An Unmissable Spirited Affair - 3: Familiar Faces

The next morning

School trip - Day two

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1

Rui

Yawn... I'm still pretty sleepy...

2

Tsukasa

My legs still hurt from having to sit on my feet after getting caught. Honestly, this is going to haunt me...

3

Tsukasa

But it's time to get back to business!

4

Tsukasa

Because this is day two!
We're free to spend the day however we like!

5

Rui

Today, we'll be visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and then seeing the Hyakki Yako Parade, yes?

6

Tsukasa

That's the plan!
We'll also have some time before the parade to look for souvenirs!

7

Rui

Understood.
Oh, also...

8

Rui

Miyake and the others said that they'd like to meet up before the parade begins. Would you mind them joining us?

9

Rui

They sounded very interested after I told them that I'd be seeing it with you.

10

Tsukasa

Yes, of course!
The more the merrier I say!

11

Tsukasa

Still, you all chatted up a storm during our game of cards last night! I can say now that...

12

Tsukasa

You've made some wonderful new friends, Rui!

13

Rui

Hehe. I'm also glad.
It's been quite a while since I had fun with my classmates like that.

14

Tsukasa

Oh, here's the bus for Kiyomizu-dera Temple!
Let's get on, Rui!

15

Rui

Okay.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

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16

Miku

<Wow☆ This place is amazing!>

17

Rin

<But, is this really a stage?
Aren't there seats for the audience somewhere?>

18

Rui

Ah, no seats are necessary.
Especially since this is where one is supposed to perform for the temple's principal image.

19

Rin

<The principal... Huh?>

20

Rui

A statue of a very wise person who lived long ago and reached a state of pure enlightenment. It's over there. You face towards it when you perform.

21

Len

<Cool!
So you get to do shows for a statue!>

22

Tsukasa

Indeed! And if you look over there, you get a spectacular view of all of Kyoto!

23

Len, Rin & Miku

<Wooow!>

24

KAITO

<Thank you for agreeing to Miku and the others' request during your trip, Rui.>

25

Rui

Hehe. It's my pleasure.
Please let us know if there's anything you'd like to see as well, KAITO.

26

KAITO

<I appreciate the offer...
But...>

27

KAITO

<We should probably head back soon since there's quite a crowd here. We wouldn't want any of them to see us by accident.>

28

Len

<Yeah.
Rui, we want you and Tsukasa to have lots and lots of fun!>

29

Rin

<What he said!
Oh, but you guys have to tell us all about what you did later♪>

30

Miku

<What she said!
So, enjoy your trip, you two!
We hope you make lots of fun memories together☆>

31

Rui

Yes, thank you.
We'll see you again in SEKAI.

32

Miku

<Okay♪ Bye bye!>

33

Rui

It was brief, but I'm glad we had a chance to show Miku and the others what Kyoto looks like.

34

Tsukasa

As am I! I'm sure we'll have plenty of stories to tell them, but we should get them some of those famed mutsuhashi as a little gift!

35

Rui

Hehe. I agree.

36

???

Airi, Asahina, look!
It's so big!

37

Tsukasa

Hm...?

38

Tsukasa

That voice I just heard sounded awfully familiar...

39

Mafuyu

Yes, it's very beautiful.
I can see why this is a World Heritage Site. The temple looks so solidly built.

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40

Airi

And this view!
Wait, are you taking another video?

41

Shizuku

Of course!
I'm going to tell Minori and the others all about how our trip's going and... Oh no!

42

Shizuku

The screen just went black...
I wonder what happened.

43

Airi

Huh?
Hang on... Don't tell me you've only been taking videos since this morning!

44

Shizuku

Oh, is that bad?

45

Airi

Of course it's bad!
Your battery's probably totally drained!

46

Mafuyu

I brought a portable charger for this trip, but I unfortunately lent it to another classmate this morning... Do you happen to have one, Momoi?

47

Airi

No, I left mine behind.
I didn't think we'd be streaming or anything...

48

Shizuku

Wh-What should I do...?!
Minori sounded so excited about hearing how our trip is going...

49

Airi

*Sigh*
Alright, I'll take a few videos here and there for you.

50

Shizuku

You will?!
Thank you so much, Airi!

