Arthur woke up wanting to check the calendar but remembered that he had put it away. It's better that way, he told himself as he got ready for school. After saying goodbye to his mother, he began walking toward the high school.
He observed the neighborhood, greeting the people he saw. Without his blonde hair, he looked like just another student, though his Western features still stood out in the sea of Asian faces. No one commented — many Westerners had come to study in Japan, and with the growing economy, plenty were looking for opportunities in Tokyo.
Arthur passed an arcade and noticed a Tetris machine surrounded by players even early in the morning. There was already a long line of people waiting, while others watched and shouted tips to whoever was playing. He saw a sign announcing a Tetris tournament, which made him pause for a moment, lost in thought. Before he knew it, he had arrived at school.
As he entered, Emiko noticed that Arthur seemed distracted. Without warning, she tapped his shoulder and quickly moved to the other side so he wouldn't see her. Arthur turned, confused, only to hear her laugh behind him. When he faced her, Emiko smiled playfully.
"Well, the great writer looks deep in thought again," she teased.
Arthur simply nodded, and they walked together to the classroom. They didn't see Takashi or Mika, which disappointed Arthur — he had wanted to talk to them about the movie.
Daichi greeted both of them and overheard Emiko calling Arthur "the great writer."
"Why do you call him that?" Daichi asked, curious.
"Oh, that's right," Emiko said, glancing at Arthur. "You haven't read his story, have you?"
"If you want," Arthur added calmly, "you can read it in the literature club."
Daichi nodded just as the teacher entered, beginning another day of lessons. When class ended, Emiko looked at Arthur and then back at Daichi.
"You know, Daichi," she said with a knowing smile, "if you go to the literature club now, you'll find Arthur's story there."
Daichi grinned. "All right. I'm curious to know why you call him the great writer. I'm sure the answer's in that story."
With that, he left. Emiko, pleased that her little plan to be alone with Arthur had worked, turned to him expectantly.
"So, great writer, do you have a new piece I can read?" she said loudly enough that a few nearby students turned to look.
Arthur froze for a moment, surprised by her boldness, but then sighed and reached into his bag. He took out a notebook filled with writing.
"These are my manuscripts," he said seriously. "Take care of them."
Emiko blushed, surprised by the trust he was showing her, and grabbed the notebook quickly before running off without saying another word. Arthur watched her leave, confused, then sighed again and decided to head to the cafeteria.
Before he could sit down, Takashi waved at him from a table where he was sitting with Mika. Arthur approached, noticing Mika's cold expression. Confused, he looked down at his clothes to see if something was wrong, but found nothing.
Takashi smiled. "It's settled, Arthur. Mika and I will star in your movie. But tell me — who's directing it? Someone new or experienced?"
Arthur nodded. "A new director. His artistic name is AOI."
Takashi rubbed his chin. "AOI? Isn't that the same name as that new composer everyone's talking about?"
Arthur nodded again. "Seems like it."
"Hmm," Takashi muttered. "That makes me a little nervous. Being new, I'm not sure if he can handle directing a film."
Arthur smiled faintly. "My uncle said he's very meticulous with details — even with his music compositions."
Takashi seemed reassured. "All right. Mika, anything to add? You've been glaring at Arthur this whole time."
Mika gave a cold smile. "You know, Arthur, in your script my character acts differently after learning Takashi is from another country — just like you. This isn't one of your fantasies, is it?"
Arthur chuckled lightly. "Well, Mika, art imitates life. Maybe I drew some inspiration from reality."
She shrugged. "Fine. I don't mind acting, as long as that director AOI doesn't either. We're amateurs, after all."
Arthur lifted his shoulders. "He shouldn't mind. From what I heard, he wanted students to act in his film."
Both Mika and Takashi nodded. "That's good to know," Takashi said, before turning to Mika. "We should start practicing, then."
Mika rolled her eyes, but Arthur could tell she didn't really mind. He excused himself and left the cafeteria, heading for the literature club.
Before he arrived, he heard noise coming from inside — loud arguing. Aiko was in the middle of a heated debate with another student. As Arthur approached, he caught fragments of what they were saying. The student didn't believe that a foreigner — and a high schooler — could have written such an emotional story.
Aiko defended Arthur fiercely, insisting it was true. Suddenly, the student grabbed the story and tore it in half.
Everyone froze.
"If he really wrote something that good," the student sneered, "then he should be able to write it again — or else he's a fraud."
Before he could say another word, he was punched hard across the face by Daichi. The student collapsed, unconscious.
Everyone stared at the destroyed manuscript in silence. Some looked heartbroken, others angry. Aiko sighed and told a few members to take the unconscious student to the infirmary. She also ordered everyone who wasn't part of the club to leave.
Once the room was quiet again, Aiko turned and saw Arthur standing there, looking at the torn pages.
"I guess I should've sent it to a publisher sooner," he said with a forced smile.
"I'm sorry, Arthur…" Aiko muttered, lowering her head, expecting him to be angry.
But Arthur simply sat down, calm. "Don't worry, Aiko. I still remember it."
Then he began to write.
---
"The Paper Menagerie"
The story follows Jack, a boy born to a Chinese mother and an American father. His mother, skilled in origami, makes paper animals that magically come to life. As a child, Jack adores them and feels close to his mother through these creations.
As he grows older, however, he begins to reject both his mother and her paper animals in an effort to fit in with his American peers. Their relationship becomes distant, and Jack gradually forgets his heritage.
After his mother's death, Jack finds a message hidden inside one of the paper animals. It reveals her deep, unconditional love and the sacrifices she made for him. The story ends with Jack filled with grief and realization, reflecting on the importance of family and cultural identity.
---
Aiko read the story and sighed in relief. "It's beautiful, Arthur… but why a Chinese boy with light eyes?" she asked.
Arthur hesitated.
"Well," he said, "China has one of the richest and most ancient cultures in human history. It's interesting to imagine someone trying to forget that heritage just to fit in."
Aiko nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Arthur."
Before they could continue, Takashi burst in. "Arthur! I heard someone tore up your story — I'm so sorry, I didn't know this would happen!"
Arthur calmly lifted the newly written version from his desk. Takashi blinked. "So… they weren't lying?"
Aiko held up the torn one. "They did destroy it. But he rewrote it."
Takashi shook his head in amazement. "I'll talk to the principal about this."
"No need," Arthur said softly. "It's fine now."
He left the story on the table, said goodbye, and walked out.
---
In the hallway, he saw Emiko walking casually. When she noticed him, she smiled.
"Where are you headed?" Arthur asked.
"To kendo practice," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Have you seen Daichi?"
"Yeah," she said, pointing toward the infirmary. "Some guys beat him up. He's recovering."
Arthur's eyes widened, and he rushed off.
Inside the infirmary, the smell of antiseptic filled the air. Daichi sat on a bed, bruised but smiling.
"Daichi, what happened?"
"Don't worry," Daichi said. "Just some guys teaching me a lesson for punching their friend. The principal already warned them."