The Forgotten Ogiwa Shelter and Rika Joins the Trip
After our special guest had eaten her fill, the atmosphere relaxed a bit, and we kept chatting. Empty plates were stacked like a tower on the table, and next to them, Tatsuya's grandpa was munching on the special rolled omelet pudding he'd made himself. His cheeks puffed out like a hamster's as he chewed away.
Hmm... this feels kinda awkward. Im Nana was still totally focused on eating. I should say something... Oh, right, she said she does game streams.
"By the way, Rika, you mentioned you do game streams, right? What kinds of games do you usually play?"
"Oh, all sorts! FPS, RPGs, you name it. Honestly, my skill isn't the main point—it's more about bantering with the viewers!"
"Bantering?"
"Y'know, like... I mess up in the game, viewers tease me, I get mad at them. That kinda back-and-forth? Tiki-taka!"
"Ah..."
It felt strangely familiar. The second I go live, my viewers jump in to roast me. Even my grandpa joined in sometimes to pile on. People are the same everywhere, huh. Different platforms, but the essence of internet streaming seems universal. For some reason, that made Rika feel even more approachable.
"Come hang out on my stream sometime if you get the chance!"
"Sure, maybe if the opportunity comes up."
"What about me? Me?"
Im Nana suddenly butted in, gnawing on a chicken skin skewer from the side. Rika grinned like it was a given.
"Nana-chan's coming for sure! No question!"
"Hehe, sweet!"
Im Nana went back to her skewers, looking satisfied. Watching the two of them, the words of that old monk from the temple we'd met before suddenly popped into my head.
'You can't hide the bonds of fate.'
We Koreans just happened to help a lost kid at the airport, and turns out she's Im Nana's best friend's little sister. Is this really just coincidence?
Is this what the monk meant by 'fate'...?'
The threads of connection weaving together felt almost mystical. Finally, even Im Nana finished eating and stood up.
"Thanks for the meal."
"No, thank you! We're the grateful ones."
The kid's mom kept bowing repeatedly. As we headed out, Rika followed and asked,
"So, what're you doing tomorrow? Heading straight to another area?"
"Nah. Tomorrow we're going camping. Rented a car and everything."
"Camping?"
Rika's eyes went wide.
"Whoa... camping. I've never done it before. Sounds fun."
There was a hint of envy in her voice. For a split second, 'Wanna come with?' rose to the tip of my tongue... but I couldn't just blurt it out. We already had our schedule set, and gear was the big issue. I couldn't lend her my spares like back in Korea.
No tent or sleeping bag? Can't exactly bring her like that.
I smacked my lips, regretting it but accepting reality. That's when it happened.
Tatsuya's grandpa poked his head out from the kitchen where he was cleaning up.
"Camping?"
"Yeah. My friends are going camping tomorrow."
"Why don'tcha go with 'em?"
"Huh?"
Rika shot him a baffled look. What was that? Sounded like camping talk.
"Grandpa, I don't even have a tent. And they have their own schedule..."
"Don't ya have a tent?"
"...Huh?"
What? Why the surprise? Did he just say something about a tent?
Grandpa wiped his hands on a towel and said casually,
"Yeah... I think there's one my buddy gave me as a gift ages ago, shoved in the shed. Box ain't even opened, so it should be good to go."
"Really?!"
Rika yelled. Im Nana translated from the side, and my ears perked up.
We headed to the backyard together, where there was an old shed. A musty dust smell hit us, and in the corner sat a box that looked long-forgotten.
"This one's it."
Grandpa pointed at the box. I approached it like I was mesmerized. Dust coated it lightly, but the logo printed on the box was crisp and clear.
OGIWA
"...Gasp."
My breath caught. This was... Ogiwa? The Shelter 1 model that's discontinued now—you can't even buy it if you wanted to? And it's unopened, brand new.
This was around 150,000 yen new back then... Now with the discontinuation premium and mint condition? Auction it off among enthusiasts, and it'd fetch a fortune.
The box looked a bit aged, but the storage seemed near-perfect. No moisture damage, so the contents were probably top-tier mint condition. Next to it was a thick winter sleeping bag box too.
Something inside me stirred.
...I can't hold back anymore.
I turned to Rika.
The next morning, I woke up in the hotel bed.
"Mm..."
I stretched and sat up. Condition: perfect. Today was finally the day for our first camping trip in Japan. The high plateau campground scenery I'd double-checked last night before bed flashed in my mind: endless grasslands, distant mountains, stars pouring down. An overwhelming scale you don't see in Korea.
