It was a normal sunny day when I got this letter from someone anonymous. When I opened it, a check of $10,000 popped out and my mind was blown. Before I got too excited I read the letter.
Dear, friend
I saw you were raising money for a trip to Japan and I felt like you needed this right away. As a rich guy, you lose ideas to use your money so you end up giving it away. That could just be me! I hope you have fun!
Anonymous
I immediately called Tokuma, my cousin to inform her on this fantastic news. She's been dying to go to Japan for many years.
"You won't believe this!" I yelled all excited.
"What, you sold something?" Tokuma asked.
"You can say that, but…I got a $10,000 check!"
We exchanged squeals and screams of excitement over the phone. We knew what was about to happen this summer: an Otaku's dream trip to Japan. Tokuma wrote down places to go, what to do, foods to eat, and many more. Meanwhile, I picked up a guide book to speak in Japanese. It contained common phrases and responses.
On July 7, 2021 we set off to Japan. My twin brother could not come because he's busy working on too many projects at a time. That's him for ya though! The clock strikes 11:00 AM and our flight is ready. It was going to be almost a day trip to get there, but we came prepared.
I relax listening to Japanese songs from anime, many different voices sing music to my ears and I'm hyped even more for what's to come. Tokuma is playing her Japanese 3DS refreshing her memory of Kanji. We fly over the UK and land there to wait for our next flight. It was morning there since it was about night in the USA. The time change hit me hard, boy was I tired.
I had to stay awake: otherwise I'll miss my flight. Tokuma stood awake with me so we'll be ready to get on our next plane. A thought crossed my mind: was it selfish to go through this trouble for a self-fulfilling trip? Others did so, but that doesn't make it right. However, I made my cousin happy so it's not selfish. Right?
Our flight to Tokyo, Japan was ready and we dashed with sonic speed. Watching the world from above was amazing: seeing the many countries below was something else. A part of me felt guilty because I was doing this for me and my cousin. When people raise money for something, it's for more than one or two. If it's for one: that fund raiser is for a dying person or someone handicapped.
Feeling the tears come, I turn my head to the window to watch the world fly by. I couldn't hold them back because when your heart breaks you're forced to cry. It's a natural reaction to the pain. I know my feelings are lying to me like always. If I wanted to, I can be a light by simply being kind and polite to others as a foreigner.
When we make a landing in Tokyo, a blue bird stands on the wing glistening and flies away. I had no idea what that was about, but it took my mind off how I was feeling earlier. My legs were jittering with excitement as we made our way to the Japanese airport. Our minds couldn't process the fact we were in Japan.
"What should we do first?" I asked.
"Still processing information." Tokuma said jittering.
I slowly proceed to the city so we can get started before the sun goes down. We grab a map to Tokyo and head for the subway station. Akihabara here we come!
Riding the subway felt amazing like you're going superfast. If you ride backwards it feels weird almost like you're being pulled forward. I like riding it the "right" way. It didn't take too long to arrive in Akihabara: first thing I saw was a building labeled "Gamers" and another "Animate".
"Where to go first?" I wondered.
"Let's go to…Animate." Tokuma suggested.
We want a lot from Animate so that's our first stop. We take a cart because we won't need a handcart for what we're buying. Anime, manga, games, anime CDs, and merch filled the store. Interesting fact was, "Blue Bird" was playing in the background as we were shopping. It seems someone or something was trying to tell me something.
When Tokuma sees a Haruhi display she takes one of everything. I just take a SOS brigade band and a Haruhi plushie. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was the anime that got Tokuma into the anime genre. For me, it was first Sonic X, then Beyblade, Naruto, and Astro Boy. From then on I began to love anime, but I choose wisely on what anime I watch because some can be explicit: Henti for example.
The first floor left us with almost a cart full and we haven't reached the second floor yet. So we pay for our stuff then drop it off at the hotel we're staying in. Just being in Tokyo blew my mind! Never in a million years would I think I'd be here. When we reach the second floor, the cart ends up getting full again. How are we going to haul all of this stuff home?
"We've spent a lot already and we're not done." I jokingly wined.
"Yeah I know! Maybe we should cut down." Tokuma said sarcastically.
The best way to get this stuff home is to ship it there via post office. The cost can be high, but we came prepared. After going from floor to floor for five hours, we take a break at McDonalds. We're in Japan and we're eating McDonalds? It was close and we'll eat dinner at some kind of Japanese restaurant.
Gamers was our next stop and I felt like Konata from Lucky Star shopping in that place. All manga was written in Japanese so I really didn't buy any there. What really mattered to me was the memories, being kind, and some souvenirs is nice too. I ended up with a few today and tomorrow holds more adventures.
The day ended at a Maid Café where all of the food was decorated with cute faces and such. It was fine food and the girls were nice. When we get back to our hotel room, we feel the impact of everything we've been through at once.
"Wow! Wanna do it again tomorrow?" I asked.
"You bet! There's still a lot more places to go." Tokuma said looking at her list.
We haven't even made it to the arcades yet: J-World, Joyoplis, Round 1, Every Day UFO, and more. Where do we start? Not to mention a Miku concert that's happening in a few days. Our tickets are already purchased so that day is set. However, what happens the next day will turn our plans upside down.