|Alfheim Online, New Aincrad, Floor 10|
'Entering Safe Haven' appeared in my vision for a time as we walked through a gate back into the town of Senja Castle. We stepped onto a grey brick road with white pavements etched around the buildings stretched out as far as the large white walls would allow, topped with bluebottle tiled roofs. The city was constructed with straight paths through town, a Japanese city dating back many years to the Feudal Japan era. Kimonos and samurai clothing covered every NPC, white lanterns lit the streets, and trees took up any free space.
Beside me, my partner tugged on my sleeve. "Hey, what happened back there?" I looked to her silently asking for a continuation. "When we were on the last stretch of the fight, you froze up, did your connection weaken or something?"
Ah, that. "No, just lost in memory lane, but your charming voice brought me back," I offered playfully, but she frowned at my answer.
"Well... so long as it doesn't happen tomorrow," Her finger jabbed my cheek. "We need all eyes and ears on deck, leader's orders!"
"Aye, Captain," I saluted with a smile, marvelling at the town. "Y'know, this place was designed after the Feudal era, most of the monsters, quests, and items are based off both that time and the myths surrounding them," It was something she really liked... "My sister was enthralled by that era,"
"Oooh, that's cool! Same for me, there was this game I played... well, it's been a long time really but it feels like yesterday, y'know?" She quickly chimed in, skipping into step with me with her hands behind her head.
"Hm, same, it was the game I played with her often, Asuka Empire, we-" By then, my world spun again as I came face-to-face with this bubbly aura of energy. The redness of Yuuki's eyes twinkling before my teal orbs.
"Really! You too!?" She tugged on my jacket as I nodded, causing her to jump back as her pace quickened with excitement. "I used to play it alot, it's how I got so good with a sword! My friends and I probably spent alot more time in that game consistently for a time than any other game!"
"Siune mentioned you've been playing together for a while," I added but Yuuki spun around to shake her head, and briefly, just for an instant, an air of melancholy surrounded her.
"No, we hadn't met yet, but there were others," Yuuki cleared her throat, fists to her hips. "Well! Now I get why you're so good with a bow, you must've used one back then, right?"
I shook my head this time, "Nope, only started in Alfheim, was a swordsman beforehand," I ruffled her hair in passing. "But good try, Cupcake, you get one star."
"Grah, we're the same age, stop petting me!" She huffed as I continued to do so, seeing her simmer with rage.
"Drink some milk then come back to me," With a laugh I moved forward, grabbing her arm meant to jab my side to render me useless before the NPCs and players, using it to point to a corner building to our left. "Here, as an apology and because it's late, let's go here,"
Her lost her fierce stare for wide eyes, spotting the small tea shop that doubled as a café. It had a black iron fence around the outside, leaving tables for two visible on a risen porch from the streets. White lanterns hung from red posts above decorated with flowers. The English name above the door read, 'White Lotus Tea Shop'.
Without much thought, I took Yuuki's hand and led her to the café, seeing it was mostly vacant as it was late at night but I knew this place would be open late, it was a nice night to do so. Taking a seat outside to view the star-filled sky above with the moon approaching its peak, I handed her a menu.
"Thanks," She scanned it, and her brow shot up. "This place serves... Dango?" She seemed confused for a moment. Did she not know what Dango was?
"Yeah, I've been here before, thankfully, doesn't restrict you on your choices, so certain types that are usually ate during seasons are available," I set my menu down, my usual in mind. "Have you not had Dango before?"
Yuuki shook her head with a sheepish smile. "Not in a long time, I don't really remember," But she slapped the menu down. "But I'm all for trying new dishes, so what's your pick?"
As she said this, an NPC approached to take our order, "Hi, may I take your order now?" I nodded, waving my hand slightly out of habit.
"Two Hanami Dango, green tea too, please," I asked as the woman bowed her head, jotting it down on her small wooden docket before leaving.
"Hanami is the time of year when cherry blossoms bloom, right?" Yuuki asked.
