Trip around Akihabara!

The sun beams down as the group steps towards the crowded streets of Akihabara. The sights, sounds, smells, all of it engulfs them. Kazuki, Emi, and Hiroshi stare ahead normally, however Toshiko lags behind. He feels his world spin as all the new sensations overwhelm him intensely. 

Toshiko stumbles to the nearest pole, trying to get his bearings. Hiroshi walks up and pats Toshiko on his back. "There, there... I had to deal with this on my first day too.. you'll get used to it." Toshiko turns his head towards Hiroshi, his eyes spinning. "Y-you don't say..." Emi walks over and comes face to face with Toshiko. "Don't worry! I'll show you around the non-busy areas. We'll help you no matter what." 

Toshiko stares at her, his body suddenly swamped with the feeling of extremely comforting warmth. The more he stares the more embarrassed Emi gets. "S-stop staring! I just wanna help!" Hiroshi raises an eyebrow, confused. "You know the area?" Emi looks away nervously. "You'd... be surprised." An idea strikes Kazuki like lightning, causing him to gasp a little. "I'll take you to the place! It's PERFECT for a first timer!" Hiroshi gasps a bit too. "That's right! It's been awhile since I've seen her anyway!" 

Toshiko chills out, finally getting some sort of bearing. "I don't really care man... Just get me outta here." Kazuki drags Toshiko away as Emi and Hiroshi lag behind.

Later on, the group arrive to Electric Town West. The crowds and lights were plentiful, but less overbearing. Kazuki still helps Toshiko walk the distance. "You okay there man?" Kazuki asks. "This could be so much worse. I could love an anime only for it to go on hiatus for years.." Toshiko responds. "Didn't that already happen??" Hiroshi adds. 

"Why'd you have to remind me?!" Emi and the others share a laugh, before they seemingly arrive to their destination. "Welcome to the ULTIMATE hangout spot for the greatest people in Hakuryu Academy! Neko Neko Anime and Manga!" Kazuki shouts. Emi and Toshiko look at each other confused as they scan the quaint store with a cute expressive cat mascot. Banners of different anime characters span across the store. 

Ultimately, they shrug their shoulders and walk in. They're immediately surprised by the amount of DVD's, books, and pure Otaku content being sold by the medium sized store. "Hey! Grandma Miko! I bought friends with me!" Kazuki yells. An elderly woman walks out from the back of the store and greets them happily. "Ah, Kazu-chan! It's been quite awhile! I'm happy you seem to be healthy. It's also very good to see you again, Hiroshi-kun." Hiroshi smiles widely.

 "I'm happy you seem like you're in good spirits, Miko-san!" However, she turns her head to Emi and Toshiko. "Who might you two be?" She ponders. "My name is Emi Watanabe, it's very nice to meet you Miko-san." Emi bows politely. "I'm Toshiko Kimura! Nice meeting you, Granny Miko!" He shouts. Emi immediately elbows him in the chest, dropping Toshiko to the ground. "Please excuse him.. he's an idiot." Emi says.

 "Well, it's been nice to meet you both. You're free to relax wherever you would like. Enjoy yourself!" Miko exclaims, before heading elsewhere. A decent amount of time passes as the group is scatted across the store. Miko and Toshiko cross paths once again. "Oh, hey Miko! How's it hanging!" Toshiko exclaims. "...I appreciate you and the other's being friends with Kazu-chan. He was never this happy." Miko replies. 

"Seriously? That's like one of the most positive people I know! Does he have a complex, sure! But he's cool regardless!" Miko sighs. "Did you know it was actually Kazu-chan who drew our mascot? He helped run this entire store at some point! I believe he's the most passionate boy I know, especially when it comes to the things he loves.. his parents are the opposite.." Toshiko pauses, thinking hard. 

"I.. don't really have a response for that.. If I hear his story, I want it to be from his mouth. I think that's what feels right to me." Miko clears her throat. "I'm sorry. If anyone should be the one to tell you, it should be Kazu-chan himself. If I could just make one request... Please stay friends with him! That's all I ask." Toshiko pauses for a second again before playfully chuckling. "Did you even need to ask? That guy wouldn't let me go regardless! I'll keep an eye on him, count on me!" Miko sighs, very relieved. 

