Good Waves

Good Waves

by J. V. Chen Illustrated by Yuzuki Momoi Series editor: Marcos Benevides Cover design by Junko Takahashi © 2021 Atama-ii Books, Tokyo Print ISBN: 978-1-941140-15-4 Other versions: visit www.atama-ii.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This work may not be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.

Length: 20 story pages; approx. 3,000 words total.

Level: CEFR A2+; approx. 500 headwords.

Recommended for learners at these levels: CEFR A2 and higher, if read with teacher or peer support.

CEFR B1 and higher, if read independently or without support.

Age 14+ may contain mature situations.

Contact: publisher@atama-ii.com

AN EASY-ENGLISH LOVE STORY... WITH A TWIST! Before you read

Age 14+ This story contains romantic situations

GOOD WAVES This story is about YOU. In this story, you meet a handsome young man who is a surfer, and maybe you will fall in love with him. He will make you think about how to be happy in life.

Before you read, think about these questions: • Are you happy with your life now? Why or why not?

• Do you know anyone who is very happy with their life?

• What is the way to happiness? Is it easy to find?

Next, learn the keywords for this story.

Keywords babe (n.) a gender-neutral word used by lovers, like “darling” or “honey” beach (n.) the sandy area next to the sea bartender (n.) a person who makes drinks at a bar buzz (n.) the vibrating sound that a phone or bees can make; (v.) to make such a sound charming (adj.) attractive, in a cute style competition (n.) a game or challenge played to know who is the best at something crowd (n.) a group of many people Hawaii (n.) a state in the USA, famous for beautiful beaches and good waves for surfing motorcycle (n.) two-wheeled vehicle with an engine quit (v.) to choose to stop an activity; esp. work seafood (n.) general word for any food from the sea

surfing (n.) a sport performed by riding a long board over waves in the sea; surf (v.) to ride a board over waves surfboard (n.) a long, fish-shaped board used for surfing surfer (n.) a person who surfs text (n.) a short written message sent by phone; (v.) to send a short written message by phone ticket (n.) a piece of paper or a file that shows you can enter or do something wave (n.) the up and down movement of the sea wine (n.) a red or white alcoholic drink made from grapes

Good Waves It’s late on a Friday night as you walk out of Tokyo Station.

You are tired and angry. You take heavy steps toward your apartment, as you think about what happened tonight.

After working hard all month, you finally had time for a date with your boyfriend.

It was a long time since you saw him. You wanted a nice romantic night together.

But that’s not what happened.

First, he was very late. Then, he ordered seafood for dinner—but you can’t eat seafood! You’ve told him that so many times! Finally, when you tried to talk during dinner, your boyfriend just drank and looked at his phone. It was like eating alone.

After that, he drank too much and then he fell asleep. Same as last time. And the time before that. So you walked out and left him there. He’s not going to change, you think sadly.

Now, here you are. Alone and unhappy again. Tomorrow will be another day at work. Will this be your life... forever?

As you walk, you see that there a new bar open on a side street. A surfboard hangs over the door. On it is written, “GOOD WAVES”. Looks fun, you think.

Hmm, why not?

Inside, the bar is very small. There are no tables, only four seats side by side.

It feels warm, like a seaside bar. A soft Hawaiian song is playing. You relax right away.

The place is empty, except for a young bartender behind the counter. He quickly catches your eye. He is very handsome, with long, messy hair that falls over his face.

“Welcome to Good Waves,” he says with a charming smile. “I’m Hideo. What can I get you?”

“A glass of red, please” you say. You feel much better already!

As you drink, you chat with Hideo.

He tells you that he runs the bar at night, but that his real love is surfing. All around are many surfing prizes and photos. He talks about the places where he’s surfed: Australia, California, Okinawa.

“Next week,” he says, “I’m going to Hawaii again.”

“Wow!” you say. “Must be nice to travel so much.”

“It is,” he says with a smile. “You should try it.”

“Oh, I wish my life were so easy,” you say, sadly. You tell him about tonight’s bad date and about your unhappy life.

“Hey, listen,” Hideo says. “Life goes up and down. It’s like the sea. When it’s going up, try to catch that good wave and then ride it as far as you can. That’s what I do: I catch the good waves, and I let the bad ones go by.”

