Rain (24 page)

“There has to be a way, since the ink was asleep inside of me. And you always regain control when it tries to take over. It goes both ways.”

“Don’t forget Tsukiyomi and Amaterasu used to be in love,” Tomo said, hope rising in his voice. “If we can’t make it inactive, maybe we can reconcile them somehow. The potential’s there. It’s not fate, Katie. We can change it. We can fight against it, right?”

I had to believe it. The alternative was too bleak.

“Right,” I said, rising to my feet and grinning at him. It was more potential than we’d had in ages. It was a lead—it was a possible cure.

He went to wrap his arms around me, but I stepped back.

“Dirty and gross, remember?” I said, motioning to the ink and mud splattered all over my uniform. He grabbed me anyway, spinning me in a circle as I squealed in surprise. He pulled me close, his chin on my shoulder. His skin was still pink from the shower; the soapy smell was overpowering, but nice.

“We can do this,” he said. “There has to be another way.”

There had to, because I couldn’t imagine life without him.

We clung to each other in his sunlit room with the cheery bedspread and demon paintings.

The crow outside cawed again; the trees in one of the ink paintings swayed in an unseen gust of wind, which plucked the leaves off the branches into the air. The leaves tumbled out of the painting and onto the floor, shriveled blackness collecting around us in a circle on the floor.

You don’t scare me,
I thought, looking at the inky pile.
Not when Tomo’s at my side.

We will fight you. And we will win.

* * * * *

Ano ne:

“Listen, okay?” (
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)

Ano saa:

“Hey, listen” (
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)

Ara:

Expression of surprise (
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)

Arigatou:

“Thank you” (
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)

Atarimae jan:

“That’s a given” or “Naturally” (
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)

Baka:

“Stupid” (
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)

Bentou:

Japanese lunch box (
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)

Betsu ni:

“Nothing special” or “Nothing in particular” (
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)

Bikkurishita:

“That surprised me!” (
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)

Bogu:

The set of kendo armor (
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)

Chan:

Suffix used for girl friends or those younger than the speaker (
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)

Che:

“Damn it!” (
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)

Chichi:

A humble way to refer to one’s own father (
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)

Chigau/Chigaimasu:

Literally “It’s different” or “It’s not like that,” but it’s used as a more polite way to say no (
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)

Chouzuya:

An area in a shrine where you wash your hands before praying. Usually bamboo ladles are provided to dip into the basin of water (
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)

Daijoubu:

“Are you all right?” or “I’m/it’s all right” (
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)

Dame:

“It’s bad.” Used to tell someone not to do or say something (
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)

De:

As used in
Rain,
it means “Well?” (
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)

Demo:

“However” or “But” (
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)

Domo:

Based on context, can mean “Hello,” “Thank you” or even “Sorry.” It’s informal and can come across as rough speech (
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)

Dou:

The breastplate of kendo armor (
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)

Dou?:

“How is it?” (
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)

Doushita?:

“What happened?” (
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)

Ee?:

Can be used when one is surprised, impressed or simply listening and processing what someone is saying. Roughly translates to “Is that so?” (
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)

Eki:

A train station (
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)

Faito:

An encouraging phrase meaning to fight with one’s might or do one’s best (
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)

Furin:

A traditional Japanese wind chime (
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)

Furisode:

A more formal kimono with long sleeves, usually for special events like Coming-of-Age Day (
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)

Furoshiki:

A cloth used to wrap a Japanese bentou lunch (
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)

Gaijin:

A person from a foreign country (
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)

Ganbare:

“Do your best,” said to encourage one in academics, sports or life (
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)

Ganbarimasu/Ganbarimashou:

“I’ll do my best” and “Let’s do our best” (
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)

Genkan:

The foyer or entrance of a Japanese building. Usually the floor of the
genkan
is lower than the rest of the building, to keep shoes and outside things separate from the clean raised floor inside (
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)

Genki dashite:

“Cheer up” or “Feel reenergized” (
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)

Genkoyoushi:

A special paper for writing Japanese essays. The paper has separate squares for each kanji or kana written, and text is written up to down, right to left (
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)

Geta:

Traditional Japanese sandals that vaguely resemble flip-flops. Usually worn with a
yukata
or kimono (
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)

Gomen:

“Sorry” (
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)

Hai:

“Yes,” but usually used to let the speaker know you’re paying attention (
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)

Hakama:

The skirtlike clothing worn by
kendouka
(
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)

Hanabi:

Fireworks (
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)

Happi:

A special coat worn during festivals (
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)

Hara-kiri:

Ritual suicide, also called “seppuku.” Part of the samurai code of life in ancient Japan (
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)

Heiki:

“It’s okay,” “I’m fine” or “Don’t worry about it” (
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)

Hidoi:

Mean or harsh (
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)

Hontou ka:

“For real?” (
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)

Ii:

“Good” or “Fine,” often used in asking permission (
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)

Ii kara:

“It’s fine (so just do it already)” (
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)

Ikuzo:

Guy slang for “Let’s go” (
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)

Ima deru yo:

“I’m going to hang up now” (
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Inugami:

A dog demon from Shinto tradition. Known for their uncontrollable wrath and murderous instincts (
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)

Itai/I-te:

“Ouch” or “It hurts” (
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)

Itterasshai:

“Go (and come back) safely,” said to the one leaving home (
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)

Jaa (ne):

“See you later” (
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)

Juku:

A type of cram school where students go to prepare for university entrance exams (
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)

Kakigori:

Shaved ice with syrup, much like a snow cone (
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)

