No date!

It was already the dead of the night when I finally made my last trip back. As soon as I contemplated my beloved couch, I sank into it and immediately fell asleep. So, I never got to finish the pond.

It’s impossible to get Yada to help me with anything today. She has spent the stamina for a whole month at the beach.

Therefore, I’m delighted that Tenchō and Hai happened to show up and agreed to help me. I thank the stars that Hai is just… Hai and that Tenchō can never refuse a friend in need.

From the upper reservoir, where the waterfall is supposed to drop, we piled up some flat rocks like stone steps. We also stacked larger boulders for the edges of the pond.

Then, we filled the bottom of both reservoirs with sand and small pebbles. Finally, we sealed all the gaps between the padding stones with gravel.

“By the way, why did you two come here today?” I ask as we rest and wait for the pond to fill with water from the hose.

“I caught Tenchō peeking into the store as usual,” Hai answers. “He is always watching Niwashi, so I asked him if he liked her.”

“I think this old man has finally fallen in love, Ru… But I'm just a peasant, and she's a princess. We are from different worlds.”

What century do we live in?

“He asked if I could help him set up a date with her. So here we are,” Hai clarifies.

There was a tiny leap in your reasoning, but I can see where this is going.

“It’s true that I’m forever in your debt, boss. The least I can do is give you some advice,” I say while confirming that the pump is working and the filter is in place.

“But take it with a grain of salt. I'm not an expert on romance. First of all, you have to make sure that she truly wants to go on a date with you. Consider giving her a thoughtful gift to show your affection. No flowers, though. She owns a gardening shop, after all. Maybe a cake will do? It is one of your specialties.”

He's taking notes on the pocket notepad he uses for orders.

“And if she agrees, it’s just a matter of choosing a suitable location. Just try to be yourself and get to know her,” I finish.

“Where would be a good place to take her?” he asks.

“If I had to choose… Maybe Porto Scandinavia? It was where my old folks fell in love.”

“Great idea, Ru!” Hai enthusiastically exclaims. “I vote we go there. I’ve always wanted to!”

“But we're not going, Hai. It’s for Tenchō’s date, right…?

…RIGHT?"

How did I not guess it was going to end up like this?

Tenchō summoned all his courage, spent an afternoon talking to Niwashi, and managed to ask her out with the excuse that she could rest from all the cleanup.

We are now following a transit bus inside the bakery van. Everyone he knew wanted to come to support him. I'm driving, and Hai is my co-pilot. Behind, we have the Bounty Hunter brothers, Emu L. Jackson, the pastry shop workers, and even Dorobō, who also became friends with him.

When we departed, they were all partying, blowing horns, and chanting. But the journey took almost three hours, and soon, the enthusiasm dried out. Not even the radio could undo the discomfort of the quietness.

Thankfully, Hai decided to explain her plan to help Tenchō, which occupied the rest of the trip. Everyone had a role in it but me.

It was a blessing. That way, I could be distracted by my thoughts, just driving along and admiring the stunning view of the coast.

We stayed inside the van when we arrived, close enough to see them coming out of the bus. Niwashi came out first, wearing a long dress that matched her hair.

I'm curious to see how Tenchō dressed up.

He gets out wearing a tailcoat, a luxurious cane, and a monocle.

Aren’t you overcompensating that you think you are a peasant a bit too much?

Porto Scandinavia is a medieval amusement park, a fictional Danish port town built on an artificial island in Wakayama. His outfit doesn’t match the theme in the slightest.

We follow them inside. The first area we go through after crossing a stable wooden suspension bridge is a fountain square surrounded by neat yellow and red half-timbered houses. Some with pointy black roofs, others flat with brown bricks. Beside a tall, bricked clock tower, there were some stores and restaurants. Street performers were pretending to be villagers.

Tenchō went inside a store and bought a plain rugbrød, a Danish rye bread, for himself and a rolled crepe filled with cream and fruit for Niwashi. They leisurely toured the place.

