3.09 – Currying Flavor

The three girls strolled down the quiet streets of Tokyo, their destination set two blocks northwest of the small park that Tokyo Tower was located in. Aurora decided to change her costume and get rid of her wings on a temporary basis since they discovered that the nearest Cocoa Curry place was within walking distance. The air was crisp, cool, and filled with the faint scent of street food lingering from the night vendors wrapping up their shifts.

Aurora admired how clean and orderly everything was. Tokyo, even at night, had a pristine beauty to it that San Isidro lacked. The neon lights reflected off the polished sidewalks, and vending machines stood at attention at nearly every street corner, glowing softly like beacons offering an endless supply of drinks, warm or cold. Some even seemed to offer snacks like iced cream and sandwiches. The park they passed through was serene, lined with cherry blossom trees that were bare in the season’s chill but still carried an air of elegance. Given another month or two, they would bloom. It was a shame.

Then, just ahead, stood their destination along a main street lined with metal rails for pedestrian safety—a modest but well-lit chain restaurant known for its curry rice. The familiar yellow and brown sign with stylized kanji stood proudly above the entrance, though it was also spelled in English for tourists, and through the large front window, Aurora could see a row of seats at a counter, occupied by customers quietly enjoying their meals. The atmosphere inside was casual but warm, the air thick with the rich aroma of stewed spices and crispy fried cutlets.

As they approached, Akari suddenly gasped and clutched Aurora’s sleeve. “Look! They’re doing a Loopo the Third Kage special!”

Aurora followed her gaze and immediately spotted the life-size cutouts of the famous anime rogue characters near the entrance. The gentleman thief, his sharp-dressed marksman partner, the fiery femme fatale, and their ever-brooding samurai friend were all there, each striking their signature poses. Inside, posters and banners lined the walls advertising limited-time menu items themed around the classic anime, complete with playful names referencing the show.

Akari practically vibrated with excitement. “This is amazing! I didn’t know they were doing a promo here!”

Asami arched a brow, glancing at the display with only mild interest. “Hmph. I suppose it is fitting. Loopo’s gang would enjoy a hearty meal here.”

Aurora smirked. “Big fan, Akari?”

Akari beamed, nodding rapidly. “Of course! Loopo the Third Kage is legendary! It's a masterpiece of classic anime! He’s one of the greatest rogue protagonists ever!”

Asami sighed dramatically. “I would not go that far ….”

Aurora chuckled, shaking her head. These two and their anime obsessions… At least they were being well catered to, half the places they’d walked past seemed to have cute or cartoony mascots too. She stepped forward, pushing the door open.

A soft chime rang as they entered, and instantly, the warm scent of curry, spices, and fried cutlets wrapped around them like a comforting embrace. The restaurant was modestly busy, a few salarymen eating alone at the counter seats, while a couple of families occupied booths along the wall. Near the register, a small manga rack stood next to a vending machine offering soft drinks and coffee.

Akari’s eyes immediately locked onto the rack. “Oh my god! They have the whole run of Loopo the Third Kage!” Without hesitation, she darted over, flipping through the well-worn volumes, grabbing one, and holding it triumphantly. “I’m totally reading this while we eat.”

Aurora snorted. “You act like we’re gonna be here for hours.”

Akari shrugged. “It’s the principle of the thing.”

The three found an empty booth, sliding in comfortably. A friendly waitress, dressed in the chain’s signature uniform with a bright apron, approached with a warm smile.

“<Welcome! Would you like to order now or look at the menu first?>” she asked in flawless Japanese. Aurora wasn’t fluent but she’d watched enough anime herself to be able to recognize plenty of common words, she could fill the rest in based on context.

Aurora scanned the menu briefly but already knew what she wanted. “I’ll have the tonkatsu curry rice, but make the curry pork-based with a level ten heat.”

Akari perked up, immediately slipping into rapid-fire Japanese as she helped translate the order for Aurora, making sure everything was just right.

The waitress smiled knowingly, nodding along, but then she surprised them by smoothly switching to English. “I can take your orders in English if it’s easier.”

Aurora blinked, slightly impressed. “Oh! That’s great. Then I’ll make one change—I’ll take mine at level fifteen heat instead.”

