Chapter 26: Golden Week
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26: Golden Week
The long week was finally over, and Golden Week had begun.
This is the time of year when Japanese tourists flock to destinations both domestic and abroad.
But my diligent parents, as always, decided to open the shop today.
Thanks to them, my school and the local gym were both closed, leaving me with nowhere to go. So there I was, lying on my bedroom floor, cluttered with dumbbells and manga, just breathing.
Is it time for my meeting with the President yet?
I'd woken up at 4 AM out of habit, but since I didn't need to pack a lunch, I had a ton of free time this morning.
I went for a light jog for some exercise, but that barely registered with my muscles, so I did about two hours of bodyweight exercises as soon as I got home.
I still had time to kill, so I read some manga from my bookshelf, but it wasn't fun since I already knew the story.
Looks like I'll have to make a trip to Akihabara to buy some new manga when I have the time.
As I was spacing out and staring at the ceiling, my mother, who was about to leave for the shop, poked her head into my room and asked.
"Yoo-Sung, you said you're meeting a friend today, right? What are you doing for dinner?"
Hearing that, I shot up into a sitting position.
"If I'm going to eat out, I'll let you know beforehand."
My mother nodded and then pulled something out of her pants pocket.
"Here! Pocket money! Use this to buy something tasty with your friend!"
What she gave me was a yellow banknote.
The so-called Mr. Yukichi.
I took the 10,000 yen bill with a bewildered expression.
"Are you sure you can give me this much all of a sudden?"
My mom slapped my shoulder and said, "My son, who's always cooped up at home just working out, is finally going out with a friend for once. Of course I should give you at least this much. If it's not enough, just say so. I'll give you more."
"No, this is more than enough. Thanks."
"Alright, then. Your dad and I are heading down to the shop, so have a good time!"
With that, my mother gave a bright smile and walked out the front door.
After seeing her off, I realized it was getting close to the meeting time, so I decided to wash up and get ready.
I was supposed to meet the President in Asakusa (浅草) by noon.
*
Asakusa is a district in Taito, Tokyo, known for its temples and traditional streets.
It's also a famous tourist spot because every year on January 1st, many people come to Sensoji Temple to make their New Year's wishes.
It takes about an hour by subway from Setagaya Ward, where I live, so I left the house around 10:30.
Unlike the subway in Seoul, Tokyo's subway lines are incredibly complex, making transfers difficult on longer trips.
Still, I managed to find my way and arrived in Asakusa at exactly 11:40.
Coming up from the subway platform, the first thing you see are old-fashioned wooden buildings.
Around New Year's, the place is packed to the brim, but since it's spring now, the number of people walking around didn't seem that large.
As I approached Sensoji, our meeting spot, I saw the giant red lantern of the Kaminarimon (風雷神門), the symbol of Asakusa.
A familiar figure stood in front of it.
"President!"
The President, who usually only ever wore her black school uniform, was standing in front of the gate in an elegant white dress with a small handbag over her shoulder. She must have heard my voice, because she turned, her straight black hair swishing.
"You're late!!"
"Huh?"
"Do you have any idea what time it is!"
At her scolding, I hurriedly pulled out my phone to check the time.
[11:50]
"Uh... I'm ten minutes early."
"If you have an appointment with a lady such as myself, isn't it common sense for a gentleman to arrive at least thirty minutes early and wait!"
"I-Is that so?"
I stammered, having never heard of such common sense in my life, but then it occurred to me that since the President was the daughter of a prominent noble family, it might actually be true for her.
When would she, who had lived her whole life being waited on by others, ever have had the experience of waiting for someone at a meeting spot?
Admitting my lack of consideration, I bowed my head and apologized to the President.
"I'm sorry for being late. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
The President crossed her arms and said, "Hmph. Since you're my subordinate, Kim Yoo-Sung, I'll forgive you just this once. However!"
"However?"