“It can’t be that easy,” you say, shaking your head. You feel light-headed. Is it the wine, or Hideo’s words?

“Why not?” Hideo asks with a smile. His smile is so warm, so kind, so confident.

You wish that you could feel that way too.

You shake your head again, slowly. You don’t know what to say. You finish your glass and ask for another. Hideo takes the empty glass, but he doesn’t give you more.

“Listen,” he says in a kind voice, “I’m closing up soon. How about I give you a ride home?”

He can’t be serious! you think. But something in his eyes makes you feel safe.

You decide to take a chance.

“Okay,” you say, smiling. “But only to my front door!”

“OK, deal!” Hideo laughs.

While he cleans up, you look again at his surfing photos on the wall. He looks really good with his shirt off!

After closing the bar, you and Hideo walk outside. It’s a clear, warm night.

That’s funny, you think to yourself. I’m not tired at all anymore. You know that you should go home, but you don’t want to.

Hideo points at his motorcycle. “Where to?” he asks.

“Surprise me,” you say with a smile.

“Not home, then?”

“Not just yet,” you answer. “I want to look at the sea.”

Hideo drives you to Tokyo Bay, and you sit together by the water. The lights of Rainbow Bridge at night are amazing. You take photos of him on his motorcycle.

“How can you be so perfect?” you ask, laughing. “It’s not fair! What’s your secret?”

“Secret?” Hideo laughs, “I’ve told you already. But okay, here’s the rest of my story. I used to work in a big company. The money was very good, but I wasn’t happy. So I quit. I followed my dream, surfing. And I also opened the bar. I think it saved my life.”

“You’re so brave,” you say in a small voice. “I wish that I could find a dream to follow, too.”

“Hey, we only have one life,” Hideo says, taking your hand and looking into your eyes. “Don’t let it pass by. Catch the good waves, and ride them where you want to go.”

You smile at him. His hands are big and warm. His skin is rough from the sea and the sun. Behind you, the sun is starting to come up. It’s time to say goodbye.

Hideo drives you home, and you hug him tightly all the way. “Will you come to the bar again?” he asks.

“Maybe...” you say with a playful smile. But you’re already thinking about what to wear tomorrow night.

The next day, you decide to sleep in. You call in sick at work. Your boss is angry, but you don’t care. You haven’t felt this happy in years. You want the feeling to last just a little longer.

You spend the day thinking about your life, thinking about the things that make you happy. You think about Hideo’s words, about how you can catch your good wave.

You also eat ice cream in your pajamas, and you dance to your favorite music.

You don’t check your phone even once. It feels wonderful.

As the sun starts to go down, you shower and get dressed. Then you grab a book and go for a walk in the park.

After that, you eat dinner alone in your favorite cafe, just reading quietly. It’s the best you’ve felt in a long time.

At around ten o’clock, you start to walk to Hideo’s bar.

However, when you get there, there is a sign on the door: “CLOSED”.

That’s strange, you think. Why would Hideo close the bar on a Saturday night?

You walk sadly back to your apartment. When you get home, there is a letter on the floor. Someone must have put it under the door.

You open it. The letter is from Hideo.

Last night was wonderful, thank you. I’m sorry that I didn’t say goodbye. My surfing team had a change of plan. We had to fly out today. But why don’t you come to Hawaii to watch the surfing competition? This ticket is on me!

-Hideo There is an airplane ticket with the letter!

However, you don’t even need to check your calendar: You need to work all next week. And the week after next, too. The only way that you could go to Hawaii is by quitting your job!

You don’t know what to do. As you stand in your room, thinking, your phone buzzes. That is when you remember: You haven’t checked your text messages all day!

There are so many texts from your boyfriend: > babe, where r u??? > been textin u all day! > c’mon babe, pick up pleeeeez!!! > I kno last nite didnt work out... > jus lemme make it up tomorrow nite OK? His texts make you so angry. You start to write, “No thanks!” but then you stop.

You take a deep breath, and you look again at the letter.

You can’t help feeling bad about last night with Hideo, about your new feelings.

You do still have a boyfriend, after all.

“OK, fine,” you text your boyfriend. “I’ll give you one last chance. Where do you want to go?”

He calls you back right away.

