Encouragement of Climb (ヤマノススメ)

Mt. Fuji, the highest point in Japan,

is a mountain I aspire to climb.

I could only make it partway up this summer.

But I made the decision to take on it again.

That I'm going to stand at the peak of Mt. Fuji this time.

Are Hiking Shoes Really Awesome?

So anyway, Kaede-san,

I was thinking of trying to climb Mt. Fuji again.

Sounds great. Good luck.

Thanks!

So would you like to go with us again?

We were thinking about going at the end of the month...

The end of the month?

Mt. Fuji is already off-season.

What?

But it's still September!

The buses aren't in service, and the huts are closed.

I think it might be snowing at the summit now.

Really?

I guess I'll have to wait until next spring, then.

You know, it's in April and May that Mt. Fuji has the most snow on it.

Ack!

Which means...

It's not happening until summer.

Summer?!

A year later?

But I finally made up my mind...

There, there.

In that case, is there anything I can do now?

Let's see...

You can get in shape.

Carry heavy stuff, try some smaller mountains, stuff like that.

I see!

All right. Let's do this!

Sure.

Actually, maybe you should both think about buying proper hiking shoes.

Hiking shoes?

Dad was saying the same thing, too.

Hiking shoes...

Will I actually need them?

You might as well, if you're going to be climbing a lot.

I know!

Let's go buy some today!

Today?

Kaede-san, could you come with us after school?

Sounds great. Let's go.

Okay, Aoi?

I don't have a lot of money, though.

Don't worry. I don't, either.

I'll ask Dad.

Let's go home first and then meet up again.

Okay.

I hope they have some cute shoes.

So how much should we bring?

Let's see...

40,000 yen should do it.

40,000...

40,000 yen?!

40,000 yen...

40,000 yen... 40,000 yen...

If I had 40,000 in the bank...

I could buy autumn clothes, yummy food, or beads...

Wait!

Do I really need hiking shoes?

Outdoor, Camping, and Mountain Climbing Goods

Look at all these shoes!

I don't see any cute ones, though.

When you buy hiking shoes,

you want to choose practical ones over fashionable ones.

Manager.

Hello.

Welcome.

Hello.

Believe it or not, they've gotten a lot more stylish than before.

They used to be uncompromisingly practical and made just for dirtbags,

but since there are a lot of girls like you climbing these days,

they've gotten a lot nicer-looking.

So, what kind of shoes are you looking for today?

They're not for me,

but these two are looking for their first proper hiking shoes.

Could you help them out?

We'd appreciate it!

W-We would.

There are actually several types of hiking shoes.

This is good if you want to just walk around town or hike around Chichibu.

Something like this would be good for Mt. Takao.

Where have gone climbing before?

Um...

Mt. Tanigawa, Mt. Tsukuba the other day, and...

Oh, Mt. Fuji.

Likewise.

Do you plan to go to all kinds of places in the future?

Yes, I hope to.

Likewise.

All right, I'd recommend something like this, then.

Give them a feel.

Okay.

Wow, it's pretty stiff.

Yeah, it's stiff.

The sole is made not to bend.

Why is that?

That way, it catches firmly on the rocks.

It doesn't slip.

But if it's soft, it bends too easily.

It may catch, but it'll slip right off.