A little side note because it's often mentioned in this chapter: The Edo period is a historic era that lasted from 1603 to 1868. Much of the traditional Japanese street food dates back to that time, so I mentioned it in this chapter several times.
After entering through the gate, they finally reached the main shopping street. Even if Eiji and Hana had told him about it, it still left him speechless. Not only did the countless stalls and products caught his eye, but also the traditional appearance of the shops with bright hanging lanterns and colored rooftops along the way.
"Asakusa's Nakamise shopping street is believed to have been founded sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries when local people in Asakusa were granted permission to open shops on the temple grounds. In return, the new shopkeepers were expected to perform cleaning services and keep the temple precincts nice and tidy.
Eiji enjoyed introducing the street with all the food stalls to them, his voice radiating excitement and happiness. Ash loved seeing him so carefree. He knew Eiji had always kept a close eye on him since his breakdown and was relieved that he had fun, too.
„So, the temple had already a lot of visitors back then?" Ash asked him while looking around in amazement.
"Yes, at that time, Sensoji Temple was already a popular pilgrimage center, so the shopkeepers of Nakamise could strike a good deal by providing food and drink to weary pilgrims. Since that time, the street's appearance has undergone several changes."
"How so? And why did they change their appearance? There's probably a reason behind it, right? Like destruction of the area by fire or a battle?"
"You're half right. In 1885, the street was modernized, and the old shops were replaced by red brick buildings typical of that era. So, no destructive event up to that point in time. Sadly, these buildings were destroyed later on in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923."
„An earthquake? I didn't expect a natural disaster to be the cause."
"Earthquakes are pretty common around Japan," Hana reminded Ash, suddenly serious.
"She's right. Japan sits on top of four converging tectonic plates that constantly grind together. Some 1,500 earthquakes occur in Japan each year. However, most of them are so mild people can't feel them."
"Wow, that many? I've heard Japan was prone to earthquakes, but I didn't know that."
"After that modernization, the shops were rebuilt in concrete on two occasions, once after the 1923 earthquake and then again after the firebombing of World War II. Despite their modern concrete structures, the shops today have a traditional appearance and are brightly decorated with hanging lanterns and green tiled rooftops."
"I see. So, the street ahead of us is the main shopping street?"
"Yes. After going through the gate, you immediately find the shopping street of over 250 meters I've told you about, called Nakamise. It leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Between these two gates are 89 shops, with 54 shops on the east side and 35 on the west. Nakamise is a traditional name given to shopping streets on the grounds of temples or shrines, so this is not the only Nakamise in Japan, but it is one of the oldest and most famous."
Ash nodded in understanding and continued to look around him.
"Alongside typical souvenirs and traditional goods, we can also find many snacks there," Hana added cheerfully. "And I'll try all of them!"
"We'll see about that," Eiji chuckled.
"Hana's right, though. The shops here sell various specialty street foods and snacks, traditional arts and crafts, clothes, accessories, toys, t-shirts, parasols, dolls, and lanterns. These are just a few things you find there. And after the shops have closed, we can look at the painted murals on the shuttered shop fronts along a much quieter street at night."
"What's so special about the closed shops?" Ash asked while looking at the different shops and their goods with fascination. The street was full of endless stalls, so you didn't know where to go first. It had a traditional and ancient aura that Ash liked. It felt like going back in time.
"At night, we will be rewarded by the beautiful mural paintings on the drawn shutters of the Nakamise stalls. The "Asakusa picture scroll," which we can see when the shops are closed, depicts the history of the Sensoji Temple through drawings of seasonal events. It's supposed to be beautiful and worth a look."
"Sounds interesting. I hope we can see them on our way back."
While Hana was distracted by browsing all the different goods with sparkling eyes, Eiji grabbed his hand, holding him back.
Ash turned to Eiji in surprise, wondering what was wrong.
"Ash, will you be okay? It's not that crowded anymore, but - " Eiji began, leaving the rest of the sentence unspoken. Words weren't necessary, though; even he could see pure worry reflected in his eyes. He had noticed how Eiji observed him to ensure he was fine.
