Chapter 29
Title: First Day On Vacation
You guys can support me by donating powerstones on this book
Anyways! Let's begin
◆━━━◆━━━◆
Third Person POV. -- 26th Of December -- 2415
[ Yamanashi Borders -- Lake Kawaguchi ]
Nestled in the borders of Yamanashi Prefecture, just north of Mt. Fuji and about 100 kilometers west of Tokyo, the famous touristic attraction that is part of the five great lakes of Mt. Fuji, which is dubbed as Kawaguchi.
The lake is broad and fairly shallow, with a smooth surface that often reflects Mount Fuji clearly when the weather is good. The mountain stands close behind it, making the view direct and unobstructed. The shoreline has a mix of small parks, docks, tree obscuring walkways and etc.
Low hills surround the lake, and their appearance changes with the seasons. Green in summer, red and yellow in autumn, and covered in snow in winter. The area is open, quiet, and easy to walk around, with clear views of the water itself.
Nestled near the lake is Fujikawaguchiko, a town where people live year-round. It has houses, schools, small neighborhoods, shopping districts, and Ryokan's –traditional Inns– that people visiting from around the world may rent for their stay here.
Earlier this day, a call had come to one of the receptionists of a ryokan inside the town. The caller had identified himself as the head butler of the Benihana Family, the same famous family where it's current head is the number 3 pro hero of Japan.
Sebastian, the head butler called and rented two rooms for 5 days, making reservations for his young master and his family and the young mistress's friends to visit the mountain and it's surrounding wonders for until the new year begins.
The receptionist quickly made preparations and cleaned their finest rooms for the visiting family, both rooms being right beside each other and each room being able to house at least 3 to 4 people.
Inside these rooms, the floor is made of tatami mats the same as the hallway corridors. Each room also has low tables in the middle of the common sitting room, with decorations and a TV that's attached to the wall itself. Sliding doors are made to the four sides of the room's walls as well.
The one to the right leads to the bathroom, a shower, and an in built tiny Onsen that can house at least four people.
To the left sliding door from the living room, it leads to another smaller room composed of three neatly arranged floor beds –Futon– , with an additional two that's tucked inside a wardrobe. There is a hollowed out wall to the side of the room, where there are decorated greenery like bamboo pots and flowery arrangements incased behind a glass wall that one can view.
A floor to ceiling and very wide in width, wardrobe to the side that can store their belongings. And to the opposite side of where the decorative wall is, there is a window carved out where one can view the outside, seeing the outdoor onsen whose water flows directly from a naturally carved tunnel system in the mountain.
Back to the common room and to the sliding door that's the opposite of where the entrance is, If one walks out, they will first step on an open balcony, the floor being the same as before, traditional Japanese Tatami mats with there being flowery arrangements all around and on the wooden railings that make up the balcony borders, and neatly arranged table chairs to the side as well.
Outside the balcony which is a little elevated from the floor, there is neatly carved stone stairs that one can walk down from, and from there they have to walk a few feet before getting to the outdoor bath itself.
Each room has an outside Onsen of its own, with polished wood walls seperating each room and waterway systems keeping the active room's Onsen waters warm and nice for the occupants.
.
..
...
Around 10:00 am in the morning, a sleek silver tinted luxury lexus car comes to a stop right beside the inn's entrance and into a tiny parking lot. The inn itself is situated in the middle isles of a district dedicated for ryokans, hotels and shopping districts for visiting tourists at Mt. Fuji.
The car comes to a stop and all four doors are opened. From the driver's side, a tall and broad man exits the vehicle, his striking red eyes are quite distinguishable from his more common raven hair and it's style of being swept down. The sides of his head is also shaved in a faded style, going from a more whitened fade to black as it goes up. His chiseled visage is also quite attractive, especially for someone his age.
The man, Benihana Tetsuya is seen wearing a wool coat the color of black over his common winter clothing. Underneath and for his lower part, he's wearing thick trousers and leather boots, and for under his wool coat, a simple sweater.