"Thank you very much!" Emi, Kazuki and Hiroshi all walk up to him and Miko together. "Feeling better, Toshiko?" Emi asks. "Yup, never better!" He exclaims. "Alright then, let's do what we came here for! I'll come back soon, Grandma!" Kazuki says. "You'd better!" She retorts. "We appreciate your hospitality, miss." Emi says. "Enough of that! It's time for Operation Make Emi Not Look Rich!" Toshiko shouts. "How do I LOOK rich??" She exclaims, as they all take off. Miko stands there, watching the group leave. She smiles, feeling fulfilled. "I'm happy he found his place."

The group run around, looking at all the cosplayers and sights of the bustling place. "I saw that pink haired girl. Maybe I love it here." Toshiko says. "...Should I dye my hair pink?" Emi whispers. "What?"

"What?"

Hiroshi waves his hands wildly, next to a clothing store. "HEY! I found a place!" he yells. "Oh God. This is like the hundredth time I've been here..." Kazuki says. "There's no way that Hiroshi is a secret fashion enthusiast. Seriously??" Toshiko yells. "Please don't make me look like an idiot.. also, I'm NOT cosplaying!" Emi shouts. "fine, fine.." Hiroshi says. 

"Wanna bet on who can choose the best outfit?" Kazuki suggests. The pair immediately start smiling. "This is gonna be a long day..." Emi whispers. As they enter the store, the clerk immediately greets them. "Welcome to Harajuku Kawaii, how may I- Oh, it's just you Hiroshi. Never mind, have fun!" They say. The group huddle around the clothing booth. "Alright, 5 minutes! Grab stuff, whatever Emi likes we buy! Deal?" Kazuki says. "...Fine, whatever." Emi sighs. 

The three of them nod. "GO! Five Minutes starting now!" Kazuki yells. The trio scatter across the store as Emi lies in wait. As she watches them run about, her heart is suddenly hit with warmth and sadness simultaneously. Blending together into an emotion unexplainable to even herself. She smiles, but an unexplainable tear drops from her face. "...I wish we could've done this back then.." she whispers. "No! No time for that. No more recollecting.."

5 minutes pass fast, as the three of them regroup. "Mine first!" Kazuki shouts. "Whatever... Let's just see whatever you picked." Emi sighs. A little while passes until the curtain is pulled to the side. Emi steps out in a red plaid skirt paired with a white button-up shirt and a black blazer, including some knee high socks with black and white stripes. She fully gets into the light, blushing violently. "S-so?" She asks.

 Toshiko rubs his chin, turning his head to Kazuki. "Yeah, she makes a good Tsundere. Perfect." He whispers. "Right? I told you, man!" Kazuki replies. "I'm gonna kill you both." Emi says. "Just try mine next! I promise you won't be another Tsundere!" Toshiko prays. She scoffs before going back in. a minute and some shuffling later, Emi throws open the curtain wearing a denim skirt paired with a white, off-shoulder top adorned with a red ribbon. As well as a cropped denim jacket. 

"You HAVE to be goddamn kidding me. I know who this is, I AM NOT A TSUNDERE!" Emi shouts. "We make a thousand references a day and you get THIS one? That's interesting to say the least." Toshiko jokes. Hiroshi facepalms. "Okay, here. I have a serious outfit here for you. C'mon, try it! I actually promise it's good!" Emi, tired of their antics, reluctantly takes Hiroshi's outfit and goes back in. "You seriously gave her something good?" Toshiko asks. 

"Yup! I take my work VERY seriously." Hiroshi replies. Only moments later, Emi steps out in black baggy high-waisted jeans and a loose, oversized graphic t-shirt underneath a black denim jacket. "Woah, okay! That's a STYLE!" Toshiko shouts. "You're pretty cool when you actually have style! Maybe Hiroshi should dress you from now on.." Kazuki says. "I... love it. This is so different, I really love it! I know this is our first real hangout but.. I appreciate you guys so much!" Emi shouts. 

"It's no big deal, we gotcha!" Kazuki shouts. "You're welcome by the way." Hiroshi adds. "I just want things to be like this everyday, if I'm being truthful. I don't want anything to change." Emi continues. "Yeah, I promise. Nothing'll change." Toshiko says.

Chapter 9 - The End.