In order to save the villainous twin sisters from falling into darkness the mob character worked hard and as a result ended up being doted on by both of them.
I was dragged along by Saki and Soyaka into a café.
It was a place modeled after a major chain that everyone’s seen before, with a modern interior design centered around wooden furnishings.
The shop was filled with the rich aroma of coffee mixed with the sweet scent of what must’ve been desserts from the side menu—a smell alone that could make you feel happy.
Being after school hours, the place was relatively crowded with customers.
In this life and my previous one, I’d never had much connection to trendy places like this.
“Touko , what do you like?”
“Uh, umm…”
Saki handed me the menu, but faced with a list of unfamiliar words, I had no idea what to pick.
Even though it was written in Japanese, I couldn’t quite make sense of it.
“Oh, then how about I pick my recommendation for you, Touko-chan?”
Sensing my confusion, Soyaka threw me a lifeline.
I was grateful.
Not only could I not decide for myself, but I also wanted to know what Soyaka liked—it was a win-win.
“Hey, that’s not fair! Then it should be *my* recommendation, Touko!”
“Eh?”
To my surprise, Saki and Soyaka’s opinions clashed.
“Do you two recommend different things?”
I’d always assumed that the Futami sisters—Saki and Soyaka, who were always so close—would have the same tastes…
“Soyaka’s into tea stuff, so it’s not my thing.”
“Saki-chan’s all about sweet stuff, which I’m not really into.”
I… I had no idea.
To think their opinions could split so cleanly like this.
I was happy to learn about their preferences, but being caught in the middle of their disagreement was a bit troubling.
“So what’ll you do?” “What’re you gonna do, huh?”
“…”
A brutal binary choice.
Were they seriously telling me to pick between Saki and Soyaka…?
“Uh, I—”
—
After placing our orders, we decided to sit at the terrace seats.
The cool evening breeze brushed against my cheeks, and a black parasol shielded us from the setting sun’s rays.
The area was surrounded by well-maintained greenery, keeping us free from prying eyes.
“Here you go, Touko.”
Saki placed my ordered drink in front of me.
It was a chocolate frappuccino topped with whipped cream.
It looked sweet and delicious.
“And here’s yours, Touko-chan!”
Soyaka quickly followed suit, setting down my other drink.
It was an iced tea, reflecting a reddish hue, with a promised balance of bitterness and sweetness in its leaves.
“Thanks, Saki, Soyaka.”
“…”
Huh, what’s this?
For some reason, I felt like they were giving me slightly dissatisfied looks.
The kind people call “half-lidded stares.”
“No, it’s fine, but…”
“But isn’t it kinda sneaky to take both?”
That’s right—I’d ordered both of their recommendations.
Telling me to choose between Saki and Soyaka was asking too much.
To me, the two of them together make up the Futami sisters I adore.
There’s no way I could do something to tear their sisterly bond apart.
No matter what anyone says, this was the best solution.
“I was pretty thirsty, you know.”
“Wow, smooth talker.”
“You’re not fooling anyone with that.”
At the terrace table, the two of them sat across from me, sipping the same drinks.
Could there be anything more luxurious than this?
“I’m happy I got to learn both your tastes, so it’s all good.”
For a moment, the sisters froze, mouths slightly agape in surprise.
“…W-Well, since Touko’s tired, she needs sugar, so she’ll probably like mine better!”
“N-No, no! Touko-chan’s thirsty, so mine’s easier to drink and she’ll like it more!”
For some reason, they started rattling off excuses in rapid-fire, avoiding my gaze.
Their attitudes shifted so fast I could barely keep up.
“They’re both delicious.”
My honest opinion aligned with what they’d said.
The sweetness soothed my tired body, and the tea refreshed my parched throat.
The deliciousness and the sense of freedom made me smile without realizing it.
“…I’m annoyed I can’t argue, but I guess it’s fine.”
“…I usually don’t like indecisive people, but sometimes it just doesn’t matter.”