He also sports a black scarf around his neck and hand gloves on his hands.
The one beside him and the person he is married to, Benihana Kie is wearing winter clothes of herself.
A white colored belted coat over a knit sweater of the same color. A middle tigh skirt and thick tights the color of black finishes her lower part, with a pair of long leather shoes that completes the set.
For aesthetics she is wearing a white and puffy headset that protects her ears and a red scarf around her neck. Gloves to keep her hands warm and finally, a long chained white purse around her shoulder for aesthetics.
Retsu is wearing a similar outfit, except for the colors being different and instead of a belted coat, she has a wool coat on, and not wearing any purse, hand gloves or headset. When asked about the reason before the trip, her answer was quite simple,
"My quirk can keep me warm from the inside, so there is no reason to wear additional accessories like that. " This was her answer, and despite their earlier worry and slight protests, her parents let her have her ways, ignoring the fact that she's actively using her quirk in public.
Hey, if no one knows or hurt because of it, there is no reason to confront their daughter about what she clearly prefers doing. They are her parents, not her wardens who would keep a tight leash over her 24/7 .
Anyways, once the family plus Retsu's two friends exit the vehicle, they walk forward and towards the inn's entrance, entering through the wooden entrance and walking a few feet on the embedded rocks of the walk way towards the building itself. They stride through the cutrained entrace, seeing the awaiting receptionist's counter in front of them as they move in.
Retsu and her two friends has already seperated, going around and looking through the side windows, seeing the decorated greenery outside, with bamboo trees, bushes and rocks that dominate around the inn's building.
Inside the building, the atmosphere is quite warm and fuzzy compared to its outside, and after a moment of Retsu's parents confirming identities and finding their rooms, the family plus Retsu's two friends are on their way towards their assigned temporary accommodation.
.
..
...
The inn itself is quite spacious, each room being able to house atleast 4 to 5 people while having their outside Onsen assigned to each room separately. And considering the fact that there should atleast be 10 to 12 rooms on this side of the inn, then yes, this inn is quite big and spacious.
The two rooms they've rented, one for Retsu, Mina and Himiko, and the other being for the two adults and their personal privacy during their stay.
"Alright everyone, let's unload our luggage before we have a nice breakfast and then we can go outside and have a tour of the shopping districts. " Kie says, having already began enacting on the pre-planned schedule before they hit the road.
"Yes! I want a Yukata for the occasion! " Mina throws up her hands, her smile as big as her wide eyes, quite happy with the arrangements so far.
"Hm! We should also look around the place! I heard there are parks and other entertainment areas in this district! " Himiko adds, already her hands are on her opened luggage and sorting through what she's brought along.
"We have stuff that we should unload too, so we'll leave you girls with yourselves. If there is anything you have problem with, visit me in the side room or a staff member at the main counter, okay? " Kie informs, getting nods from the trio before she and Tetsuya exit the room, going their seperate way and entering their own.
Moments later, and Retsu has already unloaded her belongings, looking out of the open window from the bedroom and seeing Mina and Himiko already outside, looking at the slowly heating up onsen water and marveling at the open outdoor aesthetics.
The place outside of the rooms has decorated greenery like bamboo trees, trimmed bushes and strategically placed rock formations that make the place have a livelier feel to it, while also making it quite neat and pleasing to the eyes.
There is also a Shishi-Odoshi build beside the Onsen. A shishi-odoshi being a traditional Japanese contraption that uses a hollowed out bamboo and running water as it's base. The contraption works by letting water slowly fill one end of a hollow bamboo tube. When it becomes heavy enough, the tube tips forward, empties the water, then snaps back into place with a sharp "tak!" sound as it hits a stone.
Traditionally it was used to scare deer and other animals away from crops –hence the name, which literally means "deer scarer." Today, it's mostly decorative and creates that calm but rhythmic sound you hear in traditional settings.