He gave him a reassuring smile, then cupped his face with one hand while looking directly into his eyes. He knew Eiji could see if he was okay. He had the ability to see the truth, his pain or happiness, just by looking into his eyes and reading his body language. He met his eyes for a moment, then relaxed and leaned into his touch while putting one hand gently over his. Then, his warm smile finally returned.
Eiji had chosen a later time for his sake, realizing it would be easier for him to navigate the street and food stalls after the main hall was closed. He wanted to make sure he didn't have to face huge crowds.
Sometimes, he didn't know how in the world he deserved such a kind and selfless person who always put other people's feelings before his own.
He slowly removed his hand from his cheek and placed a quick peck there before giving him another grateful and, what he hoped, reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Thank you for coming here now when it's less crowded. You realized it wouldn't be easy for me at a popular tourist spot with huge crowds, right?"
"Yes, I thought you'd feel more comfortable at such a late hour when most people have already left. And it's easier to keep an eye on Hana. She's too excited and gets carried away sometimes. And this is her first time in such a big city, so I'd like her in my sight. Getting lost in huge crowds is easy, and I don't want us to get separated."
"It was a great idea to come here now. Thank you."
"Of course. This is one of Japan's oldest shopping streets and radiates the vibe of an Edo-period downtown area. They offer both traditional and modern items on sale. I assumed you'd like the historic and traditional flair here. I wanted you and Hana to see it. Here, we can taste regional dishes and enjoy the temple's surroundings. We can all taste some dishes we don't get in Izumo."
"That sounds great."
"Not all the shops will still be open anymore, but I'm sure we'll find something delicious while browsing and looking around. Wanna take a look?" Ash nodded, and they continued walking.
"Eiji, come on. I want to take a look at all the shops! Do you think they sell Anello bags here?" Hana asked impatiently, pouting at him.
"Anello? What's that?" Ash asked Eiji. He had never heard of that before. Hana just rolled her eyes and shook her head in disbelief as if he was wasting her time with such a ridiculous question.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Don't mind her. She's just being a teenager and has little patience when you're not up to date with the latest fashion trends. Anello bags are popular backpacks these days," Eiji clarified for him. "They're popular and available in various colors but not cheap."
Ash nodded in understanding. He was still slightly overwhelmed by all the different items he saw here.
"Wow, they offer so many goods here," Ash remarked more to himself than Eiji, looking around with open curiosity.
He felt like an idiot. He had to ask Eiji endless questions about most goods because he had never seen most of them before. Eiji, however, seemed to be entirely happy when noticing that he looked around in fascination and enjoyed explaining every little detail to him. His eyes were sparkling excitedly while he took the time to answer all his questions, so he felt at ease and began enjoying himself.
"Yes, over there, they sell yukata, like the one we wore at the Ryokan in Akita, remember?"
Ash nodded. "And those are folding fans, and they sell clogs and traditional sandals over there, right?"
"Yes."
"Look, Eiji, over there! They sell those manekineko!" Hana cheered happily. "Aren't they cute?" She immediately ran to the store to look at them, so they had no choice but to follow.
"Maneki what?" Ash asked, wondering what Hana was referring to. Then, he saw the store Hana had headed to. "
"You mean those cats with one raised paw? I know them from Chinatown in New York, but do they serve a purpose?" he asked Eiji while looking at all the different cat figurines.
"They do. They bring luck to their owner if you believe in their powers. Traditionally, it's a seated cat with one raised paw. A raised right paw brings luck in the way of money. The other paw means luck in the way of health or something that isn't materialistic."
The colors also mean something," Hana added happily. "Tricolor, meaning white and black with red spots, is the most powerful and popular lucky charm. White means purity, while black brings health and wards off evil spirits. Red also wards off evil spirits but also protects from disease."
"Wow, I didn't know there was a meaning behind the cat's posture and colors. I guess I have a lot to learn."
"Isn't that the point of sightseeing?" Hana asked him. "To see and learn new things?"
"Yes, I guess so."
"You're doing fine. And Hana's right. We travel to other places to discover new things, Eiji agreed, intertwining their fingers and smiling encouragingly at him.
"What does gold stand for? And the other colors? Do they all have a meaning?"
"Yes, they do. Gold is associated with wealth, pink, a popular but not traditional color, with love, green and blue with academic or university success. Should we buy some?"
