Tamiko Takeda and her parents leave their homeland of Japan to Greenville, Virginia where Mr. Takeda has agreed to spend several years in the U.S. assisting his biggest customer Joe Cooper improve his business of raising quality Koi. Tamiko enrolls and begins High School and on her first day she learns of a missing classmate named, Sergio, as well as his illness- Hodgekins Lymphoma. Upon his return to class Sergio valiantly shares his experiences with the class, in hopes of answering their questions and dismising fears. Several days later it's Tamiko's time to shine as she gives a presentation on Koi. Nervous, with broken English and all Tamiko comes out on top, ending with an open invitation for the entire class and their families to gather at the Takeda home.