The BBs and the girls arrive in Kyoto by taking the bullet train. They go to the Ryokan, check-in, and visit their rooms. The interior of their guest rooms is bigger than expected, and they must sleep on futons. Next, they see the Gold and Silver Temples. While at the Gold Temple, one of the BBs commented on the possibility of ninjas exiting. The girls clarify that ninjas don't exist, and it's just a manga thing. The BBs are not so sure.
Reminder: homework survey to do.
See my profile for monthly events.
The weather is sunny all week.
[August 7, Tuesday - week 2]
The day of the trip is finally here. The BBs meet with the girls once they get off the Shibuya train station. The boys wear varied summer clothing, including T-shirts, jeans, vests, and sneakers.
"Hey there!" Seiya shouts, waving at the five girls waiting for them. Shoko does the same, and they finally reunite, greeting each other.
"There you guys are!" Shoko says.
"We're ready go to," Seiya says.
"Where are your suitcases?" Chihiro asks.
"Why? We'll be out for five days," Hyoga says.
"Yeah! We'd just pack the necessary," Seiya adds.
Seiya and his friends carry string backpacks or shoulder bags with cross straps. Ikki holds a single suitcase containing some necessary goods for the guys. Still, the case remains mostly empty to bring souvenirs at Shun's request because he wants to decorate the dorm lounge.
"Only one suitcase?" Mei asks.
"Yeah, for five of us. Plus, Shun wants to buy souvenirs for the dorm," Seiya clarifies.
"I see..." Mei nods, understanding.
"Okay then, let's take the train," Shoko says.
Seiya hands the girls five of the ten bullet train tickets Saori reserved. They make it to the station, scan their tickets, and enter the reserved section of the bullet train. Immediately, they notice the area is almost empty because the section itself is reserved for business travel.
"Wow, Saori-san went all out," Seiya says.
"I had no idea. Do you?" Shun asks.
"Yeah, I knew because the seats reserved are specific only to businesses. I knew the moment I saw the tickets," Shoko says.
"Still, we have this area for ourselves," Alicia says.
"Seats are 2 by 2. Chihiro-san, let's sit on the left."
"That's fine by me." Chihiro nods.
Shoko and Chihiro sit on the left side. Observing this, Seiya tells Shun to sit on the right side with him. Soon, the others do the same. Mei and Alicia sit behind Shoko and Chihiro, while Shiryu and Hyoga sit behind Seiya and Shun. Ikki sits alone at the window, but Kyoko wants to join sitting next to him, so he allows her for once. So for the next two hours, all parties chat and consume some goods provided to them. They finally arrive in Kyoto and walk towards the Ryokan, close to the station. The same one Saori reserved.
"Welcome!" The female staff in a kimono greets them upon arrival. She escorts them to the reception to confirm their reservation. Since they arrive early, the group sits at the table in the lobby lounge. Shiryu volunteers with Mei, assisting him.
"Wow, Shoko-san! You weren't wrong about the two-hour thing. That train was fast!" Seiya says.
"See? I told you!" Shoko boasts.
"What do we do after this?" Hyoga asks.
"Okay, so we head to our rooms. We rest and then tour. Afterward, we'll return, check in, and then eat dinner," Chihiro says.
"Where do we tour?" Shun asks.
"We'll do temples first since this is your first time here," Kyoko says.
"Temples, huh? It's been a while since I've been here, so why not go," Shoko says. "But if we go, let's visit the Gold and Silver Temples."
"Gold and silver?" Ikki asks with a raised brow.
"Yeah! You gotta see it to believe it."
Shiryu and Mei return to the group.
"Good news! Our rooms are confirmed. We can go right now and then later check in. We can use that time to tour somewhere."
"Shoko-san suggests checking out the Gold and Silver Temples," Seiya says.
"Okay, we'll do that. Let's head to the rooms first."
The female staff escort the group to their rooms. Saori reserved two rooms: one for the boys and one for the girls. The BBs stay in one room while the girls dwell in the room next door.
"Amazing! This room is big. Where are the beds?" Hyoga asks, wondering.
"What? We read about this. There are no beds. You sleep on the floor on a mattress called a futon," Seiya explains.
"That's right. I read about this, but I had no idea how real it was until now. This room is big enough to fit all five of us together."
"All five of us can sleep in this room," Seiya says.
"Count me out! I'll sleep in that room," Ikki says, pointing towards a sitting room.
Seiya sweat drops. "Lone wolf as always..."
Once the boys rest, they meet with the girls to visit the famed Gold and Silver Temples. Shun brings the camera Saori gave.
"This must be it," Seiya says, looking up at the giant building covered in shiny gold. "Hard to believe such a temple exists."
"It was built as a retirement house for a famous shogun, so it isn't surprising that it was built that way," Shoko says.
"Are we allowed to enter? I feel as if something would happen if we do," Hyoga says, worried.
"You mean like being assaulted?" Ikki asks.
"Something like that."
"Guys, this is a tourist spot. Nothing will happen," Shoko says to reassure the guys. She notices them as if they're bracing for the worst.
"You read way too much manga." Chihiro shrugs.
The group enters the temple just fine. No weird traps, assaults, or anything. Besides, there are tourists as well, so they're not alone.
"I expected something weird but I guess this is just another random temple," Seiya says, sweat dropping with a shrug.
"What do you expect?" Chihiro asks.
"Like, ninjas. Dressed in gold cloak."
"Okay, you definitely read too much manga."
"Seiya-kun, ninjas are ancient history at this point," Shoko says.
"Really? I have a feeling they do exist somehow."
"That's not possible. If that were the case, people would know all about them. They'll be out in the open," Mei says, clarifying Shoko's point.
As they leave to visit the Silver Temple, a figure dressed in a gold cloak spies on them, and none of them notice. They see the Silver Temple and tour the building, which is just as impressive as the Gold Temple. They return to the Ryokan when evening falls to check in and eat dinner. Their trip will continue tomorrow at another historic site.
To be continued...