affinity toward the place, though it also feels so foreign.

  I will get used to this.

  Her teeth are still chattering. She drags her suitcase to the side so she wouldn’t block anyone, then she checks her phone for an internet connection.

  Crap.

  There is no wi-fi connection on where she’s standing. Hesitant, she approaches a Japanese gentleman in a business suit who is waiting for the pedestrian signal to turn green.

  “Excuse me, do you know where I can take the bus to the Mitaka International Hall of Residence?”

  He frowns. Without another word, he moves farther away from her.

  Alright, that was a bit weird.

  Perhaps, he couldn’t understand her. Elle was right. Very few Japanese can speak English.

  Fine.

  She approaches a middle-aged woman who just arrived.

  “Sumimasen, Mitaka Ryo wa doko desu ka?”

  The woman spins to look at her and speaks.

  Zoe is quite sure that the woman replied with complete details; however, she could barely understand what she said. She spoke fast and the only word Zoe could catch is the ‘desu’ at the end. As expected, she has a very limited vocabulary.

  The Japanese lady stares at Zoe for a few seconds, waiting for a reply. Zoe’s lips part, unable to say anything. After realizing that the conversation is getting nowhere, the lady bows and leaves.

  Zoe’s insides tighten.

  I am totally screwed.

  It’s freezing, and the only thing Zoe knows is that she’s at Kichijoji station. She has no internet connection to at least access a translator or a map.

  She draws a deep breath and then looks from left to right once more. Her gut feeling says that she should go left. So, she does. It isn’t like her gut feeling has been the best guide ever, but it’s also not like she has a choice.

  Zoe walks slowly, hoping that her phone will automatically connect to free wi-fi. It takes her a good five minutes before she decides to give up. She’s going nowhere. She has no idea where she is. She stands in front of an intersection, a cluster of people surrounding her, as she shifts her weight from one foot to the other.

  Should I cross? And then what? Where will I go next?

  With a low grunt, she chooses to walk back to the bus stop, afraid that she will end up getting even more lost.

  Alright, Zoe. You’re still in Kichijoji. No need to panic.

  But she can feel the tension in her body and the formation of a lump in her throat. She just arrived in Japan, but she already feels so helpless.

  Why didn’t she make sure that she knew how to get to the dorm? Why was she so stupid? She takes a few deep breaths. They don’t make any difference.

  Zoe knows that she must think of a way to get out of there. But at the back of her mind, she’s also aware that it will be difficult because she doesn't know how to speak Japanese. She doesn’t know where to take the bus or where to start walking. Besides, her suitcase is too heavy for her to drag.

  Zoe stops walking as soon as she arrives in front of the bus stop. She is back to where she came from, still clueless about what to do next.

  All of a sudden, Zoe gets the urge to cry.

  What was I thinking? Why did I think I could make it?

  Before her first teardrop falls, however, she feels a tap on her shoulder. She half-turns only to see a tall man with dark brown eyes staring at her.

  He’s around 5’11” and is probably her age. He wears a navy turtleneck, a thick, wool, black coat, and jeans. His hair is in a fade cut, short but neat. He looks like Japanese, but Zoe is certain that he isn’t pure Japanese. Overall, he looks decent.

  No, decent is an understatement. His long eyelashes, turned up nose, and chiseled jaw make him look attractive. While her lips are chapped, his lips look pinkish.

  In this weather?

  He shoves his hands deep into his coat’s pockets, his stare indifferent. As if he’s sizing her up.

  She narrows her eyes at him and then takes a step back. Why did this guy call her attention?

  Zoe squirms, suddenly alert. She can’t get mugged. She might just die.

  “Um… D-D-Dare desuka?” she stammers.

  Noticing her distrustful expression, he suddenly smirks and says, “Hi. I’ve been watching you for a while because you seemed like you needed help.”

  His accent gave it away. He isn’t Japanese, but a Filipino.

  “You’re a Filipino,” Zoe mutters under her breath.

  “Half.”

  And then her suspicion is confirmed. Not that it matters. Zoe lowers her head in shame for a few seconds. She suspected him of being a criminal.

  But it isn’t the time to be embarrassed. She raises her head and with a beam, she squeals, “Thank God, you’re here!”

  He chuckles and scratches his nape. “You’re welcome… I guess.”

  She blushes. That came out wrong. “No, I mean, I really need help.”

  Zoe inches forward to him. “I don’t know how to speak Japanese, and I’m lost. I’m an exchange student at the University of Tokyo.”

