I’m The Only Multilingual Master a Russian Transfer Girl Student Who Can’t Speak Japanese Can Rely On - Episode 4
Chapter 1: Nice to Meet You and Greetings
Translated by BunnyByun
Edited by ArroganceComplex
Episode 4: Don’t leave it to your neighbor!
After having calmed myself down a bit with my tsukkomi, I looked at Christina again.
When I looked at her, she was looking at me too, curiously and a little frightened. It was understandable. If you were suddenly brought to a foreign country and are spoken to in a language you didn’t understand, you would feel uneasy.
As if to prove it, a hint of fatigue flashed across Christina’s face.
“Well, … I have a lot to ask you later.”
I couldn’t leave her alone forever, so I left Angie to her own devices and walked over to Christina to talk to her. In Russian, of course.
“My name is Iori Kagami. Nice to meet you, Cheena.”
Cheena is a common nickname for Christina in Russia (Chris in the US). In addition, I tried to keep my face as serious as possible and never relax my cheeks. Unlike in Japan, a fake smile is perceived as insincere in Russia. In this respect, I normally have an easier time than Japanese people, because I usually make a face with a Buddha-like expression.(E/N: He means he is mostly in poker face.)
When Cheena heard me speaking Russian, she probably showed her deepest surprise. But it didn’t show much on her face. Russians…
After a bit of confusion, Cheena opened her mouth.
“………… Yori?”
Apparently, she wanted to confirm my name, but well, I guess she kinda did. “Iori” is supposed to be difficult for foreigners to pronounce because it has a series of vowels. (E/N for those who were wondering why Christina called Iori, Yori in the first chapter here it is.)
“Well, yeah. I’m fine with being called Yori for now. I heard that you and I are the same age. Welcome to Japan.”
It’s not my nature to care, but somehow I couldn’t leave her alone that time.
I must have felt that way subconsciously.
“Cheena, Iori lives in the next room and works as an interpreter while attending high school. You’ll be going to the same high school as him, so if you have any problems, just ask him.”
“Oh, you’re going to my school?”
“Yes……,” Angie answered for her, as if it were obvious.
I’m sure from Angie’s point of view, it’s only natural that she would want to have Cheena by my side since I can speak Russian.
“But … three days later, you’ll be abroad again …”
Cheena raised her voice in concern. Well, she had said something like that before. What were you going to do in the meantime, Cheena?
“I’m sorry, Cheena. I know it’s irresponsible of me, but I can’t drag you around overseas, so I have to ask you to stay in Japan. I want you to be able to go to school properly. ……”
When Angie apologized, she looked very pained.
That’s right.
Even though she is her foster child, it must be lonely and heartbreaking to not be able to be with her long-cherished child.
The reason she took her in even though she knew that, was because she thought it would still be better for her.
There are still orphanages in Russia, and it is said that children are often not treated properly in orphanages.
The expression on Angie’s face was enough to make Cheena nod her head.
She nodded her head in a small way.
It’s a secret that I was a little nervous about that cute little animal-like gesture.
And then…
Prrrr!
Angie’s phone rang.
“It’s the teacher from school. I’m going to go talk to her. Iori, take care of Cheena.”
When Angie saw the notification, she said those words and rushed out into the living room.
The door closed with a bang.
Cheena and I were left behind.
Awkward!
Oh my God, I don’t know what to say!
I’m not used to making small talk with people of my own age, if I do say so myself.
The only people I interact with are the adults in the military and, at best, the kids in their families.
“Yori speaks well in Russian, don’t you?”
As I was struggling to think of what to say, Cheena unexpectedly approached me.
Oh no, it seems that I have made a child filled with anxiety and exhaustion pay attention to me……
“Oh, yeah, my dad used to take me on trips abroad when I was little. I was happy to be able to communicate with people there, so I studied the language to a certain extent…”
I hurriedly caught my words..
I didn’t want to put any more burden on her.
It really wasn’t my character to do something like this.
“ My father was killed in an accident three months ago.”
“What……”
Cheena opened her eyes and was surprised.
Sh*t. I accidentally said too much.
A story like that would seem to arouse sympathy, but in this case, it was such a miserable way to continue the conversation.
“Sorry, forget about it.”
“Oh, um, …”
Awkward!
Am I bad at conversations? Can’t I even have a decent conversation with anybody?
No, stop! I don’t need your pity! If you want my sympathy, you’ll have to give me your communication skills!(E/N: he’s saying he wants to have her communication skills to make the mood better or make a good reply to what she will say or react.)
I’ve ruined the greetings of her and me who’ve never met before!
As I was despairing over my bad conversational skills, Cheena approached me again.
“Me too… My parents died in an accident a month ago.”
Hugging her knees, Cheena’s petite body shrunk even more as she spoke.
“… I see. … That’s tough.”
I’m sure Cheena was loved by both her father and mother.
It’s not the same as my mother and sister who neglected me.
Just then, the door slammed open and Angie came back in.
“Listen! Cheena, you’re going to be able to go to high school by next week!”
The gloomy atmosphere that had been hanging in the air was blown away by the happy and excited thirty-something adult woman.
You’re a real bright person, aren’t you?
That’s a relief!
“Come on, you two! We’re going shopping now!”
“Am I going too?”
“I don’t know what I need for high school in Japan.”
“… Got it.”
After that, the next three days were extremely hectic as I did some shopping and taught Cheena at least some Japanese.
A/N: I’m sure there’s a lot to be said for Christina’s situation, but the fact that a foreigner of American nationality living in Japan would take in a Russian orphan is a situation I don’t understand anymore: …
I’m not sure which country’s laws apply to what extent, so I’m doing some research on how foster children are treated in different countries and mixing it up softly.
By the way, Christina’s family name is still Kournikova because Angie is very careful about it.
Will they change it to Lake when things settle down?
(T/N: By the way, Lake is Angie’s surname.)