Volume 13 Chapter 105 Shirogane Aqua, Fukuoka Landing!!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I take off my parachute and remove the helmet on my head.
Where am I?!
No, I know where I am, but what do I do from here?!
”Kyaa!!”
”Aqua-kun?!”
”Oh, boss, Aqua-kun just fell from the sky!!”
”That’s a lie… Really?!”
”Eh, Aqua-sama, what does he do? Is he filming?”
”Wait, wait, it’s the real Aqua-sama, and he’s super cool!!”
”Is this some kind of TV show? Is the camera rolling?”
”Mom, hurry up and come to the park! The real Aqua-sama is super cool!!”
This is bad. The commotion is getting out of hand.
I lower my head and fold up my parachute while making apologetic noises.
As I’m doing that, a staff member with a camera comes running up.
Wow, they’re really prepared and waiting below.
”Aqua-sama, I brought the dice! Please roll it first!”
”The dice… is huge!!”
I look at the numbers on the dice.
1000 yen, 3000 yen, 5000 yen, 10,000 yen, 30,000 yen, 50,000 yen.
Good, there’s no 0!!
”Since 0 would be a pity after coming all the way to this tourist spot, we’re not including it this time. Each of the 4 members has their own wallet, but if you’re short on cash, you can borrow from the other members. You can also carry over your remaining balance to the next prefecture, so you can try to save up if you want. Oh, and the staff will provide snacks and drinks separately from the budget. Finally, please try to roll as high a number as possible for the camera’s sake!”
Hmm, if it’s 1000 yen, I’d definitely choose to camp outside, but to fully enjoy the gourmet food and stay at a nice place, I’d need to spend 50,000 yen. That’s just how it is.
I grasped a large dice in my hand, unifying my spirit.
”Please!!”
I rolled the die with great enthusiasm.
Come on! Come on!
”Congratulations! You got 10,000 yen!!”
”Alright!!”
Actually, I wanted to get the maximum 50,000 yen, but everyone else got a lower amount.
I couldn’t do anything about it. I received the 10,000 yen from the staff and showed it off in front of the camera.
”What will you do? Will you splurge?”
”No way. Let’s first see how much the other members got.”
I took off my flight suit and handed it over to the staff, along with my helmet and parachute.
”For now, I think I’ll head to the airport to meet up with everyone, but before that, can I get something to eat? I haven’t eaten anything since morning and I’m starving.”
”Yeah, that’s fine.”
I walked out of the park with the staff, and on the way, I called out to a local-looking big sister.
”Excuse me, are you a local?”
”Ah, yes!!”
When it comes to eating while traveling, I only ask locals.
That’s my ironclad rule. So, even when I go on business trips to other prefectures, I ask taxi drivers for recommendations.
”Excuse me, do you know of any delicious food that can fill my stomach?”
”Ah… um, how about Hakata udon? Aqua-sama likes udon, and… ah, there’s a udon shop that Morita-san recommends!”
Udon, that sounds great!!
If I eat udon, it’ll be just right for filling my stomach.
And if Morita-san recommends it, it can’t be bad!
”Thank you, miss.”
”No, thank you so much!! Ah, I’m a fan! I’ve been supporting you all this time!”
”Thank you.”
I pulled the handshake-holding big sister close and hugged her shoulder.
Hey, since we’re at it, let’s take a commemorative photo. Okay?
I had the big sister write down a recommended store on a memo, and I headed towards that store.
But, it’s a bit far, isn’t it…
”Is this hitchhiking?”
”Hitchhiking?!”
Huh? The staffs have the same surprised face as when I saw Kaede, but is it okay?
”Is it really okay to hitchhike?”
”Of course. I need to save on transportation costs too.”
I happened to see a woman trying to hail a car, so I ran towards her.
”Big sister!”
”Aqua-kun?!”
I showed big sister a big smile.
First impressions are important, after all.
”Where are you headed now? Not going to the station or anything?”
”I am! Actually, I was going the opposite direction, but I’ll go to the station now!!”
Huh? The opposite direction?
Is that okay? I feel a bit bad about it…
”No, now that I think about it, I have an errand at the station too.”
Big sister gave me a sharp, piercing look, just like Emily when she’s trying to cover up a small mistake.
Ah, yeah…if big sister says it’s okay, then I’m just grateful…
”Let’s get in, then!”
”Ah, okay, I’ll take you up on that offer!”
”Yes, it’s a drive date!!”
