Chapter 59: The American Gamers
"Wow, this is Chikurin!!"
As we entered the Chikurin bamboo forest in Kyoto's Arashiyama, the sound of bamboo rustling in the wind brought smiles to our faces, almost involuntarily.
Yuki and I were now at Chikurin, a bamboo forest in Kyoto's Arashiyama. Yuki, just like me, was seeing this place for the first time, and she gazed in wonder at the bamboo-lined path that surrounded us.
"Kyoto is definitely more amazing than Tokyo. It would be great if Tokyo had places like this."
With the subtle scent of bamboo in the air, Yuki closed her eyes and shared her thoughts. I walked beside her, enjoying our weekend date.
"Do you come here often, Junhyuk?"
"It's a good place to clear your mind. It has nice paths, and the scent of bamboo is refreshing."
"I see. It's such a nice path; it makes you sound like a grandpa."
"Ahem..."
While I might be a respectable middle-aged man on the inside, I laughed off Yuki's teasing and continued walking.
"So, are you going to the United States on Monday?"
"Yes. I'll be staying there for about a month."
"Wow, I've never been abroad before, so just hearing about it from you makes me so excited, Junhyuk."
Why is she excited when she's not the one going? After a moment, Yuki asked me with a cautious expression.
"Junhyuk, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Well, it's something I heard from a friend. Do you really have to take off your shoes when boarding a plane?"
Oh, this old joke still exists in this day and age. Yuki's serious expression made me burst out laughing. In response, Yuki blushed and stammered.
"I-it's just a joke! Of course, you wear shoes when boarding!!"
At that moment, I stopped laughing and replied with a serious expression.
"What are you talking about, Yuki? Of course, you have to take off your shoes."
"Ah...! Right? I, I knew that all along! Hmph!"
With her face turning away, Yuki marched ahead on her own.
She's so cute. She just turned twenty this year. Considering my actual age, I must be receiving my punishment. It's no wonder Yuki sometimes refers to me as a grandpa.
Oh, well. As I contemplated, Yuki turned her head and called out to me as I walked slowly behind her.
"What are you doing? Hurry up!"
"Haha, I'm coming."
The bamboo forest, the winding path, and a charming girl – every word strikes a chord deep within.
...
After leaving Chikurin with Yuki, we returned to the car and headed to a restaurant as our stomachs started to growl. In the 1980s, Japan had the advantage of smooth roads with few cars, so you could easily drive anywhere. As I accelerated down the long road, my car cut through the chilly winter wind like an arrow.
"In 300 meters, turn left. Stay in the left lane."
It was a navigation voice that you'd only expect to hear about 30 years later, but in this case, it was Yuki's voice guiding me to a Kyoto restaurant, of all things.
"Hehe..."
"What's been so funny since earlier? Come on, share it with me, let's laugh together!"
"Oh, it's nothing."
"You're laughing to yourself while I'm left out..."
How do I explain that the behavior you're displaying now will one day come from a navigation device? I couldn't help but chuckle as I looked at the slightly pouting Yuki.
Despite her current demeanor, Yuki isn't usually like this. If I don't say anything for a moment...
"But still, it's convenient for me to guide you, right? It's not annoying to have it pop into your ear, is it?"
That's how. In reality, there was no time for boredom.
Back in the days without navigation, anyone would spread out a map and ask the person in the passenger seat for directions when they entered unfamiliar territory. It was an experience that had its own unique charm.
A while later, with Yuki's guidance, we arrived at a restaurant. Even though it was a famous place, honestly, I wouldn't have come here by myself all the way from Kyoto to Kobe.
Kobe, a place you had to pass through Kyoto and Osaka to get to, was famous for its Kobe beef, which was similar to Korean Hanwoo beef.
"Wow, the restaurant is huge!"
In front of the restaurant, with a giant cow painted on the wall, Yuki was having a blast, like a child at an amusement park. She began taking pictures with her film camera, which was something that would have been an everyday sight in the 2000s, but people inside the restaurant were looking at her with puzzled expressions as she snapped pictures of the building's exterior.
"Excuse me... but what are you doing right now?"
In the end, the restaurant owner, with an air of authority, came out and asked Yuki. She blushed and explained her situation.
