Cultural Exchange with a Game Centre Girl (ゲーセン少女と異文化交流)

Wow! That mountain is so big!

It really is! I wonder what it's called.

That is Mt. Bandai.

It's 1,816 meters tall and was chosen as one of a hundred famous Japanese mountains.

Wow, Prez! You sure know your stuff.

Actually, I just looked it up on my phone.

Hey, Master! Take a look at the mountain.

Shut up! I made it to a really good part. Oh! Come on...

Our family vacation sure is lively this year.

You sure are easy-going, Mom.

You think so?

What's that building over there?

Yeah, what a weird shape.

What a weird shape!

What?!

You're both going away for a while?

We always go to visit our grandma's house around this time of year.

So we won't be able to hang out for a while.

But...

Oh well.

Hey, why don't you come with us then, Lily-chan?

Huh?

Is that okay?

What're you doing?!

It's like a vacation with friends anyway. As long as we get her parents' permission, right?

I... guess so?

Thank you so much for inviting us along as well.

Hey, Kaga-san. Say thank you.

Thanks.

Oh, don't worry about it.

In fact, you should be thanking Lily-chan's mother instead.

Okay!

Okay!

As thanks for coming to the birthday party,

she talked to all of your parents for me and saved me a lot of time.

It's always more fun when there are more people anyway.

I'm sad that some people couldn't make it, though.

Apologies! I am unable to go!

I'm sorry!

We gotta have enough fun for the both of them too!

Hey, Renji. This is our big vacation. Can't you try to be a little more fun?

More fun?

Hey, bro. You aren't working now so we're definitely gonna play once we get there.

Yeah, right.

Ugh. I don't mind the trip itself,

but I'm really worried that Lily's dad might not know anything about it.

Why didn't you tell me?!

I've never ridden in a train this small.

Well, it is the countryside.

Whoa...

Deer! "Shika"! There's some "shika" over there!

Hmm?

Oh. Yeah, they aren't really afraid of people around here.

Is that right?

Yeah. Sometimes they even come right up to the house.

Sometimes even bears and such too.

Bears?

Oh... Don't worry about that, Lily-chan. That sort of thing is really rare.

This train will be making a temporary stop at the next station

to allow the express train to pass.

We deeply apologize for the...

Oh...

It's so strange that there's a station out here.

Whoa!

What?!

Huh?

Whoa! Awesome!

The real thing!

Hey! Hey!

Amazing! I've never seen one before!

It's my first time seeing one, too!

Oh! Wait!

Whoa! Hurry up!

Um, Lily-chan?

Renji! The ocean, the ocean!

That's right!

Are we there yet?!

Kaga-san...

It took a while, but we're here.

We're home!

Mother? You around?

Isn't it locked?

No. Sometimes people in the countryside don't lock their doors.

But we're still welcome.

In that case.

Excuse me, please.

Yes, yes, yes, yes. What's all the ruckus?

Sounds like ya brought the whole city with you.

Renzi and Aoi-chan, you've both gotten so big!

Suppose I can move on to the next world in peace.

We just got here! Don't make it so gloomy!

You said the same thing six months ago, Grandma.

Um, do ya mind?

Look, Mom. Aoi brought some friends along.

Hello.

Heya.

Thank you for having us.

Well, would ya take a look at y'all, just the purtiest lil' thangs!

Tokyo girls sure dress up all flashy! Hoowee!

Eh?

Hmm?

What.

She says you're all cute.

What language is she speaking?

Um...

Oh. Grandma!

Hmm?

Thank you very much for having us. This isn't anything special, but...

Well bless your li'l heart.

Renzi, is this that foreigner girly they said you been chattin' up?

Is that what you heard?!

Sure is a catch, though.

That's not what this is about!

Then what's it about?

Well, it's hard to...

Well, why don'cha all come on in and sit a spell.

Ah! Renji, long time no see!

Hey!

Himari-chan!

Oh...

My name's Himari! Nice to meetcha!

Himari-chan is my cousin's daughter.

She likes to come visit Grandma's house during summer vacation.

She's in her first year of middle school, so one year younger than us.

Hmm.

Is that right?

Ren-kun, I missed you so much.

Come on, I just saw you at New Year's.

Why don't you just move here?

You can't be serious.

Girls from the countryside sure are bold.

Oh hey, Dagashi-do just got some new games in.

Games?

It won't get dark for a while, so let's go play!

Le—

Let's go! Renji!

Dagashi-do

Whoa, is this seriously a game center?

Well, it's actually just a candy store.

Excuse me!

Coming!

Well, if it isn't Renji-kun and Aoi-chan!

It sure has been a while.

Nice to see you.

It's very nice to see you.

And you brought a whole crowd with you.

Pleased to meet you.

Pleased to meet you.

Sup.

So Auntie, do you still have... you-know-what?

Oh. Why you betcha.

Gonna give it a try?

Sure.

Wow.

Whoa! Space Invaders? I've never seen a real one before!

Does it work?

Yep, still tickin'. Just like yours truly.

This is exactly the kind of game center I had imagined!

Rock, paper, scissors!

Renji, it's janken!

Huh? Oh...

Yeah. These are beigoma tops.

Beigoma?

Wanna try 'em?

Yeah, I do!

Yah!

Aah! I'm sorry!

Th-That's okay, Lily-chan.

Instead of throwing the top, just try to spin in.

Like this!

Wow!

Again! Show me again!

Sure. One more time.

Ren-kun, would you teach me too?

What? You're already really good at beigoma.

My brother sure is popular.

Then teach me to play the new game instead!

Otokogi Koala Fighters!!!

OKF?!

I never thought I'd find it out in the country.

I don't understand how to pull off the moves.

W-Well, I could teach you a little about that.

I shall teach her.

Huh. Can you really play?

You don't look like you're very good at games.

Then play against me and find out!