*Update*

Although the response by those few who have braved this story to the end has been positive, a number of beta-readers have felt that the story was, as one reader said, both too long and too short. I have decided to emulate the Japanese light novels which inspired it and re-write it as a series of novellas. (Or at least short novels.) This should allow me to go back and include some character perspectives and a lot of other detail left out of the initial version.

I've already published some bonus chapters at the end of this version, adding Miko's first reactions to Jack (and Junko's reluctant involvement in getting them together) and may soon be sharing some earlier chapters of the re-write with one or two select beta-readers. If you read them, I think you'll agree these are a significant improvement over the original and offer some much needed detail to the characters and their motivation.

Since this story deviates from my normal work, I decided to publish the new series under Jack's name. If you want to find out when the first story comes out, you can follow Jack now at: https://truyen247.pro/tac-gia/Jack_Patrick but don't expect to hear anything soon. Still, the story is always in the back of my mind. It's not one I'll ever be able to let go of.

------------

This story is complete and is 48 chapters long--not counting this preface and a short epilog. It is not quite a first draft but still needs input from beta readers which is why I'm posting it here. I know this story won't be for everyone, but if you find it interesting, please leave comments about what does and doesn't work for you. Also, I should point out that though I've done a fair amount of research, I don't actually know Japanese and have never been to Japan. I'm sure I've got some things wrong. If you catch an error, please let me know.

WARNING - this story does include some fairly explicit sex scenes. If you are not old or mature enough to read such stuff, then don't. This story isn't erotica however, and if you make it to the half-way point you will be past the most graphic stuff. I've tried to come up with a way to tone it down, but haven't figured out how to do that without hurting the story.

A Few Notes on Language

This story takes place in Japan. If you are unfamiliar with Japanese honorifics like -san, -sama, -kun and -chan, or terms like senpai and kouhai, then keep reading. If you're a regular consumer of Japanese media feel free to skip to the first chapter.

In Japan it is very important to know your place and where you stand in relation to those around you. One's social position is embedded in and reinforced by the language itself. When speaking to someone you should know whether you are talking to someone with a higher or lower social position so that you know how to address them correctly.

Usually one addresses another by their last name and attaches the honorific -san to the end. If they are very important, or you wish to be very respectful, then -sama may be used. If they are a subordinate or a peer, especially if they are male, then -kun may be used. If they are very young or female -chan may be used. -Sama, -san, -kun, -chan, each of these indicate an increased level of familiarity.

(It is worth paying attention to these in the story as indicators of how a character perceives their relationship with others and how those change-becoming more familiar or more respectful-over time or according to the situation).

One generally only uses a first name with family and close friends. One also speaks in very different language depending on the level of closeness one shares so it is important not to offend someone by being either too formal or too familiar with someone. Knowing how to read the situation and respond correctly is an important skill in Japanese and is often referred to as "Reading the Air" or "Reading the Atmosphere". (You may see several references to "atmosphere" in the story as it is something that someone living in Japan would pay attention to.) An inability to read the air may get you labeled as kuuki yomenai or KY.

There are other, though generally less used, honorifics and one may sometimes substitute a title in place of an honorific. For example, adding sensei to a name to refer to a teacher or senpai to refer to an older student or more experience co-worker. Strangely enough it does not seem that a senior would address his junior directly as kohai. In the same way one might refer to their older brother as Onii-san/Nii-san/Nii-chan or older sister as Onee-san/Nee-san/Nee-chan but older siblings generally just address younger siblings by their name.

Since this story takes place in Japan, it may be assumed that, unless the narrative specifies otherwise, all the dialog is in Japanese. I have however included a number of Japanese words for flavor. In most cases their meanings should be clear from context though I've also slipped in an explanation in the narrative or dialog at times. Some of the more common are:

Gaijin - outsider

Gomen/Gomenasai - Sorry/I'm sorry

Ohayou/ohayou gozaimasu - morning/good morning

Tadaima - I'm back (home)

Itadakimasu - I humbly receive (this food)

One phrase in particular is worth mentioning because it has no direct English equivalent. If you watched an anime or read a manga where a new student is introduced to a class or another person and they say something like "Please be kind to me" or "Please take care of me" they are really saying yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Sometimes at the conclusion of a conversation one character might turn to the others and say something like "Let's work hard together." That's also yoroshiku onegaishimasu. That phrase can have a variety of meanings from "please help me," "I am in your debt" to "I'm counting on you" or "Nice to meet you" all depending on how it's used. While obviously not exact, the closest English equivalent is probably something along the lines of "Thank you for your support."

The reason I mention this phrase is because twice in the story (once by Jack and once by Miko) I felt a character might intend to convey more than one possible meaning of the phrase at the same time so I had them say the phrase yoroshiku onegaishimasu and left it untranslated.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy it. If you do enjoy it, please tell others.