Akari froze mid-motion, eyes wide with horror. “LEVEL FIFTEEN?! Are you insane?!”

Asami tilted her head, amused. “A spicy food enthusiast, are we?”

Aurora grinned. “What? Gotta challenge myself. At least it’s not twenty.”

Akari groaned, placing her head in her hands. “You’re going to die. I swear.”

Still chuckling, Asami tapped a delicate finger against the menu before nodding at the waitress. “I will have the same dish as Aurora, but at level seven heat.”

The waitress jotted the order down, then turned to Akari expectantly.

Akari sighed, giving up. “Fine. I’ll have the classic curry with cheese, but only at level two heat. I want to actually taste my food, okay?”

Aurora snickered, while Asami simply looked mildly disappointed. “Only level two? Akari, I expected better.”

Akari huffed, crossing her arms. “I’m sorry for wanting functioning taste buds!”

The waitress smiled at their banter before nodding. “I’ll have your meals ready soon.” She gave a small bow before heading off.

Asami leaned back, examining Aurora thoughtfully. “Do you really plan to eat level fifteen spice?”

Aurora grinned. “Absolutely.”

Akari groaned again, muttering under her breath. “She’s gonna regret it.Though I might have fire-based powers, they don’t even come close to that kind of heat.”

Their food arrived quickly, steaming plates of golden fried pork cutlets resting atop rich, thick curry sauce, served alongside steaming rice. The aroma alone was mouthwatering.

Asami picked up her spoon elegantly, tasting her dish with measured precision. “Adequate,” she admitted after a moment. “Although it is far from my dream meal, it is certainly satisfying.”

Aurora took a bite of hers, feeling the immediate heat spread across her tongue, and she sighed happily. “Mmm. Now this is good.”

Akari watched in horrified fascination as Aurora shoveled another bite into her mouth. “You… enjoy this? You’re some kind of monster.”

Aurora waggled her eyebrows. “I prefer ‘legend.’” Aurora rubbed her chin thoughtfully, turning her attention to Asami. “I grew up in a vegetarian household which meant plenty of Indian dishes. For a while there it turned into something of a competition to see how hot we could make a meal before it became too much. Turns out, it took quite a lot for me.” Aurora laughed. “Someone close to me has always enjoyed spiking my food with hot sauce or more rarely ghost pepper powder. You know… if you’re so determined to experience true fine dining, why not ask our Hostess AI to provide us with the finest sukiyaki possible when we return?”

Asami paused mid-bite, blinking. Then a grin spread across her lips. “Now that is an idea.” Asami smirked, pleased. “I am glad to see that you have some intelligence, angel girl.”

Akari sighed, resting her cheek on her hand. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or terrified that you two bond over ridiculous food challenges…”

Aurora and Asami shared a conspiratorial look.

“You’ll understand one day, Akari.” Aurora patted her shoulder reassuringly.

“Doubt it.” Akari poked at her food moodily, but the smile tugging at her lips gave her away. “I hope I might one day. Part of why I decided to do this with you was to hang out with girls near my own age. Back home it’s nothing but working at the shrine as a priestess in training, and as far as my powers are concerned, more training, training, training and day to day chores most weeks. I understand that I need greater control over my powers, or maybe a better understanding of them, but when everyone around me is my parents’ or grandparents’ age it gets annoying. I don’t know when I became an otaku. Growing up with anime, it’s probably only natural that I fell in love with it, though a lot of people here frown on it. Probably because it’s everywhere. Anyway, coming to Tokyo with you two is sort of a dream come true.”

Aurora couldn’t help smiling at Akari’s unexpected honesty. “I understand how you feel. I’m not exactly the best at making new friends, myself, so I totally get where you’re coming from. I don’t have many friends my own age either… I didn’t even realize that this will be the first girls night out I’ve ever had. I’m glad I could enjoy this night with the two of you.”

The three continued their meal, chatting and enjoying the atmosphere, already making plans for their next culinary conquest.

After finishing their meals, the girls lingered at their table, each sipping on their chosen drinks, enjoying the last few moments of their meal.

Aurora cradled her iced oolong tea, the cool, slightly bitter brew refreshing against the lingering heat of her level-fifteen spice curry. The ice clinked gently as she swirled her straw. Akari had ordered the same, opting for the classic, lightly floral taste that balanced well after a meal.