As the water from the water system of the onsen slowly fills up the tube, the shishi-odoshi tilts to one side, letting the accumulated water fall down and bring one side of it on a placed rock, letting the water fall in the onsen and for the hollow bamboo stick to let out a Tak! Sound.
"Yeah that sounds so nice and calming. " Mina says from the side, her mind already melting to the sound and her posture visibly relaxing.
The same is true for Himiko, who's sharp eyes that always actively take up her surroundings is noticeably more relaxed, her posture more calm than her usual self.
"Ahhhhh I already wanna just hop in the hot spring!" Himiko complains while waving her fisted hands up and down. She turns to Retsu and gives her a pleading look. "Ne ne! Just one dip, I promise! I'll be out before you know it! " She begs.
"No can do, Himi-chan. We all agreed to first tire ourselves out on the first day by visiting nearby attractions, then when we're back at night, the Onsen will feel 100 times better.
If you dip youself now, then I guarantee you won't be able to get out for a while. " Retsu refutes, making Himiko slump down in quiet defeat, not even trying to come up with a counter-arguement because she knows Retsu's words are true.
"Speaking of going out, we should first have breakfast. But before that, " Retsu turns her gaze towards the duo of Mina and Himiko, "you two jumped outside of the room without unloading your luggage. I recommend you do so before breakfast. " She says, making her friends suddenly remember about that.
"Oh right! On it! / Totally forgot about that one." They each voice out before heading inside, leaving her alone to look out and towards the slowly heating water tub.
After a moment, Retsu turns and heads toward the seats on the balcony of this place, before sitting down and quietly gazing out towards the horizon.
'I still haven't found much useful information regarding Kuroine and my supposed lookalike from the past, there being no documents regarding them, and no significant detail that I could find from asking my family members. ' Retsu idly thinks, her gaze out and looking over the greenery, waiting for until Mina and Himiko are finished sorting through their stuff, before the three can have a nice conversation while waiting for breakfast.
'The only lead I have on them is through the frequent dreams I keep having of the same place and scenario for the last few years.
I still haven't been able to put a face under that hood of the male figure from my dreams, but the female one is too eerily similar to my first life's self, –except the glowing red eyes instead of my old blue's.
The hooded figure on the other hand. Chances of him being this Kuroine figure is almost 100%, the only confirmation I'll need is through his own mouth in the dreams I'm having. ' Retsu's brows furrow slightly,
'Wait, no. Calling it a dream is too far fetched of a term. It's more like a different reality or place that my consciousness goes to everytime I fall unconscious.
It's almost similar to... ' before she can finish with her thoughts, Mina and Himiko exit the room by sliding the door open, the duo heading out and coming to sit on the other two chairs beside Retsu.
"When will breakfast be ready? " Himiko asks, and as if on cue the door to their room is gently knocked.
"Breakfast is ready and has been arranged in the adjacent room. Mrs. Benihana told me to inform you girls. " A muffled but clearly female voice sounds out, before the staff member walks away, leading to the trio getting up and heading to the adjacent room.
.
..
...
Breakfast was delicious and nutritious, and after it was over, Retsu, Mina and Himiko headed back to their room to get ready for the outside trip.
Their pre-planned goals for the day is visiting the main district and have a general tour of this village and the lake that's near here.
After they are ready and donning warm clothing for the outside temperatures, they start heading out of their room and wait until Retsu's parents are out too, before all five start heading towards the entrance and to their first order of buisness for the day, going shopping and familiarizing themselves with the local costume.
Lastly, they plan on visiting Lake Kawaguchi, one of the famous touristic attraction of Mt. Fuji.
.
..
...
Moments later and the family plus Retsu's two friends are infront of the inn's entrance, their destination is a few minutes away from here, so they decide to just walk.
It takes about 8 to 10 minutes before their environment begins to shift, the normally traditional inns and hotels around here gradually give way for more greenery to show up. The paved road also slowly turns to a dirt one, with stalls and other similar buildings slowly dominating the side streets.
