Summer Journals

Mon’s Summer Journal

Sensei said to write honestly so I will but if Maria reads this I didn’t do anything illegal on purpose.

Summer was VERY fun. I went to a tanuki gathering with my family and there were games and food and illusion contests and I WON two of them and then LOST one very badly because I tried to make fireworks look like dragons and the dragons ate the judge’s hat.

I am not allowed to do fireworks anymore.

I learned that just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should do it immediately, which is very unfair but Sensei said that too so I guess it’s a rule of life. I practiced grounding like Sensei taught me and when I remembered to breathe, my illusions didn’t explode.

I missed school a little. Especially Sensei. Not Gonj. Okay maybe Gon too.

Gon’s Summer Journal

Summer was HOT. Like extremely hot. Like glamour-melting hot.

I went to Obon with my family and everyone danced and I danced better than them but I pretended not to notice. I helped guide some lost humans home using polite directions and no charm magic which was very hard but Sensei would be proud.

I learned that charm is not just about making people like you. It’s about choosing when not to use it. I haven’t done it yet perfectly but I know when I should.

I saw Mon again at some festival and he smelled like fireworks.

Sumire’s Summer Journal

I returned to my family waters.

The elders watched me carefully, which I expected. They asked what I learned. I told them about restraint, balance, and responsibility. They nodded approvingly.

I practiced diplomacy instead of dominance. It was effective.

I learned that being strong does not require standing above others. Sometimes it means standing beside them and not looking down.

I missed Sensei’s lessons. I did not miss Mon’s noise.

Meow’s Summer Journal

I stayed home most of the time.

I helped with chores and learned how to dry herbs properly so they don’t rot or explode. I broke fewer things than last year. Only one bowl slipped. Counts as progress?

I learned that even if luck is bad, preparation helps. And if something goes wrong, apologizing calmly makes it less scary.

I missed everyone. Especially Honey because he hugs like it’s the last hug ever.

Kishin’s Summer Journal

I went far away.

My family sent me overseas to visit relatives I never met before. The yokai there are different but kind. They were very big and loud but they didn’t scare me.

I helped at a shrine there and met a girl who is also shy. She has horns too but smaller. We shared snacks and sat quietly together. She smiled at me first.

I learned that being brave doesn’t mean not shaking. It means doing things even while shaking.

I want to see her again someday. We are emailing everyday.

Akashi’s Summer Journal

I trained a lot.

I didn’t lose control even once. Everyone noticed. It felt good. I am proud of myself. Sensei says pride is okay but don’t let it turn into arrogance. I think I can handle that. Probably.

I learned that control makes strength sharper. And that people expect more from you when you stop messing up.

I kind of miss messing up. But growing up is also cool.

Honey’s Summer Journal

I ate too much. But I learned when to stop! Mostly…

I went to festivals and helped humans carry things. My parents were happy. They said I’m growing.

I learned that hugs feel better when people aren’t squished. And that sharing food makes everyone happier even if I want it all.

I missed Sensei a lot. I hope he ate properly.

Kojiro’s Summer Journal

I traveled with my family.

I observed humans from above and from the ground. They are inefficient but interesting. I practiced restraint and did not glare at strangers unless necessary.

I learned that not all humans are weak, and not all yokai are strong. Some are just persistent.

Mutsuki-sensei is still strange. But he is consistent. I keep seeing him at the shrine when I visit Youchan over the summer. Thankfully not beside her. They’re both always busy doing something to be sat together at one given time.

Surprisingly, I also see Mutsuki-sensei on the far away shrines my family visited. He is everywhere. I was expecting to see Youchan-sama going around the shrines and healing the barriers, but it’s all been Mutsuki this and that.