"I'm a TV show producer, and I'm planning a program where I travel all over the country to find delicious restaurants."
"Oh, a restaurant program?"
"Yes. That's why I was taking pictures of this place, which is famous for the best Kobe beef. I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier."
The restaurant owner hesitated for a moment, then suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed.
"You should have told us beforehand if you were doing something like that!!"
With that, he rushed into the restaurant and quickly put on his coat. He came out with the head chef in tow.
"Okay, now take your pictures."
"I want to capture a more natural shot..."
"Well, at least take one for remembrance. If a program like that comes out in the future, remember us as the best Kobe beef restaurant! I used to major in photography, you see."
"Sure, thank you."
Click. When Yuki took the picture, the restaurant owner reached out to her, saying, "You two are a couple, right? Give me the camera. I'll take a nice picture for you. I used to major in photography, after all."
A couple, you say? I was about to raise my hand to correct him, but Yuki quickly handed him the camera and said, "Yes, we are. Thank you."
With the restaurant owner's service, we filled our stomachs with delicious Kobe beef for lunch. Rather than getting back in the car right away, I felt like taking a walk. Fortunately, there was a walking path next to the restaurant, so Yuki and I started walking through the forest.
"Ah, I'm so full."
"Yeah, I think we overdid it..."
"But it was really delicious."
"But wasn't it quite expensive?"
I was thankful that Yuki had come all the way to Kyoto to give us this treat as a reward for winning the competition. However, she shook her head and replied.
"No, I wanted to come here once. My senior colleague at work is from Kobe, and she would always brag about how delicious the Kobe beef is. Thanks to you, I could come here comfortably. Having a car is great after all."
Walking through the winter forest, despite feeling a bit chilly, I began to feel refreshed.
"Junhyuk."
"Yes?"
"Have a great trip to the United States."
"Oh... Thank you."
"And when you come back... I hope you'll just call me 'Yuki' instead of 'Yuki-san.'"
Looking up at me with a big smile, I unknowingly nodded and replied.
"Oh, sure. I'll do that."
...
January 7th, Onboard a flight to the United States
In the business class, I stretched as I asked a passing flight attendant:
"How much longer until we arrive?"
"About 30 minutes left, sir. You've had a long journey."
"No, you're the one who's been working hard."
"You were sleeping so soundly. Did you have a good dream?"
"I can't remember, but it seemed like that. By the way, sorry, could you get me a glass of water? I'm a bit thirsty."
"Of course. Please wait a moment."
The flight attendant nodded with a bright smile and went to fetch the water. As I wet my dry throat, I gazed out the window and realized we had already arrived in the heart of the United States.
A short while later, the plane landed at JFK Airport in New York. I gently woke up Gunpei-san, who had been sleeping until the moment of landing.
"Gunpei-san, we've arrived. We're at the airport."
"Already...?"
Already, he says. This guy... He's spent nearly 20 hours on the plane. Someone might think he's taken a bus from Kyoto to Tokyo.
I woke up the groggy Gunpei-san, and after collecting our luggage, we headed to the arrival hall. While there was a brief customs check and visa formalities, it was not a problem since I already had a business visa from working in Japan for a year.
Not to mention, we didn't eat much of the in-flight meal, mostly just sleeping. Gunpei-san, who seemed exhausted, showed signs of hunger. When I finally grabbed Gunpei-san's suitcase and led him to the arrival hall, I heard a joyful voice.
"Boss!! Over here!!"
It was Ellis' voice. Alongside him, Yamashita-san and Wilson-san had come to greet us at the airport. It had been three years since I had seen these beloved faces, and my eyes got a little teary at the sight.
"Wilson-san! Yamashita-san! Ellis!"
Then, Gunpei-san, who was standing next to me, looked at them and said.
"Kang is quite popular even in the United States, huh?"
"Of course. You must be hungry; let's have a meal first."
"Right, I'm really hungry."
"Who goes on a flight and only sleeps without eating the in-flight meal?"
"Oddly enough, whenever I eat something on a plane, I don't feel well."
"Are you being picky? Let's go."
With a smile, Gunpei-san followed silently behind me.
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