Three Girls, One Christmas Promise

Oyuki Hedyia

My mama's taking me to see obaachan up north... she says it'll snow enough to bury the shrine gates.

Kintsugi Tachibana

Snow's just frozen water. Your grandmother's house doesn't have magical properties.

Gen Matsuda

I'm flying to America with mama and papa... I've never met mama's side. What if they hate me too?

Oyuki Hedyia

Gen-chan...

Oyuki Hedyia

Your American family won't see you as different. You're their blood.

Gen Matsuda

Blood didn't help me here. I'm still the scary gaijin who yells too loud.

Oyuki Hedyia

Gen... You know, I'm jealous... you get to fly across the ocean. I've never even been on a train alone.

Gen Matsuda

Oyuki... your hair's getting in my miso soup...

Kintsugi Tachibana

My grandparents are coming to our house. They're bringing persimmons and expecting me to smile like a normal granddaughter.

Gen Matsuda

You? Smile?

Kintsugi Tachibana

New tradition. Whoever has the worst Christmas has to eat all the carrots on New Year's.

Gen Matsuda

That's not how traditions work, Kintsugi!

Oyuki Hedyia

Do American carrots taste different?