Covered in a blanket of piping hot chili oil, with diced onions, fried pork, and a pile of negi submerged in the magma, the Katsuura Tantamen quickly woke them up, filling their bodies with a heat on the cold morning of the sleepy coastal city of Katsuura City.
Slurp! Slurp! Slurp!
It was spicy and even oily, but the taste wasn't bad.
"It's too hot..." Hiratsuka wanted to cry as her lips turned so red before quickly drinking her mineral water, but it wasn't enough to erase the hot feeling on her tongue.
"Here, drink mine."
"T-Thanks..."
Watching Hiratsuka, who was busy gulping the water, Tobe was helpless, but he knew well that the people of this country, who lacked access to spicy food, had a weak resistance to the heat on their tongue.
In other countries, especially those that were used to spicy food, this type of spiciness was at best a medium level, but in this country, it was the highest!
Still, even so, Hiratsuka finished the food before she let out a comfortable sigh as her body was covered in sweat. Her forehead, cheek, and even nape were slightly wet as a bead of sweat gently dropped from her white cheek toward her slender nape.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No, I just wonder how you feel about the ramen."
"It's okay, but it isn't the best."
"You are so strict."
"Don't you know? I am a ramen connoisseur. I have tried thousands of ramen during my lifetime! I am strict about ramen!"
"...."
There were many things he wanted to say, but in the end, he kept quiet.
"Have you thought of opening a social media account with ramen as a focus?"
"It's too troublesome."
"It can make money."
"...let me think about it."
Tobe felt like the prospect of opening a social media account with ramen as the theme might be a good choice since ramen had a lot of fans and there was hardly anyone who hadn't eaten it.
If Hiratsuka could create a documentary on food with ramen as its theme, it could generate a significant amount of money.
To be honest, Tobe has even heard that a cooking teacher at the school opened a social media for cooking.
"Someone did that? Really?"
"Well, you can make money, and you don't have to show your face, only your impression, and photos or the video of the ramen, so why not? Still, if it isn't your interest, there is no need to follow. Anyway, the teacher's salary is good enough, and if you want more money, you can just get money from those parents who want to put their children in the school through the back door."
"...."
Hiratsuka looked at Tobe speechlessly, thinking that this guy really had an evil mind!
"That said, have you thought about where to go after this?"
"Isn't it obvious? Let's go to the morning market!"
As they came to Katsuura City, it was obvious that they should visit the Katsuura Morning Market, a morning market with a history of over 400 years. This regular gathering of vendors is often considered to be one of the top three morning markets in Japan. All in all, around 80 vendors flock to the city center to peddle produce, including seasonal fruits and fresh fish.
It was their first time to be here, so this place that appeared to be like an old city was quite a novelty to them.
"I want to get a coffee. Do you want some, too?"
"Ah, I want one, too."
"Let me get one for you."
Even though Hiratsuka was the oldest among the two, Tobe still tried to act like a gentleman since he was a man, and she was a woman, so wasn't it natural for him to take care of her?
While Hiratsuka wanted to say something, in the end, she didn't say anything since it felt good being taken care of like this.
As the two went to the morning market, they saw many stalls, shops, and vendors selling a variety of fish products, from fresh to dried, and even fish cakes. However, among all of them, Tobe was particularly interested in the small coffee shop cart that prepared their coffee in a drip style.
Naturally, Hiratsuka was also interested, and she also got one.
Bitter, yet with a nice acidity and hint of chocolate.
Before, Tobe didn't like coffee much and didn't even like to drink it, but as he had been in many worlds facing many troubles, he felt that the bitterness of the coffee was comforting.
Even Hiratsuka tried to reach for her cigarette, trying to smoke as she drank her coffee, but when she saw Tobe's gaze, she stopped.
"What's wrong? Are you not going to smoke?"
"No, it's fine. You don't like cigarettes, right?"
"It's fine if you want to smoke, though."
Cigarettes might be harmful for the body, but it had become a necessity for adults, especially to cope with their lives since sometimes, many problems overwhelm their minds and hearts, and a cigarette could solve all of their problems, making them forget and relax.
Tobe didn't like cigarettes, but he wouldn't stop anyone who wanted to since he couldn't help them, and it wasn't like people would die from it, but still, even so, one should respect others as it was quite smelly.
"Let's not do it today. I don't have an urge to do it now."
As he chuckled, Hiratsuka blushed, thinking that Tobe must be thinking that it was because of him that she was relaxed, yet she couldn't deny it since it was relaxing with him, and it had been a while since she enjoyed her day like this.
"Should we go now?"
"Okay."
