CHAPTER 132: TOURISM IN JAPAN
Starting early with sightseeing, the first place where they started was the Asakusa district, considered by many as one of the most traditional places in Tokyo.
In that district, they visited one of the shopping streets where they found different objects for sales such as souvenirs to take away and other traditional objects of Japanese culture.
As there were also some typical candy stores, everyone enjoyed tasting some local gastronomy, especially Alice, who tried everything edible she could find.
They also visited the ‘Sensoji temple’ considered the oldest temple in Japan.
Enjoying a different culture was wonderful, but as the day was quite short, it was difficult to enjoy it with the attention it deserved.
As it had started with something traditional, Akira then led the group to the ‘Meiji Shrine’, one of the most popular Shinto shrines.
She had prepared for this trip and at this point, she could tell the story behind the sites they were visiting, being quite an exceptional guide.
As a weekend, the place was packed with thousands of people from different cultures who had come through the Cosmos Portals.
Cithrel and Venali enjoyed the architecture of the shrine, which, even to the other students, was admirable.
They also threw some coins into the offering box and performed the common bow when that activity was performed.
At the end of the tour, they visited ‘Yoyogi Park’ to relax and take a break while enjoying the natural environment of the area.
Unfortunately, they were in autumn and could not see the cherry blossoms that were so striking in spring, but they could observe the reddening of the leaves of the trees also known as the ‘momiji’.
Walking through the park enjoying the reddish colors of the leaves was certainly wonderful.
Although Cithrel came from a magical world where she had surely seen places that could only be described as ‘fantasy’ to earthlings, these areas to her were unique.
Even the silent Venali enjoyed the environment in her own way and, as elves, or at least half-elves, in Cithrel’s case, they enjoyed nature.
When noon and lunchtime arrived, it was a tense moment -for Alice- to choose a restaurant to everyone’s liking.
Japanese cuisine was very varied and their businesses very different with each restaurant specializing in different themes.
However, Akira, knowing Alice very well, took a safe route and took them to an important restaurant in the area, which hired different chefs specialized in different typical Japanese food.
From high prices ‘Kobe’ beef dishes with Japanese cooking styles, fish dishes including sushi and other types of noodle dishes such as ‘ramen’.
While specializing in different Japanese food, there were also dishes that used magic ingredients to give a better taste and higher quality to those typical dishes.
The restaurant was very permissive and not at all elitist, which was quite nice, as they had all kinds of dishes available from the most common to unique gourmet dishes.
With ‘sake’ by their side as a beverage to try, the entire group enjoyed the high-level lunch.
After returning to the hotel to rest for a few hours, they were off again to a new destination and with new companions.
This time Santiago and Oscar joined Shao Ya and Aeko, who were free for the afternoon.
Their destination was one of the most popular neighborhoods in the area, ‘Akihabara’.
Known for being an important electronics center of the country, but also for being one of the most important places with influence in ‘video games’, ‘anime’ or ‘manga’.
It was a very varied place where not only could one find relevant electronics stores of all kinds, but because of the technological development, one could find impressive entertainment areas.
As soon as they arrived, they noticed buildings with video-game, anime, or manga posters, but also realistic holographic projections in the surroundings of the most popular ‘characters’.
Cosplay and costume stores were common, with some people wearing their cosplay as they walked the streets.
Cithrel and Venali got all the attention because of their figures and race, getting some people asking for pictures of them as if they were famous... Of course, when they were brave enough.
No one could mistake the aura and beauty of an elf when they saw one and even though elves existed, they were very rare in this world.
While they both drew immediate attention, very few dared to approach such beauties.
Coming from Terra nova meant these people were confident in their abilities and certainly strong.
Also, not knowing the temper, no one wished to cause trouble.
However, sometimes Cithrel would give friendly smiles to the young girls, getting them to come over for pictures as if they were friends.
Exposing her long ears only made her the focus of attention everywhere she went and even though she was a half-elf with smaller ears than Venali, her beauty was worthy of elves.
Stolen novel; please report.
Venali stole the breath of all the young girls everywhere they went.
Her cool disposition meant that no one approached her or Cithrel, but that didn’t mean she didn’t steal breath with a few of her distant glances.
They visited a few computer centers and then had breakfast at the ‘maid cafes’ where young women dressed as maids waited for them.
Cithrel gave smiles when she saw some dressed as elves or became curious about the young girls who wore animal ears and tails as costumes.
The main reason for her curiosity was that in Terra nova, the ‘beast tribe’ was long extinct... That was what Cithrel reported disappointed some of those present.
In some parts of the world and some people questioned the people of Terra nova and even though no one knew Cithrel’s true identity, most thought that those who came from Terra nova were from the Falion Empire.
As a great empire during the players’ time, the Falion Empire had its detractors like any nation and also had its questionable side.
Their actions during ‘Terra nova’, their Royal relationships, or their connections with races considered dangerous such as vampires, were one of the many reasons for criticism or hatred.
Not everything was light.
However, this place showed how the Japanese accepted the different races of Terra nova and admired it in their own way.
The Japanese were one of the most dedicated players during ‘Terra nova’, but they were also one of the many countries where their people suffered the most from the truth that this world was real.
Many players treated that world as a unique place and sometimes had a ‘second life’; going so far as to have a family.
The shock caused by the revelation that the world was real and the fact that the machine stopped working affected millions of people.
