I woke up at 10 AM this morning.
I needed to do a few things before this evening:
1) Exchange some money just in case.
2) Eat.
3) Shop for last minute souvenirs and gifts.
So that's just what I did.
I went to the bank, which was right next to the train station, and exchanged some money.
Cuz it would really suck if I needed some last minute yen and didn't have any.
Afterwards I went back to the beef bowl place (I really like that place).
THIS TIME though I got something different...for once.
One of my last meals in Japan.
Not disappointed.
[Rewind]
Before I left, I decided to go to Oriental Bazaar in Omote-sando, but when I looked on their website it said closed all Thursdays.
Which was kind of gay, cuz Thursday was my last full day here anyways.
But at least I found out beforehand.
So instead, I made one final trip to Asakusa.
The capital of souvenirs.
Surprisingly, I found it with ease.
I got last minute gifts for people and got back to my hotel room.
I was gonna meet up with Ikumi and Mami at 5 PM today at the station, so I had some time to kill.
First of all I took a shower, cuz it was freaken hot and I sweat a lot.
Afterward I just watched Olympics.
So I went on early to the train station. I didn't want to make them wait.
After about 10ish minutes they found me waiting at the corner of the station.
I was very happy to see them.
They had to buy some tickets (no idea why they didn't have PASMOs) to Akihabara.
After about 10ish minutes they found me waiting at the corner of the station.
I was very happy to see them.
They had to buy some tickets (no idea why they didn't have PASMOs) to Akihabara.
The train ride over there was pretty fun.
We talked about all kinds of things, mostly anime and games.
When they didn't know a word in English, Ikumi would pull out her phone and use a translator so I could understand what they were saying.
We got to Akihabara soon enough.
This would be the last place out of Nishi-Kasai I would be at (besides the airport).
What a fitting end to my trip!
The first stop was a maid cafe.
They wanted to take me to, what they called, a ninja maid cafe.
I had no idea what to expect.
And sorry, no photos were allowed in there.
For obvious reasons.
They were doing all the navigating to get there, since I had no idea where we were going.
We finally went up.
It looked like a normal maid cafe with ninja decorations.
That is to say, the maids were at least dressed like maids.
I guess the ninja part comes from the environment.
All of us just ordered drinks.
Mami ordered an oolong tea and Ikumi and I both had melon soda (I really like melon soda).
Over our drinks we talked about SO many things.
I think we might have been there for over an hour (if I take into account the "time flies" factor).
We talked about so many things, that I think I forgot some of the things we talked about.
The bulk of it consisted of talk about our daily lives.
Things we liked, places we had been, and places that I had been around Japan (I showed them lots of pictures).
We talked about our families, differences between the US and Japan, past experiences, everything.
It was a really fun time.
At one point, Mami pulled out a paper and gave it to me.
It was amazing.
Again, it was amazing. It was more than amazing. I can't even begin to describe how cool this was.
She said that she worked on it the previous day.
I was beyond overjoyed.
This was an awesome gift.
I had also prepared gifts for them the previous day.
I gave Ikumi a stuffed pink penguin and Mami a black one.
Then I explained to them it was because when I met them at the festival Ikumi was wearing a red/pink yukata and Mami was wearing a black yukata.
They were very happy about it.
After about an hour in there, we decided to take a picture with one of the maids.
Mami wanted one and I wanted one.
One of the maids came over (she was pretty cute) and we posed twice for our pictures.
Here's how it came out.
[Later that day, Mami explained to me that this maid was actually really famous and was on the cover of various magazines. I'm so freaken lucky.]
Before we left I used the bathroom there.
It was kind of cool (of course it was, why else would I mention it?).
The door to get in was a flipping panel like the ones ninja's use.
After that we went back out onto the street.
We passed by a store called ANIMATE that was a store that sold anime and manga products.
Mami asked if I wanted to go in, and I said yes.
I had actually been there once before with some of the people in our group, but we were rushed in there since it was late and all the stores were closing.
This time we had a good long look around.
We looked around at various products and we would point out things that we knew and if we liked something. I explained to them most of the series that I watched and most of my favorite characters, like Yui (K-On!), Yoko (Gurren Lagann), Kotomi (Clannad), etc.
I also learned that Mami loves Ao no Exorcist.
Like...she LOVES it.
Ikumi watched some anime as well, but not as much as Mami.
We took a good look at 4 or 5 floors of ANIMATE.
After we were done we took the elevator down.
Ikumi said something to Mami and Mami told me that Ikumi was going to go use the bathroom and that we should go ahead. She would catch up with us later.
As we were headed out we found a gatcha for Ao no Exorcist. Mami was overjoyed and tried it out.
She didn't get the thing that she wanted but was still happy with the thing that she got, which was like some kind of dog or something.
We walked ahead to an arcade. It was actually the first arcade that we went to when our group first went to Akihabara.
