The next morning, under the organization of several instructors, all who have not gotten sick or hurt arrived at the airport.
For this unforgettable-for-a-lifetime educational trip, the students did not have the mood to be sentimental. Instead, they were eager to go home.
After Kazumi and Take Asasei boarded the plane, Lei Yin, as planned, together with Naoko and Amy, along with Takeda and Yoshikawa went to board on another plane on a flight to Takeda’s home.
Takeda and Yoshikawa’s homes were located in South of Kyoto, Japan.
Kyoto is about 500 kilometers Southwest of Tokyo, and 41 kilometers East of Osaka. Better known as
Japan’s Millennium Ancient Capital.
The total population is about 1.47 million. Kyoto was constructed according to the ancient Tang Dynasty Capital City, Chang’an. It became the capital of Japan from AD 794 to 1868. It still holds many shrines, temples, palaces, as well as elaborate gardens. Because of its long history, nowadays, it retained its traditional culture of the ancient capital of Japan.
Takeda’s Family, for generations, ran the Sado (Japanese tea ceremony) business throughout the Kyoto area. They also have several branches in Kobe, Nara, and other places. But Yoshikawa’s Family also ran the tea business, so naturally, the relationship between his family and Takeda’s Family was not shallow. Plus, their two homes were not too far apart, therefore it can be said that Takeda and Yoshikawa grew up together.
Takeda walked to the front of the vermilion gate and pressed the bell several times.
After a while, an old man in a black kimono and wooden clogs under the feet opened the door.
Seeing Takeda, the old man seemed very happy,
Young master Hidetoshi, you are back.
(The character Hidetoshi in Chinese means Handsome)
Seeing that the corner of Lei Yin and Naoko’s mouths gently twitched, Takeda dryly coughed and said:
Uncle Iketani, later on, just call me second young master, ok. These are my friends, and they will stay in here to play.
The old butler named Iketani immediately bowed toward Lei Yin and Naoko:
Thank you for taking care of the second young master Hidetoshi.
You are too kind.
Naoko immediately bowed back ritually.
Very well, enough with the introduction, just take us in. By the way, is my sister here?
Young miss Nadeshiko has come back from the vacation and is now reading in the study room. Moreover, young master Kuraya has also come.
Even my big brother is also here, that’s great.
Takeda led Lei Yin and the others to come in.
When they went into the house, Lei Yin sized up the surrounding environment as they walked.
This was a typical 300 pings (1 ping ~ 3.3 square meters, this measurement typically used in Japan and Taiwan) area residence. Besides the main building, there was also a courtyard on it. Not only there was a huge Koi fish pond, there was also a large area full of bamboo and an open area with a variety of flowers and plants.
The house at the center area was also very huge, and the exteriors were all in the traditional wooden corridor and paper door design. Now Lei Yin started to believe Takeda’s previous claim that his house can fit in the Edo period drama production.
Takeda said to Lei Yin:
Now you know why I want to go to College outside of Kyoto. How could this kind of ancient house be suitable for a person like me to live in? That is why, since high school, I did not dare to bring my classmates to play here.
After leading Lei Yin and the others to a spacious guest room to put down their luggage, Takeda said to him:
Do you want to meet with my old man?
Lei Yin nodded his head,
Since we’ve come to someone’s house, it is polite to meet with the master of the house.
Takeda patted his shoulder and said:
My old man is a stubborn old man. When you see him, no matter what he says, just consider it as farts.
Listening to their conversation from nearby, Naoko could not help but smile.
When they came to the corridor, Lei Yin saw three kids playing with Amy near the fish pond. One of them was holding a GameBoy.
Are they your brother’s children?
Lei Yin asked.
No, they are the children of my two uncles. I don’t know if this is a house rule or not, but starting from my grandfather’s generation, we got used to living with our immediate family together. Especially after having a kid. They always quarreled here, which is another reason why I am anxious to move out. Can you imagine that someday when you are in your room watching adult videos and suddenly your cousin run in and ask what are you doing? How are you going to explain that?
Lei Yin snappily said:
I don’t know whether to pity or despise you.
At this time, the three children happened to see Takeda. With shouts they ran over to him immediately.
