Translation

Technology.

I couldn't live without it! It's the thing that cures my boredom

and helps people understand me. Hi, I’m Katsuro, I am 16 years old. Me and my family moved to America from Tokyo. Now, I don't know the first thing about the English language, so I use my phone a lot for translations. My older brother, Junjie, went out of his way to learn English. Yeah , that’s not me. I didn't want to move here anyway, so why learn the culture if in two years I will go

back to Tokyo on my own. Other than Junjie, I have 1 other sibling. Her name is Miyuki. Miyuki is younger than me be 2 years. Which is ironic because Junjie is Two years older. Miyuki and Junjie do NOT get along. Why? It's because of me. Weird, right? Well, since I help Junjie with basketball, and Miyuki with her math homework, sometimes they Interfere. Maybe they don't have homework in

America. School starts tomorrow, and i'm not thrilled like Miyuki is. Junjie isn't either, but he has very diverse teachers. Meanwhile, I have 50 year old white lady's as my teachers.

"Katsuro! Get up! Bus comes in an hour!"

Ah, the voice of my mother. Every morning is the same wonderful

alarm. If my mom didn't wake me up, I’d hear the same BEEEEP, BEEEP, BEEEEP, every day. My bus was very unordinary. It was more of a candlelight orange than a canary yellow, and the number of the bus was 43, but the 4 was upside down. I'm just going to assume that a student did that. "Katsuro, Will you help me

with my homework later?! " "Sure thing . I never wouldn't. Maybe

after, you can join Junjie and I in basketball!" "Ah, sorry Katsuro.

I have plans with someone I met in the neighborhood." "Well Miyuki,

looks like it's just me and you!" "The bus is here for you, Katsuro!" "Ok! Thanks mom!" "Kai daisuki !" That means "I love you guys" in Japanese. As I walk on the bus, I see the girly girls, goths, the jocks, nerds, and the class clowns. No one like me to be found. Just a few moments later... I found him! Asian, has a basketball jersey

on, and has the same phone as me! Not only is it a basketball jersey, but a Golden State Warriors jersey!  I attempt to go

sit next to him. I type in what I want say, " Hello. May I sit next to

you?" My phone says. " Hello, yes you may! If you speak Japanese or

Chinese I can speak to you." I put on the voice translate mode and it said what he had said. So I sat down and spoke Japanese. After about five minutes, you'd think we have known each other for years! Then the bus ride was over, and just like that the day began.

"Attention class!"

Blah, Blah, Blah. She continued, "It's the first day of

school and I assume you will make a good impression on me and your classmates." After hearing that , I turned my translation app off. Once or twice she called on me, but I just said my app wasn't working and I was trying to fix it. That worked like a charm. After homeroom, I had math. My teacher was Mrs. Hammond, she was nice. Nice enough that I turned on my voice translate! Just when I thought today was going to be a great day... 3rd period came. Mr.

Richey was my science teacher. Don't get me wrong I love science, but NOT Mr. Richey. The first thing he said to me was " Huh, a little Asian boy. You better be a good on cause I ain't never met any Asian boy who was good at science." What was that supposed to mean!? After that I typed in, "I'll be a good one, for sure!" but the phone said " No, sir." HUH? I did NOT type that in. He gave me a stern look like I was in for a RUFF year. I thought for sure this was a one-time thing. But, as always, the universe hates me and it happened again in 4th period. I typed "Hello Miss. Scott." but instead came out "I hate school." Everyone was shocked , even Brad the trouble-maker.

School ended at 3:30 and my bus was late by 20 minutes.

I told the kid from this morning, Jin, about my phone. "

Listen, it might be just a glitch. Check it out with your parents

tonight." I know I had just met Jin, but I wanted him to stay! "Hey

Jin, did you wanna play basketball sometime this week? " I hate asking for things. It just seems so rude! "I don't know when I’m free... but I’ll let you know, for sure!" Universe 2 Katsuro 1 . Scoring this close to the universe is a WIN in my book. Jin got off the bus at the stop before mine. He lives about half a Kilometer from my house. Which is a good thing considering the only friend I’ve ever lived close to wasn't even my friend. Her name was Ami. Ami was Miyuki's best friend. But Ami was only twelve so she didn't like me very much. But since Junjie was "adorable" He got a lot of attention from her. "Good bye Kat!" "Bye Jiney!" That’s right! We already have nicknames.

