Afterstories: Chapter 3: Sightseeing in Kyou

“Oooh! So this is the Kyou that I’ve been hearing about!”

Clarice exclaimed in admiration as she got off the ship.

While listening to her voice, I got off as well, and almost had a similar reaction as I witnessed what’s before us.

“Welcome to Kyou, the Trading Capital of the Continent.”

Mio spoke, bowing as she welcomed her new travelers.

Kyou is, to sum up, like a different world from Blossom.

The buildings, the roads, the trees, all of it are not the same. Yes, they are all Japanese-like, which I find nostalgic. However, I can still tell that it is a different world, aside from the western fantasy-like Blossom.

Still, seeing all the people in town dressed in kimono is refreshing to my eyes.

It was as if I was transferred into a fictional drama using the past Japan as a setting, rather than modern Kyoto, in which I was familiar with.

It is also very suitable for Mio, who is dressed like an oiran.

In Kyoto of my previous world, most people are dressed in normal clothes and uniforms, meaning almost all of them are a bit more modern, save for the ones in the famous tourist destinations.

On the other hand, Kyou has a more ancient Japanese feel to it, making it feel more natural than the former.

This chapter is made possible by rochenerorecormon of stabbing with a syringe translations.

“It’s amazing. So, this is what’s like in a completely different country.”

Irene murmured in admiration.

Not only she, but Edith as well, who was just next to Irene. Both people seemed to be transfixed by the view of the town.

From their point of view, this must be an even more unusual sight compared to mine.

I’m sure the wooden architecture is what you can find on both sides, but the roof tiles and kimono are not familiar to them.

They’ve seen Mio’s clothes before, but it’s a totally different story when the whole townspeople are dressed in kimono.

“Would you like me to take care of our luggage carried first, so you can go and look around the town?”

“You will do that for us? Though I can’t help but be curious about the city.”

Irene is usually a calm person, but even she couldn’t hide her excitement.

Edith also looked fidgety. Of course, I’m kind of restless as well.

While we’re at that, a rickshaw drove by in front of us.

“That carriage was being pulled by a person ……!”

Edith said as she watched the rickshaw pass by.

“That’s a rickshaw, a cart that is used for sightseeing tourists. As they move, the one pulling it explains sorts of various things for you.”

“That’s an interesting idea, but isn’t it hard for them?”

“Well, it takes a lot of strength, so it’s not easy. Besides, it’s not suitable for a large number of people, as it can only carry three at the most.”

Mio led the way, explaining as they walked along.

Passing by us were shops that spread out, selling small items, ornamental hairpins, combs, and fans, adding to the town’s vibrant atmosphere.

I don’t know if they are confident of the country’s security, seeing them sprawl their items all over the place, but all of my worries were wiped out upon seeing their wares as a tourist.

As we walked around the town, I saw a bridge.

It’s not a suspension type bridge, but a simple semicircle stone of sorts.

The bridge is quite long, and the distance to the other side of the river is about 30 meters.

But what’s astounding is its height, which makes it a bit scary to jump in.

“‘Even a bridge has a matching ambiance!”

Clarice said happily, and with a huup, she jumped onto the parapet.

It was too easy to jump on, and the river is just beyond. I know Clarice would be fine, but I couldn’t help but feel nervous while watching her.

Regardless of my concerns, she crosses the parapet without hesitation.

A girl balancing herself along the parapet in a view of the river and mountains. If it weren’t for the danger, it would be very picturesque.

“Oh, what are those? Wait, are those little boats?”

Clarice looked at the river and asked, so we also leaned forward to look at it.

“Ah, that is a contest for the locals. Instead of using the bridge, they cross over by stepping and jumping on a series of rickety small boats.”

“Is it okay to do such a thing?”

Irene turns her head to Mio, in which the latter nodded in reply.

“It’s a slow-flowing river down here. Even if you fall down, you’ll only get wet, so it won’t be much.”