Brother Hidetoshi, when did you come?
It’s good that you’re back. You said you want to take me for a ride when you come back.
Me too.
A child sucking his finger said.
Being mobbed in the middle by the three kids, the rebellious youth exclaimed:
I know, but now I am still busy. When I am free, I will take you out to play.
With that, he took that opportunity to run away.
Lei Yin said with a smile:
It seems like you should be a nanny, it’s like a second nature to you.
Do not joke, if I stay with them for an hour, I would go crazy. If only they are so well-behaved and quiet like Amy, that would be nice.
Takeda looked down at the little girl who was holding Lei Yin’s right hand, only to see her looking at his three younger cousins.
When they went inside the house, Takeda suddenly stopped, combed his slightly upturned hair with his hand and then carefully examined his clothes. After he completed all of these, the then knocked on the door.
After the knock, there was a slightly hoarse male voice,
Please come in.
Takeda blinked his eyes at Lei Yin like he was doing a prank and opened the door.
Father, I am back. Big brother, so you’re here, I was just about to go look for you.
Takeda kneeled toward the two men sitting inside the hall.
The two men that were in the hall, one was a senior wearing a gray-black high-quality kimono, with not too neatly combed hair. Although his age was already over fifty years old, his spirit was still very much in shape. He slightly looked up and cast Takeda a glance, and then said:
When did you get back.
Just now,
Takeda answered.
Takeda’s father looked at his youngest son from top to bottom for a while before he said:
In Tokyo, you did not provoke any disaster, right?
Of course not, you can ask sister if you want.
Humph. In high school, you always said that. But in the end, didn’t you still stir up a lot of things? I don’t expect you to do something good for the family in the future. I would content as long as you don’t give me any trouble.
Takeda disapprovingly curled his lips.
Kyoto Part 2
Takeda Yifu (Takeda’s father) then shifted his eyes up and saw the people behind Takeda.
He saw a young man with age similar to Takeda holding a little girl, and an impressively beautiful woman who stood next to that young man.
Takeda, who are they?
Takeda Yifu asked his son.
Takeda put his arm around Lei Yin’s shoulders and said:
His name is Gennai Masashi, my University classmate, and my good friend. Next to him is his girlfriend, her name is Hase Naoko. Right, I almost forgot. This little girl is his distant relative, we call her little Amy. Masashi is her temporary guardian.
After listening to his presentation, Takeda Yifu dryly said:
Since he is your classmate, it’s your duty to take care of them.
Although this so-called classmate of his son did not wear fancy dress or wore strangely decorated accessories and hair dyed in a wacky color like a punk. But seeing that he already has a girlfriend within the first year of college, in his heart, Takeda Yifu already classified him as an unambitious young man just like his youngest son.
But toward his old man’s cold shoulder approach on them, Takeda instead was very happy with this result. He smiled and then said:
I will entertain them. Big brother, when did you get back?
After a while, Takeda Yifu still has not heard his eldest son’s answer, so he turned around and glanced at him. Only to find his eldest son unblinkingly stared at the young man’s girlfriend. It seemed like his eldest son did not even hear the question from his youngest son.
Takeda Yifu heavily coughed. Takeda Changshi immediately reacted and he awkwardly changed the subject as he said to his younger brother:
I saw in the news that the Teikyo University students who were on an educational trip were hit by a storm, and many students are in the hospital. Are you okay?
Takeda said:
I am okay, thankfully, we arrived at Yakushima before the storm appeared, so we did not encounter the storm. However, the boat behind us was caught in the storm, but luckily, no one was hurt.
Very good then.
Takeda did not want to stay here any longer so he said to his father and elder brother:
If there is nothing else, we are going to go out now.
Takeda Yifu nodded his head.
When they walked out of the hall, Takeda Yifu found his eldest son was still watching the back of that beautiful woman, lost in thought.
It seems like it is time to find him a wife, Takeda Yifu said in his mind.
Outside the hall, from his pocket, Takeda fished out the earring that he took off before they went inside the hall and re-worn it on his left ear.
Everytime I see that old man, I feel like I was seeing my high school disciplinary director. You just heard him said: ‘I don’t expect you to do something good for the family in the future. I would content as long as you don’t give me any trouble.’ Sometimes I wonder if he found me in a toilet.