A drive date, huh…so I should sit in the passenger seat, right?
”Passenger seat?! I thought it was basic etiquette for a drive date that the guy sits in the back and the girl drives…”
Ah…I’m reminded of how weird this world is again.
I still occasionally encounter surprising things that I don’t know, and it feels fresh and exciting.
”Big Sister, what kind of person are you?”
”Ah, actually, I’m selling beer at the dome.”
Whoa! Fukuoka is really strong in baseball, after all.
Dammit, I wish I could go watch a game, but the tickets are too expensive…
”Is there a game today?”
”There is! It’s against the top-ranked Osaka team! Unfortunately, we lost the last game and fell to third place… So, Aqua-sama, please come cheer us on and give our team a boost!”
”Haha, I’ll think about it.”
Wait, wait! I turn around with a pale face to the staff behind me.
”Uh, I just remembered… I have to participate in the All-Star game and Home Run Derby in Nagoya on the 19th!”
”Ah, then let’s make sure to hit the dart on Wednesday to get to Aichi.”
Are you kidding me?! I clutch my head in frustration.
At the very least, I should try to get close to Nagoya. If Aichi is no good, maybe I can hitchhike to Gifu or Shizuoka!
Since today is Sunday, I still have Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to make it happen.
”Aqua-sama, I’m looking forward to the All-Star game. Ah, is it the All-Pacific?”
”Sorry, I ended up being drawn into the All-Central. We’re enemies, after all. I’ll keep an eye on the fast runner from Fukuoka to prevent them from stealing bases.”
”Haha, if Aqua-sama keeps an eye on me, I might not be able to run. Ah, but maybe I’ll get unexpectedly pumped up?”
”What? Seriously? The strategy Inko-san and I thought up might backfire?”
”Hehe, that’s right. Inko-san is from the Tatejima squad, after all.”
The big sister and I get excited talking about baseball.
While we were doing that, we arrived near the udon shop that was our destination.
”Thank you!”
”No, thank you! When you grow up, come back and visit us, okay? I’ll treat you to a beer!”
”Haha, thanks!”
I got out of the car after signing on the dashboard as requested by the big sister.
”Aqua-sama!?”
”Kyaa!”
”The real-life Aqua-sama is too cool and handsome!”
”This is too awesome!”
Umm, regular udon… regular udon… is it here?
I had the staff wait and went into the shop first.
”Excuse me, Are you okay with shooting?””
”Aqua-sama!?”
”It’s okay!”
I told the staff that they had permission to shoot after I came out of the shop, and then I lined up at the end of the line.
The customers in front of me were trying to give up their spots, but that wouldn’t be good.
”Ah, since we’re here, I’ll send a photo to Morita-san!”
I took a picture with the shop’s sign in the background and sent a message to Morita-san.
Shirogane Aqua: Morita-san, I’m in Fukuoka!! Right now, I’m in front of the udon shop you recommended!!
Morita Kazumi: Whaaat… Is that for real?!
Haha, she’s really surprised.
I chatted with the other big sister customer and the other staff while waiting in line.
”Okay, it’s our turn! Let’s go in!”
I went into the shop with the staff. Umm, do I buy it with a ticket machine?
I heard the recommendation was the gobou ten, but I’m curious about the udon with maruten on top… Yeah, I’ll go with maruten! Wait, this ticket machine doesn’t accept 10,000-yen bills….
”Ah, I’ll exchange it for you!”
”Thank you!”
I exchanged my money and bought tickets for Maruten udon and kashiwa rice balls.
”Wow! Looks delicious! Thanks for the food!!”
I was starving, so I quickly slurped down the udon.
Mmm, it’s so refreshing! The udon itself is soft and easy to eat.
And this plump, juicy Maruten… it’s amazing!!
I could eat this all day.
I picked up some tempura with my chopsticks and showed it to the camera.
”This freshly fried Maruten is so delicious with the broth! The broth is also very comforting, like a homemade taste, but the aroma of the tempura is so strong, and that’s what sets it apart from the Sanuki udon I had in Kagawa. And this soft, uneven noodles… I’m going to get hooked on it! And this kashiwa rice ball, if I take a sip of the broth and then take a bite of the rice ball, it’s so delicious!!”
Alright, food report done!
Now I can just enjoy my meal.
Wow, udon is just broth and noodles, but the broth and noodles are so different from the Sanuki udon I had in Kagawa and the Hakata udon I had in Fukuoka, and that’s amazing.
