Spring had come to Shibukawa.
The cherry blossoms were beginning to fall, their petals drifting through the air like soft snow. Students passed through the gates of Fujima East Municipal Middle School, chatting, yawning, and laughing as the new school year began.
Inside Class 2A, the morning buzz was louder than usual.
"I heard we're getting a transfer student today." "What? In April?" "Yeah, from overseas!" "For real? Like, an actual foreigner?" "Where's he from?" "New Zealand, I think!"
Just as the murmurs reached a peak, the classroom door slid open with a quiet click.
Ms. Tanaka, their homeroom teacher, stepped inside holding a file.
"Good morning, everyone," she said. "Before we begin, we have a new classmate joining us today. He's come a long way—from New Zealand."
The classroom lit up in instant chatter.
"EH?!" "That's so far!" "Is he tall?" "Can he speak Japanese?!"
Ms. Tanaka smiled, then turned toward the doorway.
"You can come in now, Fraser-kun."
A boy stepped into the room. His uniform was perfectly neat, and his brown, shoulder-length hair shifted slightly with the breeze from the hallway. His eyes were calm and focused—narrow, like a cat's.
He stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke clearly.
"My name is Fraser Alex. I'm thirteen. I was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and moved to Shibukawa recently. My mother is Japanese, and my father is from New Zealand. I'm still getting used to Japan, so I hope you'll treat me kindly."
His Japanese was smooth and formal, surprising in its clarity.
The classroom froze.
"He speaks Japanese?!" "And without an accent!" "He even looks Japanese…"
Ms. Tanaka chuckled softly. "Yes, Fraser-kun's mother taught him Japanese from a young age. He also did very well on the entrance exams."
She pointed toward the windows.
"Your seat is the sixth from the front, near the window."
"Yes, ma'am," Alex replied and made his way to the back corner of the room.
He sat down quietly and looked out the window. The sky was bright and clear. Cherry petals floated across the yard like slow, silent snow.
A new country. A new school. I wonder how different everything will be.
When the first period ended, students surrounded his desk almost instantly.
"Fraser-kun! That was amazing!" "Your Japanese is seriously better than mine!" "Have you ever lived in Japan before?" "What's New Zealand like?" "Do you ride sheep to school?"
"That doesn't even make sense…"
Alex gave a polite smile. "No, we don't ride sheep. And this is my first time living in Japan."
The class broke into laughter.
A cheerful boy with messy hair leaned over Alex's desk, grinning.
"I'm Nakagawa Kenta. I sit a few rows behind you. Let me know if you need anything, alright?"
"Thanks, Nakagawa-kun," Alex said.
"Man, even his manners are perfect…" "Fraser-kun, do you play any sports?" "Yeah! You look athletic!"
Alex nodded slightly. "I used to play cricket back in New Zealand."
"Cricket?" "That's like baseball, right?" "The one where they wear all white and hit a ball?"
"I was a wicket-keeper," Alex explained. "I guess it's kind of like a catcher in baseball."
"Ohhh! So you've played baseball before?" Alex shook his head. "No, never."
The group blinked.
"Seriously?" "But cricket and baseball are kind of similar, aren't they?" "You've at least watched it, right?"
"I've seen a few games on TV," Alex said, honest as ever. "But I don't know the rules."
"WHAT?!" "You've gotta learn then! Baseball's huge in Japan!" "You're here now—it's basically fate!"
The group laughed again. Alex just gave a quiet shrug.
At lunch, Alex opened a simple bento box—sandwiches and sliced kiwi fruit.
Kenta plopped down next to him with a tray stacked high with rice balls and snacks.
"So," Kenta said, mouth half-full, "is it weird being here?"
"A little," Alex replied. "But… it's not bad. Everyone's been nice so far."
Kenta grinned. "We're curious. It's not every day a guy from the other side of the planet shows up in our classroom."
Alex smiled faintly.
"You thinking of joining any clubs?" Kenta asked.
"I'm not sure yet. I'll look around."
"You should check out the baseball club," Kenta said. "We're not national champs or anything, but we've got a solid pitcher and the atmosphere's fun."
Alex tilted his head. "But I've never played. I wouldn't even know where to start."
"Even better!" Kenta beamed. "You can learn from scratch. Besides, a wicket-keeper's like a catcher, right?"
Alex paused, thoughtful.
"…Maybe."
After the last bell, students packed their bags and spilled out into the hallways, heading toward their clubs or the front gate.
Alex was quietly organizing his books when a voice came over the intercom.
"Fraser-kun, please come to the teachers' room."
