Bestfriends with Benefits in Japanese

Currently playing: "Can't Be Happening" by The Marlows

Ichi was my Japanese Language teacher in college, we were under his class since first year. During our time, there would be after-class parties and get-togethers. It's how we celebrate the essence of the Philippine-Japan friendship in school.

The first time I met him was on the actual RP-Japan Friendship Day and that's almost 6 years ago. There were visiting students from Japan and I was one of the school representatives to post as a Tour Guide. On the Sayonara party held for the Japanese guests, Ichi was seated next to our table together with Ono-san (a sexy Japanese hunk rumored to be a former TV child star back in Japan) and some old Japanese officials. I was with my Kanojo sisters and some other classmates drinking a former favorite drink, margarita. Of course, drinking liquor was strictly prohibited within the school's premises but I was able to mix it in a fancy pink thermostat. Most of the students would go near their tables to take pictures of the handsome duo while I was busy drinking and entertaining one of the Japanese visiting student -my first college love, Taka.

As soon as the older Japanese guests left them on their table, Ichi and Ono-san approached our table checking what triggers our merry conversation suspiciously.

"Nomi ze!", as Taka offered his shot to Ichi. We drank and mock the formality of the program that night until Ichi invited us to join the after-party which was held on the school's dormitory. The after-party was intended for the Japanese students and other Japanese guests only but we ended up sitting with them in the banquet, served and treated like VIPs.

The following night, Ichi invited me for a drink along with other students. We started drinking in Blue Post and ended up at Amados. We got along well that very night, without me knowing that I was set to lift another eewy romantic chapter of my life.

Aside from his good looks, Ichi is a well-versed person and very interesting. But I find him weird and very typical. We talked about a lot of things penetrating each other's world.

We talked about the relevance of numerology with human existence.

Me: "How old are you?"

Ichi: "Twenty three. How about you?"

Me: "Old enough."

Ichi: "Seriously?"

Me: "Eleven?"

Ichi: "Okay."

We talked about how religion divided the world into continents.

Ichi: "I was raised with Buddhism but I believe that Gandhi is a god. What's your religion?"

Me: "I am my religion."

And some other nonsense things in the world.

Ichi: "So what's your stand about the reconstruction of the Philippine-Japan relations?"

Me: "I think the new era brings new challenges to both countries, there's so much more to learn about the past."


My friendship with Ichi starts there. And then I met my new language teacher the following day.