The shopping district, one where you can find stalls for anything you may desire. From spices and readied out food that would keep you warm in winter, to clothing shops that currently sell and trend mostly winter clothings. A shop that sells footwear, to some that even sell accessories.
The five on vacation walk through the district, Kie, Mina and Himiko sometimes pointing out stalls that they should consider visiting, or even out right dragging Retsu and her father into those said buildings.
They spend a lot of time walking through stall after stall and store after stores, some of them attracting the attention of the trio of enthusiasts, who then decide to buy them simply because they can, and not because they need to.
They then go on to buy some street food from the open stalls. One stall that is currently active and selling Teriyaki, a traditional Japanese food that grills meat and sells them in skewer fashion, the taste being quite savory and delicious.
Right on the other side of the road, there is another little building that sells a local famous delicacy. HotoUdon, which is a different flavored and seasoned type of noodles that is famous here at Mt. Fuji.
The family plus Mina and Himiko turn to enter this stall next, it's entrance being curtained and having a kanji written on it. As they enter the place, the wafty and delicious smell of udon hits their nose, and despite the early hours and their hearty breakfast this morning, all five enteree's are left trying to control their saliva.
The five go and take a seat, with Tetsuya taking the responsibility of going to the stands and ordering for the others and himself.
Moments after he is back, a waiter with four distinct hands, two protruding from his backside, is seen walking their way. In each of his hands there is a bowl full of hot smoking udon, with the fifth being masterfully held over his head.
"Five cups of Hoto Udon served! Enjoy your meals! " He smiles brightly, before turning and walking back to the stands, ready to accomplish his next order of buisness.
Everyone readies their chop sticks before saying a quick Itadakimasu and start digging in.
"Ah! This is so good! The local spices inside it makes the taste bolder and the hot spices gives it a taste you can't find just anywhere. Truly, a local delicacy. " Kie voices out, a hand on one of her cheeks as she savors the taste.
Similarly, Mina and Himiko are having a blast too, while Retsu and Tetsuya are already halfway to finishing their first, facial expressions suggesting they are quite liking what they are having.
'If a delicacy like this existed back in the soul society, then I think I'd have another reason to keep on living, besides fulfilling my sole mission of re-unlocking Zaraki's potential. ' Of course, Retsu is only jesting here.
As they are having their meal, Tetsuya already having raised his hand and asked for second serves while they are finishing their first, the stall owner, a very tall man who has his forehead bandaged in a blue bandana, wearing a sleevless shirt that exposes his immensely big arms and his black hair is swept back, walks forward.
He has a shit eating grin on his face as he comes and stands before their seating area, his arms crossing over his chest. "Hah! Never thought the day would come when I'd have thenumber 3 eating at my stall!
I'm tellin' ya! There is no better Hoto Udon made in the whole of the five great fuji lakes than the one my wife makes! Just a tiny sip of its soup and y'all are gonna get hooked for life!" The stall owner yells out, his smile big and his mouth running every compliment it can towards his wife who's in the back and making these said Udons.
"Would ya quit yellin' from over there! Yar voice would be heard even if I was at the top of Mt. Fuji! " The stall owner which sells Teriyaki in front of this one, yells out as he hears the over eager giant boast about his wife and her cooking skills from the other side of the street.
"Whatcha say huh? You wanna go?!? " The Udon selling stall owner yells out, though there is no venom to his voice, their banter being quite friendly and good natured despite what their manner of speaking may suggest.
"Hm! The Udon is very delicious mister! You mind sharing the recipe~" Mina chides from the side, her bowl almost emptied and her second serve having just been put down.
"Sorry young missy! It's a family recipe! No can do! Unless your papa here decides to become family members with us~" The stall owner says playfully, gesturing behind him and towards the waiter who brought their first serves. The four handed boy from earlier, his son.
"Erm, no thanks! Hehe, and besides, he isn't my dad, he's the dad of my friend here! " She points to Retsu, who just put down her fourth bowl and raising her hand for another serve.
