chapter 10
Ami’s Dream and Summer Vacation
Having gotten used to junior high life, and with the heat growing stronger, it could only mean one thing—summer vacation.
“Ami, what are you going to do for summer vacation?”
Masami came over to where Ami and Reiko were sitting.
“Of course, I’m going to paint, paint, and paint some more! Without the nuisance of school, I can keep painting until the sun rises, without a care in the world. Then I’ll fall asleep to the lullaby of little birds chirping. And when the sun sets, I’ll wake up again and paint and paint and paint some more. The best summer vacation ever! I can’t wait!”
Even while sitting in her chair, Ami’s feet were tapping as if she were about to dance.
“You sound just like a vampire,” Reiko muttered with a look of exasperation.
“What’s wrong with that? I’m becoming paint itself. So don’t treat me like a human anymore!”
“That won’t do. Even during summer break, track and field practice is every single day!”
Reiko declared calmly.
“What!? No way! I can’t believe it. In this heat, going outside is suicide!” Ami cried in despair.
“Don’t worry—our teachers know that too. So track practice is held early in the cool mornings,” Reiko explained breezily.
“I’m skipping…”
“There’s no such thing!”
“Then I quit track!”
“I won’t allow it!”
“Masami, heeelp…” Ami whined, burying her face into Masami’s lap.
“My, my, you two sure look like you’re having fun,” Masami said softly, hugging Ami and stroking her back.
“So, Masami, what are you going to do for summer break?” Reiko asked.
“Me? Nothing at all. That’s why I came to play with you two.”
“What, nothing at all?” Ami looked up from Masami’s lap, pouting.
“I thought you were in some club, Masami?” Reiko asked again.
“Yeah, now that you mention it, what club was it?” Ami asked uncertainly.
“The Broadcasting Club!” Masami puffed her cheeks slightly, annoyed they had forgotten.
“Wait, that’s a real club? I thought it was just the school’s broadcast committee!”
That was the last straw. Masami shoved Ami off her lap, ending her comfy nap.
Back in fifth grade, Masami had told her teacher she wanted to be a TV scriptwriter, which was popular at the time. The teacher suggested she join the Broadcasting Club, and so she did. At this school, once you entered, you stayed unless you quit. Broadcasting took skill, and the teachers respected the members. That pride motivated the club to take their daily work seriously.
“What do you mean, broadcast committee?” Masami asked sharply.
“Well, you know, like the ones who set up the microphone at assemblies, or test the speakers at sports day…” Ami muttered.
“That’s all us! The Broadcasting Club!” Masami snapped, getting worked up at Ami’s ignorance.
Reiko jumped in to diffuse it. “But it’s nice, isn’t it? You guys get to sit in the best seats during assemblies. Even the teachers have to stand, but not you. I’m always jealous.”
“Yeah, now that I think about it, you really have the best deal,” Ami chimed in.
“Don’t be fooled—it’s hard work hauling out mics and amps. And it’s on rotation, so it’s not like I always get to sit,” Masami said, feeling cornered.
“Hey, can I join the Broadcasting Club too?” Ami asked, eyes sparkling.
“No way. You can barely make it to school as it is—there’s no way you could handle it,” Reiko scoffed.
“Exactly. We can’t rely on someone who skips. Plus, you have to come earlier than everyone else on days you’re on duty.”
“Ehh… early mornings?”
“Of course!” Reiko scolded Ami before Masami could.
“But wait—Broadcasting Club doesn’t even have practice, right?” Reiko asked.
“Right. We don’t do anything outside of school broadcasts.”
“Then I definitely want to join!” Ami declared, seeing this as her only escape from track.
“What are you talking about! You joined track to build stamina!” Reiko snapped.
“But give me a break for summer vacation at least!” Ami pleaded, clutching Masami’s hand and glaring at Reiko.
“So Ami-chan really is amazing,” Masami said softly.
“I’m not! I said I didn’t want to, but Reiko forced me into track!” Ami pouted.
“I thought you joined because you liked track. But if you don’t, it won’t last,” Masami said, pulling Ami back into her lap protectively.
“That’s why I’m keeping her from giving up,” Reiko shot back.
“Well I’ve already given up!” Ami groaned.
“Summer vacation hasn’t even started yet. You can give up after,” Reiko retorted.
“And besides, it wasn’t even my idea to push you into track!”
“Then… was it Emi-nee?”
“Bingo. Don’t blame me. Emi said you’re lazy and begged me to keep you in line.”
“So I was tricked after all!” Ami groaned.
“Wait, who’s Emi?” Masami asked, lost.
Reiko explained cheerfully, “Emi is our piano teacher, Ami’s aunt. She says playing piano—well, any instrument—uses your whole body. A performance can last two hours, draining nerves and muscles. It’s hard labor, so you need strong stamina and mental strength to endure. Otherwise, you can’t be a true musician. That’s why Ami’s in track—for her own good.”
“Who said I was going to be a pianist!?” Ami yelled, angry her path was being decided for her.
“Don’t worry, you’ll understand someday,” Reiko replied coolly.
“That’s just Emi-nee’s words again, isn’t it?” Ami snapped.
“Bingo again! You’re sharp today, Ami!” Reiko teased.
“So what do you want to be, Ami-chan?” Masami asked seriously.
“Well, a painter for now. But I don’t care if I can’t live off it. I just want to paint when I feel like it, sip tea with the afternoon sun, watch the sunset until it gets dark, and when I feel happy, paint again. That’s all I need.” Ami’s face lit up with joy.
“So basically, just a lazy bum!” Reiko shot down her rose-colored dream like crushing a fake flower in a toilet.
“I get it! I want that kind of life too…” Masami sighed dreamily. As a literature girl always lost in fantasies, she understood Ami’s feelings well.
“Oh, come on! Don’t you two realize? You’ll have to work someday, get married, have kids. You can’t just live on sunlight and tea forever!” Reiko scolded.
“Well, I’m not getting married!” Ami declared.
“Then what about you, Reiko? What’s your dream?” Masami asked, calming Ami down.
“I’ll definitely become a piano teacher. I want to be like Emi-san!” Reiko said firmly.
“Huh, really? I thought you were doing track to aim for the Olympics,” Masami said, surprised.
“Oh, but I do love track!” Reiko declared proudly.
“I hate it,” Ami muttered.
Masami thought for a moment. “Well, if I don’t have to aim for the Olympics, maybe I’ll join track too? I don’t have much stamina, but…”
Ami perked up instantly, grabbing Masami’s arm. “Yes! Yes! Join! After all, your body is your most important asset. Without stamina, you can’t survive in this turbulent Japan. So if you join, I can quit, right?”
“No way,” Reiko dismissed her.
“But Masami, what about Broadcasting Club?” Reiko asked.
Masami hugged Ami again, stroking her hair. “That’s fine. Broadcasting Club only requires two meetings a week and doing the school broadcasts. Other club activities are allowed. Otherwise, no one would join.”
“So it’s a minor club,” Ami said.
“Exactly. Lots of seniors double up—chorus, photography, journalism… along with broadcasting.”
“Then no problem! Masami, you should definitely join track!” Reiko urged strongly.