A few classmates turned toward him.
"Ooh, already?" "Did he do something?" "No way—he's way too polite."
Alex slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way down the hall.
The teachers' room was a maze of desks, papers, and tired-looking staff. Ms. Tanaka looked up and waved him over.
"Good work today, Fraser-kun. How was your first day?"
Alex bowed. "It was good. Everyone was kind."
"I'm glad to hear it." She flipped through a binder on her desk. "I called you here because at Fujima East, all students are required to join a club. It's part of the school's rules."
Alex blinked. "It's mandatory?"
"Yes," she said. "You don't need to decide today, but you'll need to join one by the end of the week. You're free to check out any club before choosing."
"I understand," Alex said. "I'll take a look tomorrow."
Ms. Tanaka smiled. "You're very polite, Fraser-kun. I think you'll settle in just fine."
Outside the school gates, Kenta was waiting, hands behind his head, eyes on the sky.
When he saw Alex approaching, he waved.
"Yo! Took you long enough."
"Sorry. Had to go to the teachers' room," Alex said.
"What, already in trouble?"
Alex gave a small laugh. "No. They said I have to join a club."
"Oh yeah, that thing." Kenta stretched his arms above his head. "You've got time. Just try whatever looks interesting."
Alex looked surprised. "You can try more than one?"
"Totally. I tried three before sticking with baseball."
"Why baseball?" Alex asked.
Kenta grinned. "Because the soccer team was full, and the judo club scared me."
Alex laughed. "Fair enough."
"Where do you live, by the way?"
"The house near the park. The one with the brown gate."
Kenta's eyes widened. "Wait—that's your place?! I walk past it every day! I thought some rich family lived there."
Alex looked slightly embarrassed. "We just needed space. My dad works from home. Mom teaches."
"Still sounds fancy," Kenta said with a grin. "Anyway, we're basically neighbors. Let's walk home together."
The walk back was quiet and peaceful.
The sidewalks were lined with vending machines and bicycles. Tulips bloomed in garden pots. Every so often, someone would nod or greet them as they passed.
"It's really quiet here," Alex said.
"Yep," Kenta replied. "Not like Tokyo. But it's got its charm."
"What do you usually do after school?"
"Baseball, mostly," Kenta said, kicking a rock down the path. "Or hang out at the convenience store. Sometimes we sneak snacks into the park and play cards."
Alex chuckled. "Sounds fun."
Kenta glanced at him. "Hey, come check out the baseball club tomorrow. You don't have to play. Just watch."
Alex looked up at the sky, streaked with orange light.
"…Alright. I'll come."
By the time Alex reached home, the sun had dipped low. Shadows stretched across the quiet neighborhood, and the air was still.
He stepped through the front gate into a small, tidy garden. A sakura tree stood near the path, its petals scattered across the stones.
He opened the front door and stepped inside.
"I'm home!" he called.
"Welcome back!" came a warm voice from the kitchen.
His mother, Emily Fraser, peeked out from behind the counter. She wore an apron, her short brown hair pulled back.
"How was school?"
Alex kicked off his shoes and placed his bag by the wall. "It was good. Everyone was friendly."
"Did you understand the classes?"
"Mostly. Math was a little fast, but I kept up."
She nodded. "And your Japanese?"
"They were surprised. I guess they didn't expect me to speak so fluently."
Emily laughed. "Told you. Your name throws them off. You're half-Japanese, but no one expects it."
"I made a friend too. Nakagawa Kenta. He lives nearby."
Her smile widened. "A first friend on the first day? I'm impressed."
Alex grinned slightly.
"Oh—and club activities are mandatory."
Her eyebrows rose. "Really? Any ideas yet?"
"Not sure. Kenta invited me to check out the baseball club tomorrow."
"Baseball, huh? That's new."
"I've never played, but… I'm curious."
She walked over and ruffled his hair gently.
"Whatever you choose, I know you'll give it your all."
That night, Alex lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. His room still looked half-empty. A cricket bat leaned against the bookshelf. His desk held schoolbooks, a globe, and a wooden photo frame.
Downstairs, the soft murmur of the TV played.
He thought about the baseball field. The voices. The sound of a bat hitting a ball. The late afternoon sunlight.
He didn't understand the game. He didn't know the rules. He'd never even touched a glove.
But something about it…
Felt exciting.
Maybe I'll like it here.
He closed his eyes.
To be continued....
Author's Note:Thank you so much for reading Chapter 1! If you enjoyed it (or have thoughts, ideas), drop a comment—I'd love to hear what you think! See you in the next chapter!