Rice Shower's Perspective
I never expected to be thanked quite like that. When Carnegie-san dropped to one knee and started praying to me with her hands pressed together, I was so startled I didn't know what to do! It was a little embarrassing since other people were starting to stare, but... being thanked like that really does make you feel warm inside.
Right now, Big Brother and I are exploring the streets of Paris. It's so different from the shopping districts I usually go to in Japan—every single street is just so beautiful! It's finally sinking in. We really are in a foreign country.
The only problem is the writing. I know they're the same letters as English, but since it's French, I can't make sense of them at all. Big Brother seems to be able to read them just fine, though, so we haven't gotten lost yet. I really should have studied more before we left!
"Everything looks like a castle out of a fairytale, Big Brother!"
"You're right," Hachiman agreed, looking up at the stone facades. "The architecture is completely different from what you see in Japan. It's interesting just to walk around and look at the buildings."
"Whoa... oh! Look! That tower over there—that's the famous Eiffel Tower, right?"
"That's the one. The pride of Paris. And if we can see the tower from here, then that should be nearby, shouldn't it?"
"That?" I tilted my head.
"Rice, you and the other Horse Girls—even the staff back home—what do you call the biggest week in the racing calendar?"
I gasped as the realization hit me. "The Arc de Triomphe!"
"Bingo. The Eiffel Tower is great, but you can't come to Paris and not see the Arc, right? I hear the view from the observatory at the top is incredible."
"Really?! Oh, Big Brother, can we go? I want to see the view!"
Hachiman let out a small, rare smile. "Well then, let's go find it."
[The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile]
"Wow..." Hachiman breathed as we stood before it.
"Oh my..."
I knew about the Arc de Triomphe. I knew it was a massive, beautiful monument. But standing right in front of it... I just couldn't find the words.
"It's... incredible," Hachiman muttered.
"Yeah..."
"Is this your first time seeing it?" a voice asked nearby.
We turned to see a local man standing there. "Oh, uh, yes," Hachiman replied. "We only arrived in France yesterday."
"I thought so," the man smiled, looking up at the arch with us. "Even just looking up at it is a grand experience, isn't it? Every statue, every fine detail... all carved by human hands. It's quite a feat. I live nearby, but I never get tired of looking at it."
"I can see why," Hachiman said respectfully. "It's magnificent."
"It's hard to believe it was built over a hundred years ago."
I didn't understand the words they were saying, but looking at the man's face, I felt like we were sharing the exact same feeling.
"Big Brother," I whispered, pulling on his sleeve. "Can we climb up?"
"Sure. Let's head in."
The man's eyes widened. "Wait! Are you two Japanese?!"
(The following conversation is held in a mix of broken Japanese and French)
"E-eh?! You speak Japanese?" I asked, surprised.
"I... study Japanese!" he said with a thick accent, grinning. "I understand a little. My speech is... how you say? Clunky? Hahaha! Are you here on vacation with the Horse Girl?"
"Actually," Hachiman explained, "we're here for a race in a month. The Prix de Royallieu. Have you heard of it?"
"I know it! It's the day before the Arc de Triomphe! I go to see the races every year. So, you have come to challenge France... how exciting! Good luck to you. I will definitely go to the track to cheer for you that day!"
"T-thank you so much!" I bowed quickly.
"Since we met here, it must be fate," the man said. "Why don't we go up together?"
"Yes! Let's go!"
[The Observatory]
"What a view..." Hachiman leaned against the railing.
"It is beautiful, no?" the man said. "This is my favorite view in all of Paris."
"I think I understand why," I whispered. Everything looked so perfect from up here. "I have to take some pictures for everyone back home!"
Hachiman chuckled. "Look at you, all worked up."
The Frenchman laughed as he watched me. "I've taken a thousand photos from here, and yet, every time I come back, I find myself taking more."
"I guess I'll take one too, just for the record," Hachiman said, pulling out his phone. Snap!
After we said our goodbyes to the man, we started walking toward the Eiffel Tower. We'd seen the direction from the top of the Arc, so we had a general idea of where to go. But there were so many interesting shops along the way! I couldn't help but peek into every window.
"Hungry already?" Hachiman asked.
"N-no! I'm just... there are so many pretty shops, I don't know where to look!"
"I get it. But you're right, there's a lot here. We'll have to get some souvenirs for the rest of the team before we head back to Japan. I wonder what's good... I can't really picture what a 'French souvenir' looks like."
"I actually looked it up before we left!" I said proudly. "Chocolate, tea, and macarons are the most famous ones. Sweets are usually the best choice!"
Hachiman rubbed his chin. "But we just had those at the training camp, didn't we? I mean, I'm sure the authentic ones here are better than the macarons I made, but don't you think getting the same thing twice is a bit boring?"
"Not at all! The ones you made were delicious, Big Brother!"
"Thanks. Well, we can always ask the trainers or the other girls at the academy for recommendations. We'll be preparing to head home after the race next month anyway; we can make our final decisions then."
"Mm-hmm, that sounds like a plan!"
I wonder when we'll get to the Eiffel Tower? We've been walking for a while now, so it must be further than it looks. But with so many shops to see, I don't mind the walk at all.
"Oh," Hachiman said, pointing ahead. "We're getting close."
"Really? Oh! You're right! I can see the legs now!"
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