(After the conversations among the adults quieted down a bit, and the teacups began to empty one by one, the attention gradually shifted to the younger generation.)
Ahmed's younger brothers were sitting near Honoka and Yoshika, exchanging curious glances and shy smiles.
At first… None of them knew how to start the conversation. The language barrier was still there. But children rarely need many words to become friends.
One of Ahmed's brothers took out a small ball from his bag and pointed at it with a smile. Yoshika understood the meaning immediately. She jumped from her place enthusiastically, took the ball from him, and started a simple game inside the small garden of the house. Soon, the rest of the children joined the game.
Laughter filled the place, while Ahmed watched them from afar with a calm smile. But his rest didn't last long. One of his brothers ran toward him quickly.
Ahmed's brother: "Ask her what her favorite game is!" (Ahmed sighs with a smile.) Then he turns to Yoshika and translates the question. After she answered, Ahmed went back to translate the response. And before he could finish... another question came. Then a third question. Then a fourth question.
Ahmed became like an official translator for the children as well.
Honoka (laughing): "Ahmed-niisan, it seems you are working harder than all of us today." Ahmed: "I feel like I'm in a translation exam, not a family visit." (Misaki bursts into laughter.)
As time passed… Ahmed's brothers began to learn some simple Japanese words, while Yoshika and Honoka learned some easy Arabic words. The pronunciation of the words was funny at times, causing repeated waves of laughter.
Even Misaki's parents and Ahmed's parents were watching the scene with smiles. It was beautiful to see children from two different cultures get along so quickly.
And as the sun began to set… Everyone felt that time passed faster than they expected. The visit that started with a lot of hesitation and formalities turned into a warm gathering full of beautiful memories.
And as everyone began preparing to leave... Ahmed's father stood up smiling, and looked at Misaki's father as if he remembered something important he wanted to say before the meeting ended. He raised his head and said in Arabic:
Ahmed's Father: "We really enjoyed meeting you today..." (Everyone turns toward Ahmed as he prepares to translate his father's words.)