Golden Week
A long week passed, and at last, Golden Week had begun.
During this time of year, Japanese tourists flood destinations both at home and abroad.
But my hardworking parents, ever diligent, decided to open the shop today as always.
Thanks to them, the school I went to every day and the local gym were both closed, leaving me high and dry. I was lying on my room's floor, which was cluttered with dumbbells and manga, doing nothing but breathing.
'Still a while until my meeting with the president.'
I had woken up at 4 AM out of habit, but since I didn't need to pack a lunch, I had an enormous amount of free time from the get-go.
So, for exercise, I went for a light jog at dawn, but that barely registered with my muscles. As soon as I got home, I did about two hours of bodyweight exercises.
Still, I had time to kill, so I picked up a manga from my bookshelf, but since I already knew the story, it wasn't fun.
It looked like I'd have to make a trip to Akihabara to buy some new manga when I had the time.
As I was staring blankly at the ceiling, my mother, who was about to head to the shop, poked her head into my room and asked.
"Yu-seong, you said you were meeting a friend today, right? What are you doing for dinner?"
Hearing her, I shot up into a sitting position.
"I'll let you know beforehand if I'm going to eat out."
My mother nodded, then pulled something out of her pants pocket.
"Here! Pocket money! Go get something tasty with your friend!"
What my mother handed me was a yellow bill.
The so-called Mr. Yukichi.
I took the ten-thousand-yen bill with a bewildered expression.
"Are you sure you can give me this much all of a sudden?"
My mother 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, tell me. I'll give you more."
"No, this is more than enough. Thank you."
"Alright, then. Mom and Dad are heading down to the shop, so have fun!"
After saying that, my mother smiled brightly and walked out the front door.
I followed to see her off, and sensing that the time for my appointment was drawing near, I decided to wash up and get ready.
I was supposed to meet the president in Asakusa by noon.
***
Asakusa is a district in Tokyo's Taito Ward, a street of temples and tradition.
It was also a famous tourist spot because every year on January 1st, many people came to Senso-ji Temple to make their New Year's wishes.
From Setagaya Ward where I lived, it took about an hour by subway, so I left home around 10:30.
Unlike Seoul's subway system, Tokyo's subway lines are incredibly complex, making transfers difficult, especially for long distances.
Still, I somehow found my way and arrived in Asakusa at exactly 11:40.
Coming up from the subway platform, I was greeted by the sight of old-fashioned wooden buildings.
During the New Year, the place would be overflowing with people, but since it was spring, the number of people walking around didn't seem that large.
As I approached Senso-ji Temple, our meeting spot, I saw the giant red lantern of the Kaminarimon Gate, the symbol of Asakusa.
A familiar figure stood in front of it.
"President!"
Unlike her usual self, who always wore a black school uniform, the president was standing in front of the gate in a luxurious-looking white dress, a small handbag slung over her shoulder. Hearing my voice, she turned, her straight black hair swishing.
"You're late!!"
"Pardon?"
"Do you have any idea what time it is!"
Hearing her scolding, I hurriedly took out my phone to check the time.
[11:50]
"Uh… I'm ten minutes early for our meeting time."
"When you have an appointment to meet 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 at this piece of common knowledge I'd never heard before, but then it occurred to me that since the president was the daughter of a prominent noble family, it might just be true for her.
When in her life, having been revered by everyone around her, would she have ever experienced waiting for someone at a meeting spot?
I admitted my lack of consideration and bowed my head to apologize.
"I'm sorry for being late. I'll make sure not to make this mistake next time."
The president then crossed her arms and said.
"Hmph, since you are my subordinate, Kim Yu-seong, I'll forgive you just this once. However!"
"However?"
"You'll have to buy me matcha ice cream from that wagashi shop over there!"
*Point!*
Following the fan she pointed with, I saw a stall selling green ice cream.
…If I could appease a pouting president with just that, it was a bargain.
I immediately ran to the stall, bought two 300-yen matcha ice creams, and handed one to her. The president's eyes lit up as she accepted it.
"Mmm~ This is the taste!"
I followed her lead and took a bite of the matcha ice cream, then tilted my head and asked.
"President, you're surprisingly lenient when it comes to mass-produced matcha products, aren't you?"
With the ice cream in one hand, the president replied.
"When it comes to brewed green tea, the more expensive it is, the better it tastes, but these kinds of products usually just have matcha flavoring added, don't they? As picky as my palate is, I don't demand such high quality from mass-produced goods."
"…You've grown."
"Ugh! What's with that lukewarm gaze!"
"Oh, nothing. I was just remembering how, just six months ago, you would be carving a steak in the student council room, saying you didn't want to eat commoner food."
"Th-That was ages ago! I can eat commoner food now, you know!"
The president huffed as she said that, but it seemed less like she was truly angry and more like she was trying to hide her embarrassment.
I guess she considers it a dark part of her past.
"Anyway, now that we've bought ice cream, let's decide where to go first. Wasn't our purpose today to buy a gift for the Russian exchange student who'll be 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 brushed it off with her usual noble lady's laugh.
"Ohohohoho! Do you really think that I, Saionji Kumiko, would forget something so simple! What a preposterous notion!"
It was obvious to anyone that she was trying to cover up for having forgotten, but I decided not to point it out.
"In that case, may I ask a few questions first?"
"Ask away!"
"What does the exchange student coming this time like?"
The president answered without much thought.
"I asked her on the phone the other day, and she said anything related to traditional Japanese culture would be fine."
"Traditional culture, I see."
That certainly explained why the president had chosen Asakusa as our meeting place.
It was hard to find a street in Tokyo with such a quintessentially Japanese feel.
"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, or an Ebisu statue, but those sound good too!"
"Then let's browse the Asakusa shopping street with those items in mind."
"Excellent! I've been to Asakusa many times, so I shall be your guide today!"
The president said, confidently lifting her nose in the air, and began to walk ahead.
I followed her small back, taking a large bite of my melting ice cream.
***
At that same moment.
Inside a black limousine parked on a road near Asakusa, two people were conducting what looked like a spy operation from a movie, with all sorts of communication equipment spread out on the floor.
"My lady, there is a papercraft shop two blocks from your current position. I suggest you naturally propose going in there."
"My lady, the key here is to walk gracefully with your hands behind your back. Men fall for that kind of unexpectedly charming behavior. What? You think this is just my personal preference? It is not. What do you take me for?"
Akagi Shinjiro and Akagi Minami.
At school, their identities were Vice President and Student Council Treasurer, respectively, but their true roles were that of a butler and a maid who had been serving Saionji Kumiko, a direct descendant of the Saionji family, since childhood.
Both had mastered all the techniques of the Koga-ryu, a ninja clan under the Saionji family, making them specialists in all manner of espionage and dignitary protection.
And now, these two were dedicating their full efforts to ensuring their beloved lady's date was a success!
"My lady, now would be a good time to subtly tuck your hair behind your ear to appeal to his senses."
"Now that you've looked at the papercrafts enough, let's move on to the next shop."
But did they know?
That too many cooks spoil the broth!
The perfect cacophony created by Kumiko's own will, Shinjiro's personal tastes, and Minami's meticulous nature!
Saionji Kumiko's Asakusa date had only just begun