We went around the UFO catchers looking at all the figurines on display. We were going around pointing out the things that we liked. I also explained to her that I won a couple figurines before at these machines.
After that we went up to the 2nd floor to look at more UFO catchers.
Ikumi then caught up with us.
All of us together went up to the 3rd floor, where all the purikura machines were.
We went into one and made all sorts of poses.
All girls are pro at this kind of thing and they just went to work.
They urged me to write something on one of the photos. I wasn't sure how to make a photo better, but they insisted, even if it was just our names.
I wrote our names as nicely as I could on one of them and they were very happy at that.
This is how the final product came out.
They had 3 copies and gave one of them to me.
I was very happy with it. I'll cherish it forever.
Next up was eating for real.
Ikumi told me that she hadn't eaten since breakfast.
My response: EHHHHHH?
So we headed over to a place to eat.
We walked over to a tall building that was near the station that we got out of.
On the 7th floor was a TON of restaurants.
They asked me what kind of food I preferred.
I had no idea how to choose from so many.
I was very happy with it. I'll cherish it forever.
Next up was eating for real.
Ikumi told me that she hadn't eaten since breakfast.
My response: EHHHHHH?
So we headed over to a place to eat.
We walked over to a tall building that was near the station that we got out of.
On the 7th floor was a TON of restaurants.
They asked me what kind of food I preferred.
I had no idea how to choose from so many.
Besides, I didn't feel right choosing for everyone.
Ikumi then asked me if donkatsu was ok, and I said OK.
So we were off!
So we sat down and we decided on what we wanted.
Ikumi and Mami talked with me more.
They really are nice people.
Most of the time, they had to use Ikumi's phone to translate some ideas.
At one point they were taking pictures of me, so I took a picture of them.
Our food came.
We started eating, and I almost forgot to take a picture of my food.
It was really good, but I'm a dumbass for eating beforehand.
I was super full at this.
Mami is a very fast eater.
Ikumi is just a straight up beast.
She ate a TON.
Mami then pulled out her phone and showed me a picture of her stomach one time when she ate a shitload.
She seriously looked pregnant.
I have no idea how she stays so thin.
It was around 10ish and we started to head back.
They also asked me about my flight back and I told them I was leaving tomorrow morning.
It was so depressing to say.
Surprisingly they didn't get off at Minami-sunamachi (where they live, one stop before mine).
Instead they got out with me at Nishi-Kasai.
They asked if they could walk me back to my hotel.
I was eternally grateful.
We got to the hotel and I wanted one last picture with them.
We asked one of the hotel front desk to take the picture for us.
I gave him my camera and it took the guy a while to figure it out, so we ended up holding our poses for like a good 30-40 seconds, but in the end he took the picture.
And then they wanted pictures for themselves too.
Ikumi took Mami's picture with me and Mami took Ikumi's picture with me.
Before they left, they gave me one last thing.
Ikumi told me that it was a present to me from them.
It was a blue bag with something inside of it.
I was seriously overwhelmed at this point.
I couldn't thank them enough for going this much out of their way for me.
It was very sad exchanging our goodbyes but it had to be done.
I told them that I had a very fun day today and that they were really good friends.
I also told them that I would come back to Japan eventually to see them again.
And we parted.
I got back up to my room and set the bag down.
What could it be?
As I was fumbling around with the bag, I noticed this sticker:
I thought back to the time when Ikumi said to go on without her at the ANIMATE store.
Did she buy this then?
It would seem so...I couldn't remember if she had it before then.
I opened it up.
Inside was a blue package with stickers on it that said "Best Wishes".
I was very careful in opening it.
When I did, words could not describe what I felt.
Seriously.
Inside was a red box with Yui on it (I didn't know what was inside), a sealed envelope that said "K-On!" on it, and a tiny replica of Geeta (Yui's guitar).
I had told them before that Yui was my favorite character in K-On, but I had no idea that it would come to this.
Now, I'm just gonna put it out there that I don't cry a lot.
I never cried at Clannad, Angel Beats, AnoHana.
I hardly ever cry at real life things.
But let me tell you...
I could not stop bawling for 20 minutes straight.
I couldn't control it and I was sobbing like mad.
The weight of what happened today finally hit me.
Everything we did today: the maid cafe, the card they made me, the pictures we took, the restaurant they took me to.
Everything just hit me all at once, and I cried harder.
How do you describe a friendship like this?
You can't. It's impossible.
Still, I was trying to make sense of everything that just happened through all of my tears.
These were people that I met for 2 days and they already did this much for me.
There is no way you can take this kind of friendship for granted.
I sent them both very long emails thanking them for today.
I seriously couldn't thank them enough.
I could spend my whole life trying to repay them and it still wouldn't have been enough.
Hopefully, we can mail each other every day (or close to it), when I'm back home.
They really were nice people.
On that note, I'm just gonna let it all out right now.
I freaken love this country.
