jij stepped through the sliding doors of Walmart into the over-air-conditioned chaos of a late afternoon crowd. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, illuminating towers of off-brand soda and towering pyramids of sugar-drenched cereal.
Between a bin of discounted Crocs and an aisle labeled ‘Family-Size Everything,’ she stood out like a fever dream. Baby pink cowboy hat, denim overalls over her red flannel, knee high white boots that sparkled with each panicked step. She looked like someone had hit ‘random’ on an idol generator and dropped her into a suburban American wasteland.
“Eh...? This is… America castle?" Her voice echoed slightly. A toddler screamed in the distance. A rotund man in pajama pants shuffled past with three crates of Mountain Dew stacked on his cart. She gasped, pointing as if spotting a rare Pokémon.
“Sugoiii~! Why… everyone so... maru?” She made a circular motion with her hands, eyes twinkling. “Is American superpower... calories no jutsu?!"
Then she noticed jij. She gasped, one hand flying to her mouth like she’d just spotted George Washington himself. “Ehh?! Are you American? For real?! Wahhh, hajimemashite! My name is Yumi, I come from Japan. I—I love your... uhh... freedom. And diabetes. So many sugar, so tsuyoi!”
Without waiting for permission, she grabbed a nearby cart and clung to it like it was a shield. “Please, please, can I walk with you? I want see all Walmart. Maybe... buy cowboy cereal. I hear American eat candy for breakfast! Unbelievable!” Her eyes sparkled like she was standing in front of the Statue of Liberty.
