The light dusting of snow on the ground means the possibility of ice, but I’m so used to walking from my family’s visit that I don’t mind crunching my way to work this Tuesday morning. Once again, I don’t see my temple friend today, which makes me a little sad. I haven’t seen him since I got sick. I only have eleven more chances to see him. After this, I have eleven more Tuesdays, and then I’m home. Unless I find somewhere to travel after my contract is up. Three more months of cold morning snow on palm trees. Three more months of “Mite, kowai” as I walk around town or go to work. Three more months of work, period. Things have been so busy at Zozo that I actually look forward to being out of a job for a while.

In the Zozo building, the downstairs lobby is decorated with giant kadomatsu and shimekazari decorations. I catch the elevator doors just as they close and find myself in a torrent of parents and children in winter gear.

“Belle-sensei, Belle-sensei!” The bustling mass of kids glomp me with their puffy limbs and chubby smiles. “Hello! How are you?! I’m fine, thank you!”

“Hi, everyone!” I try to high-five them one by one, and when that doesn’t work, I let them attack in one big cluster. “Hi, Soka; hi, Mimi; hi, Mami; hi, Sota; hi, Naoki; hi, Kotone; hi, Ai — It’s okay, Tomona, squeeze in! ‘High touch’! Sotaro, I almost didn’t see you there! What’s that, a present? For me? Aw, thanks, big guy! I missed you all so much! Akemashite omedetou!”

“Uwaaa! Sugoi! Mama, Papa, Belle-sensei nihongo shaberu yo!” The kids hurl themselves into their parents’ arms. “Sugoi, sugoi!”

“Oh!” the parents gasp and applaud. “You know akemashite omedetou! Nihongo jouzu desu ne! Happy New Year!”

“Thank you. That’s right! Have you considered taking one of our parents’ classes?”

“Ah, yes … class with Cybelle-sensei?”

“Well,” I pause. I hate this part. “It might be with me, but you may get another teacher. It’s really up to you!”

“Eh,” the parents look around at each other pensively. “Tabun.” Maybe.

“Okay, think about it! No pressure.”

We empty into another sea of children waiting for us in the lobby. Along with the exponential increase of students are the new hires: Yukako, Kana, Yukie, Ryoko, and Shigeyo have replaced Misaki, Yuki, Yuri, and Jun, joining Yoshino in the coolest team of teachers I’ve ever met. Seri-sensei, with her swollen baby bump, is surprisingly still here. My guess is it’s just for the week before her mat leave begins.

“Ohayou gozaimasu!” I bow to the teachers. “Akemashite omedetou!”

“Ooh,” Seri croons. “You know akemashite omedetou! Nihongo jouzu, Cybelle-sensei. Happy New Year!”

“Oh! You know ‘Happy New Year!’ Eigo jouzu!” I applaud back, which makes the other teachers laugh.

“How was your vacation?” Yukako asks me. “Did everything go well with your family?”