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FIVE DAYS AFTER she had arrived at her family's large farm, Mina hardly had time to spare her American counterparts a thought.
She was being kept so busy with entertaining her younger kid cousins and their various friends while their parents worked, working in the rice fields alongside the rest of her family and visiting with her summer friends. She was also busy imagining what being taught by Hiro Yoshito was going to be like.
That is, until Diana made her scheduled video call on Friday, when it was 9 p.m. in Queens and 10 a.m. in Okinawa and Mina noticed a change in the scenery behind her aunt.
Usually, Diana would sit in her bedroom where the internet worked best but today, she was sitting at where Mina thought was the dinner table.
"Mina!" Diana screamed at her in her usual fashion and Mina gave her a happy smile.
"How's your trip so far? Have you met Mr. Yoshito yet? Are Yui and Rei annoying you? Did you spend all your money? Should I transfer some to you? How muc-"
"Diana, I'm fine." Mina cut off her chattering aunt, who smiled sheepishly at her. Mina noticed Diana wringing her hands, the same way she herself did when she was anxious about something or excited about something.
"My trip has been fun so far, I've mostly been babysitting Yui and Rei, plus their friends Zach and Suki. Also working in the rice fields and driving the produce truck. It's really fun! No, I haven't met Mr. Yoshito yet, I'm meeting with him on Sunday and beginning training immediately." Mina began answering her aunt's rapid fire questions.
"Yes, Rei and Yui are annoying me to death, they actually tried to drown me in the fields the other day but that's for another time," She quickly rushed on at the rageful look that had crossed Diana's face. "No, I didn't spend my money yet and no, I don't need you to transfer me money. Thank you though. That's all."
Diana gave her wide grin, an excited gleam in her aunt's eyes and Mina regarded her cautiously.
"Why are you so happy?" The teen asked suspiciously and her aunt shook her head, a permanent grin plastered on her face as she turned her computer around and it was Mina's turn to grin. Seated beside and behind Diana were Ned, May and Peter.
Mina's hand quickly flew up to cover the large smile that had overtaken her face and she laughed, eagerly looking at them all as she drank in their appearances. Her heart gave a pang of homesickness and she cleared her throat before speaking, suddenly feeling emotional.
"Hey guys." She said, a lump in her throat. Ned grinned at her in his cheerful manner, May giving her a radiant smile and Peter's entire face lit up, warming Mina's heart and causing her to miss her best friend even more.
"Hey, Minto!" That was Ned.
"Get me any good souvenirs?" May.
"Find another 'Pure Peter?'" Peter joked and Mina laughed softly as she shook her head.