"Whoa really? You'll have to forgive me missy, I don't follow the news that much and thought the Number 3 had three kids instead of one. " The stall owner says while looking towards Retsu. Now that he really looks at them, yeah Retsu has more resemblance to the couple than the two other kids.
"Ne ne! Mister stall owner! What's the spices you use to make this stuff so yummy? Tell me tell me! " Himiko chides in from the side, her smile big and infectious, showing everyone her gleaming white fangs.
"Guys, finish your meals before it gets cold. " Retsu says from beside her father, her chopsticks entering her fifth bowl now, with the pro hero beside her starting with his sixth.
Kie bailed out on her third, elegantly cleaning her lips with a napkin now with a contented smile and her eyes closed. "Ahhh~ that was delicious. "
Mina ended up barely finishing her second, with Himiko happily finishing her third bowl before she taps out too, leaving behind just the father and daughter duo.
"You should consider your form, Retsu. Don't compare yourself to me dear. " Tetsuya side eyes his daughter, who is on her seventh bowl now, their simultaneous eating contest having gathered some curious glances from around them.
Kie shakes her head, a smile on her delicate face as she looks at her daughter and husband unintentionally starting an eating contest, with Mina and Himiko cheering on Retsu as she finishes with her seventh. Beside her, her eighth serve having arrived without her input.
"hmph, You should know by now, I never quit from a challenge or contest of strength. This contest shall determine which one of us has stronger metabolism.
I'd recommend you bail out, Father. A contest of eating isn't your strongest suit I'm afraid. " Retsu retorts back, stuffing her face and swallowing in terrifying speeds.
Moments later,
"Bwah!!! " Tetsuya let's out a very unserious and un-hero like sound, before he slumps back on his seat after his fifteenth bowl of the hot meal, Retsu following right after him after she barely finishes her sixteenth.
"I won... " The oldest soul voices out, working hard in quickly absorbing all of the food that she's swallowed in her body, holding onto her slightly bulging stomach at this point.
"Sigh... " Tetsuya let's out a steaming breath, he too using his hemomelt to quicken the process of absorbing and metabolizing his meal. And after a minute the duo stand up and ready to go, having already fully absorbed all the food they've swallowed.
"Honestly, you Benihanas are such cheat codes... " Kie idly says from the side, slightly puffing one cheek in clear jealousy.
"Yeah! What gives! You can just eat as much as you want, and never gain any weight if you don't wanna! " Mina shakes her fists up and down, closing her eyes and voicing out her thoughts too.
"Yeah! So unfair! " Himiko says too, quickly entering the conversation and mimicking Mina's moves.
"... Go cry about it. " Retsu, in a very uncharacteristic moment, says as she sends her two friends a cocky grin, making the duo fume even more.
.
..
...
"Alright. Now then, We've toured the shopping district and eaten our fair share of a meal. It's currently 12:56 so, how about we be on our way to Lake Gawakuchi? " Kie voices out, leading to the others nodding in agreement.
They've paid for their meals and are currently outside the Udon stall, ready to continue on their tour.
"Then it's decided. Let's head to the inn first and drop these bags off, before we're on our way to the lake. " Tetsuya says, before they all begin heading towards the inn, and after dropping off their stuff they begin heading towards the lake as per their schedule.
.
..
...
Author's Note/ Well, the Benihana's plus Mina and Himiko are here, and on their first day they've decided to run through the shopping district and for the father daughter duo to have a little eating contest, nothing too dangerous about the amount they've eaten, considering their normal appetite being way more than normal people, roughly around the amount 15 people would eat in one course.
On the other side we've got another dark hand that wants to try their luck on getting the miracle doctor.
Will they succeed? Also, Who is this Father they talked about in the previous chapter?
An OC?
An original character?
Guess we'll wait and find out in the following chapters.
Anyways! stay tuned and thank you for reading my story! Have a great day/night, and I'll see you in the next chapter. Peace!