"Where did you two go just now?"
When Sato and Eriri finally found the others, Kasumigaoka Utaha frowned slightly and asked with obvious dissatisfaction.
You two disappeared for way too long, didn't you?
"Sorry, we wandered around nearby a bit."
Sato smiled apologetically.
"Hah? How exactly did Miyabi-sensei think it was acceptable to leave three beautiful girls here while you went off wandering by yourself?"
"Ahem, wasn't Eriri still here?"
"Hehe, does that child-sized little thing even count as a beautiful girl?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha crossed her arms in front of her chest, glanced at Eriri, and revealed a face full of disdain.
Wow!
Kasumi Utako-sensei, your tongue is way too sharp!
"Y-You... damn it!"
Sato stopped the furious Eriri and comforted her.
"Alright, alright. Let's keep looking around. If we still have time later, maybe we can go check out the Skytree."
Tokyo Skytree?!
A glimmer flashed through Eriri's eyes. After thinking for a moment, she snorted and raised her fair chin.
"I'll let you off this time!"
Tokyo Skytree, also known as Tokyo Sky Tree, was one of Tokyo's most famous landmarks.
Its original purpose for construction was to reduce signal transmission interference caused by the dense cluster of skyscrapers in central Tokyo.
But after its completion, most of its fame came instead from its observation decks.
It was said that from the highest observation deck of Tokyo Skytree, the entire city of Tokyo would lie beneath your feet. It was considered one of the best observation spots in all of Tokyo, the other being Tokyo Tower.
Especially at night, standing atop Tokyo Skytree allowed one to see endless city lights stretching into the distance, countless lights blanketing the earth all the way to the horizon.
"Tokyo Skytree, huh?"
Yuuki Asuna's eyes shifted slightly before she smiled.
"I know a pretty good restaurant near the Skytree. The head chef graduated from Totsuki Academy. After we finish sightseeing, we can try eating there."
"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's hurry!"
Eriri said excitedly. Even she had never been to Tokyo Skytree before.
"What about Kato-san?"
Sato turned toward Kato Megumi.
Kato Megumi also looked somewhat interested as she softly said,
"I don't mind."
"Alright, then let's make the most of our time."
Perhaps because of the Skytree, Eriri's pace while browsing booths suddenly increased dramatically. Like a whirlwind sweeping through fallen leaves, she quickly finished visiting all the remaining booths.
After finishing their Winter Comiket trip, the group immediately boarded a train heading toward Tokyo Skytree.
Sitting inside the train, Sato looked at the gradually darkening sky outside.
Today's weather seemed especially nice. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky, only an intimidating expanse of deep blue, like thick layers of dark blue ice carrying a chilling sharpness.
After arriving at their destination and exiting the station, the group quickly saw the towering structure standing within the city.
By now, the sun had already sunk toward the western horizon. Orange-red light illuminated the city's buildings, leaving dazzling reflections across their spotless glass surfaces.
Tokyo Skytree stood out from everything around it like a crane among chickens, overlooking all beneath it.
"So that's the Skytree? It's so tall!"
The glow of the setting sun reflected within Eriri's sapphire-like eyes, along with the silhouette of the tower standing beneath the sky.
Sato also raised his head and stared upward, a trace of awe flashing through his eyes.
The lights within the Skytree had already turned on. Blue illumination radiated from the tower's body, making it appear strangely out of place beside the surrounding city. It looked almost like the Tower of Babel described in the Bible.
"As expected of the greatest sightseeing spot after Tokyo Tower..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's red lips moved slightly as her wine-red eyes gazed at the Skytree while she quietly spoke.
Among everyone present, only the calm-hearted Kato Megumi and Yuuki Asuna, who had already seen the Skytree before, remained relatively composed.
Once they reached the base of the Skytree, Sato went to buy tickets.
"Here."
After handing the tickets out to everyone, Sato looked at the line stretching ahead beneath the tower and said,
"There are two observation decks here. One is the first deck at 350 meters, and the other is the second deck at 450 meters."
"We'll just go directly to the highest one."
"Why is the line so long?"
Eriri looked gloomily at the massive queue beneath the Skytree.
Yuuki Asuna smiled gently.
"This is currently the most famous observation deck in Tokyo after all. Besides people from Japan, tourists from other countries also choose this as one of their travel destinations."
"And..."
She glanced toward the nearby street before continuing,
"The crowds these days are actually considered relatively small. If it were a few days later during Christmas, this place would probably be completely packed."
"Eh? Why?"
"Obviously because lots of couples come here on Christmas!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha rolled her eyes at Eriri, sighing as though she couldn't handle Eriri's ignorance.
"This place is famous as a sacred spot for romantic confessions between couples. There's even a legend that proposals made here receive the blessing of the Skytree."
"And when you combine that with Christmas, the meaning becomes even more special. Don't tell me you didn't know any of this?"
Eriri glared at her angrily and gritted her teeth.
"Why would I need to know any of that?!"
"Oh! Right!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly looked at Eriri as if she had just realized something, the corners of her lips curling upward.
"Well, Sawamura-san doesn't have a boyfriend after all!"
"Hmph!"
Eriri snorted coldly, then looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with disdain.
"You say that like you have a boyfriend yourself!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "..."
Seeing Utaha's awkward expression, Sato couldn't help laughing.
This time, Kasumi Utako had managed to trap herself instead.
"What are you laughing at?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's face immediately darkened as she stared at Sato gloomily.
Seeing this, Sato quickly shut his mouth and blinked innocently at her.
What does this have to do with me? This was your own mistake.
Kasumigaoka Utaha became even more embarrassed and annoyed. Looking at Sato, she coldly said,
"If you blink again, I'll gouge your eyeballs out."
Tsk, Kasumi Utako really is terrifying.
Sato complained inwardly.
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