  He raises his eyebrows. “You are? I’m also a USTEP student. Are you going to stay in Mitaka?”

  She nods heartily.

  “Yes. Do you know where I can take the bus?” Her tone rose due to excitement, but she doesn’t care. She’s seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

  I can make it. It was just a bump on the road. Hah!

  “Yes, I do. I’m staying there as well.” The guy scratches his nose, then he adds, “I’m on my way back so you can just tag along.”

  She wipes the small tears that have welled up and nods excitedly.

  “Yes, please!”

  Kaito was walking from the station when he saw Zoe asking for directions. He knew right away that she was new to the country, so he felt the itch to assist her right away. Moreover, Kaito knew she was from his own country. She was a fellow Filipino. Instead of approaching her, however, he thought that it wasn’t his business. He looked away and headed to the bicycle parking lot.

  But he couldn’t help but steal a last glimpse of her. He noticed her walking in the same direction, her face crumpled with worry. Both of them stopped at the intersection. They stood across each other.

  Kaito quietly watched Zoe as the light changed to green. He walked toward her, but she stayed put, shuffling her feet.

  He passed by her. Curious, he spun around to see whether she finally knew what to do, but she headed back to where she came from.

  He deliberated in his head whether he should do something. After all, she was his kabayan.

  With a groan, Kaito turned around and started to walk behind her.

  It was like an instinct. His friends had warned him that he should refrain from helping other people, that others might take advantage of him. Kaito just couldn’t get himself to ignore somebody in need, especially when he knew that he could be of help.<
br />
  He found it funny when she looked at him with a distrustful expression. At that short moment, he was able to look at her up to close, and he admitted to himself that she was pretty.

  When she realized that she was safe, she wiped the tears that were forming in her eyes, and he was secretly glad that she didn’t cry.

  Kaito attempts to grab her suitcase from her with a small smile. She is too little to drag her suitcase around.

  “No, it’s okay. I can handle it,” she politely refuses.

  “Are you sure? It looks heavy.”

  “It’s fine,” Zoe answers, shyly. “Is the bus stop nearby?”

  He wants her to let him do it, but he isn’t the type to be pushy with a stranger. “Yes, it is.”

  They start walking to a different bus stop. Kaito walks on her left as she pulls her suitcase. She is tired and famished, but she just wants to get this over with.

  The bus stop is at least an eight-minute walk from where they were standing earlier. The Japanese watch Zoe with blank expressions. Some whisper. Kaito feels uncomfortable with the way they stare at him, too. It’s as if he didn’t offer his help.

  When they arrive at the stop, Zoe is wearier than she ever was.

  “Are you okay?” Kaito asks.

  “Yes… Yes, I am,” she gasps, trying to catch her breath.

  She should have given me her luggage.

  “You can only take the bicycle up to the station and then you can park it in the designated areas.”

  Kaito unzips his bag and takes a bottle of water. It is sealed, so he opens it for her. “Here you go.”

  Zoe is thirsty, so she doesn’t have the motivation to reject his offer. She says thanks and immediately takes the bottle from Kaito’s hand.

  He points to a grocery store near them. It has a cute, blue penguin logo in front. It looks quite big and colorful.

  “That is Don Quijote. You can shop there for food and supplies. They’re selling cheap stuff, so if you’re on a budget, consider buying from that store. There are also grocery stores that sell less expensive food and supplies near the dorm.”

  She nods and says coyly, “I’ll buy you a bottle of water.”

  Kaito half-shrugs. “Don’t worry about it.”

  The bus arrives shortly. Before she can grab her suitcase, Kaito pulls it away.

  “I’ll take care of it from here.”

  He doesn’t want to see her struggle with it. Plus, there are people in line who might get inconvenienced. He carries it to the bus. Zoe sees him tap his wallet on the machine near the driver, and it beeps.

  She follows him as she fumbles through her wallet for money. The Japanese currency is twice the Philippine Peso. She is about to put in a bill when Kaito stops her and says, “I got you covered.”

  She winces out of embarrassment. This guy is her savior. How can she ever repay him for this?

  The bus is a little cramped. Kaito grabs a handle and then points to an empty seat in front of him. “Sit here. Come on.”

  She looks around the bus and is amazed. It is spacious and clean, and it has buttons to alert the driver if a passenger is getting off at the next stop. Kaito smiles to himself secretly as he notes Zoe’s expression. She sits on the only available seat Kaito saved for her and looks up at him.