And the toppings are great too. The way they’re different depending on the place is really interesting.
”The lady at the udon shop is crying…”
”That’s no surprise.”
”Aqua-kun’s food report is so good, haha.”
”I wonder if I can come to this store from tomorrow.”
”The line is going to get longer because of tourists, so let’s enjoy it while we can…”
After I finished enjoying my Hakata udon and kashiwa rice, I thanked the lady and said “Thanks for the food, it was delicious!” before leaving the shop.
Okay, it’s about time to head to the airport.
”Hey, Aqua!”
”Oh, hey, junior!!”
”Aqua!!”
Whoa, as we walked out of the udon shop, Toa and a bunch of staff members appeared from the other side.
Hey, you guys are already here! You’re earlier than I thought!!
”Toa! Shintaro! Tenga-senpai!!”
The 4 of us formed a circle, arms around each other’s shoulders, and jumped up and down while spinning around to celebrate our reunion.
”So, how did you guys do on the dice game?”
”I got 10,000 yen!”
”I got 5,000 yen!”
Nice job, guys!!
I high-fived Toa and Shintaro.
”I got 1,000 yen…”
Tenga-senpai….
”So, that means we got a total of 26,000 yen… wait, minus 600 yen for the 450-yen Maruten Udon and 150-yen Kashiwa Rice Ball I ate, so it’s 25,400 yen.”
”Huh? Aqua, you ate udon?”
”Yeah. I hadn’t eaten anything since morning, so…”
”That can’t be helped.”
”Yeah.”
Even if the accommodation costs 5,000 yen per person including tax, that’s 20,000 yen for the 4 of us. That means our food expenses are 5,400 yen for the 4 of us. Yeah, we can somehow make it work. But, considering what’s to come, it’s unlikely we can save up.
”Is the dice game once a day?”
”Yeah.”
”And since it’s already past 3 pm, our accommodation in Fukuoka is confirmed for today.”
”So, that means we need to clear our mission in Fukuoka today and get ready to move on to the next prefecture?”
Everyone nodded at my proposal.
Alright, it’s settled then.
So, the problem is… what’s the mission content?
”Yes, then your mission in Fukuoka will be this!”
I received a flipboard from the staff.
We’re all set.
”Let’s do it!”
”Yeah!”
”Un!”
”Uh-huh!”
I peeled off the sticker on the Flip with a ripping sound.
”There’s a mission for the 4 of you, BERYL members who are both students and celebrities. Go to the shrine in Fukuoka where the god of learning and culture is worshipped, and offer a prayer… apparently.”
”Hmm, I think I’ve heard of it before…”
”Isn’t it in Dazaifu?”
”Yeah, that’s the one!!”
I remember learning about it in class too.
By the way, where is Dazaifu? Is it nearby?
I ask a nearby walking lady.
”Where is Dazaifu?”
”Dazaifu? It’s over 15 kilometers (� 9.3 miles) from here, so it’ll take around 30 minutes by car, considering the traffic lights and all.”
Over 15 kilometers… I can run a full marathon, but the other 3 might not make it.
”I checked online, and even if we take the cheapest option, it’ll cost around 900 yen for the round trip, so for the 4 of us, it’ll be 3600 yen just for transportation.”
”Wait, doesn’t the program cover the cost of travel between prefectures?”
”Yeah, that’s right. But we’re on our own for getting to the station or airport, aren’t we?”
”Apparently so. And if we add the prayer offering fee… it’s going to be tight on the budget. Ugh, I’ll have to take out my 1000 yen!!”
”Oh, the program will cover the prayer offering fee.”
Good, that’s a relief. We might have been in trouble if we had to pay for the 4 prayer offerings ourselves.
So, it’s decided then. There’s only one thing to do.
”Alright, let’s hitchhike again!!”
”””What?! Hitchhike?!”””
I told the 3 of them about what happened before we met up.
The 3 of them looked at me with unreadable faces when I mentioned hitchhiking.
”I see… we can definitely save on transportation…”
”I’ve never hitchhiked before…”
”Hmm. But I guess we have no choice now.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Tenga-senpai’s words.
”Okay, let’s buy some snacks and a sketchbook for now.”
”OK!”
”Yeah!”
”Hmm!”
I bought Magic and a Sketchbook, and I wrote “Dazaifu” in the Sketchbook.
”Alright, this is perfect! Isn’t it, everyone? Pose like this!”
”Like this?”
”Yeah, and then a big smile! Let’s go!!”
