Reality Strikes by Karin De Havin

Author:Karin De Havin [Havin, Karin De]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 9 Yards Publishing
Published: 2020-04-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

The Perfect Accent or Bust

December 6-2:00 PM

Reality gave me a kick in the butt. The semester was almost over, and thanks to the approaching winter mini-break, I’d get a breather before finals. I’d finally have time to visit Tori’s family. What would I do about the language barrier? I could understand a lot more when I listened to conversations. Even though my vocabulary had grown from five words to well over five hundred, I still felt clumsy speaking. Despite the many lessons practicing the perfect pronunciation of the notorious vowel chart, my accent still sounded American. How could Tori’s relatives even begin to understand me? I knew just who could help.

I ran downstairs and punched in Kenzo’s number. Calling him without a sighting might tick him off, but he was the only person I knew who could improve my Japanese quickly. Setsuko just didn’t have as much patience.

I was sure he’d agree to help me boost my Japanese to a whole new level once I told him the lessons would be held at the Spa Love Hotel. I bet he needed some R&R handling such an important case for the PSIA.

Ring, ring, ring.

Kenzo’s voicemail picked up. “This is Kenzo Sawada, the ultimate tour guide, leave a message after the beep.”

“Hey, super sexy tour guide, I was hoping you could help me with a little promise I made to a friend. Give me a call.”

Putting down the receiver, I wondered what his reaction would be. I hoped he wouldn’t be disappointed I hadn’t had another paranormal encounter. Then I decided to call another person for back up. My Japanese needed the help of two teachers.

The phone rang and rang and then finally a familiar voice answered. “Mushi. Mushi, hello?”

“Hey, it’s Erin.”

Setsuko almost spit out her words. “I haven’t suddenly gone senile. I know your voice.”

Great. Guess I caught her at a bad time. “I can tell how your day’s been.”

“My host mother and I had a fight. She set me up with one of her cousins last night. Like I’m not good enough for her son? He turned out to be an obnoxious creep.”

Uh oh, trouble in host family paradise. “That’s a drag you wasted your time with some jerk. Do you want me to come over to the house and kick your host mother’s ass?”

“Okay, what do you want?”

Boy, Setsuko was a tough cookie. “You remember my to-do list?”

“Yeah, for your friend. What about it?”

“Well, she just called and reminded me I’ve only done a few things.”

“She should know you’re the worst procrastinator on earth.”

Ouch.

“You’re right, I’m guilty, but I’m starting my New Year’s resolutions early.”

Setsuko laughed. “I don’t think you need my help when you have Kenzo. Well, maybe with the hot spots. You know I’m up on all the trends.”

“Right, like wearing pink twenty-four seven.”

“You’re not very observant. I’ve changed to rose. It’s all the rage in Paris.”

“Hmm…Pink, rose, what’s the difference?”

Setsuko sighed. “And you call yourself an artist.”

I could see I was getting nowhere. “Look, I’m begging you to help me with my Japanese.

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