I can see Yoshino now, and another co-worker blocked by the wall. They bow energetically, raising their keigo two more octaves. Bucho stops at the window and looks in. She waves at me with a deceptive smile. I know that if I weren’t sitting here, waving back, she’d be busting heads. I hear Manager off to the side explain that I am the resident English teacher who will do the interview, please do not be nervous, her English is perfect, but she is very nice, not like other foreigners … Oh, what’s that? Yes, that is her, but she is Tinker Bell for Halloween, it is only costume, please don’t worry, she is from Canada, not America, ha, ha, ha.

The new candidate does not pay attention to him. He is staring, through the window, at me. He looks me right in the eye, smiling so intensely that Manager has to gesture wildly to enter long after he has opened the door for him. Oh goody, a creepster. Just what I need to spice up this roller coaster of a career.

“Nice to meet you, my name is Cybelle.” I stand up and reach out my hand. “And you are?”

My interviewee’s fingers are long and warm, his grip is strong. Our hands bob up and down for a long time until, confused, he turns to Manager and double-checks in Japanese if this is his cue to introduce himself. Strangely, Manager is not disappointed; he’s so desperate to have another Y chromosome in the school that he’s willing to laugh it off and translate. No need to be embarrassed, yes, she does talk fast, ha, ha, ha. Just tell her your name.

“Ah, naru hodo.” His face lights up. “Pleased to meet you. My name is Zaniel. Yoroshiku?”

eleven

BEAUTIFUL SOUP

武士は食わねど高楊枝

One must put on a brave display, even in adversity

“Da-ni-e-ru?” Manager draws out each syllable. “Oh! Really? You have American name? May I ask, why? Daniel, is hafu?”

“No, not Daniel. It’s Zaniel. Zaniel Kamisawa. I know, it’s a strange name.” He blushes. “Long story. But now that you mention it, my father is American.”

“Oh, really?! You are hafu! Ehhh! So, you must be very good at English!”

“I like to think so,” he flashes me a smile that reminds me of a shark. A shark with perfect teeth. “But I guess she will be the judge of that.”

“Ah, Cybelle! I will get another chair … to watch you interview … but, please start without me! Please!”