Find your faith

Chapter 62: We're flying over!

Ningguang's POV
Woohoo! I'm going to Japan! Everyone got to take a group photo before we hugged our families farewell, as we lugged our luggage to the customs and immigration  counter to make sure we were cleared for boarding. After that, the teachers bought us our breakfasts where I had fishball noodles. The noodles were so curly and the fishballs were so crunchy, they tasted like heaven.
Nicole's POV
Airplane
On the airplane, I sat next to Jennifer as we had always wished. We both watched different movies on the plane, kicking back to absorb the plots and to feel the atmosphere of being 40000 feet above with our closest friends. It is truly a special feeling and one can't experience everyday, especially if it's the student council president you're taking about. When we had enough of movies, we started chatting about what we were looking forward to do once we touched down in Singapore and what we were expecting for the 5 days and 4 nights we spend overseas.
Jennifer's POV
Hotel in Shibuya
"We're in Shibuya!" I declared, as we rolled our luggage through the checkin. The teachers started checking us into the hotels and then all the secondary 3 students got to board the lift where the names of the rooms were announced. And I was in the same room as Nicole! Couldn't things get better?

At the restaurant for our dinner, we got to try the ramen there, which had a shiny base and a variety of colours. All our bowls of ramen combined to create the strongest aroma in a good way. As we tucked into our dinner, we could taste the broth of the ramen soup and the softness of the ramen noodles. Isn't this the Singaporean dream? To go to Japan and enjoy a time like this? Of course, I took some photos for my Instagram account because influencing never stops when you're overseas.

Back at the hotel, we were gathered for a time of reflection as we reflected upon what was different between Singapore and Japan's night atmosphere alone. I was pretty stunned to realise even something as simple as the night in Japan and Singapore were very different! It was bustling with cars and people getting home at night but in Japan it was just people having dinner together. Not like Singapore, which was a lot more family oriented and having dinners with our family. Unless we didn't have kids that is.

In the hotel room, Nicole and I decided to watch some television programmes. We came across a variety show and decided to engage in that. Honestly, we didn't get what they were saying half the time but we cracked up big time! They were also doing little things and laughing over them like they were no deal. Like who can enjoy themselves over trying to identify an item by touch? They were smiling so much I wished I enjoyed myself that much over such a little game.
Christina's POV
Shibuya Junior and Senior High School
After morning performances, we had a school talk and a school tour. Shibuya Junior High was so big! They had an even more advanced music room than that of Kallang Christian, and the things they do are a lot deeper especially for music. The floors were polished and smooth as my indoor shoes tapped on them, and I could feel the serenity I never felt as the vice president of the student council. Yet, despite the late spring scenery from the school windows, I could feel the vibrancy of studying here.

I got to experience lessons with my buddy Mizuki. The more memorable lesson was when I actually got to try out the pianos in the music room. It was hard coordinating an advanced song when I have never tried a piano before, but the music teacher was thankfully accommodating and created a simpler score for me. I managed to get the hang of playing a song by the end of the lesson. The song? Semoga Bahagia, since they knew I was coming into the lesson.

Cooking a healthier version of katsu carry was a truly unique experience. It was like my old lessons at Kallang Christian, but I was able to have authentic material from Japan. The rice was usually pre-cooked, but I had to cook it on the spot in Shibuya. I can't complain though, since that's a unique experience I usually don't get to experience. Everything was worth it though, because the Japanese curry rice was the real deal, not the one resting in my school's western stall.

I got to experience the choir CCA! Being used to the usual marching and first aid of the National Police Cadet Corps, it felt like a refreshing change in pace to just sing and tune my voice according to the conductor's instructors. They were singing "Yoru ni Kakeru" by YOSABI and I found myself bobbing to the tune.
Iris' POV
Yae, Asakusa
Yes, it may be soft but the band wrapping it felt suffocating. Thank heavens this was in late spring! Else I would have melted having to navigate the geta too. I followed the teachers to the room and we all knelt down, listening attentively to the taster on the tea ceremony. After that, we had a chance to experience a toned down version of the tea ceremony.

Honestly, it wasn't the tea ceremony Mdm Yeo brought to us. We were reminded that everything had to be precise and we couldn't mess with the equipment. Some of us needed more help than others to keep a calm heart while making the tea, but I didn't see a big struggle with that. However, the tea was nothing like Mdm Yeo's tea appreciation ceremony. It was thick, it tasted sweet. Maybe it's because I made the tea myself?
Nicole's POV
Tatekawa
"What the sigma," I thought to myself. I was in a sumo suit with my glasses on, all ready to fight them. "Remember Nicole, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Iris blurted out to break the silence. "Fight like there's no tomorrow!"

Hence, I used whatever strength I had and attacked the wrestler. Studying the direction of the wrestler's blows, I was able to respond likewise and was apt in taking the person down with just strategy. Honestly, it felt good to be doing something different about the Japanese culture. Chloe would've enjoyed this, honestly.
Ningguang's POV
Airport
"Last minute souvenirs?" Christina asked me and I nodded. I then stuffed some of the snacks meant for my friends that I was going to meet after my career taster programme. I was able to let my friends and family have a taste of true blue Japan. But was I able to have something inedible to remember from the trip? Yes, an anime keychain because I happened to find a bookshop while souvenir shopping and decided to snatch one from the shelves.