Overseas camping... romance overdose.
After a quick wash-up, there was still a caterpillar sprawled on the bed. She was the perfect camping partner—no complaints, eats anything, does everything... except mornings were always war.
"Nana, time to get up."
"Mmm... five hours..."
Here we go again. Why five hours, not five minutes? That's basically "I'm going back to sleep."
"No way. Long drive today. Get up."
"Ughhh... nooo..."
A mumble from under the covers. Words wouldn't work. I grabbed the blanket edge and flipped it off.
"Eek! So mean... cold..."
Im Nana curled up, whining. Not even that? I finally shoved her toward the bathroom.
"Go wash up. We'll lose the rental if we're late."
"Tch... fine."
I watched her stumble in, then started packing.
"Phew, first hurdle cleared."
Rental car picks us up if we call, right? As I finished checking for forgotten stuff, Im Nana came out with her hair wrapped in a towel.
"All clean!"
"Cool, call the rental company. Ask for pickup in an hour."
"Got it!"
Guess I'll wash up now.
***
We finished packing and returned the keycard. I silently thanked the hotel we'd stayed at for the night and stepped out.
"They said wait at the entrance pickup zone, right...?"
"Oh, that one?"
A bit away, a yellow rental company pickup van was parked. We hopped in the minivan and headed to the lot.
Hmm, requested an SUV... but no specific model choice is iffy. Japan has lots of kei cars—hope it's not too small for our gear.
Worried but excited, we arrived. Huge lot full of cars. The attendant greeted us and pointed to one.
"Your reserved vehicle is over there. Toyota Raize."
Ooh... better than expected. Compact SUV, but cargo space looked decent. No scratches, good condition. This'll do.
Before handover, he ran through the rules: no indoor smoking, full tank on return, fines for messes, etc. Signed some papers, got the keys.
"Alright, let's hit the road?"
I confidently opened the driver's door. Then, sitting down, a massive wave of wrongness hit me.
"......"
The wheel... it's on the right. I knew, but feeling it was another story. Gear with left hand, mirrors to the left. Everything reversed. Will I be okay? Cold sweat.
Started the engine to pull out, but the attendant was staring instead of leaving.
Why's he still here? Feeling the pressure, I habitually flicked the right-turn signal.
Whoosh-whoosh.
Wipers danced wildly on the windshield.
"...?"
Panicking, I flicked it back up.
Whoooosh! Even faster. Fumbling to stop them, I saw the attendant smirking outside. He gestured leisurely, like he'd seen this coming—twirling his finger.
Ah. Take a few laps first.
No wonder he hung around... just tell me before?
Phew. Maybe this is his daily amusement. Kinda pervy amusement, though.
A few laps later, it started feeling natural, and I finally exited the lot. Hitting the road, something hit me.
Hmm... driving culture's different from what I thought.
Internet said Japanese roads were all courtesy and yielding. This felt more thrilling than Korea. Near the airport, taxis were lawless—red-light running standard, tailgating heavy. Did those posters even drive? Or maybe this area's just weird. Fukuoka roads feel like Busan-level chaos?
After the thrilling drive, we reached an alley. Way down, someone waving and yelling.
"Arumi! Nana-chan!"
A blonde woman with a backpack half her size, dragging a small handcart.
How'd it come to this?
***
It was last night. Seeing a tent brand you don't spot in Korea, I thought,
'I gotta see this pitched.'
Classic design, frame famous for durability. How often do you get to see one IRL?
"Ahem. Um..."
"Yeah?"
"If you're free tomorrow... wanna come camping with us?"
"Really?! I can come too?!"
Rika jumped for joy.
"Yeah. Nana okay with it?"
"Heck yeah!"
...Yup, that's how it happened. How could I pass up a domestic Japanese brand tent?
We sorted names too. Casual and clean. I'm the little sis, so treat me easy. She was already half-casual anyway.
...Honestly, I just didn't know what to call her. Rika-nim? Rika-ssi? Japanese custom is names after you're close, so Ichinose-ssi? All awkward. So I straight-up asked, 'What should I call you?'
She said call her Rika casually. She'd call me Areum. Though her Korean makes it "Arumi"—close enough, and no -chan is a win. Almost got Arumi-chan.
With schedule and names settled, Tatsuya... pfft. The 6-year-old wanted to come too but threw a mini-tantrum. Grandpa soothed him—too cold for kids. Wise elders. Even with gear, winter highlands are brutal for little ones.
Sorry, Tatsuya-kun! When you're bigger, go with big sis Rika! Or friends! I'm off to enjoy today!