The Japanese continued their lives and since the God of Time and Space brought the forces of Terra nova to help Europe, they became one of the many countries that advocated a bilateral connection between the two worlds.
Even though the power and decision were in the hands of a ‘God’, they regained their hope to see their loved one’s left on that world again despite the years that passed.
“Well, before it gets late, let’s go somewhere else,” Akira announced and when the entire group looked at her curiously, she exclaimed. “It’s time to go try on clothes!”
Aurora wanted to back away, but at her back were Alice and Cithrel stopping her path.
“Lunch was delicious...” Alice muttered, averting her gaze as she stopped her from running away.
That was the reason why Akira went all out for such a luxurious lunch... She had bought Alice beforehand.
When Aurora’s gaze turned to Cithrel, she gave a smile and revealed. “Akira has great ideas. I fully support her.”
In the end, all Aurora could do was sigh.
After all, Akira would surely treat her like a doll.
******
Aurora quickly escaped from those ‘predators’ and sighed in relief, but her relief was short-lived as she looked at where she was.
She was now outside Tokyo in one of the best and most natural ‘onsen’ in the area.
The magical energy was so high that breathing the air was pleasant.
Akira rented this very traditional building for her entire group... It was the hot spring that was so popular in Japan.
Earlier, Akira had trapped her and made her a ‘doll’ to wear.
Trying out all kinds of clothes it wasn’t too bad, as the others also wore different styles, but she had to admit that wearing some specific styles of clothes wasn’t to her liking.
“Aurora, come on. Akira promised me a splendid dinner tonight.” Alice said, walking comfortably into the small room.
Wearing only a large towel, her body that was covered could not hide the beauty worth admiring.
Long black hair went down to her shoulders and a figure that could only be considered ‘perfect’ was revealed through that tight towel,
No doubt she was a very attractive beauty.
Aurora looked down at herself and...
“...”
She was slim and her ‘proportions’ were far from that of her sister.
Unfortunately, even the fighter training didn’t help her body get some charm points.
“You’re attractive this way,” Alice said, approaching suddenly.
Her dark eyes and lips tilted in a charming smile made Aurora cringe.
If she gave those looks to some men, they would fall at her feet... That was her gluttonous sister’s level of seduction.
Sure, when she made the effort.
“System, can’t you take me away?” Aurora asked sincerely.
“...” The only response was Alice’s strange look.
Her system had already retreated as usual in these moments of privacy, and Aurora resigned herself to her fate.
It wasn’t as if it bothered her to bathe with the others; she wasn’t one to shy away from such things.
But when she thought of Cithrel... Strangely, she felt shy when she looked at her and flirted.
The only one she had seen her being so flirtatious with was Taqiyya, and Aurora couldn’t deny that the ‘gallant knight’ that lurked within Cithrel was quite ‘deadly’.
“Are you worried about Cithrel?” Alice asked and shaking her head gently, she scolded. “I told you. You must break her heart.”
Her tone, as if she had done something wrong, made Aurora cringe as she muttered. “I already tried...”
“And what did she say?” Alice asked, watching intently.
Aurora was embarrassed and, remembering that day at Cosmos Enterprise, she answered. “That she wants me in a different way.”
Alice’s eyebrows quivered and her gaze turned slightly cold.
“Fine. I’ll take care of protecting you if she wants to bother you,” Alice announced, sticking out her chest proudly and after changing and getting ready for the bathroom, she took her by the hand and led her outside.
Aurora was laughing inside, but she was also enjoying that attitude of her sister and for such reason, she continued her act of a ‘bullied’ young lady.
Although this matter was minor and unimportant, she believed that Alice was taking it seriously.
The serious and cold look she seldom gave was present now.
Alice took these small matters seriously, which made her inwardly amused.
When they stepped out into the hallway, they walked a little way and came upon Akira and Cithrel, covered by a towel.
Akira was quite pretty and her figure was average, her round delicate face being what stood out.
Cithrel, on the other hand, was very attractive and her charm came not only from her curves but from her blue eyes and hair of the same color, along with those long, pointed ears.
“Oh, we were just talking about you,” Cithrel said, and looking at her with a charming smile, she commented. “You have a delicate figure... I think it would be perfect for you to wear a princess dress.”
As she was complimenting her figure, Aurora could tell that her eyes were sparkling flirtatiously, but it was only for an instant so that Akira wouldn’t notice, and then she went back to her hearty smile.
Aurora knew that inside that princess was a Gallant Knight with a high level of attack! And the problem was that she was hiding it perfectly in front of others!
However, this time, instead of responding to her flirtations, she approached Alice and gave her a helpful look.
Alice’s expression immediately turned cold, and she looked at both women, who came intending to tease her.
“That’s enough. You can’t disturb her for today,” Alice ordered without hiding her cold eyes.
Although the commanding voice was impressive, the cold and commanding look she had just given took the prize for the best performance.
Cithrel was taken aback and Akira was the quickest to react and raised her hands back up in surrender.
Alice gave her a look both and then, taking her by the hand, guided her.
All the while, Aurora held back her laughter at Cithrel’s surprised look.
She had to admit that Alice had a firm presence when she wanted it, and her acting was always great.
The best part was that no one knew if she was joking or not, which left everyone’s mouth hanging open.
Aurora just laughed, noticing that Alice was looking at her proudly, as if she was telling her that she did the right thing in trusting her.