Asami, however, sat gracefully with her café com leite gelado, a Brazilian-inspired cold coffee drink mixed with steamed milk and a hint of cane sugar. The drink was smooth, rich, and refined—a fitting choice for her usual air of elegance. She sipped at it with her usual poised composure, while Akari and Aurora downed their teas with far less grace.

Aurora stretched in her seat, tapping her fingers on the table. “So, what’s next? We can’t just call it a night yet, can we?”

Akari perked up immediately, setting her now-empty glass down with a sharp clack. “Okay! Hear me out. We should take the train to Akihabara—anime central, arcades, cool gadgets—everything we could possibly want to see before heading back.”

Aurora raised a brow, amused. “So, more anime merch?”

Akari beamed. “Obviously! And there’s an insane arcade there with the best rhythm games.”

Asami, who had been stirring her drink thoughtfully, finally sighed dramatically. “You are a hopeless otaku, Akari. Completely irredeemable.”

Akari pouted. “Hey! We came to have fun, didn’t we? And I know you like anime, so don’t even pretend you don’t! I’d bet half of my manga collection that you would buy out the store if they sold Goth-loli clothing.”

Asami rolled her eyes but smirked slightly. “Very interesting. I would not mind shopping for a few more gothic victorian dresses for my wardrobe. As far as anime goes, there are more refined ways like that to enjoy Tokyo, you two. What about going to Ginza instead? Perhaps a walk through the Hamarikyu Gardens? It is not too far from here, and we can enjoy the nighttime view of the Tokyo Bay properly.”

Akari groaned dramatically, slumping against the table. “Ughhh, we’re not baachans, Asami.”

Aurora snorted. “I do like the idea of checking out more of Tokyo, but do we really have time to just wander around gardens?”

Asami exhaled sharply, resting her chin on one hand. “Fair point. We should be reasonable. I suppose we can give in to Akari’s obsession yet again.” She took another sip of her café com leite gelado, eyes closed. “But only because I am magnanimous.”

Akari fist-pumped. “Yes! You’re gonna love it, Asami, I swear.”

Aurora chuckled. “Then it’s settled. Akihabara it is.”

Luckily, Shimbashi Station wasn’t far—a ten-minute walk, even at a leisurely pace. The night air was cool and crisp, the glow of the city keeping everything well-lit. The three made their way through the streets, passing salarymen in suits finishing up late dinners and groups of young people heading to bars or karaoke lounges.

Shimbashi Station was a blend of modern and historic—a hub of activity, lined with signs pointing toward various JR and subway lines. The old brickwork of some sections contrasted sharply with the sleek, ultra-modern ticket machines and bright LED departure screens.

The platforms were bustling, even late at night. Aurora took in the constant hum of motion, the rhythmic ding of train doors opening and closing, and the occasional chime of station announcements in both Japanese and English.

Akari expertly navigated the ticket machines, swiftly purchasing three tickets for their trip. “Alright, we’re taking the Yamanote Line through Yurakucho to Tokyo Station, then through Kanda to get to Akihabara. It’s a straight line! Aren’t we lucky we decided to start with Tokyo Tower?”

“You mean Wonton Piece bloody Tokyo Tower,” Aurora said sourly.

“I stand corrected,” Akari said with a teasing expression. She knew how the name change irked Aurora.

Aurora nodded slowly, processing the names. “It’s a solid plan. A straight line up the map. A few stops. It’s like fate. We were meant to do this!”

Akari grinned. “Yes. Very close. We’ll be there in under fifteen minutes. Almost as good as if you flew us, but I’d rather take the train, though I do it all the time in Kyoto. Tokyo is a very different city!”

Their train arrived swiftly, with them standing together on the platform behind the dotted yellow areas. With a rumbling, a clicking along the trick and a whooshing noise, the doors slid open smoothly. Inside, the car was spacious and clean, a stark contrast to the graffiti-covered, creaky trains back in San Isidro. They settled onto one of the bench seats, watching the city blur past outside the large windows as they glided effortlessly through Tokyo’s vibrant heart.

A few people were riding. They mostly kept to themselves, reading or napping after a long shift. There were so few people that they could easily find seats without changing cars. They watched out as they departed the station, enjoying the scenery. It sure felt different here in Tokyo. There was a magical quality to the city.

