![001.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_7452b567c0da4438b6cdf36120bf443d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_451,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_7452b567c0da4438b6cdf36120bf443d~mv2.jpg)
Alone in Akita
![scroll button.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_0535e32cbe5645f78afb62cb83851ee7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_26,h_26,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/scroll%20button.png)
![000-phone-compressor.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_bdfd305baf584636a1e33b8ab9142831~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_389,h_719,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_auto/64f46e_bdfd305baf584636a1e33b8ab9142831~mv2.png)
Hi mum. Yep - Japan's great. Having fun.
Ate some sushi and other cool stuff.
Everything is so clean and everyone is so polite.
Yep...
Yep...
Everything's great...
Really great...
Why am I trying to hide how I really feel?
How can I possibly tell anyone what it is really like here?
...
![Steve 002.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_80c05adfe50b48fb9b782c63319a3caa~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_105,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_80c05adfe50b48fb9b782c63319a3caa~mv2.png)
Why...
And how...
Everything was so much fun when I first got here.
Akita was unlike anywhere I'd ever been before.
I was so excited to start a new life here.
![004-A-1200.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_f8dc087ae1e746b681e5f9002bc02d9a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_119,h_79,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_f8dc087ae1e746b681e5f9002bc02d9a~mv2.jpg)
But getting around was harder than I thought.
My Japanese was so bad, and no one seemed to speak English.
I felt so stupid talking to people.
I wish I had studied more.
![004-B-1200.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_c1cd372d02f64ce791f5dd09be2b2bdc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_108,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_c1cd372d02f64ce791f5dd09be2b2bdc~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_172,h_157,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Sumimasen,
Sumimasen
![005.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_8ae486dfa5364a308ba5877d3932b1f3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_8ae486dfa5364a308ba5877d3932b1f3~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_02.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_415a444e68d045edaa69d574e7f1b7d0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_62,h_69,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_415a444e68d045edaa69d574e7f1b7d0~mv2.png)
Hi! I'm your new language teacher. I'm Steve, from the UK. Together, we are going to learn to speak REAL English. You can put
down your textbook.
But I KNOW why I came here. I want to make a difference.
![006_960px.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_f22226e967e9454f8178b7f1b8dd2054~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_100,h_150,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_f22226e967e9454f8178b7f1b8dd2054~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_172,h_157,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_172,h_157,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Ok everyone!
See you next week!
Otsukare sama
deshita...
I really threw myself into life here.
I worked hard on my Japanese so I could get to know people.
![007-1200.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_54e5ad219da84dbdac2254c9fc07444d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_123,h_92,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_54e5ad219da84dbdac2254c9fc07444d~mv2.jpg)
![008-A-800.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_32af30a94def4db6ad56c6fd2e4594f5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_77,h_78,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_32af30a94def4db6ad56c6fd2e4594f5~mv2.jpg)
But making friends was hard.
I ended up spending most of my time on my phone.
![008-B-800.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_6b891be9c758495da14c7823e94967d1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_87,h_65,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_6b891be9c758495da14c7823e94967d1~mv2.jpg)
![008-C-800.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_03ddbd23482c49eaa3177eab2875fd2e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_116,h_60,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_03ddbd23482c49eaa3177eab2875fd2e~mv2.jpg)
Everyone looked like they were having a great time back home.
But I was stuck in far away, lonely Akita...
I've never felt so isolated.
I miss my friends.
I miss home.
![009.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_5d6a084d94b745e28076eb64c0d61369~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_100,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_5d6a084d94b745e28076eb64c0d61369~mv2.jpg)
They're so far away...
![001.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_002331aa979a41728bef1c4c6c9acf71~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_121,h_92,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_002331aa979a41728bef1c4c6c9acf71~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_03.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_6b7016c050cf4bb7b945c722636a224e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_157,h_144,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_6b7016c050cf4bb7b945c722636a224e~mv2.png)
![dialog_box_04.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_fa06a02231ca473d974e3e465a0f7e40~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_194,h_178,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_fa06a02231ca473d974e3e465a0f7e40~mv2.png)
Steve-san.
We are worrying about your students' grades.
![002.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_341b5b52bd9b4d2a9c60d3f4aa6b6e05~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_117,h_99,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_341b5b52bd9b4d2a9c60d3f4aa6b6e05~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_178,h_163,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
I think it is better to use the textbook.
Oh...
![003-1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_5d213b45621e46bba478947f51c7eef1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_65,h_87,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_5d213b45621e46bba478947f51c7eef1~mv2.jpg)
Ok.
![003-2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_beb10898e6fb479db8887781ab83a756~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_65,h_87,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_beb10898e6fb479db8887781ab83a756~mv2.jpg)
![004.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_164b28e5c30447f0951d224b5ea1af28~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_101,h_89,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_164b28e5c30447f0951d224b5ea1af28~mv2.jpg)
(Sigh.)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_172,h_157,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Ok everyone...
let's turn to page 98.