Lei Yin gave him a serious look and said:
It is possible. No wonder I always thought that your body has a funny smell.
Bstard.
Takeda gave him a middle finger.
When they walked near the garden, Takeda took out his mobile phone to call Yoshikawa.
After hanging up the phone, he said to Lei Yin:
When that guy comes, I will take you out to the best hotel in Kyoto to eat a meal there. And then, tomorrow, I will let you sit in my car and go for a ride. There are many fun places in Kyoto that we can visit.
Suddenly, Takeda saw a person trimming the flowers within the cluster of flowers and said to himself:
Who is that guy? I’ve never seen him before.
Lei Yin and Naoko looked at the direction where he was looking and saw in the distance, near the bamboo groove, a tall guy was holding large scissors as he trimmed the nearby weeds.
At this time, the butler Iketani walked by, so Takeda called him and asked about that person’s origin.
The housekeeper Iketani said:
Young master Hidetoshi, that man is the new handy man that was invited by the master. I heard that he seemed to have saved young miss Nadeshiko, so young miss requested the master to let him do things here. He rarely spoke, and when he first came in, his clothes were tattered like a stowaway (illegal immigrant; In Japan, they all come by boat). I really don’t understand why master would let someone with unknown origin stay here. I think we should know more about how he could save young miss Nadeshiko.
Right, young master Hidetoshi, if my guess is correct, then he is definitely not a Japanese. Because I once heard him speak, and his accent was strange, completely unlike a native Japanese. I wonder if he is really an illegal immigrant. Moreover….
Takeda knew that once this butler started talking, he would not be able to stop himself. So Takeda stopped him,
I know, what’s his name?
He said his name is Brin. You see, even his name isn’t a Japanese name. Young master Hidetoshi, I think we better alarm the police. If he really is an illegal immigrant, I don’t know what kind of accident he would bring us.
The old butler appeared to be worried.
I will ask my sister about this particular situation, no need for you to care about it. Why don’t you help us prepare our lunch? After the meal, we are going to go out.
I understand.
The old housekeeper reluctantly walked away.
When the old butler was gone, Takeda found out that Lei Yin was looking strangely at the new handyman.
Masashi, what’s wrong.
It’s nothing.
Lei Yin slowly recovered his gaze.
In the evening, Takeda and Yoshikawa acted as the host to lead Lei Yin and Naoko to eat at the nearby large Hotel.
After finishing their dinner, Takeda cheerfully proposed to go for a ride.
Lei Yin, who was feeling full after satiating his appetite, did not want to go. But he could not bear to dampen his friend’s excitement, so he nodded in agreement.
Naoko has a mild motion sickness so she just wanted to have a good rest and did not go with them.
When they went out, Lei Yin sat in Takeda’s car, the $ 210.000 worth of Lamborghini sports car, which was the prize his brother sent to him after Takeda was admitted to Teikyo University.
What do you think, it’s cool isn’t it?
After driving for a mile, Takeda very proudly said.
Lei Yin said:
You car’s only advantage is to dry your hair after you take a shower and sit in here while driving it; the hair will dry naturally. Or, you can also use this car to dry your freshly laundered clothes.
For this review, which can’t be called as a praise, Takeda was very dissatisfied:
This is a convertible sports car, of course, this will satisfy the craving of going against the wind.
The nearby Yoshikawa said:
This guy can’t wait to drive this car, everyday he would lit the incense and bow down to ease his mind.
Dmn!
Takeda, all of a sudden, accelerated the car. The oncoming strong wind blew all their hair backward.
Whoo, this is so great,
Takeda shouted out like a madman.
Lei Yin was glad that Naoko did not come with them; women sometimes can really tell the future.
After driving for half an hour, Takeda suddenly stopped the car.
What are you doing?
Yoshikawa asked.
I drank too much water. I need to relieve myself.
With that, he ran to the roadside bush.
After he went there for a few minutes, a scream suddenly sounded from that place.
Yoshikawa and Lei Yin’s face immediately changed, because they recognized that it was the voice of Takeda.
Lei Yin immediately jumped out of the car and rushed over to that place.