The mechanical voice announced in Japanese and English when they neared a station. The first was Yurakucho, followed by the larger and more impressive Tokyo Station. When they reached that station, the car they were in was filled to capacity, despite the time. Aurora was startled. Amazing! They rode onwards to Kanda, where some disembarked and a few new passengers replaced those stepping off. It was a challenge to get up and make their way through the crowd to the doors in advance of when Akihabara was announced. 

Outside, brightly lit billboards and massive, flashing neon signs immediately greeted them through the windows. The station itself was modern and bustling, a mix of tourists, locals, and late-night shoppers coming and going.

Aurora was shocked when she felt a hand suddenly grope her backside! Her eyes widened, and she jerked around, catching sight of Asami standing just behind her, a faintly amused smirk on her lips.

“You must remain vigilant, Aurora,” Asami said dryly, her voice calm but laced with a teasing edge. “This city is infamous for perverts on crowded trains.”

“You could have simply told me,” Aurora replied, her cheeks heating with embarrassment and annoyance. She quickly glanced around, making sure no one else had noticed their exchange.

“I felt a demonstration would make the point clearer,” Asami replied matter-of-factly. “Consider it a lesson. Chikan are rampant on crowded trains.”

“Chikan?” Aurora muttered, confusion flickering across her face. “Chicken? What?”

“Perverts,” Asami clarified, rolling her eyes slightly at Aurora's confusion. “Now pay attention. This is a serious issue.”

Aurora shook her head, suppressing a sigh as the train slowed into Akihabara Station. She still didn’t quite understand, but figured Asami probably knew best. The doors slid open, and the trio stepped onto the bustling platform, joining the throng of commuters.

The station was as lively as Tokyo itself, brightly lit and brimming with energy, but Aurora noticed a small group of men gathered near a corner, their eyes trailing them with unsettling intensity. She felt a wave of unease.

Asami also noticed them and immediately placed herself slightly ahead of Aurora and Akari, eyes narrowing protectively. One of the men, dressed in a flamboyant suit with slicked-back hair and a gold chain glinting around his neck, broke away from the group, swaggering over toward them.

“Hey there, ladies,” he purred in Japanese, voice dripping with unwelcome confidence. His eyes lingered blatantly on Aurora and Akari. “Need a guide? Tokyo can be dangerous for pretty foreigners like you.”

“No, thank you,” Asami answered coldly, stepping protectively between him and the other girls. Her stare was icy, posture rigid. “We do not require your assistance.”

The man’s smirk widened, and he stepped closer, clearly unfazed by Asami’s rebuff. “Oh, come on now. Don’t be rude.” He reached out to grab Asami’s arm, but she was quicker, sidestepping smoothly and staring him down with a steely gaze.

“Touch me, and you will regret it,” Asami warned coldly.

The man laughed derisively. “Feisty, huh? I like that.” He lunged again, his friends now closing in, grinning maliciously.

Aurora prepared to intervene, her fingers twitching as light danced subtly around her palms, but Akari stepped forward first, a graceful yet fierce smile appearing on her face. She twirled elegantly, flames sparking and flickering around her fingers, captivating the man's attention with her hypnotic dance.

“Dance with fire, and you may get burned,” Akari said playfully, though her eyes were fierce. The thug hesitated, taken aback by the sudden appearance of flames.

But before things escalated further, a calm, commanding voice echoed from behind. “Is there a problem here?”

Aurora turned to see a tall figure approaching. He had a commanding presence, radiating quiet strength and authority. His black hair was slicked back neatly, and he wore a sharp, well-tailored black suit with a distinctive red shirt beneath. Though not overtly muscular, his posture and confident demeanor made it clear he was not someone to be trifled with.

“And who are you?” sneered the would-be assailant.

“Kazuki Kirima,” he introduced himself coolly, eyes locked firmly on the thug. “And this is not how you treat guests in our city. Leave the girls alone.”

The man laughed, though slightly less confidently this time. “What’s one old guy going to—”

Kazuki’s punch came without warning, swift and brutally precise, dropping the thug instantly to the ground with blood flying through the air. His companions surged forward, turning the platform into a chaotic brawl. Aurora instinctively stepped forward, sending brilliant pulses of light toward any attacker who approached too close, pushing them back with powerful repulsive force.