"Yeah, so normally you'd eat this particular Dango in March but we're in Alfheim so who cares?" Tradition is fine but these treats were worth breaking that for, call me a disgrace to Japanese culture, but what they don't know won't hurt them.
"Hey, so you played Asuka Empire with your sister, how does it hold up to now?" She motioned to the world around us as I gave pause, rubbing my nose.
"Erm... dated, back then, Full-Dive was still in its infancy, now? Comparing AE to the likes of SAO, ALO, or GGO is a big stretch, but I heard it still has a strong fanbase so the game's still around," Maybe I should go back for old times sake. The thought made me chuckle, rolling my eyes. "Wonder if I'll meet them again..."
"Who?" Yuuki leaned onto her hands, elbow propped up to listen closely.
"Two players my sister knew, they were powerful, probably give you a hard time, Cupcake," I answered, seeing her face light up with a challenging fire.
"Oooh, I'd like that! After all, there are thing you can only share with someone by fighting. For instance, how serious you are," That sounded like something she said often, and it was a sound logic that I had adopted many times in the virtual world to a degree. Yuuki then closed her eyes, rubbing the back of her head. "Ah hah, sorry, it's like a mantra to me!"
"No, it's cool, definitely screams 'Me against the world' when you think about it," My reply made that already ecstatic face beam brighter. Honestly, how can someone be so cute? "Maybe when we're done rubbing our victory and clear superiority in everyone's faces we could go back to Asuka Empire, trip down memory lane."
"Is that what distracted you?" Yuuki asked, but before I could reply, two trays were placed before us, the waitress returned and offered her usual remark of enjoying our meal. It only took one sniff for Yuuki to sigh, a bit of drool forming in the corner of her mouth. "It smells really sweet!"
Two plates were set with three skewers each, perfectly round balls of rice flour mixed with uruchi rice flour and glutinous rice flour. Three balls; green, white, and pink in that order sat together, topped with red bean paste. There was also two white ones on either side that were coated with an amber honey-like texture. And to the side was a steamy cup of green tea.
"Thank you for the meal," We chimed before digging in, I watched Yuuki for a time as she raised a red bean paste covered Dango to her lips, sniffing it before she yanked the top one off first. I swear, her eyes exploded from her sockets.
A blush coated her cheeks as she grabbed her cheek, cooing from the flavour. "So sweet~!" I dug into my own, biting off two from one skewer in a single swing, savouring the sweetness of the Dango before swallowing and downing the two with a small sip of tea. "Why haven't I ever come here before, this is so good!"
"A sweet tooth? Try the white one," I pointed with my first finished skewer. Yuuki eagerly snatched it up and bit into the top ball only for her to make a moan of delight at the taste. "The stuff coating them is made of soy sauce, sugar, and starch though I'm not sure of the specifies, but it makes a blend of sweet and sour."
"Divine~!" She sang, inhaling the second one before taking a long sip of tea to continue scarfing down her Dango. I ate with as much gusto but with a more contained reaction. I've come here so often but the tastes were always a delight. "I've tried all the types, including event exclusive meals that you can only unlock via side-quests from the owner-"
"Let's do it!" Yuuki exclaimed, chewing on her third skewer already with that infectious flame in her eyes as she leaned over the table to look me dead in the eye. "I want to know more! I have to unlock the secrets of this treat I've been missing all my life!"
"Eh? You... know it's nearly eleven at-" Her nose touched mine, she made contact with my face as my face slowly started to boil. "W-well, I did say I-I'm a late night gamer, hehehe..." What have I done?
"Yes! Then it's a date!" She sat back down, devouring another in one single swipe as her cheeks puffed out with her toothy grin. I sighed, biting into my own at her eagerness.
I've awoken something demonic. But honestly? I like it.
[To Be Continued...]
[Author's Notes]
Still got more time with these two before we're back on track, I'm liking this new, short chapter approach... until it goes out the window. Dango sounds like it would be really nice to try someday. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support, seeya in the next chapter, Readers!