The People that Surround me: Sairi Matsuo

It's March 14 and 13-year old Sairi Matsuo has a most important day ahead of her. She is a second year junior high school student and the happenings of this day will make or break her. At least that is what she's thinking right now. Sairi-chan, however, is not alone, millions of other Japanese girls lie awake this morning, contemplating the same thing.

You see, exactly one month ago to the day, Sairi made chocolate with her mother. They were making it for all the men in their lives, mainly 7-year old Yuta and her father. But what she didn't tell her mother was that she tucked some aside for Takumi-kun, her crush at school. Up until this point, though, their conversation had been strictly limited to sports club and hello goodbyes. On February 14th, however, Sairi mustered extra courage to speak to Takumi. That day, the conversation stayed the same, but it was accented in the end with a "here you are" along with a hand-sized box of homemade chocolates.

"I was so nervous," Sairi said about the covert delivery. "I really tried my best letting him know that I liked him."

The answer on Valentines Day from Takumi: A look of suprise and a polite thank you, eyes focused on the ground.

But his real answer will come today, exactly one month later on White Day. This is the day when girls across the country find out if the sacred question "Will you be my Valentine?" is answered yes or no . If she gets candy, then he likes her too. If she doesn't, then her day will go on as usual, but with a wave of disappointment riding through her.

White Day is celebrated in Japan, South Korea and other east asian countries such as Hong Kong, where Japanese influence is strong. On Valentine's Day, women give chocolates to men. Women even give "Giri-Choco" (義理チョコ), or "Obligatory Chocolate" to those close to her but with no romantic interest. When White Day comes, it is the boy's turn -if he so desires- to return the gift in what is called "sanbai-gaeshi" (3倍返し) or "triple return." The gift the boy gives is supposed to be three times the value of the initial gift from the girl.

The holiday began in 1965, when a marshmallow maker used marketing to convince men that they should pay back the women who gave them chocolate with marshmallows. Originally it was called Marshmallow Day. Later it was changed to White Day.

Soon, chocolate companies joined the commercial ploy and began marketing white chocolate. Now, Japanese men give both white and non-white chocolate, as well as other gifts.

As for 13-year old Sairi, what will she do if she walks home with White Day chocolate from her beau in her backpack? Will they hold hands the next day?

"No way, that would be too embarassing.

"I don't know," she sat in thought. "Maybe start talking to each other more?"

We will all have to wait until next week for that answer though. When asked if I could call her tonight to find out if she got the goods, she said,

"No! My mom will be home!"