As they drank their coffee, the two visited many vendors, trying many foods such as a takoyaki, a fresh orange, and even tried a fresh fish that was just caught this morning. It was a culinary fest, which they enjoyed very much, and the price was so cheap!
Biting the dried, baked squid, Hiratsuka had an urge to sip alcohol, but unfortunately, she was driving, so she couldn't.
"What are you looking at?"
Hiratsuka saw that Tobe stood in one stall, which seemed to sell used books.
"There are many rare books here."
"Is it?"
"Yup." Tobe didn't turn and just asked the owner. "How much is it?"
"400 yen."
"Thanks." Tobe didn't hesitate and bought several books, which made Hiratsuka wonder how much money this guy had, as he even treated her to some food.
"Are you okay with your money?"
"It's fine. I work part-time, so everything is okay."
"Is that so?"
Hiratsuka didn't try to persuade him with his consumption since money was a complex subject, and it might hurt his esteem if she told him to be careful, and she believed he wouldn't be so lavish with his spending.
What she didn't know was that Tobe was quite lavish, yet with his income, it was perfectly fine, especially when he had started to open a stock account, and his book was about to be finished.
Yet, after they visited all the vendors, Hiratsuka asked, "Is there a place you want to visit?"
"How about Katsuura Submarine Observation Tower?"
Tobe had heard about the Katsuura Submarine Observation Tower, a special facility in this town located approximately 60 meters off the coast. This 24-meter-tall spire descends into the Pacific Ocean. Those who enter will be able to observe a diverse array of sea creatures, as well as the ocean floor.
"I have heard that that place also started to display aquatic critters and exhibits on the regional fishing industry."
"Okay."
The countryside might be slower, and it didn't have many things, yet even so, each of those places that could be visited was special and unforgettable.
"Wow, Tobe! Look, there are sharks!"
With Tobe's luck, as soon as they entered the Katsuura Submarine Observation Tower, they could see many rare fish, including sharks, and other colorful fish, and like a child, Hiratsuka subconsciously reached his hand and pointed to many of the fish that could be seen from the observation tower.
Yet, watching her hand that grasped his subconsciously, Tobe took a deep breath and grasped her hand back, which made her body tense, and her face reddened, yet Hiratsuka didn't break away.
"Is it only me, or can I see her nipples in the photo?"
"Stop looking!
After they had watched the fish, they moved on to the fishing industry museum, showing an old picture of a female fisherman who was naked, showing everything, including her nipples and even her bushy area.
Despite the old photo, it was clear to them that the nipples of the female fishermen were taut and perky, and they seemed to enjoy or even feel aroused when their pictures were taken by a stranger.
"I wonder why they let they let their photos be taken like this." Hiratsuka sighed helplessly.
"This country is a lewd country. Don't worry too much."
"...." Hiratsuka.
Could she refute it?
No.
This country was lewd, yet this was normal since some people even imagined being held by the tentacles of the octopus.
"Lewdness is part of the culture of this country."
"...." Hiratsuka.
Her lips twitched, then she asked resentfully, "Then, you are trying to seduce your teacher?"
Tobe smiled and asked, "Are you seduced by me?"
Hiratsuka's face reddened, feeling hot, then looked away as she snorted. "Stop saying something stupid!" She wanted to break away from her hand, but Tobe grasped her hand tightly.
"Sorry." Tobe apologized. "At least, today, let me hold your hand."
"....."
Hiratsuka couldn't say anything and let her lips tremble, then let out a helpless sigh, following her selfish desire to hold her tender, white hand.
Why was she like this?
If her heart were stronger and if she had someone by her side, then would she be swayed by his seduction?
As she thought so, she went to the famous shrine in town, praying to strengthen her heart, so she wouldn't be swayed by this immoral desire within her heart.
'God... if you hear me, please let me be right. Show me what I should do in this situation.
As she threw a 500 yen coin into the offering box, Hiratsuka kept praying.
On the other hand, Tobe was much attracted to the panoramic view of the shrine that was located on the high cliff, and from his spot, he could see the quaint, heavenly beach with a Torii gate that stood tall in the middle.
"What are you looking at?"
Hiratsuka looked at Tobe, who was distracted, and said, "It's beautiful."
"....."
Hiratsuka felt her breathing grow harder as it was hard to see him right in the eyes.
"I mean the beach."
"....."
"Oh, ah, right! The beach is beautiful!"
As she fumbled, Tobe chuckled as he looked at the beach, ignoring her resentful gaze.
Still, as they thought of going back, planning to return to their home, returning to their previous role as they forgot about everything, fate told them otherwise.