"You must buy me a green tea ice cream from that wagashi shop over there!"
Thwip!
Following the fan she pointed with, I spotted a stall selling green ice cream.
...If I can appease a pouting President with just that, it's more than a bargain.
I immediately ran to the stall, bought two 300-yen green tea ice creams, and handed one to her. The President's eyes lit up as she accepted it.
"Mmm~ This is the stuff!"
I took a bite of my own green tea ice cream and tilted my head. I asked, "President, you surprisingly have low standards for mass-produced green tea products, don't you?"
She replied, one hand holding her ice cream, "When it comes to drinking green tea, the more expensive, the better. But products like this are usually just artificially flavored, right? As picky as my palate is, I don't demand incredible quality from mass-produced goods."
"...You've grown."
"Hmph! What's with that lukewarm gaze!"
"No, it's just that I remembered how, just six months ago, you were cutting into a steak in the student council room, saying you didn't want to eat commoner's food."
"Th-That was ages ago! I can eat commoner's food now, you know!"
She huffed as she said it, but it seemed less like she was truly angry and more like she was trying to hide her embarrassment.
I guess she considers it part of her dark history.
"Anyway, now that we have our ice cream, let's decide where to go first. Wasn't our purpose today to buy a gift for the Russian exchange student coming to Ichijo Academy after Golden Week?"
"Ah."
The President suddenly covered her mouth with her palm.
When I gave her a suspicious look, she immediately snapped open her fan and covered it up with her usual noble lady's laugh.
"Ohohohoho! You don't really think that I, Saionji Kumiko, would forget something so trivial, do you? How absurd!"
It was obvious to anyone that she was trying to cover up for having forgotten, but I decided not to point it out.
"Well then, may I ask a few questions first?"
"Ask away!"
"What does the new exchange student like?"
The President answered without much thought.
"I asked her on the phone the other day. She said anything related to traditional Japanese culture would be fine."
"Traditional culture, huh."
That certainly explains why you chose Asakusa as our meeting spot.
It's hard to find another street in Tokyo that gives off such strong Japanophile vibes.
"And their gender?"
"It's a girl."
"Then how about we focus on things like paper umbrellas, Buddhist statues, kimonos, or yukatas?"
"I was personally thinking of a maneki-neko, a temari ball, or an Ebisu statue, but those are good ideas too!"
"Then let's browse the Asakusa shopping arcade with those items in mind."
"Sounds good! I've been to Asakusa many times, so I'll be your guide today!"
Saying that, the President confidently lifted her chin and began to walk ahead.
I followed her small back, taking a large bite of my melting ice cream.
*
Meanwhile.
At that very moment, inside a black limousine parked on a street near Asakusa, were two people surrounded by all sorts of communication equipment spread out on the floor, in a scene reminiscent of a spy movie.
"My lady, there is a paper craft specialty store two blocks from your current location. Please suggest going inside in a natural manner."
"My lady, the key here is to walk gracefully with your hands behind your back. Men fall for that kind of unexpected charm in a woman. What? You think this is just my personal preference? Of course not. What do you take me for?"
Akagi Shinjiro and Akagi Minami.
At school, their identities were Vice President and Student Council Accountant, respectively, but their true roles were that of a butler and a maid who had served Saionji Kumiko, the direct heir of the Saionji family, since childhood.
The two had mastered all the techniques of the Koga-ryu (甲賀) ninja under the Saionji family, making them specialists in all forms of espionage and VIP protection.
And now, these two were dedicating all their efforts to ensure their beloved lady's successful date!
"My lady, now is the time to appeal to his senses by gently tucking your hair behind your ear."
"We've looked at the paper crafts long enough, let's move on to the next shop."
But did they know? Too many cooks spoil the broth!
The perfect cacophony created by Kumiko's own will, Shinjiro's personal tastes, and Minami's meticulous personality!
Saionji Kumiko's Asakusa date had only just begun