"Really? Then, I want a pink one!" Hana exclaimed happily.
"Of course, you'd choose pink. No surprise here," Eiji teased Hana, who pouted at him for a moment, then stubbornly turned away.
"If a teenage girl didn't choose pink, I'd be more worried," Ash chuckled.
"Stop teasing me! It's easy for you to say when you already found your special someone. And pushing your luck a little can never hurt."
"So, do you have any special person in mind?" Ash asked her.
Hana blushed and exclaimed, wholly flustered, "I don't. The boys in my class are all so immature and stupid. Only interested in sports."
"Sounds like Eiji - ouch!"
Eiji had just cast him a death glare, then stomped on his foot a little, making him cry out and curse for a second. Hana burst out laughing.
"But you'll never know what happens. You two are the perfect example of finding the right person in literal hell."
"I can't argue against that. I'm sure you'll find someone special, too, one day, Hana," Eiji replied warmly.
"What about you, Ash? What color do you pick?" Eiji asked curiously.
"I'm not sure yet. What about you?"
"I'll pick the green one. It reminds me of your eyes."
"You're such an idiot sometimes! When will you learn that your choice should be about you, not someone else?"
"I know that!" Eiji exclaimed; his lower lip shoved upward into a pout while his blazing gaze pierced his eyes. "And I picked something that would help me to succeed in college!"
Then, his features softened again. "But it doesn't hurt if the color reminds me of you,' he said, winking.
Ash quickly looked away before Eiji saw how much he actually loved that. He knew he couldn't fool Eiji when Eiji grabbed his upper arm and leaned on him. Why did he even bother trying? He turned to Eiji again.
"I admit that academic success makes sense. Then, I'll take the white one. It reminds me of you. Purity."
"I hope that's a compliment. I'm relieved, though. I feared you'd pick black because you still think you bring misfortune to me. I'm glad I was wrong, and you see things more optimistically now."
"With your brilliance, all evil spirits would be purified instantly. Works probably on bad boys, too." Eiji gave him a horrified look, staring at him with wide eyes. He wondered what that was about. But then, he noticed he was just toying with him.
"I hope not! I have a serious weakness for bad boys, especially blonde and green-eyed ones," Eiji replied with a grin before he paid for them and put them in his backpack.
He just stared at Eiji for a moment, too stunned by that remark, then shook his head in amusement.
"What else can you buy here?"
"You can also buy Japanese clogs, kokeshi wooden dolls, and fashionable Anello bags. The ones Hana mentioned before, remember?"
Hana's sparkling eyes confirmed that. "They're even available in many great colors. They're really popular at my school," Hana exclaimed cheerfully. "But they're also expensive," she added, looking at the prices when they passed a store selling them, her eyes darkening.
"Maybe if we have some money left at the end of our trip, we can come back here for one."
Hana cheered up instantly. "Really?"
"I promise."
They passed many stores with souvenirs, from kimonos to chopsticks, elegant fans in all colors, handmade umbrellas, t-shirts, dolls, lanterns, and toys.
Ash inspected everything with great interest, then suddenly stopped and gripped Eiji's arm so he'd stop as well.
"Eiji, is that a real Japanese sword?"
"Yes, they sell these here, too. But carrying them in public is illegal, and possessing them is only legal if they're certified as "important cultural properties" or "art objects". Carrying any sharp weapon is illegal in Japan, as I've told you before."
"I didn't want to buy one. I was just surprised they sell these here. They look cool," he admitted, staring at them in fascination for a while longer.
Suddenly, Eiji burst out laughing. "I knew it."
Ash stared at him in surprise. "Knew what exactly?"
"That you're still a bad boy at heart. Although the idea of you wielding a samurai sword in a fight with the fitting attire, your long, blonde hair tied up and dancing in the wind is a scene I'd love to see."
Before Ash even had time to react to that, Hana chimed in.
"Me, too!" Hana exclaimed happily. "Imagine how he stands victoriously, his emerald eyes glowing dangerously, intensified only by the light of a full moon while wearing a triumphant smirk." Hana and Eiji cast a conspiratorial glance at each other before they high-fived.
"Very funny. And here I thought I was the bookworm with the vivid imagination," Ash muttered in a low voice while shaking his head.