So, it’s kind of like a small obstacle course, huh. Certainly, that doesn’t seem to hurt much.

As we were at the peak of our hypes on this trip, I am tempted to give it a try. We’ve only just started to cross the bridge, so it won’t take long if we turn back now.

But after thinking about it thoroughly, I calmed out for a bit. Even if I don’t get hurt, I’m still going to get wet if I fall.

Since that would be a hassle since we’re not in our place, I didn’t bother in the end.

As I thought that, Clarice cheerfully shouted all of a sudden,

“Ooooh! That sounds interesting. I’m going to give it a shot!”

before jumping down from the top of the parapet – and going straight onto the small boats below.

“What?!”

The fall was so fast that Clarice had almost landed on one of the boats by the time I shouted.

The impact caused the small vessel to bounce and make a splash, but it hasn’t capsized. Thanks to the clean landing, the stern of the boat didn’t shift.

Once the splash subsided and the boat became stable, Clarice jumped to the next one.

The series of boats, which were just tied together with ropes to keep them from separating, should still be pretty rocky.

Even so, she moved into one after the other at ease in the right tempo.

“Wow, she’s amazing.”

Even Mio, the native in the area, sounded impressed as she peered under the bridge.

The supple and trained body of the grappler girl carried on without any danger.

It was an impressive feat. Even the other townspeople found themselves peering at Clarice as she crossed the boat.

“It’s done, Aki~!”

In no time at all, Clarice got to the other bank, and after running quite a distance to gain momentum, she jumped high and returned to the bridge with us.

“You’re amazing, girl!”

“You’re like a Ninja!”

Shouts came from those around us, and most of the watching townsfolk surrounded Clarice.

“Oh, whoa! Hehehe. Not really.”

She was surprised by the suddenness of the situation but soon started to get embarrassed when she noticed that the people around admired her in the true meaning.

“Wait, did he just say ninjas? Ninjas exist here?”

When I asked, Mio nodded lightly.

“They do. But they don’t dress up like the ones you found in stories. It’s a lot more complicated than that.”

With that, she turned her attention to the crowd surrounding Clarice.

“In fact, maybe they’re here among us, maybe they don’t.”

I kept myself silent. Thankfully, Clarice didn’t hear anything, as she’s busy with the crowds. But if she finds out their existence, she would surely expose them as a challenge.

Well, they are ninjas. At least they should do that one job right, right?

With that in mind, I look at the people gathered there.

After the crowd dissipated from our grappler girl, we headed to another tourist attraction.

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Though it’s not exactly the same one from modern Japan I lived in, what we went into was a shrine-like place. Of course, its customs and culture are way different from my own.

After passing through the torii, we were greeted by strong-looking statues at each side of the big gate.

“That’s a huge gate……”

Edith blurted out her thoughts as she looked all the way up.

“It’s true.”

“In Kyou, this building is a substitute for your churches. We make a wish to the god enshrined in it.”

Mio explains to us as we go through the gate.

After walking through the pathway paved with gravel, I saw a familiar donation box and a bell. They’re so magnificent that both are clearly visible even from a distance.

Oddly enough, though, the temple’s inside is full of people, despite being humongous.

The only moment I saw this bustling activity in a shrine is when there are festivals and New Year’s Eve. It was just that crowded.

We followed the flow of people and arrived at the main shrine.

“This is where we’re going to pray. To pray here, clap our hands once and ring the bell to get the gods to notice us.”

While Mio was explaining to us, people began praying one by one.

After we had finished our turn, we were asked to go up, to the inside of the main building.

The atmosphere was different from that of the church, where the light was lit by stained glass windows.

Even in the daytime, the interior of the shrine was dark, and candles were flickering about.

In the depths of this unique atmosphere, an object, which I could only think of was a sacred relic, was placed at the inner center.

Although I couldn’t see it that far, it was already a rare experience for me.

We left the shrine after that and continued our tour of the Country of Kyou.