"Mom! My phone isn't working!"

"Did you try updating it?" "Yes mom, I tried everything in the book."

"Is it all of your phone or just one thing?" "Just my translation app." "Alright I’ll look at it after dinner. We're having Takoyaki!" Takoyaki is my favorite food of all time. "Hey Katsuro, I don't have any homework so you can do whatever." "But aren't you playing some ball with me?" "Sorry, my friend Maya is coming over in a few." What a bummer. Junjie is going on a date ( I know better than to believe he has "Plans with someone in the neighborhood") , and Miyuki doesn't want to play a quick game. So if they won't play some ball... maybe Jin will? I text him, "Hey Jin! Are u ok 2 come ovr?"

Assuming he will take a little to respond, I try to fix my app.

No luck. A few minutes later Jin says,

" Yeah sure! What time?" Universe 2 Katsuro 2. HA! TAKE THAT UNIVERSE!

"If u wanna eat dinner with us, we're having Takoyaki, and you shud head ovr in 10. But if not maybe like Half an hour."

"Cool. I'll get ready 2 go. Be there in 5."

Sweet! "MOM!" "Yes Katy " I hate that

nickname. Kat is better. "My friend, Jin ,is coming over and having dinner in 5 minutes!" "Ok! Ya know, it really is great all 3 of you have

made friends." I guess she's right. Ding dong. "MAYA'S HERE!

EVERYONE ACT CALM, COOL, AND COLLECTED! AND BE POLITE!" "We got it Mi." Mom loves calling her Mi, but I’m not a fan. "Hello Miss Park and Miyuki's siblings!" "Hey Maya, I’m Katsuro. But you can Just call me Kat." "Huh, a boy nicknamed Kat. Unordinary. I LOVE IT! "

"Hello Maya. Please, Make yourself at home. Will you be having dinner with us?" "Yes Miss. Park. I heard you eat traditional Japanese meals, I'm so hyped!"

About 3 minutes after, Jin walked in.

"Konichiwa Katsuro kazoku." " Koichiwa. Eigo o hanasu?" "Yes Miss Park. I know Kat doesn't and Junjie does. Can Miyuki speak English?" "Yes she can." "Thank you. May I eat dinner with you?" "Yes Jin." Jin translated the whole conversation for me. " This is wonderful Miss. Park. " "Thank you Jin." "It’s my FAVORITE meal mom makes." "I can see why!" Maya and Miyuki ate in her room. After dinner I went in my room with Jin. "Do you think if I try my app again it will work?" "Try it!" so I typed in, just to be funny, "Teleport me to a magic land with Jin!" But something happened. It went dark. I yelled, "JIN! JIN! JIN ARE YOU THERE!" "I'M HERE KAT! BUT I CAN'T SEE A THING!" A few seconds later we could see "Wow." Ha! We both spoke at the same time. It was magical! There was unicorns, food everywhere, rainbows, and a huge waterfall. Almost like the Niagara Falls. "KAT CAN YOU SEE THIS?"

"I'm seeing what you are Jin!"

Long-story-short we ate A LOT.

"Jin, wanna ride that unicorn to the top of the waterfall

and build a boat! " "OH YEAH I DO! " "Ride Jat, ride!"

We named it "Jat" after the two of us. Just when I thought it was the

best day ever... It went dark. "Ah man!" "Your here right,

Katsuro!" "Yeah. Maybe we left because I opened my phone to see the time." It was light again. Huh! "Jin... are we in a jail cell?"

"I think so..." All the sudden, A HUGE GUY APPEARED! " JIN RUN!

I'LL FOLLOW!" We ended up stopping and the man almost thought about letting us go, but he punched Jin in the stomach! "JIN! SOMEONE HELP! " "Kat I’m ok, see look." He tried to stand but couldn't. But once again it was dark. This time we were in my room. Jin was ok. We couldn't stop laughing, but sooner or later Jin had to go home.

The next day I had school.

I went into to class and, thankfully, my app was working. In

Fact, I got every question right today! Me and Jin stayed best friends for a while and never forgot about my first day at school in America.