257 : simpler pieces

in grammar class

we discuss

what would you do if you only had 24 hours left to live

i have to give an example answer first;

i've always thought

efl

was quite therapeutic.

a boy misunderstands the question

says, i do my homework at 8 p.m.

other students correct him

the world is ending, they say.

they translate to the popular japanese question

"what's the last thing you want to do?"

even though that's a kind of different question

masashi wants to skydive, issei wants to eat steak

i pick up a different color marker and reread the question out loud 

then realize i haven't thought of an answer

i pause for a brief moment and say, my marker filling in the gap,

"i will fly to ireland and see my boyfriend and hold him."

it falls out of my mouth.

one boy shouts 気もい！

one girl smiles

the rest of the thirteen-year-olds nod their heads in approval

like

yeah, makes sense 

yeah, that's what you should do

i know, you're not
but i still think
it's what i would do