"I'd spent all my money just to see that! Ash would look stunning in a historical drama with his long blonde hair," Hana giggled.
"Yes, he'd make everyone faint in such a setup," Eiji added, and they both looked at him and grinned.
"Stop fantasizing about that!" he exclaimed, irritated by their excitement. "I think you two watched too many samurai movies. And there are no blonde samurai anyway!" He crossed his arms in defiance to get his point across.
"You're wrong. It would work if you were a rogue samurai who was independent and came from a foreign country to hide your mysterious past. Sounds familiar?"
"I'm leaving," Ash abruptly announced, turning around and wondering how that conversation had turned in such a weird direction. He had just thought the swords looked badass...
"There's always cosplay," he heard Hana whisper to Eiji, who grinned mischievously while they both looked at him with a wicked glint in their eyes.
Despite his stubborn announcement to leave, he hadn't left them, of course. He wouldn't do that, especially not on a busy street like this...
"I don't know what you're up to now, but judging by your mischievous grins, the answer is definitely no!"
"We'll see about that..." Eiji chuckled and dragged them past the stalls with the samurai swords and towards the stalls that finally sold regional food.
"Now, let's find something to eat before all the stalls are closed.
"Finally! Let's go!" Hana cheered, grabbed both their hands, and effortlessly steered through the crowd toward the food stalls.
~ ~ ~
"So much food. Where do we start?" Hana asked while all kinds of delicious smells reached their noses.
Maybe with something we don't get in Izumo?" Ash suggested. "Eiji said we could taste some typical or traditional food of Asakusa or Tokyo here, so that would be a good start."
"That's a great idea. Let's look around first," Eiji suggested.
Nakamise was still packed with tourists, so Eiji suggested not walking along the main route but taking one of the side streets on either side of the main street, which was much quieter.
Ash felt a bit guilty about that, but he soon forgot about it when he saw that here, on the side streets that parallel the main Nakamise street, were countless other shops, cafes, and restaurants, and it smelled delicious.
"I hope they have matcha ice cream!"
"I love that as much as you do. Remember how we always smuggled ice cream into our room and ate it under the bed covers so mom wouldn't notice?"
"Yes, that was fun! Once, she caught us, and you quickly switched on a flashlight, and we pretended to read a book. She later found out because the covers were full of ice cream. She gave us an hour-long lecture."
She turned to Ash with a smile. "After that, we snuck to the attic instead. Eiji cleaned it and set up a tent there. Mom never went there unless it was inevitable."
"Ash chuckled. "That does sound like fun."
"Can you buy things to bring as a souvenir? Something that lasts longer?" Ash asked them curiously while looking for regional food they could try.
"Yes, of course. Rice crackers and arare soybean biscuits stay fresh for a long time, making them the perfect take-home souvenir."
"That's cool! Maybe I can buy some."
"Look over there!" Hama exclaimed excitedly while pointing at a shop some distance away.
"That's the Funawa shop. I read about it in the guidebook. They sell colorful, imo yokan sweets made of sweet potato paste and sweet bean paste. Funawa was first established in 1902 and is one of Asakusa's most famous sweets. Can we try some?"
Eiji looked impressed, then smiled. "Of course. At least someone reads the guidebooks I gave them," he added while casting a dirty look at him.
"Why read up on things when I have two Japanese tourist guides with me?" he asked, shrugging.
"I give up," Eiji said with resignation and just shook his head in defeat. Hana cast them an amused glance before walking ahead of them to the store.
"Let's try some. Please? Look at all the delicious flavors!"
"What exactly is that?" Ash asked while looking at all the different kinds offered on display. "Please translate Hana's excited outburst to me?"
Eiji grinned at him. Hanna had been rambling so fast in her excitement that it had been too fast for him. Besides, he hadn't known some of the food names or ingredients she had mentioned.
"It's a jelly dessert made of sweet potatoes, as Hana said, and it's mostly eaten in fall. It's also a traditional dish since it dates back to the Edo period. Back then, it was traditionally made of a bean paste called Ariko. Wanna try it?"
"Yes, sure."
"The ingredients used are usually typical of fall. Like chestnuts, persimmons, and figs. It's usually served in little blocks. Since those snacks contain only a small amount of sugar, they only last a few days. So, it's not a good choice for a souvenir."
