Chapter 136
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: What Happened at the Yakiniku Joint (1)
The flight was more uneventful than I'd expected. Maybe it was the comfy business-class seats, the tasty food, or just traveling with Myth that made it feel even less noteworthy.
"Yay~ Welcome to Japan. Wow, it's really been forever since I last came here."
"Yeah. Come to think of it, that's where we first met—in Japan."
Everyone else had already been to Japan before. I was the only one experiencing it for the very first time. I slipped a little away from the group of women and took a deep breath of the air.
The airport interior didn't look all that different from Korea's, but the air felt strangely distinct. Hmm, so this is what being abroad is like.
Following Myth toward the gate, I spotted that super familiar plumber dude in the red hat—the one who shrinks and grows, shoots fireballs from his hands, and hurls boomerangs like crazy—greeting us with a big "Welcome to Japan!"
"Characters everywhere in the airport, huh."
"Japan's the kingdom of subculture, and they make full use of it. Though, the red-hatted plumber guy's pretty mainstream these days—not exactly subculture anymore."
"Bet we'll see you on billboards once we hit downtown."
"Huh? Of course. There are a bunch in Akihabara and Den Den Town. I'm the top dog in the VTuber scene, after all. Japanese companies throw ad deals my way left and right."
Myth nodded matter-of-factly at what I'd meant as a joke.
Wait, seriously? Myth on actual Japanese billboards?
She did take the occasional Japanese ad gig and stream in Japanese, so it made sense on some level. Still, seeing "Myth" plastered right in the heart of Japan was a pretty fresh shock.
"Oh, and me too, by the way~. My label hooked me up with one recently. Ahh, this is what a real agency does. Rayshojo never landed me even a single decent ad. Screw those losers—good riddance."
Sara flashed a relieved grin and shadowboxed the air.
I wondered if badmouthing her old agency was such a great idea, but hey, they deserved it. Nodding along, I figured what was done was done.
"Alright, time to gear up for the trains."
"Yep, sis. Here, everyone take one. These are prepaid transit cards for our stay. No taxis or Shinkansen with these, so heads up."
Armed with our transit cards, we headed straight for Tokyo. The train ride wasn't as long as I'd thought. What stood out more was how everything was in Japanese.
And Japan's trains seemed to run above ground way more than underground.
"Don't they go underground?"
"Hmm... Not sure exactly, but last time I was here, it felt like there were separate lines for underground and surface routes."
"Japan's got a ton of rail lines. Big stations can have like ten tracks for trains alone. It's a country full of train nerds and even train moe culture."
"From what I know, Japan's rail system is privatized rather than nationalized, so the competition's fierce and lines are everywhere. Probably why."
One question, three answers flying back at me.
Uh, o-okay... Thanks for the info. I stood with Myth, gazing out the window at the scenery. Though, the stares from around us felt kinda piercing. Was I imagining it?
Glancing around, I caught a pair of guys looking our way, pursing their lips ever so slightly in envy.
Oh crap, they hate Koreans or something? Geopolitics aside, with our history, a twinge of unease hit me.
"Heh heh. Feeling those stares, huh?"
"...Honestly, yeah. 'Cause we're Korean?"
But that didn't fully add up—Stella was right there in front of me. Flowing blonde hair, blue eyes, faint freckles on her cheeks. 100% pure American look.
Was it the Korean we were speaking?
Sara burst out laughing like it was the funniest thing, playfully tapping my arm.
"Ahahaha, what a weird thought! Nah, they're just jealous."
"Jealous? Well, traveling in this season ain't easy."
"No, not that—"
Sara's lips curled up just a bit.
From spending time with her, I'd learned she loved pranks. The ones aimed at me were few because our seed tanked them all.
And she always did that little smirk before pulling one.
A chill ran down my spine as I tried to back away, but there was nowhere to go in this cramped train.
Before I could react, Sara lunged and hooked her arm through mine.
Smaller than Myth's but undeniably feminine, her soft curves pressed gently against my arm.
"H-Hey?!"
"Jealous of this. Totally jealous. Legend oppa's all-in for Myth unnie, sure, but to outsiders? You're the playboy off-season with three girls on a trip."
Glancing back at those guys, their envy was now blatant on their faces.
Okay, fine, I get that part.
But honestly, the stares didn't matter anymore. What scared me was Myth behind me.
Something was grinding—crunch crunch—and it was legit unnerving. Sounded like something breaking. What the hell was Myth destroying back there?
Would this blow over? Myth wouldn't lash out at me, but Sara pulling this nonsense? She was in for it big time. Should I step in and—? Just then, Myth approached with a soft, serene smile like nothing was wrong.
"Sara. That prank went too far."
"Ah, unnie. Haha, yeah, I got carried away."
Sara snuck a peek at Myth's expression, then brightened up once she realized there was no real anger, and responded cheerfully.
Weird. Myth wasn't one to explode, but she wouldn't let something like this slide without a word either.
Surprisingly, it blew over smoothly—until Myth made a bizarre suggestion to Sara.
"Oh, wanna swap suitcases? Mine's a bit cramped over here."
"Of course! Anything for—hiiik?!"
"Hey now, Sara. Public place. Shh. Shh."
What the...? Why the sudden weirdness? I was curious but held back. Male survival instincts screamed: Ask and die.
Later, back at the lodging, I'd freak out seeing Myth's suitcase handle completely wrecked.
"So, what're we eating?"
"Weren't we doing omakase?"
"We are, but can't do it every meal, and omakase takes stamina anyway. Figured light eats in the city tonight."
"Hmm. Nothing jumping out at me. Got recs?"
"Lemme think. Something you'd like..."
Myth closed her eyes, pondering menus. Her brow furrowed and relaxed repeatedly for a few minutes before her eyes lit up like she'd nailed it.
"Check into the hotel first, then yakiniku. We can chat, plan the schedule, and tons have unlimited drinks. Oh, and I just remembered Mika's video raving about a spot."
"Sounds good."
And just like that, we headed to a yakiniku joint in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, at Dream Live. Even after hours when everyone else had clocked out, one room's lights stayed on.
Dream Live had invited her first, but they'd never dreamed she'd accept so suddenly—it was practically a surprise visit. Mika was prepping to receive Myth.
Tomorrow, she'd strangle the president with his own tie. Muttering that vow, she rubbed her tired eyes.
"Haaah... This insane company Dream Live... Tell that president not to bother coming in tomorrow. If he does, I might actually kill him."
Maki, stuck handling grunt work beside her, nodded with equal fury in her eyes. Moments later—grrrumble—thunderous rumbling echoed.
Maki looked up at Mika with misty eyes.
"Mika... This is bad, right? We should eat dinner first before getting back to work."
Even workaholic Mika was starving. Maki's stomach had just beaten hers to it—Mika's was on the verge too. She nodded.
"Yeah, you're right. Uber Eats?"
"Nah. I gotta eat at a restaurant. Delivery's a no-go for me."
"Pain."
Grumbling aside, Mika hopped up immediately.
No time for dumb arguments—she wanted food ASAP too.
"Let's go."
"Whatcha wanna eat? Menu's serious business."
"That yakiniku spot we always hit. There."
"Eww... Friday night, it'll be packed."
"They'll have a room free."
Maki nodded in agreement. Honestly, anything would do—just needed to fill the tank. The two headed to Mika's go-to yakiniku place.