I love everything about it (short of the weather).
The people here especially are awesome.
Kengo, Miyu, Kiyoto, Erika, Ikumi (Jikei one), Mana, Kotarou, Ikki, Shiori, Rina, Maki, Nobu, Kanno-san, Oochi-san, Yoshimizu-sensei, Mami, and Ikumi are all freaken awesome people and I would not give them up for the world.
I know for a fact that I'm coming back here.
I might even come back here next summer.
I love everything here so much.
And thus concludes my last full day in Japan.
It's gonna take way too long to reflect on it now, so I'll wait till tomorrow when I have time at the airport.
In summary, though,
It was definitely a life changer.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I've been through this month.
たのしかった
Ikumi then asked me if donkatsu was ok, and I said OK.
So we were off!
So we sat down and we decided on what we wanted.
Ikumi and Mami talked with me more.
They really are nice people.
Most of the time, they had to use Ikumi's phone to translate some ideas.
At one point they were taking pictures of me, so I took a picture of them.
Our food came.
We started eating, and I almost forgot to take a picture of my food.
It was really good, but I'm a dumbass for eating beforehand.
I was super full at this.
Mami is a very fast eater.
Ikumi is just a straight up beast.
She ate a TON.
Mami then pulled out her phone and showed me a picture of her stomach one time when she ate a shitload.
She seriously looked pregnant.
I have no idea how she stays so thin.
It was around 10ish and we started to head back.
They also asked me about my flight back and I told them I was leaving tomorrow morning.
It was so depressing to say.
Surprisingly they didn't get off at Minami-sunamachi (where they live, one stop before mine).
Instead they got out with me at Nishi-Kasai.
They asked if they could walk me back to my hotel.
I was eternally grateful.
We got to the hotel and I wanted one last picture with them.
We asked one of the hotel front desk to take the picture for us.
I gave him my camera and it took the guy a while to figure it out, so we ended up holding our poses for like a good 30-40 seconds, but in the end he took the picture.
And then they wanted pictures for themselves too.
Ikumi took Mami's picture with me and Mami took Ikumi's picture with me.
Before they left, they gave me one last thing.
Ikumi told me that it was a present to me from them.
It was a blue bag with something inside of it.
I was seriously overwhelmed at this point.
I couldn't thank them enough for going this much out of their way for me.
It was very sad exchanging our goodbyes but it had to be done.
I told them that I had a very fun day today and that they were really good friends.
I also told them that I would come back to Japan eventually to see them again.
And we parted.
I got back up to my room and set the bag down.
What could it be?
As I was fumbling around with the bag, I noticed this sticker:
I thought back to the time when Ikumi said to go on without her at the ANIMATE store.
Did she buy this then?
It would seem so...I couldn't remember if she had it before then.
I opened it up.
Inside was a blue package with stickers on it that said "Best Wishes".
I was very careful in opening it.
When I did, words could not describe what I felt.
Seriously.
Inside was a red box with Yui on it (I didn't know what was inside), a sealed envelope that said "K-On!" on it, and a tiny replica of Geeta (Yui's guitar).
I had told them before that Yui was my favorite character in K-On, but I had no idea that it would come to this.
Now, I'm just gonna put it out there that I don't cry a lot.
I never cried at Clannad, Angel Beats, AnoHana.
I hardly ever cry at real life things.
But let me tell you...
I could not stop bawling for 20 minutes straight.
I couldn't control it and I was sobbing like mad.
The weight of what happened today finally hit me.
Everything we did today: the maid cafe, the card they made me, the pictures we took, the restaurant they took me to.
Everything just hit me all at once, and I cried harder.
How do you describe a friendship like this?
You can't. It's impossible.
Still, I was trying to make sense of everything that just happened through all of my tears.
These were people that I met for 2 days and they already did this much for me.
There is no way you can take this kind of friendship for granted.
I sent them both very long emails thanking them for today.
I seriously couldn't thank them enough.
I could spend my whole life trying to repay them and it still wouldn't have been enough.
Hopefully, we can mail each other every day (or close to it), when I'm back home.
They really were nice people.
On that note, I'm just gonna let it all out right now.
I freaken love this country.
I love everything about it (short of the weather).
The people here especially are awesome.
Kengo, Miyu, Kiyoto, Erika, Ikumi (Jikei one), Mana, Kotarou, Ikki, Shiori, Rina, Maki, Nobu, Kanno-san, Oochi-san, Yoshimizu-sensei, Mami, and Ikumi are all freaken awesome people and I would not give them up for the world.
I know for a fact that I'm coming back here.
I might even come back here next summer.
I love everything here so much.
And thus concludes my last full day in Japan.
It's gonna take way too long to reflect on it now, so I'll wait till tomorrow when I have time at the airport.
In summary, though,
It was definitely a life changer.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I've been through this month.
たのしかった
No comments:
Post a Comment