“We’re monitoring the manufacturers Thales told us about. He believes the first thing they will go after is the containment capsule, then a stabilizer and lastly the radioactive source. Or at least that would be the safest route.”

“Shouldn’t you tell me those classified details tomorrow when I go by the base?”

It’s friday night. My hands are busy cooking, so the phone is by the counter and mom’s voice is coming out of it.

“You said you were alone.”

“I am.”

But Gwyn could be back at any moment. And the fact that we are talking in japanese wouldn’t really change anything, given that she can understand it.

“Then there is no problem.”

Actually there is, but you don’t know that because I didn’t share that much info on my roomie fearing dad’s paranoia would have had her checked… God spares me having to come up with any lies as I hear the jingling of keys and a door opening.

“Hey Gwyn.” I say in a loud voice. “Well, mom, I gotta go.”

Gwyn comes by the kitchen, moves her mouth saying hi and waves a hand.

Mother sighs, but doesn’t insist. “Don’t be late tomorrow, Hiro.” And she hangs up.

After a whole week of wondering why The Scorpio is not making his next move, I’m really not in the mood to talk about him or work any longer. Especially not around my polyglot friend.

“Your mother called you a hero?” Because, as you can see, she catches on really fast.

“What? Oh, no, she said Hiro. As in the name Hiro.”

She raises a brow.

“Hiro is my japanese name. It’s a thing among half-japanese people. I have an occidental and an oriental name. But just mom uses it.”

“Is it written in kanji?”

“Yeah. The one for generous. Though I’m not sure it suits me.”

“It’s a good name. I like it. And the meaning is just fine, Hiro.” She nudges me on the arm and leaves the kitchen.

Yeah, maybe I should try to live up to it. It’s really not a bad name after all… Anyway, dinner is on the oven and the timer is set. I should do my homework on the meantime, so I sit on the couch with some books.

Twenty minutes later Gwyn comes out of her room. Hair wet from the shower.

"You went running?"

"Until the riverside. You baking a chicken pie?"

"Yeah, a few more minutes 'till it's ready."

She sits beside me. "For a report?" And points at the books.

"Yes...” One I’m not excited about. “You done with yours?"

She nods. And I feel envious. But it's my own fault that I'm always late with homework. Gwyn is very disciplined, all her papers are done weeks prior to date. Hopefully some of it is rubbing off on me.

"Hey, why did you choose anthropology?" Funny how I never asked that or almost anything school-related.

She ponders for some seconds. "I think I wanted to understand people. I didn't have a dream or anything, so it seemed like a good idea. And you?"

"Physiotherapy helped a lot with my pain. Along with martial arts. I guess I wanted to help others with their pain too."

“I’m sure you will. I don’t know what with, but I think I would like to help others too.”

“You’ll figure it out eventually.”

And the timer rings to conclude our cheering on your friend session.