Both of them chugged their drinks with gusto.
Looks like I wasn’t the only one tired and thirsty after all.
“Do you two come here often, Saki and Soyaka?”
In the original story, I only ever talked to the Futami sisters at the academy, so I didn’t know how they spent their time after school.
That’s why I was curious about how they passed their days.
“Well, sometimes. We don’t come when it’s too crowded, though.”
“We stop by a lot after school, I guess?”
Spending time elegantly at a chic café was the kind of outgoing student vibe I, a total introvert, envied.
“That’s so like you two.”
To someone like me, who just shuttles between home and the academy alone, they shine so brightly.
“What about you, Touko? What do you usually do?”
“It seemed like your first time here—do you have any regular spots?”
Now it was the Futami sisters’ turn to ask me questions, and once again, I was stumped.
“…Not really, I don’t go out much.”
Back home, it’s SNS, games, manga, anime.
Admitting my introverted, embarrassing habits to them felt like a serious shame play.
“Hmm, so you’re an indoor type?”
“I get it—staying in your room is way more fun than going to the academy, right?”
What’s this feeling?
The facts line up, but the vibe doesn’t quite match.
When the Futami sisters say it, it feels like one option among many, so it doesn’t sound introverted. But for me, with no other options, it’s dripping with introvert energy.
It was a moment that perfectly captured “it’s not what you say, but who says it.”
“But it’s kinda strange, isn’t it? I never really paid much attention to you before, Touko.”
“Yeah, maybe we were too busy dealing with weirdos?”
Everything could be explained with “because I’m a background character,” but that’s probably a feeling the glamorous Futami sisters wouldn’t understand.
“I’m pretty plain, so it’s no surprise.”
I rephrased it and shrugged.
Not noticing someone unremarkable like me is perfectly normal.
“I don’t think that’s true. I mean, look, Touko, you’re not alone.”
*—Stab.*
“Even the two of us sticking together makes us stand out a little.”
*—Stab, stab.*
Even if I know it’s true, hearing it from people I know still stings.
I couldn’t muster a comeback, and the frappuccino and iced tea they recommended ended up soothing me—a bit of a self-inflicted cycle.
“Oh, no, no! We’re not dissing you, Touko!”
“Y-Yeah, yeah! We got close *because* you’re different from everyone else!”
Noticing something was off with me, the sisters jumped in to smooth things over, but it was too late.
The truest feelings slip out in the moment they’re said.
They didn’t say anything wrong, so I-I’m totally not bothered by it!
—
“Haha, found a weirdo!”
A third voice chimed in.
Standing by our table was a girl with long pink hair swaying in the breeze, thick lashes, manicured nails, piercings, and a rare, casually worn uniform from Shizuka Girls’ Academy.
She held a smartphone in one hand and sipped from a cup—a gal-type girl.
*—Miyabi Hoshina.*
She, too, was a heroine from *Kanohana*.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Top Tools for Learning Japanese: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond
Learning Japanese opens doors to a rich culture, unique career opportunities, and a rewarding personal challenge. Whether you’re captivated by anime, planning a trip to Tokyo, or looking to expand your linguistic skills, the right tools can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. With so many apps, websites, and resources available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
This guide highlights the top tools for learning Japanese, catering to different learning styles, budgets, and proficiency levels. From gamified apps to immersive software and conversation practice platforms, these tools will help you master vocabulary, grammar, Kanji, and more. Let’s dive in!
Why Learn Japanese?
Before exploring the tools, it’s worth noting why Japanese is a valuable language to learn:
- Cultural Immersion: Understand anime, manga, and Japanese literature in their original form.
- Career Opportunities: Japan’s global influence in technology, business, and entertainment makes Japanese a sought-after skill.
- Cognitive Benefits: Learning a non-Latin script language like Japanese can enhance memory and problem-solving skills.
1. Duolingo
- Best For: Beginners seeking a fun, gamified approach.