I took 3 friends to the main street, stuck out one hand, and showed off a big smile.
At that moment, all the cars driving on the main street screeched to a halt.
Wait, didn’t even the people walking on the opposite side of the road stop?
”I’m heading to Dazaifu!!”
”I didn’t plan on going, but now I have business there!”
”Our bus is headed to Dazaifu!!”
No way, don’t put people on the bus to Dazaifu!
Besides, I checked earlier, and there’s no straight road to Dazaifu…
”I’m working, but I can go!!”
”No, no, please do your job!!”
I accidentally butted in.
After all, a company van with the company name on it is a no-go.
”I’m heading to Dazaifu, okay? Want to come along?”
”Is it okay?”
A lady in a van that could fit 6 people or more called out to me, so I asked her for a favor.
I received a handheld camera from the staff and took the passenger seat.
”Wait, big sister. Can I sit next to you? It’s okay if it’s not me, or Shintaro, or Tenga-senpai…”
What a great chance. I want the other 3 to get used to this too.
”Aww…I’m happy, but I’m a fan of Aqua-sama, so it has to be Aqua-sama!”
”Thanks.”
I tightly hugged the big sister.
Her face turned bright red, and she froze in shock.
”A hug from Aqua-kun!?”
”Is he really get on the passenger seat?!”
”It’s a bulletin board! Hurry!!”
”It’s a festival, it’s a festival!!”
”It’s not the Fundoshi Festival, we just finished it yesterday, didn’t we!?”
”That’s not the festival I’m talking about! It’s the Fukuoka BERYL Summer Festival!!”
I waited for the big sister to recover before getting in the car.
Phew, at least I was able to save on transportation costs.
”Sorry about that. Are you okay? Is the schedule still good?”
”Yeah, it’s fine. We finished the wholesale stuff today too, so it’s all good.”
”Wholesale?”
”Yeah. Actually, I’m doing fishing with my mom and partner too.”
”Whoa, seafood! That sounds delicious!”
Not just me, but the other 3 people are also holding their stomachs.
Everyone’s getting hungry, aren’t they?…
”Do you want to come over to my place after the shrine visit is over? I’ll treat you to a meal. I’m going home anyway.”
”Wait, no way, that’s too much trouble… but, is that okay!?”
”Of course!”
”Yes! We did it!”
”Woohoo!”
”Thank you so much!”
Tenga-senpai and Shintaro are clapping their hands in excitement.
Sorry about this, but I’m really hungry, so I’ll go eat udon first… really sorry about that….
”Thanks, big sister. I really appreciate it.”
”No problem. I’m actually happy that you’re enjoying it. Oh, I’ll call home later, okay?”
We got dropped off at Dazaifu and headed to the shrine’s office to get permission to shoot.
”Is that okay? Can we take pictures of the shrine’s rituals too?”
”Yeah, please do!”
The staff gave us the money for the shrine rituals, and we received blessings for our studies and arts.
Phew, I guess our mission is complete?
”Ah, Aqua-kun, Ako-san has a special request just for you… and actually, we’re holding the money for that too.”
”From Ako-san?”
What’s the deal with all these requests?
Does she want me to buy her a charm or something?
”Aqua-kun is the only one who can get rid of the curse of being unlucky with girls, so please help us!”
The staff’s words make me go pale.
”Aqua has to be the one to do it, no question.”
”Uh-huh!”
”I think so too.”
The 3 of them stare at me with serious faces.
Got it, got it!!
”Ah, this is the offering money.”
Whoa! Is the envelope not thick enough?! Or rather, the envelope is huge and puffed up!!
Huh? Kanon, Kohina-senpai, my family, Habu the prime minister, Agewa-san, Mary-sama, Kukuri-chan, and even Claire-san are all asking me for help, and their shares are included too!?
Am I really that unlucky with girls?! Phew!
”It’s around 10 million yen in total.”
”You managed to stuff it all in the envelope…”
”But it’s better for the underclassmen to have it done by someone like that.”
I’ll be super careful from now on.
Ayana will finally come around soon!
It’s all good now!!
I also made a silent prayer to Kohina-senpai, asking her not to get tangled up with me.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Comments
4 responses to “Male Idol V13c105”
cancelling their own plans to interact with them lol
Thanks for the update ~
cancelling their own plans to interact with them lol
Thanks for the update ~
cancelling their own plans to interact with them lol
Thanks for the update ~
Thanks for the upload!