Barely into his second month in Japan, the change was dramatic, and not only because he understood Japanese. Back in the States, cliques ruled most schools, but they were nothing compared to the tight-knit groupings developed over years of being in the same classes that pervaded Nakano. David finally understood that the not so vague feelings of isolation he had felt throughout his first month had little to do with his lack of Japanese. The fact that David had not participated or been a member of any groups meant that most of his fellow students had, subconsciously or not, ignored him. The incident with Koji was an extreme symptom of being so different from his classmates. He was also realizing that Koji was rather unique at the school, but for whatever reason nothing was done about him.
With his new language skills, and inclusion in badminton and class activities, David felt as if a veil had lifted and his life had finally begun. Accepted, if cautiously, his life quickly became much fuller. He also noticed a new and strong pressure to conform. With acceptance as a member of a group came responsibility. He was amazed at how easily he could feel bad when he let a team member down, or when he lagged behind.
Among other things, David had difficulty adapting to the separations between each class level. At badminton practice, he was often confused over whether he should be helping prepare for practice or clean up. He knew it had something to do with the social pecking order, but he had yet to figure it out. Most of the time, whenever he tried to help, someone was there to take away the mop or bag of shuttles. Not knowing what to do in the various situations that popped up kept him from integrating as smoothly as he would have liked.
Things began to change on the Estate as well. Everyday David learned something new about the myriad aspects of the Matsumotos’ lives, yet there always seemed to be a vast store of knowledge to which he still did not have access.
Although David occasionally tried to talk about the accident, his hazy memories, their busy schedule, and the twins’ reluctance to speak about it made it easier for him relegate it to the back of his mind. Masao and Grandpa had made themselves scarce during the evening hours, making it easier to avoid thinking about his impending decision. According to the twins, the elders were off working in the dojo, doing research in the library, and training in the mountains. David was surprised, then, when Masao came into the main room while the three were studying together after Friday badminton practice.
“David, are you well?” Masao asked. He was dressed in his usual house clothes. David thought the yukata made him look as if she just stepped out of a movie. Simple, but stylish, it was a stark contrast to the modern Japan he was beginning to understand.
“I am OK, a bit sore from practice, but I think I am starting to get the hang of things.” David did his best to use formal Japanese with Masao, instead of the regular or common forms used around friends. His new language abilities did not fully cover the complicated social and linguistic differences.
“Good, good. David, Grandpa and I would like a word with you. Would you come with me?” Masao asked. Outside, Grandpa sat on the stone bridge above the pond meditating. When they were a few steps away, the old man gestured to a stone bench near the water, David’s favorite place to sit at the Estate.
“The time has come for you to make a most important choice,” Grandpa said as soon as David sat. “It will be all the more difficult since we cannot explain everything, or even much until after you make your decision. If you choose not to be a Jitsugen Samurai, I will stop the process that will eventually change your life completely. You will lose your new language powers, but will lead a normal life, continuing the path you began when you came here.
“If you choose to be a Jitsugen Samurai, you must do so knowing that it is a great responsibility, and you will have to sacrifice much for it. There will be benefits as well. I must say that Japan needs you, for a Kami would not have made such a sacrifice if it was not so.”
David sat for a long time lost in thought. His eyes fell into the black pond before him, the stars bright lights on the smooth surface.
‘What should I do?’ he asked himself. ‘This last week has been the best of my life, yet they want me to be some ancient warrior. I’ve had no clear path to guide me. No dreams of being president. I’ve gone from school to school, activity to activity, searching for the one that would hold me. Even coming to Japan was just another way to widen my experiences in the hopes that somehow I’d find a purpose. Can I take the final plunge, commit?’
As he watched the dark pool, David wondered at his thoughts, feeling as if once again he stood on the brink before a fall. A memory of Jessica popped into his head. She stood with his father leaning over a lab bench. If he picked this life, he would leave them behind. Sure, they would still be family, but they would grow apart because of it. ‘No matter what, Jessica would not let me get away that easily. She would be disappointed in me if I didn’t take the chance.’
Looking up at the Matsumotos, David felt his stomach drop as, in a small voice, he said, “You won’t tell me more?” They both remained silent. “I do not know if I can be a Jitsugen Samurai, but I will try.”
“So be it,” Grandpa said with finality. David finally let go, and jumped.
Back at the main house, David rejoined Rie and Takumi. Nothing had changed, and then again, it had. He suddenly felt as if there was a doom upon him, that he had a destiny greater than anything he could have imagined for himself. The fiery vision he had had before he fell out of the main room came back to him then, and he shuddered in fear. In the doorway, Masao turned back to David.
“David-kun, did you know that both Rie and Takumi practice kendo every morning before school?” Masao asked. David had noticed that indirect questions like these usually led to a request or command of some kind. The use of kun after his name was a familiar suffix that served to increase David’s unease.
“Takumi invited me, but I was never really able to get up that early. I have always been interested in martial arts, but I just do not seem the type, do I?” David answered weakly. He was embarrassed, and given the discussion he had just had, was afraid his sacrifices were about to begin.
“You will begin training with them tomorrow. You may still not quite believe the story you heard last week, but the training will be good for you.” Masao smiled a little then, adding, “In any case you need to learn how to punch something properly. You are a Matsumoto, and all the Matsumotos train. Remember: continue to keep what happened last week to yourself. Secrecy is the only protection you have for now.” Turning, Masao left the room.
“Protection from what,” David muttered, and then a thought hit him. “When do you practice?”
“At four-thirty,” Rie said brightly. David slumped with a tired look in his eyes.
‘She’s not quite back to the super energetic girl I remember, but at least she’ll look at me again,’ David thought. David went back to finishing his homework, trying not to think about having to wake so early. Apparently, he failed to hide his feelings because Rie laughed at his expression. Takumi simply reached over and started copying his English.
David’s room was dark, the only sound from frogs in the pond. Compared to the sparse rooms the rest of the family slept in, his was almost cluttered. In deference to David’s western upbringing, the Matsumotos had converted the old office at the back of the house into a bedroom. With a western style bed and locking door, the room allowed him a bit more privacy than the rest of the house. Since only sliding doors separated the main house’s rooms, the Matsumotos usually walked right through them. Flailing, David tried to hold on as his world suddenly tumbled.
“Hurry up and get some clothes on! It’s time to go!” growled Takumi. He had spent the last ten minutes trying to wake David up.
“But it’s only four-ten,” David said groggily looking at his alarm.
“We start practice at four-thirty but we run before that.” Takumi