"I see. But they look delicious. I like the color. I'll buy some."
While Ash ordered, Hana and Eiji watched and whispered some things behind him. He could still hear it and smiled.
"His Japanese has improved a lot in such a short time. And he has a cute little American accent."
"Yes, that is cute. I like how it sounds."
Ash ordered in Japanese and talked to the man a bit more. Then, Eiji and Hana suddenly burst out laughing together behind him. Ash turned around to find out why.
The man who gave him his order now had complimented his Japanese and asked him where he came from.
"Izumo."
The man looked a bit confused by that. Eiji chuckled, put a hand on his arm, and leaned closer. "Ash, it's great that you consider Izumo your home, but I think the man was referred to your American accent," he whispered with an amused smile.
"Oh, you're right. I'm an idiot."
"No, it's fine. It was just funny, that's all. I'll take our orders, and we'll wait at the table," Eiji added before walking back to Hana.
Ash told the man he was originally from NYC, but he moved to Izumo recently.
"Wow, New York City must be a beautiful city. I hope I can go one day."
"New York is like Tokyo. A huge city with skyscrapers, lots of people, and cars," Ash replied honestly, remembering Eiji's description of Japan back in New York. "Japan has a lot more to offer."
The man chuckled and thanked him after he had paid.
He took a bite and was surprised. Of course, they had sweet potatoes in the US, too, but this way of preparing them was new to him. It tasted delicious but entirely different at the same time. Then again, Americans were usually uncreative when it came to food. They just fried everything and made French fries or other fast food out of it.
"So?"
"I like it. It tastes completely different to the sweet potato dishes from the US."
"Can I browse some shops while you finish?" she asked.
"You're already done?" Eiji asked in surprise. "Enjoy yourself, but please don't walk too far away."
Hana rolled her eyes and walked away. They saw her inspecting some shops and watching the making of some dishes with great interest.
"Wanna try mine? It's a different flavor," Eiji asked before leaning towards him while his hand with the dessert hovered midair.
Ash momentarily wondered what Eiji was doing and hesitated for a second. Then, he saw Eiji's soft smile and relaxed instantly. He leaned in as well and took a bite. Eiji's eyes lit up with happiness while he ate the other half.
"Why did you do that?"
"Sharing food or allowing someone to feed you is the ultimate sign of trust," Eiji explained patiently. "You must trust me not to give you something you don't like or can't eat. And I have to trust you that you don't bite off my finger or harm me."
"Did I pass the test?" Ash asked him, realizing what Eiji had been up to. Eiji smiled knowingly.
"You did. Although you looked a bit startled at first."
"Sorry. I needed some time to realize what you were trying to do."
"You get 9/10."
That's mean! Why don't I get full points?" he asked, annoyed.
"You're really used to getting full points and winning, huh? Your unhappy pout is cute, though." Eiji replied smugly, genuinely enjoying this.
"One minus point for hesitating and staring at me like l wanted to harm you."
Ash looked down at the table, feeling guilty. He still questioned it when people passed into his comfort zone, even if it was Eiji. And he still didn't understand such little gestures that implied trust and love.
"Sorry. I trust you, Eiji. Always. But such gestures are still new to me. I often wonder what it is you want from me and hesitate."
"I know. That's why I try to teach you some new ones now and then. Don't look so grumpy; you're doing fine. You would have never done that six months ago. So, I'm quite happy. You should be, too," Eiji tried to cheer him up.
"Why does Ash look as if the world has just ended?" Hana asked, returning to the table.
Eiji nearly jumped and instinctively clung to his arm. Seeing that, his bad mood was instantly gone. Eiji hadn't heard her approaching at all. He still felt at ease everywhere he was going. It was comforting to watch, and he loved that side of Eiji. He shared an amused glance with Eiji before smiling at Hana.
"Thank you."
"For what exactly?" she asked, confusion written all over her face.
"Improving my mood."
Hana cheered up instantly and grinned at him.
"I have something else that will improve your mood," she promised him. "I found the next dish we can try. Come on, Ash. Let's go over there. They have candies in all colors and shapes imaginable! I'm sure they'll remind you of those little candies from the US! What are they called again, jellybeans?"