Since we were so many, we couldn’t hide properly, but astonishingly, we weren’t found out.

On the other side of the town, there’s a castle. From the top, you can take a water ride consisting of a hundred-foot plummet inside a barrel. The couple decided to ride it, and everyone was set on doing the same.

“There’s no way in hell I'm riding that!” I proclaim.

It was futile. The mob grabbed me, and down we went. I threw up.

Then, to a jumbo wave swinger. I threw up.

Then, to a massive swaying Viking gondola. I threw up.

There were no more attractions for adults. I sighed in relief.

But it wasn’t the end of it.

There was also an array of attractions designed for children, and since everyone was having so much fun, they wanted to ride them all. They even forgot why we were here in the first place and that we were hiding from them. They were actually deciding with Tenchō which ride to go next.

So this bunch of oversized hooligans followed Mr. Monocly and his date into the colorful merry-go-rounds, swirling teacups, and mini roller-coasters. We even rode minuscule karts where you had to shoot cardboard trolls with water guns. Needless to say, Tenchō and the brothers were too good at it and ruined the fun for the visitors' kids.

But at last, my suffering was reaching an end. We had done everything. Well, almost. The only thing remaining was a concealed theatre inside the castle.

Suddenly, everyone disappears.

Hai, dressed as a carnival host, drags Tenchō and Niwashi inside. I follow after them.

It was a dark, eerie amphitheater. No one was in sight, and the seats around the stage were all vacant. I choose a seat and wait patiently.

The beating of war drums startles me, and the stage’s big red curtains open.

The spotlights turn to Tenchō, who has a spangenhelm on his head, chainmail armor on his chest, a reindeer hide cloak around his shoulders, and a round red shield on his arm. He’s riding on top of the emu using reins.

Thunder strikes.

“Tenchō, son of Tenshu. How dare you walk into my land and try to take away my fiancée? Crush him!” yells Dorobō, in his usual clothing, holding Niwashi at gunpoint on top of a cardboard tower.

Surprisingly, Dorobō is an excellent actor. The outfit and pistol, though…

Everyone emerged on stage wearing Viking clothing and weapons.

“Prepare to be or not to be!” yells Bounty.

“That’s not the line, idiot!” counters Hunter.

They start performing unexpected impressive stunts and clashing with Tenchō. But then the ceiling crumbles.

An enormous serpent dragon with two long, curvy horns crashes in. Scales bright green and orange. Its saliva was melting the stage’s floor.

“I’m Níðhǫggr.”

The incredible leviathan lands and spews fire, burning the cardboard scenery. It grabs Niwashi with its mighty claws, grazing her face. Everyone runs for their lives.

“Prepare to die!”

“Oh, yes! That was the line!” Bouty bursts out while hiding behind a seat.

Tenchō clenches his fists and, in a fury, looks straight into the dragon’s eyes.

“A baker doesn’t flee from fear. A baker faces it head-on.”

Riding the emu, they climb from the tail, traversing its long, slender body. They agilely avoid the monster’s blows and hold on despite it squirming strenuously around.

Almost reaching the front, Tenchō takes the rugbrød from his pocket and slams it against its face. The behemoth is plunged to the ground. He holds the bread against its neck while the beast is cowering in fear.

“I won’t kill you, Ninja Dog. I have no enemies,” He drops the rugbrød.

Tenchō removes Niwashi from its claws and carefully carries her like a bride.

I rush to Hai.

“How did you manage to make something so realistic? It was incredible!”

“I… I don’t know Ru, it wasn’t me…”

While we talked, the dragon had already vanished, and in between the flames, Tenchō and Niwashi were staring at each other. He leans forward, and they embrace, passionately kissing.

Nostalgia rushes in, just like it did yesterday.

“I’m so happy that everything ended well,” Hai holds back tears. “Seeing them like that reminds me so much of my parents. Yada has changed a lot ever since they’re gone… I miss them…”

My eyes also start to get watery.

“Yeah… I miss them too.”