“Thanks, babe, I’ll make it up to you!” he says. “You like to look at the sea, right? How about we go somewhere near... Tokyo Bay?” “That’s fine,” you say. “Pick me up at six. And don’t be late.”

You put the phone down. Your head is spinning. Tokyo Bay! This can’t be happening by chance.

You look out the window. There are raindrops on the glass. The grey clouds look like waves in the sky. You open the window to let some fresh air in.

Then you get into bed, and say softly to yourself: “It was just one night. Just let it go.”

You close your eyes and fall asleep.

You wake up early in the morning and go to work. Your boss is angry with you about yesterday, but you don’t care.

The only thing on your mind is Hideo. As much as you try, you can’t put him out of your mind. Everywhere you look, something reminds you of him. It’s like the universe is trying to tell you something.

After work, you get home and get ready for your date. The airplane ticket is still on the table. You hide it under some books.

“How can I just fly to Hawaii like that?” you ask yourself. “With no planning at all! It’s crazy! Who does that kind of thing? Not me!”

You put it out of your mind and get ready to go out. Just before six o’clock, there is a knock at the door.

Well, at least he’s on time for once, you think to yourself. Maybe he really is trying to change!

You open the door. Your boyfriend is there, with a red rose in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. “Surprise!” he says, flashing his most charming smile.

“Aw, that’s sweet, thank you,” you say.

“See? I know what you like, babe!” he says.

“Well, you are full of surprises today.” You put the bottle on the table, and the rose in a glass of water. “It’s very pretty, thank you. Shall we go?”

“If you’re ready, babe,” he says, taking your hand. “I got us a table in the Sky Restaurant. It’s right next to the water. It wasn’t easy, but the view from there is the best.”

You listen to his words, but your mind is somewhere else.

As you walk to the car, you feel a soft warm wind coming from the sea. Is it coming all the way from Hawaii, you wonder?

“Yes, thank you,” you say again to your boyfriend. But your mind is very far away…

The lights across Rainbow Bridge are as beautiful as always.

Your boyfriend sits in front of you, his back to the window. He is still talking about how hard it was to get a table at this restaurant.

You smile and look out at the lights.

When the waiter comes, you hardly see him. Your boyfriend orders for both of you. “...and you like red wine, right, babe?” you hear him ask you.

But before you can answer, he turns to the waiter again: “Yes, a bottle of red and two glasses, please” he says.

You smile again and look at the water. The waves under the bridge come and go. You can’t help thinking about Hideo’s words: “Catch the good waves...”

But what are the good waves of my life? you ask yourself. Not my job, that’s for sure. What about my boyfriend?

“Babe? Hey babe, are you here?” he asks, holding up his glass. “Come on!

Cheers! To us!”

“Oh, yeah, I’m here, sorry,” you say, touching your glass to his. “Cheers. This is very nice, thank you.”

“Are you OK, babe? Not feeling well?” he asks.

“I’m just... tired,” you lie. “Work was really hard today.”

“Well here, try this,” your boyfriend says, holding a fork out for you. “I ordered today’s special!”

You look down and see a big plate of seafood.

Suddenly, you get angry. Very, very angry.

“Really?” you ask, not believing what you see. “REALLY? Seafood? You know that I can’t eat seafood. I told you a hundred times! Are you trying to kill me?”

His eyes become very wide. “I… I’m sorry, babe... I guess I, I… I forgot. Here, let me order again...”

“NO,” you say. “Enough is enough! I’m done. We are done. I’m leaving. Don’t call me again.”

You stand up, throw some money on the table, and walk out. Your boyfriend— now your ex-boyfriend—sits there, frozen.

You leave the restaurant and walk toward the water.

Without thinking, you walk to the same place where you sat with Hideo. You look at the water. The waves move up and down on their way to the sea.

Your phone buzzes many times. You know that it’s your ex-boyfriend, but you don’t want to check. You just want to go home and to bed.

You’re so tired of this life. You don’t know how to catch a good wave. You don’t even know what you want!

Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Your phone continues to buzz.

“Well, there’s one thing I know for sure,” you say angrily. “I’m really, really done with this guy!”

You take out your phone. Doesn’t he know when to quit? > I’m so sorry, babe! > Please give me another chance. Please! > Don’t let one seafood plate end us!