Ash looked at the store. Hana was right. The candies shone in the brightest colors of the rainbow and had all different shapes and sizes.
"They really look like jellybeans from the US but have far more shapes and colors here."
Some did look like jellybeans, but not all of them. While jellybeans always had the same shape, those did not. Some were round, some flat, some were shaped like stars or flowers, and some had little drawings, prints, or patterns in the middle.
"They're beautiful, right? Hana asked Ash. These are also popular souvenirs here. The beautiful small candies are nearly too cute to eat! I'm sure your little brother will love them. Look over there; they even sell them in beautiful traditional patterned cases. Can we buy some?"
"Of course," Eiji replied.
Ash loved watching Hana. It was endearing how such small things made her happy. And she had done it to cheer him up and showed him something that reminded him of the US. And she had even remembered his little brother and suggested a gift for him.
They all bought some packages to bring home and ordered some to try.
Some tasted similar to jellybeans, but others were totally different. They had as many flavors as colors, and you never knew which flavor you got – sweet, bitter, fruity, sparkling, spicy. It reminded him of the US a bit. When Hana grimaced when she found a sour flavor, he and Eiji burst out laughing. Her face was too cute.
When they walked on, Ash suddenly stopped in his tracks. He had seen something but wasn't sure if it was art or food. Maybe both?
In the store, they had a fish on display that looked made out of glass. It appeared like in real life, its orange color shining brightly with different shades of yellow and red, while the body looked nearly transparent and fragile, as if it could break any second. It was secured on a stick to hold.
"Eiji, what's that? It looks like a work of art. It's beautiful."
"It is. Those are called Amezaiku. It's a Japanese arts craft. The candy is softened by heating to around 90 degrees C or 200 degrees F. Then, it's finely crafted with bare hands and traditional Japanese scissors. Amazaiku is crafted by cutting, pulling, and bending candy, which is attached to a stick at the end. It dates back to the 8th century. During the Edo period, artisans showed the making process on the streets to sell it to the people. It was a form of entertainment enjoyed by commoners. Generations have passed down the technique, but it is on the decline. Since the process has always been passed down from generation to generation, there's no literature about it."
"Wow, that's so pretty!" Hanna exclaimed excitedly. "Look at all the figures. There are cats, fish, frogs, panda bears, and even an eagle!"
"Wanna try one?"
Eiji bought one for each of them, and they all admired the design before eating it. Even Hana, the starving teenager. You immediately felt guilty for destroying such a beautiful creation...
They walked around some more when Eiji found a store for rice crackers.
"Ash, you wanted to buy a souvenir that lasts longer, right? This one is another significant snack in Asakusa called Kaminari Okoshi. Those are sweet puff rice crackers that locals have loved since the 18th century. Wanna try?"
"Yes, sure. I'll buy some for us and some as a souvenir. Thanks, Eiji."
"Let's head over there," Eiji suggested after buying some rice crackers, pointing to a store a few stalls away. "It's a shop that sells the most popular souvenirs from Asakusa. They're called Ningyo Yaki."
"Yes, I've read about those!" Hana exclaimed excitedly. "They're available in various shapes like birds and dolls. Can we try them as well?"
"Yes, sure. Let's go."
"Let's watch how they're made for a moment. It's fun, and their traditional way to make them hasn't changed in nearly 100 years."
"Wow, that looks interesting. But what are those exactly?"
Ningyo Yaki means Baked Doll. Those are simple soft-baked sponge cakes filled with sweet bean paste. They come in various shapes, such as doves, pagodas, or the traditional Asakusa lantern. You can eat them right away or buy a box as souvenirs. They usually stay fresh for a week."
"Sounds great. I'd love to try some."
"Me, too!"
"Let me buy some, ok?"
Eiji went to the counter and bought three fresh ones and some packages as souvenirs.
Hana got a doll-shaped one, Ash got the bird, and he chose Asakusa's lantern they had just looked at.
"Why a dove?" Ash whispered to him.
"Peace and freedom," he whispered back. "To remind you that you're free now."
Ash quickly wiped away the tears pricking at his eyes before Hana could see it, and smiled softly at him. However, Hana was still too distracted, admiring the shape and taking photos of her snack before finally eating it.