51

Shizuku

That means I need to remember as much as I can about what we see and do so I can tell Minori and the others later...

52

Shizuku

Huh?

53

Shizuku & Tsukasa

Oh...!
Whaaat?!

54

Rui

Oh, you're...

55

Tsukasa

I thought it was you, Shizuku! Your mask threw me off at first...

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56

Tsukasa

Ah, with Airi Momoi in tow!
Oh, and you... We met during Shibuya Festa and New Year's...

57

Rui

Her name's Asahina, Tsukasa.
What brings you all to Kyoto?

58

Mafuyu

We're here for our school trip.
Are you two as well, Kamishiro...?

59

Tsukasa

What...?!
Miya Girls is also here for a school trip?!

60

Shizuku

What a coincidence...!
I never thought we'd see you two here, Tsukasa.

61

Mafuyu

Tsukasa...?

62

Mafuyu

You two must be very close to call each other by your first names.

63

Shizuku

Yes, because our little sisters are incredibly close!

64

Mafuyu

Oh, I see.

65

Rui

Still... Hehe. This is quite the chance encounter.

66

Rui

Do you all know where you'll be visiting next?

67

Airi

We're free until the tour we signed up for this afternoon, so the three of us were thinking about visiting the shrine for the performing arts.

68

Rui

There's a shrine for the performing arts...?

69

Airi

Yeah, it's supposed to be dedicated to the deity of entertainment and the performing arts. Shizuku and I are idols after all.

70

Airi

We invited Asahina to join us and she said yes.

71

Tsukasa

A shrine for the performing arts you say?! That sounds wonderful...!

72

Shizuku

Do you two have plans after this?

73

Tsukasa

We were planning on walking around and buying some souvenirs for now. Later this evening, we'll be seeing a parade called the Hyakki Yako Parade where people dress up as folkloric spirits!

74

Mafuyu

Folkloric spirits...?
That sounds interesting.

75

Shizuku

I agree...!
I'd like to see it since it sounds like a wonderful event to see in Kyoto.

76

Airi

We've set aside some time this evening to go buy souvenirs, so we could conceivably join you guys.

77

Tsukasa

Hm...?
Shizuku, your group is about to visit that shrine... And our group will be seeing the parade later tonight...

78

Tsukasa

Why don't we do both together?!

79

Airi

What?

80

Rui

In other words, you think we should merge groups...?

81

Tsukasa

Indeed! Us meeting feels like more than just a coincidence! So, would you mind if we joined you?

82

Tsukasa

Of course, if you'd like some privacy, we'll understand.

83

Airi

I don't think we mind...
But weren't you guys gonna go look for souvenirs?

84

Tsukasa

Not a problem.
We seem to have given ourselves more time than we needed to see Kiyomizu-dera Temple, so we can just see what's available along the way.

85

Airi

Okay...
Then, let's go together.

86

Rui

Oh, also... Some friends will be joining us for the parade if that's alright with all of you.

87

Shizuku

Yes, of course.

88

Airi

Today, we're just students here to enjoy our school trip. Let's just try to have fun!

89

Mafuyu

Hehe. It looks like this will be a fun day.

90

Tsukasa

Then, we're set to go!
Thank you, Shizuku, Asahina, Airi Momoi!

91

Airi

Sure thing!

92

Airi

Wait, why are you only calling me by my full name?!

93

Tsukasa

Oh, so... Saki always used to shout, “It's Happy Everyday!” whenever she saw you, so I began remembering that as your name...

94

Tsukasa

In order to overwrite that, I've made it a habit to call you by your full name. I apologize if that feels awkward in any way...

95

Airi

O-Oh, I had no idea...
In that case, I don't mind...

96

Tsukasa

Really?! Thank you, Airi Momoi!

97

Airi

Hey, keep your voice down!
Have you forgotten that I'm an idol?!

98

Tsukasa

No, you're right!

99

Airi

Honestly, Tenma, it feels like I'm on a variety show whenever I talk to you...

Rui

Hehe. Anyway, thank you all for having us.

Mafuyu

Likewise, Kamishiro.

Shizuku

Let's have as much fun as we can today!

Next Chapter: A Road Less Lonely