“Well, at least his grammar is getting better,” you laugh.

Then you block him, and delete all of his texts.

You feel better right away.

You take a deep breath and look at your photos of Hideo. He looks so happy and confident. You wish you could be that way too. Is Hideo the wave you’re looking for?

You go home alone. You don’t know what else to do, so you read Hideo’s letter again and then jump into bed. You fall asleep without an answer.

However, when you wake up the next day, things feel much better. It’s a sunny day, and you feel happy again. It feels like your life is on the way up.

“This is it,” you say. “It’s time to catch this wave.” You jump out of bed.

First, you get dressed and go to work. You walk into the office, and you tell your boss that you quit. Then you walk back out again. It feels great!

Next, you go home and pack your bags. You’re going to Hawaii. You don’t know what will happen. You don’t even know if you will return. You just know that it feels wonderful to be riding this wave.

It’s like a dream. Time goes by so fast you can’t believe it. Before you know it, you are in a taxi, on your way to a hotel in Hawaii. Can it be so easy to change my life? you ask yourself.

On the day of the competition, you watch from the beach. There is a crowd of people around you, and everyone is cheering. You see Hideo lined up with the other surfers. He doesn’t see you in the crowd.

When it’s his turn, Hideo catches the biggest wave you’ve ever seen. He rides it beautifully, right to the end. He looks like he was made to ride the waves. You are so happy that you could see it.

At the end of the day, Hideo wins the first prize. People crowd around him, cheering. He laughs and holds up his prize for the cameras. Now and then, he stops and looks around. Is he looking for you?

You don’t show yourself. You smile and cheer and continue to hide in the crowd. This is his wave, you think, happily. Not mine.

Later, when the crowd is gone, you walk alone on the beach. Finally, you know what to do. You write a text to Hideo, then you turn off your phone.

“I saw you catch your wave today,” your text reads. “It was wonderful. I’m riding my wave now too. But I think that I need to ride it alone for now. Maybe one day the waves will bring me back to you. I hope so. Goodbye.”

The End...?

What if... you do go talk to Hideo? ...When it’s his turn, Hideo catches the biggest wave you’ve ever seen. He rides it beautifully, right to the end. He wins first place easily. After, on the beach, many people are all around him, cheering.

“Hideo!” you shout, pushing your way through the crowd.

“There you are!” he says when he sees you. “You are brave enough after all!”

He laughs, and gives you a big hug.

You hug him for a long time in the middle of the crowd. “Thank you,” you say.

“And congratulations! You were wonderful out there. It’s like you were dancing on the water!”

“I’m glad you liked it,” he says. “Hey, if you don’t have other plans... there’s a big party tonight. Do you want to go?”

“Of course,” you say. “What kind of party?”

“The best kind,” he says. “A beach party!” He lifts you up in one arm, and the smile on his face shines warmly. It’s like you are floating on the water.

Night comes quickly.

The party is a blur of dancing, music, and sweet, blue-colored drinks. You sit next to Hideo by the fire, as he plays a ukulele.

Beautiful surfers dance all around, but Hideo looks only at you. “I’ll play the next song for you,” he says, smiling. “But only if you dance!”

You are nervous, but also excited. The heat from the fire kisses your face as you stand up to dance. You dance to the song that he plays just for you.

Later, you and Hideo go for a walk along the beach. The sand is soft and warm under your feet. The stars shine above you.

You look into Hideo’s eyes and wonder where the next wave will take you. But maybe it doesn’t matter. Now you know you can catch it—or let it go by.

The End.

Book review 1. Did you enjoy this story? Why or why not?

2. Who are the main characters? Can you describe them?

3. Where does the story take place? Can you describe it?

4. Which ending did you like more? Why did you like it?

5. Can you think of another way to end this story?

About us ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. V. Chen wrote Good Waves as a project in a seminar course at J. F. Oberlin University, and plans to work in educational publishing after graduation.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Yuzuki Momoi is an award-winning manga illustrator, and an art teacher at Osaka Seikei University in Japan.

ABOUT THE SERIES EDITOR

Marcos R. Benevides is an ELT author, editor, and publisher, and associate professor of linguistics at J. F. Oberlin University, Tokyo.

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