![005.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_81a763fe4a6843bbb679daf82b546a00~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_107,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_81a763fe4a6843bbb679daf82b546a00~mv2.jpg)
To make matters worse,
Winter came.
![006.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_8ccf468600e14379b8446566e3ffc6c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_100,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_8ccf468600e14379b8446566e3ffc6c1~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_178,h_163,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
I think it is better to use the textbook.
![dialog_box_03.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_6b7016c050cf4bb7b945c722636a224e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_178,h_163,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_6b7016c050cf4bb7b945c722636a224e~mv2.png)
It's quite far from here and I don't have snow tyres.
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_178,h_163,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Yeah I really want to, but...
![dialog_box_03.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_6b7016c050cf4bb7b945c722636a224e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_196,h_179,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_6b7016c050cf4bb7b945c722636a224e~mv2.png)
Plus I'm not really sure how to get there and I'm worried about getting lost...
I really wish I could go...
(Sigh...)
![007.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_74e3d3899c264670a564fd679054d288~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_115,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_74e3d3899c264670a564fd679054d288~mv2.jpg)
My very first New Year's Eve away from home. Wow.
Cheap convenience store whiskey...my one and only friend.
![008.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_eb50c4c1a45b4e6c87bf487dfe727643~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_94,h_78,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_eb50c4c1a45b4e6c87bf487dfe727643~mv2.jpg)
![009.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_420eabcf4fe541a8a66d4a34e9323677~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_95,h_91,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_420eabcf4fe541a8a66d4a34e9323677~mv2.jpg)
I feel like I'm living my life on a lonely snowy island.
Surrounded by an endless sea of whiskey.
![010.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_d075d97602c146319826a1e2de2c18bb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_92,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_d075d97602c146319826a1e2de2c18bb~mv2.jpg)
Somehow, I survived. And eventually winter gave way to spring.
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_149,h_136,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Hi, Steve?
![011.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_f13ea6c1e3314448b8a151585a9999ae~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_129,h_108,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_f13ea6c1e3314448b8a151585a9999ae~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_167,h_153,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Oh, hi, nice to meet you too.
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_193,h_177,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
I'm Alison. I just arrived and I heard that you are from the UK too.
![01.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_3d6a2e9f04534d5b9272b28c6edf7f80~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_108,h_47,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_3d6a2e9f04534d5b9272b28c6edf7f80~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_174,h_159,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
So people like us are called “Gaijin-san”.
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_151,h_138,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
That sounds cute.
![02.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_ba4fefc0e1b64b968ce45bf921bfe156~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_111,h_95,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_ba4fefc0e1b64b968ce45bf921bfe156~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_06.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_ab2b44517b8f44f6b3e6ffbc284401b4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_59,h_52,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_ab2b44517b8f44f6b3e6ffbc284401b4~mv2.png)
And whenever I go to a supermarket, people look at what I'm putting into my shopping basket, to see what 'gaijin san' eat.
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_147,h_135,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Haha, yes, same!
Bonded over our 'gaijin-ness', we quickly got close to each other.
![03.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_0c7941d460744f2b91defd7ed5312f88~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_117,h_88,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_0c7941d460744f2b91defd7ed5312f88~mv2.jpg)
![04.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_14d674b89976488bba37aca88e38a7c4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_102,h_76,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_14d674b89976488bba37aca88e38a7c4~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_185,h_169,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Did you hear that colleagues aren't supposed to date each other?
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_178,h_163,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Yeah, I know. We can just keep it a secret for now.
Finally! Something to feel good about again!
![07.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_d8f02f20a5df488f9d31a14108de064b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_56,h_87,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_d8f02f20a5df488f9d31a14108de064b~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_103,h_94,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Alison!
![05.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_215a81c1208244bc9508fdd9b317dabc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_83,h_104,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_215a81c1208244bc9508fdd9b317dabc~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_103,h_94,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Alison!
![06.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_b1e186a5f4824c2bb1649b06cd8ab5f6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_83,h_94,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_b1e186a5f4824c2bb1649b06cd8ab5f6~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_103,h_94,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Alison!
After a while it felt like something changed, but I couldn't work it out. Guess I just have to try harder...
![09.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_c09b41ef40c74460975dce20e8af4c95~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_98,h_127,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_c09b41ef40c74460975dce20e8af4c95~mv2.jpg)
My dear, what are you up to?
In class and thinking of you now ❤️
Want to come over tonight? ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
![08.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_012d35ded12e44dab4e6d4ee6cb2a103~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_89,h_101,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_012d35ded12e44dab4e6d4ee6cb2a103~mv2.jpg)
Her family were coming to visit Japan, so I suggested we all do something together. That's when she told me...
![10.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_e316eac7f54d4292b2fa1bb83e9abae4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_85,h_112,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_e316eac7f54d4292b2fa1bb83e9abae4~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_178,h_163,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Steve. This is too fast. It's not what I want...