  “T-Thanks,” she mumbles, bashful. “I will pay you back for this.”

  “It’s cool,” he says. “It’s been so long since I’ve talked to a Filipino. I got you.”

  Zoe’s cheeks turn pink. She stares out the window as Kaito tries to explain every stop. They pass by the Ghibli museum and the Inokashira Park. Zoe clasps her fingers together.

  “Have you seen any Ghibli films?” Kaito asks.

  “Yes, I liked My Neighbor Totoro the best. How about you?”

  “Grave of the Fireflies.”

  “Ah yes, that’s one of the best.”

  Kaito cocks his head to the side. “You didn’t find it too sad?”

  “It was sad, but it was fair.” Zoe’s eyes turn serious. “I mean, it was fair that we also saw a side of the innocent Japanese citizens during the war. It wasn’t like nobody died in Japan during that period.”

  He grins. “Smart.”

  Her cheeks turn pink again.

  People walk on the sidewalk. She can hear traffic noises outside, yet the area appears peaceful. Her body becomes more relaxed.

  “Our stop will be Shinkawa-dori. We’ll just walk from there.”

  “Is the dorm close to that stop?” she asks.

  “It’s another five to ten minutes,” he answers.

  Zoe’s shoulders slump in disappointment.

  Kaito smiles supportively. “You’ll get used to it.”

  A few minutes later, they arrive at the gate of the Mitaka dormitory. The buildings are old, with cracks visible in every corner, but Zoe can tell that they are sturdy and have passed the test of time. Kaito lets Zoe look around and thinks that it’s funny how her expression changes with every new thing she lays her eyes on.

  “It’s so quiet,” Zoe murmurs.

  For the exchange program, it is exactly what she needs. Peace.

  “You have to go to the common hall first for the registration. You can check out the entire residential area later, although there isn’t much to see honestly.” He pauses for a bit and continues, “Oh, actually, there’s a tennis court near the building. In case you play.”

  “I don’t, but I might,” she says half-heartedly. She isn’t athletic, so that is unlikely.

  Zoe takes her suitcase from Kaito. Their fingertips brush against each other for a split second.

  “Okay, now it’s my turn,” Zoe says. “Thank you so much for helping me.”

  “I’ll take you to the hall.”

  “Really? Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I have nothing to do anyway,” Kaito replies nonchalantly.

  Zoe doesn’t know what else to say. She can’t find any reason to not let him. Kaito walks ahead as she trails behind him.

  The common hall is enormous and has plenty of random materials and equipment inside. Musical instruments, desks, chairs, basketball and volleyball equipment, and even comic shelves are placed at the back. The appliances donated by previous dormers occupy most of the hall.

  Kaito stays with her the entire time as she fills out the application. He interprets for both the Mitaka tutor and Zoe as they discuss rules and other relevant information. He discovers that her name is Zoe Torres, then he wonders if he has even introduced himself to her. Maybe later.

  Afterward, Kaito teaches her how to pay for the internet connection and how to rent a bicycle.

  She chooses a silver one with a basket in front then gives it a test ride. Kaito just stands with hands in his pockets as Zoe happily circles the area in front of the hall.

  “I haven’t ridden a bicycle in a long time,” Zoe says as she presses the brakes to stop next to Kaito.

  “How is it?”

  “It’s fun!”

  Zoe pauses and bites her lip, her smile fading away. This is supposed to be a road-to-independence sort of trip. So far, it hasn’t gone according to plan.

  “What is it?”

  Perhaps she’d just let it go. It is her first day after all. She deserves to cut some slack.

  “It’s nothing.”

  She parks the bicycle at the designated parking lot. She is assigned in Building B, while Kaito is in Building C. They will be across from each other.

  They return to the hall to pick up her refrigerator. The tutors offer their help on carrying the refrigerator to her room. Once more, Kaito volunteers to carry her luggage to the third floor because the building doesn’t have an elevator. She won’t be able to take her luggage upstairs by herself.

  “You don’t have to do this. It’s alright,” she says as they ascend the stairs.

  Kaito senses the embarrassment in her tone. He wishes that she stops feeling sorry, but he understands. They don’t know each other.

  But Kaito
sincerely doesn’t mind. He’s more than willing to give her a hand. Again, it is an instinct. He might be a little indifferent to other things, but not to this. He doesn’t like seeing people having a hard time.

  “Your luggage is too heavy for a shortie like you. You don’t want to get any shorter than you already are, right?” he teases to lighten the mood a bit.