“Ha, ha. Well, my boss would tell you I’m a banana,” he grins again, “but I like to think I’m more like a pomegranate. A little baffling when you encounter it for the first time, but once you figure out how to get inside, you find it’s sweet, charming, and really not so bad.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. That was a damn good answer. “What would you do if one of your students wet himself your first day on the job?”

His smile grows wider. “I think I’d come to you for help, so the real question is, what would you do?”

I push any possible answer back down my throat. I’m not the one being interviewed here. I already got this job. “What are your thoughts on corporal punishment?”

“I’ve never been a fan, and it definitely doesn’t belong in schools.”

“How would you describe yourself in one word?”

He searches the room. “Resilient.”

He’s good. Too good. I narrow my eyes at him. “What gets wetter as it dries?”

“Um … a towel?”

“WOW! Very good!” Manager breaks into applause. “You can do conversation with native speaker! Sugoi! Okay, thank you so much, Cybelle. Now, we will do Japanese interview. Please —” he flaps his hands at me toward the door. It’s fine. Without his insipid reminder I might have forgotten there was a door and hurled myself through the viewing window.

“Wait,” Zaniel says. “May I ask you something before you go?”

Manager’s and Bucho’s jaws drop. “Sure.” I sit back down. This ought to be interesting.

“I’ve just been wondering.” Zaniel leans forward, squinting a little. “Two things: May I ask where you’re from?”

“Oh. Canada.”

He looks surprised. “You’re Canadian?”

“Yeah?”

“Wow. That’s cool. And, um, can you tell me … hmm … what made you decide to teach English in Japan?”

It’s a good question. “I’ve always liked kids,” I say, “so it seemed like as good a job as any. As for coming here to do it … I don’t know, I’ve just always been drawn to the culture here. I especially love the fact that you’re not expected to grow up here the way you are in the west. I love the stamp rallies, the mascots, the point cards for everything … and, more than anything, I love how no one tells me to grow out of any of it.”

“And how has your perspective changed since you came to Japan?”

I snort. “My attitude toward people has definitely changed. You can’t get attached to anyone you meet here. They’re always coming and going, so nothing is set in stone like it would be back home. You kinda have to cherish every moment you have with people …”

Zaniel nods. “Ichigo ichie …”