- Key Features:
- Free with optional premium upgrades.
- Bite-sized lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
- Listening and speaking exercises to practice pronunciation.
- Gamification elements like points, streaks, and leaderboards.
- Why It Stands Out: Duolingo’s user-friendly interface and reward system make it ideal for building a daily learning habit. It’s perfect for beginners but may need to be supplemented with other tools for advanced learners.
2. Rosetta Stone
- Best For: Learners who prefer immersive, structured lessons.
- Key Features:
- Paid subscription with a focus on immersion.
- Interactive lessons covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Speech recognition technology for pronunciation feedback.
- Lessons build on each other for gradual progression.
- Why It Stands Out: Rosetta Stone’s immersion method helps you think in Japanese rather than translating from your native language. It’s ideal for serious learners looking for a comprehensive curriculum.
3. Memrise
- Best For: Vocabulary building with spaced repetition.
- Key Features:
- Free with premium options.
- User-generated courses and official Memrise content.
- Spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques for memory retention.
- Audio and video clips from native speakers.
- Why It Stands Out: Memrise excels at making vocabulary stick. Its use of real-life videos and community-driven content adds variety and cultural context to your learning.
4. Anki
- Best For: Customizable flashcard learning, especially for Kanji.
- Key Features:
- Free on most platforms (paid iOS app).
- Create custom flashcard decks or download pre-made ones.
- Supports images, audio, and example sentences.
- Spaced repetition system (SRS) for optimal review timing.
- Why It Stands Out: Anki’s flexibility allows you to tailor your learning to specific needs, like mastering Kanji or advanced vocabulary. It’s a favorite among serious learners for its effectiveness.
5. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
- Best For: Grammar-focused learners.
- Key Features:
- Completely free online resource.
- Comprehensive grammar lessons from beginner to advanced levels.
- Clear explanations with practical examples.
- Available as a mobile app for offline access.
- Why It Stands Out: Tae Kim’s guide is a go-to for understanding Japanese grammar. Its straightforward approach demystifies complex concepts, making it a must-have for self-learners.
6. HelloTalk
- Best For: Conversation practice with native speakers.
- Key Features:
- Free with premium options.
- Connects you with native Japanese speakers for language exchange.
- Text, voice, and video chat options.
- Built-in correction tools and translation features.
- Why It Stands Out: HelloTalk bridges the gap between textbook learning and real-world conversation. It’s perfect for practicing speaking and listening in a supportive environment.
7. Kanji Recognizer
- Best For: Learning and recognizing Kanji characters.
- Key Features:
- Free app available on Android and iOS.
- Draw Kanji on your screen to search for meanings and readings.
- Provides stroke order, example words, and readings.
- Offline functionality for on-the-go learning.
- Why It Stands Out: Kanji Recognizer is a handy tool for quickly identifying and learning Kanji. It’s especially useful for beginners struggling with character recognition.
Tips for Maximizing Your Learning
To get the most out of these tools, consider these strategies:
- Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s mastering 100 Kanji or holding a 5-minute conversation, specific goals keep you motivated.
- Practice Daily: Consistency is key. Even 15-30 minutes a day can lead to significant progress.
- Mix and Match Tools: Use a combination of apps for well-rounded learning. For example:
- Vocabulary: Duolingo or Memrise.
- Grammar: Tae Kim’s Guide.
- Speaking: HelloTalk.
- Kanji: Anki or Kanji Recognizer.
- Embrace Mistakes: Language learning is a process. Don’t be afraid to make errors—they’re stepping stones to fluency.
Conclusion
Learning Japanese is a journey that requires dedication, but with the right tools, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. From gamified apps like Duolingo to immersive platforms like Rosetta Stone and conversation tools like HelloTalk, there’s something for every learner. Start with the tools that best fit your style and goals, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different combinations.
Ready to begin? Choose your first tool and take the first step toward mastering Japanese today!
