Farewell Interviews

Alek, we're going home tomorrow. Are you excited about going home?

No.

Why not?

Cuz I hate going on the plane for a long time.

What will you do on the plane this time?

The same thing as last time.

What did you do last time?

I did the same thing as this time.

What will you miss about Kyoto?

Everything.

Can you give me some specifics?

What are specifics?

Like what did you like about Japan the most?

School. And trips with friends from school for two days, like Fukui and USJ and....

What do you think Fig will do when he sees us?

What he normally does. But louder and longer.

What else can you tell people?

Are we gonna come back?

Max, are you excited about going home?

Yes. Cuz I can actually do what I want to do.

Can't you do that now?

No, because I don't have a garage full of wood and nails and rubber bands and a big yard and trees. And a sledge hammer.

(Dad asks) but you can ride the subway by yourself, ne?

But the subways are dirty and I get toe-dirt.

What will you do on the plane this time?

I'm gonna read, and play DS and watch movies. And eat.

What will you miss about Japan?

R-kun, and my friends.

What do you think Fig will do when he sees us?

Lick us, and jump up on us. And scream.

Is there anything you will not miss?

The city, and our house and our refrigerator, and our cooktop. And the weather.

What else can you tell people?

If you come by our house, when you get home, I'm going to start a production line of rubber band guns, and you can rent one, and buy one. They're gonna shoot washers and those little firecrackers that pop when they hit the ground. I might even build one that shoots tacks.

I think that's enough, Max. Thanks.

Hugo, are you excited about going home?

Kind of.

How come?

Hmph.

What do you think you'l do first?

Meet Fig.

What do you think Fig will do when he sees us?

Smell us a lot.

What will you do on the plane this time?

I have no idea. Nothing.

What will you miss about Japan?

My friends. And Yodobashi Camera.

Maybe tofu kitty.

Is there anything you will not miss?

Our house. Because it's small and squishy and dumb.

What else can you tell people?

Bye!