Kakko ii:

“So cool,” often used for attractive guys or a guy you look up to (
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)

Kawaii:

“So cute!” (
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)

Kaze:

Wind (
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)

Keiji-san:

Detective (
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)

Keitai:

Cell phone (
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)

Kendouka:

A kendo participant (
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)

Kiai:

A shout made by
kendouka
to intimidate opponents and tighten stomach muscles for self-defense (
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)

Kiri-kaeshi:

A kendo exercise drill (
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)

Kissaten:

A coffee shop (
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)

Konnyaku:

Konjac,
a plant-based gelatin commonly served in noodle or slab form in soups or other dishes (
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)

Koshi-himo:

The straps used under an obi to tie a
yukata
or kimono in place (
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)

Kote:

Gloves worn during kendo (
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Kowai ka:

“Are you scared?” (
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)

Kun:

Suffix generally used for guy friends (
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)

Kyu:

Japanese sound effect (
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)

Maa, ne:

“Well,” but it can be used as a subtle way of affirming or agreeing with something (“Well, yes”) (
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)

Masaka:

“It can’t be” or “No way” (
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)

Matcha:

Powdered green tea (
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)

Matte:

“Wait” (
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)

Mazui:

“Awful,” “Gross” or “Bad” (
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)

Men:

The helmet worn during kendo (
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)

Mirin:

A sweet rice wine used in cooking (
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)

Mochiron:

“Of course” (
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)

Momiji:

Maple tree (
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)

Montsuki:

A formal men’s kimono (
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)

Moshi mosh(i):

“Hello?” Said when answering the phone (
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)

Mou ii:

“That’s enough” (
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)

Mou ii wa yo:

“That’s enough,” said in a feminine way (
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)

Moushi wake gozaimasen:

Literally “There is no excuse.” A very formal apology (
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)

Myoji:

Kanji used for writing Japanese names (
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)

Nanimo hanashine zo:

“I didn’t say anything,” said in guy slang (
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)

Naruhodo:

“Is that right?” Often said with a hint of amusement or disbelief (
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)

Ne:

“Isn’t it?” It can also be used as “Hey” to get someone’s attention (like “
Ne,
Tanaka”) (
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Nikujaga:

A meat-and-potato stew (
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)

Ochitsuite:

“Calm down” (
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)

Ohayo:

“Good morning” (
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)

Oi:

“Hey” (
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)

Okaeri:

“Welcome home,” said when one arrives home (
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)

Okonomiyaki:

A Japanese pancake or pizza-type dish where diners choose the ingredients that go into it, such as cabbage or other veggies, noodles, meat or fish (
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)

Omamori:

A protective charm bought at a shrine or temple (
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)

Omiyage:

Souvenirs (
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Omurice:

Omelet rice, a popular Japanese dish (
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)

Onigiri:

Rice balls (
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)

Ossu:

“Yes,” usually used in martial arts settings. Can also mean “Hi” between two guy friends (
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)

(O)tousan:

A polite term for
father.
It’s more polite than
Tousan
(
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)

Roumon:

A large roofed gate, often at the entrance to a shrine or temple (
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)

Samui/Sa-me zo:

“It’s cold,” the second form being guy slang (
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)

San:

A polite suffix used for people you don’t know well or those older than you (
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)

Sasuga:

“As expected” (
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Sayonara:

A formal goodbye; not used every day as it has a strong finality to it (
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Seijin-shiki:

Coming-of-Age Day, a holiday in January where any youth reaching the age of 20 celebrate their adulthood by donning elaborate kimonos and visiting shrines for good luck (
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)

Seiza:

A kneeling stance used in kendo (
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Senpai:

A student older than the speaker (
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)

Shabu shabu:

Hot pot, a type of Japanese meal where raw ingredients are cooked in a broth by the participants (
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)

Shikashi:

“However” (
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)

Shinai:

A sword made of bamboo slats tied together, used for kendo (
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)

Shoudo:

Calligraphy (
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Sou:

“That’s right” (
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)

Staato:

“Start” (
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)

Suki:

“I like you” or “I love you” (
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)

Suki da kara:

“Because I like/love you” (
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)

Sumanakatta:

A formal apology (
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)

Sumi-e:

Ink and wash paintings, a traditional style of Japanese art (
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)

Sumimasen:

“Sorry” or “Excuse me.” Can also mean “Thank you” in certain contexts (
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)

Supa:

A grocery store or supermarket (
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)

Tadaima:

“I’m home,” said by one arriving home (
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)

Takoyaki:

Breaded balls of octopus, often served at festivals (
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)

Tatami:

Traditional mat flooring made of woven straw (
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)

Tenugui:

A headband tied under the
men
helmet for kendo (
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)

Tomodachi kara:

“Because we’re friends (that’s why)” (
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)

Un:

An informal way to say yes (
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)

Urusai:

“Be quiet” or “Shut up!” Literally “Noisy” (
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)

Uso:

“No way!” Literally “A lie” (
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)

Usotsuki:

A liar (
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)

Wakatta:

Informal form of “I got it” or “I understand” (
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)

Warui:

“It’s bad,” can be used as an apology (as in “My bad”) (
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)

Yabai:

“It’s bad” or “It’s awesome,” depending on context (kind of like “It’s sick!”). It can also be used to show a situation is dangerous or out of control, as in “We’re in trouble” or “We’re screwed” (
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)

Yamenasai/Yamero:

“Stop right now,” said as a command.
Yamenasai
is a little more parental or authoritative (
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)