![dialog_box_03.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_6b7016c050cf4bb7b945c722636a224e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_147,h_135,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_6b7016c050cf4bb7b945c722636a224e~mv2.png)
I need some space.
![11.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_89d85e5e7e274097b01fe4291971afb1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_108,h_106,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_89d85e5e7e274097b01fe4291971afb1~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_156,h_143,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
What? Are we...
over?!
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_157,h_144,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
I can't be here without you!
![dialog_box_04.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_fa06a02231ca473d974e3e465a0f7e40~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_157,h_144,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_fa06a02231ca473d974e3e465a0f7e40~mv2.png)
I can make it work.
![12.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_01e5577639d944bdbb4fb8e5bad0b1a4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_63,h_76,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_01e5577639d944bdbb4fb8e5bad0b1a4~mv2.jpg)
Alison said no.
...And now she's not even answering my calls.
![13.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_7b0e8676ff844fc596ede885e7e30f91~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_97,h_64,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_7b0e8676ff844fc596ede885e7e30f91~mv2.jpg)
![14.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_33eb488aae9b458490e804136e7fd456~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_93,h_150,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_33eb488aae9b458490e804136e7fd456~mv2.jpg)
![15.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_fbc72cef46ea460aaf37d15397135f6e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_118,h_150,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_fbc72cef46ea460aaf37d15397135f6e~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_172,h_157,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Alison, it's me. Just open the door. Can we talk?
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_172,h_157,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
We can work this out. Please, just let me see you...
![4_001.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1b7713432a944c5af8af7ee55650c95~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_108,h_117,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_a1b7713432a944c5af8af7ee55650c95~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_103,h_94,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Alison!
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_165,h_151,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Alison!I just want to talk...
![4_002.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_c89e7fcce7774406a360b17030317586~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_94,h_75,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_c89e7fcce7774406a360b17030317586~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_159,h_145,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Steve! You need to leave!
![4_003.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_9c1f763708fc4c04b215ac22ae07a052~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_100,h_78,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_9c1f763708fc4c04b215ac22ae07a052~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_150,h_137,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Steve you need to leave.
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_156,h_143,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Come with us to talk.
Don't know how to go on...
![4_004.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_6e1cf692b1344f72b09c74d8d4b2f058~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_99,h_59,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_6e1cf692b1344f72b09c74d8d4b2f058~mv2.jpg)
![4_005.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_bcb8fbd2965446e49958b47d74918517~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_158,h_50,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_bcb8fbd2965446e49958b47d74918517~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_112,h_102,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
Steve!
![4_006.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_fceb36125afa41248f9f93722a2df1e1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_112,h_91,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_fceb36125afa41248f9f93722a2df1e1~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_165,h_151,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
Are you coming to tell me that I'm fired...?
![4_006.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_eeb3f1b59d1043fdb8af9bc0785a7825~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_125,h_91,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_eeb3f1b59d1043fdb8af9bc0785a7825~mv2.jpg)
![4_007.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a409eff6869b4a9e9992ed7800fc711f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_111,h_103,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_a409eff6869b4a9e9992ed7800fc711f~mv2.jpg)
![dialog_box_04.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_fa06a02231ca473d974e3e465a0f7e40~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_59,h_54,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_fa06a02231ca473d974e3e465a0f7e40~mv2.png)
No, I'm here to tell you the school has decided to give you one more chance. But you need to get help.
![dialog_box_05.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_162,h_148,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_a1cb31524f074a75888aaf94c82562f6~mv2.png)
I'm not sure...
who to turn to...
![dialog_box.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_169,h_155,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/64f46e_91b3c99ebfbd4660b0803b886a8fb77c~mv2.png)
How did I get here?...My life is such a mess...
![4_010.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_61bea921afb14c598f379f654d950d71~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_224,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_61bea921afb14c598f379f654d950d71~mv2.jpg)
Hi...I feel like my life is falling apart...
I'm glad you reached out.
Everything is such a mess and I don't know who to turn to.
You did a good thing to reach out to TELL. You're not alone.
That sounds so good...I have been so lonely...
You are not alone anymore.
I'm in Akita and made a mess of things here...it's so good to have someone to talk to.
Talking really helped.
I started to get my life back together.
I stopped drinking.
![4_011_bg.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_1dbc8fa962d444afa83e97c57e538f66~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_1dbc8fa962d444afa83e97c57e538f66~mv2.jpg)
I asked for a transfer to a bigger place.
And I found myself standing on the land of another city - Tokyo, with all the neon lights, skycrapers, and new friends waiting for me in my new life.
I'm not alone anymore.
![4_011_fg.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64f46e_b628d8a87a0b4ce7a20b94b4673362a9~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_57,h_60,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/64f46e_b628d8a87a0b4ce7a20b94b4673362a9~mv2.png)