Eiji put the souvenirs in his backpack and looked at Hana and Ash.
"Did you like it?"
"Yes, it was delicious," Ash and Hana answered happily at the same time.
"And the shapes were so cute! They even have manga characters!" Hana added cheerfully.
After that, Eiji led them to a last shop with traditional food, explaining that this snack was called Kibi Dango.
"I think I've read about them. Aren't those rice cakes?" Hana asked with open curiosity.
"Yes, they are. They're rice cakes on a stick covered with Kinako flour," Eiji explained patiently.
Eiji was genuinely enjoying this. He had never seen Eiji smile so much. He loved playing the guide to experience as much as possible while they were here. Ash loved seeing Eiji so happy and relaxed. He had finally stopped worrying about him and enjoyed himself.
"What's Kinako flour?" Ash asked curiously.
"It's roasted soybean flour," he clarified for him. "It's one of the traditional Japanese sweets from the Edo period, and you can see how they're made and try them fresh."
"I wanna try!" Hana cheered excitedly.
They watched the process for a while and tried some as well. Ash was always amazed by the many variations they offered. Japanese people were much more innovative and creative when it came to food than Americans were. Some dishes were more artwork than food, the shapes were imaginative, and the flavors and toppings were without any limits. He began to increasingly appreciate Japanese food even if he had barely scratched the surface of what Japan had to offer. He had gotten to know countless flavors he had never encountered before.
After that, Eiji led Ash to a last shop that sold rice crackers.
"If you want more souvenirs, here's a shop for rice crackers. They come in various flavors, toppings, sizes, and even thickness, making them the perfect souvenir. But you should also try them fresh."
"Wow, there are so many of them! It's difficult to choose..."
Ultimately, Eiji chose some for them and bought some as a souvenir. Maybe he could send some of those souvenirs to his parents and little brother in the US. That's why he had asked Eiji about souvenirs that lasted longer. Judging by Eiji's gaze, he was perfectly aware of his intentions when asking that.
"So, Hana, we can finally have matcha ice cream at the end of this street."
"Yes, finally! I'm going ahead!" she announced while running off.
Eiji grinned but still kept an eye on her.
"Ash, did you enjoy our first afternoon here? Even if your start was a bit rough...?"
Ash put an arm around his shoulder and smiled. "I did. Thank you for putting in that much work and effort. I can see that you organized and read a lot about the sites we visited. Thank you for such a wonderful day." He gently kissed him.
"I enjoyed it as well. I've always wanted to show you that the world can be beautiful. Did I achieve that?"
"You did. I enjoyed sightseeing and experiencing and learning new things by your side today. Thank you. However, you don't have to put in this much work. I appreciate the thought, though."
"Huh? Why? It's not work if I have fun doing it."
Eiji looked at him with wide eyes in that innocent way he had, totally lost. He smiled at Eiji for a moment, then pulled him closer and gazed directly into his eyes.
"You remember when I told you, Home for me is wherever you are?"
Eiji blushed, then smiled softly at him. "Of course I do. That was one of the sweetest things you've ever said to me. But why do you mention that now?"
"Because my answer now is similar—for me, the world is a beautiful place full of color and excitement as long as you're by my side."
Eiji put his arms around his neck and have him one of his radiant smiles.
"You know that I feel the same way, right?"
Eiji suddenly laughed when he saw his face. "I love how your face still holds such a look of utter surprise before your features soften and your eyes light up with happiness.
When he started to feel guilty again, Eiji leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. All of his worries instantly faded away and warmth spread through him. Eiji looked into his eyes and held his gaze.
"Ash, you light up my world as well. Since I met you, my life finally started to make sense. All the mistakes I've made, the places I've been to, the people I've met, all the decisions I've made have ultimately led me to you."
When he started to say something, Eiji placed a finger on his lips to silence him, signaling him he wasn't finished yet.
"All my wrong turns became right ones because I ended up meeting you."
Thank you for reading this chapter. I've always wanted to write a chapter about Japanese food.
Please leave a like, follow, or a comment if you've enjoyed reading it.
The next chapter will include some more sightseeing and Ash and Eiji talk about the marriage conversation from before in private.