Chapter 23 Akihabara
The next morning, Hachiman Hikigaya, having slept soundly, decided not to open his shop today.
He planned to sightsee in Tokyo.
Speaking of which, he had never properly explored Tokyo, having rarely visited famous spots like Akihabara and Shibuya.
Considering that Akihabara is most famous as the Mecca of '2D' (Anime/Manga) Culture, and Haruno's overtly business-like aura wouldn't quite match the place, Hikigaya decided to go with Ena, who always had a splendid chest with her.
Tokyo is a city that simultaneously embodies traditional Japanese charm and presents modern fashion trends. It is prosperous and wealthy, fashionable and novel, civilized and orderly. Its texture is gradually reflected in the interweaving and collision of the avant-garde and the ancient.
As for the prices, they can be summarized in one word: expensive.
A bowl of noodles is 500 JPY, a taxi starts at about 700 JPY, a loaf of bread is around 100 JPY, the cheapest simple set meal at a restaurant is 700 JPY, while expensive ones can reach tens of thousands of JPY. Cigarettes are 400 to 470 JPY per pack, bottled gum is 600 to 900 JPY per bottle, most magazines are 600-700 JPY per copy, and an economy hotel is about 5000 JPY per night.
Hikigaya is not short on money now.
He and Ena first took the orange JR Chūō Rapid Line to Ochanomizu Station, then transferred to the yellow Sōbu Line for one stop, arriving at Akihabara.
Exiting from the Electric Town Gate, they saw towering buildings lining both sides, and advertising signs full of anime elements everywhere. They could see some people cosplaying at the street corner. At first glance upon entering the street, it already presented a unique atmosphere.
"Hachiman, aren't we here to buy electronics?" Ena asked, hooking her arm through Hikigaya's.
She initially thought Hikigaya was coming to purchase new appliances, as Hinata Mansion was indeed not automated enough. While she didn't mind, many people were unaccustomed to it, and she thought Hikigaya felt the same way.
"Of course not. We are here to have fun. Isn't this the sacred ground of '2D' culture?" Hikigaya said.
"Hachiman likes this?" Ena was extremely puzzled.
The Hachiman she remembered seemed only to like fighting.
Compared to Ena, who was lost in thought, Hikigaya excitedly started browsing.
His first stop was the "Akihabara Radio Kaikan" with its large yellow signboard.
This is a commercial building mainly selling anime, games, and figures. It has 10 floors of shopping space excluding the basement. Hikigaya focused on the "K-BOOKS Akihabara Main Store" on the 3rd floor and the "amiami Akihabara Radio Kaikan Store," browsing and buying some anime and figures.
Some anime works in this world did not exist in his previous world, while some that existed in his original world were absent here, such as Campione!, Oreimo, etc...
Hikigaya bought the anime and figures based on his recollection of Komachi and her friends' preferences. Since he knew his sister liked these tastes, it would be wrong not to buy something since he had come all this way.
Hikigaya also bought many Nendoroids, deciding to use them as his own merchandise ingredients. However, he did not take any of these items with him directly. It seemed the store offered mailing services, so Hikigaya paid the store to mail everything to Hinata Mansion.
After leaving the store, he went to the Sofmap AKIBA 4th Store AMUSEMENT Hall game specialty shop and bought quite a few games.
If he couldn't beat them, then of course he should switch games.
However, Hikigaya's biggest goal for today had not yet been achieved.
Because speaking of the ultimate meaning of '2D' culture—that would certainly be Maids!
He walked north from the Akihabara landmark, the "Railroad Bridge," and after turning a corner, he finally arrived at the legendary "Maid Street."
To be honest, at first glance, he was slightly disappointed. Although he occasionally saw girls in maid outfits walking on the street, they were still far inferior to the girl next to him.
"This place is so strange," Ena said, seeing a maid in a super-short skirt standing on the roadside handing out flyers. Since she was facing away, going up just a little bit more would practically reveal the mysterious hills and valleys.
"Now that you mention it, it is a bit that..." Hikigaya stroked his chin, thinking that since he had come all this way, he should at least have a coffee before leaving. So, he said to Ena, "Let's grab a coffee. We've been walking for quite a while."
"Sounds good."
Then the two began looking for a café they liked.
However, there were dozens of maid cafés on this street, most of them hidden in various buildings, large and small. So, Hikigaya had to cheat.
"Hmm, let's go to that store over there." Pulling Ena along, Hikigaya walked toward a building.
Life has a scent, too.
A God who plunders life force would also know how to distinguish which ones are "delicious." Just as humans will choose their prey if conditions allow.
Therefore, those life forms emitting a fragrant scent and appearing "delicious" must certainly be young, healthy, and full of vitality and sexual charm.
This is what you call "Smelling the fragrance to recognize the beauty."
Hikigaya chose the spot with the most concentrated "fragrance" and then excitedly pulled Ena toward it.
This particular store was quite well-hidden; non-regular customers would probably have a hard time finding it quickly.
When Hikigaya and Ena pushed the door open and walked in, they were first greeted by the maid's "Goshujin-sama, okaeri" (Welcome home, Master) bow and greeting. The posture was very standard, and the voice was very sweet.
Judging from the surrounding decor, the style was warm and slightly intimate.
Guided by the maid server, Hikigaya found a spot tucked away in the back. He always preferred positions in the back when dating because he could secretly engage in mischief.
He took the menu from the maid server, telling her, "We'll look first," politely declining the immediate inquiry about ordering and stating they would order later.
After the maid server left, Hikigaya began looking at the menu, which included simple cocktails, coffee, cakes, tea snacks, and so on. Compared to an ordinary izakaya (Japanese pub) or restaurant, the prices were actually not cheap, probably due to the added service.
Maid uniforms are truly terrifying.
Then Hikigaya saw an item on the service section of the menu called "Drawing," which basically meant drawing patterns on the ordered food with condiments.
'Huh? Are they going to draw the world map?' He quite enjoyed that game in middle school.
But he was no longer a middle school student. He decided to request a Gundam to be drawn.
He would ask for a GP02A!
So, he pressed the bell next to him, ready to order.
He decided to order an omurice (omelet rice) and some tea snacks first, and also try out this peculiar "Drawing" service.
"Hi! Master, have you decided on a dish already? May I ask if you need a specific form of address… Eh!?"
Hikigaya, who was looking down at the menu, heard the maid beside him gasp in surprise.
"Ena? Hachiman!?"
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