Your son is a sainō no aru ko (才能のある子, a gifted boy)," Mr. Sawamura says. "His seiseki (成績, marks) are not impressive, and his social skills are perhaps not as developed as . . . "

"He's uchiki (内気, shy)," I say. "As a small child, he domotta（どもった, stammered); he got over it, but I think it still haunts him in a way. He's kuchi ga omoi (口が重い, not much of a talker). He keeps his thoughts to himself. As a result, he's often taken to be donkan (鈍感, dull-witted). I'm pleased you're not taken in by appearances."

"Forgive me if I intrude, Mr. Keyes — as a shidō kyōkan (指導教官, guidance counselor), it's sometimes my job to osekkai wo yaku (お節介を焼く, poke my nose into other people's business)." He smiles. You can't help liking the man. He's one of the few adults I know with a natural, unforced smile. Certainly I don't have one. "I understand there are . . . well, kinpaku shita kūki (緊迫した空気, tensions ) in your family."