Akari danced fluidly, her flames intimidating and scattering the remaining assailants, leaving trails of harmless but startling fire. Beside them, Asami fought elegantly yet ruthlessly, each strike deliberate, precise, and devastatingly effective. Even without weapons, she was formidable, gracefully dodging blows and countering with sharp, practiced efficiency.

Kazuki moved through the fight like a seasoned warrior, his punches and kicks unrelenting, controlled yet explosive. “You girls better get off the platform here,” he called to them as more yakuza appeared, adding to the chaos.

Asami nodded sharply, eyes narrowing as she backed away. “Understood. Thank you, Kazuki Kirima. We will not forget your assistance.”

Kazuki smirked, deflecting another blow effortlessly. “It’s nothing. Get going.”

Aurora hesitated briefly, looking back at the unfolding battle, then followed Asami and Akari down the escalator and away, the sounds of violence fading behind them. She took a deep breath, adrenaline still pumping through her veins, as they stepped onto the bustling platform of Akihabara Station, the crowd around them oblivious to what had just occurred.

Asami adjusted her jacket calmly. “Welcome to Tokyo.”

Aurora felt a little disoriented; this station didn’t feel much different from the others, but the fistfight they'd just left behind was certainly unusual. She recalled reading about how peaceful Japan was supposed to be.

The girls joined the flow of people heading toward the station’s nearest exit, Akari practically bouncing in excitement.

“We made it!” she cheered, eyes sparkling.

Aurora paused for a moment to absorb the overwhelming scene before them. The streets were lined with towering electronics stores, vibrant anime and gaming shops, and arcades filled with claw machines flashing invitingly. Massive LED billboards displayed animated advertisements, some showcasing upcoming anime releases, others promoting the latest gaming consoles. Vending machines dotted the sidewalks alongside the obligatory fenced-off pedestrian areas.

Akari pointed excitedly toward a huge anime merchandise shop. “We have to check this place out before we hit the arcade, okay?!”

Aurora sighed playfully, while Asami shook her head slightly, an amused glint in her eyes. “Otaku,” she muttered.

Akari ignored the jab, already dragging her friends toward the first shop.

With the unexpected scuffle against the thugs being their only encounter with trouble, they finally arrived at their destination—the otaku capital of the world. Akari, bursting with boundless enthusiasm, was already darting from shop window to shop window, her face practically pressed against the glass each time something new caught her eye—which, unsurprisingly, was often. Aurora and Asami trailed behind her at a more leisurely pace, enjoying their hot canned coffee they'd purchased from a vending machine a few moments earlier. The warmth radiated pleasantly through the metal cans into their fingers, offering a comforting contrast against the crisp chill of the night air.

“Come on! We don’t have all night!” Akari called back, practically vibrating with excitement.

Asami sighed dramatically, taking a slow sip of her coffee. “You act like you’ve never been in an anime shop before.”

Aurora smirked. “I think she’s just overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it. This place is her Mecca after all.”

Akari turned back to them with wide, gleaming eyes. “No, it’s better than that, this is Akihabara! This is the real deal! Kyoto is not insignificant compared with Tokyo, but these are the biggest, best, and most packed stores in all of Nippon!”

Aurora watched with amusement as Akari rushed ahead again, peering into another storefront before gasping in delight. It wasn’t until she froze in front of one particular shop that Aurora realized they were actually going inside to check out.

“They have the ultra-rare transformation scene edition!” Akari pressed her hands against the glass, her breath fogging up the display window.

Aurora and Asami exchanged glances before following her inside. The store was overwhelming, every inch of space packed with merchandise—figures, plushies, keychains, posters, and art books arranged by franchise. Bright TV screens looped anime openings at full volume while fans crowded the aisles, debating over the latest releases.

Akari flitted from one aisle to another, grabbing everything from character mugs to limited-edition Blu-rays, only to put them back seconds later, torn between her options.

Asami, unimpressed, folded her arms. “So this is what true degeneracy looks like.”

Aurora chuckled. “Let her have her fun. I get the feeling she’s kept on a pretty short leash at home so she probably doesn’t get many chances to cut loose like this. Besides, it’s not every day you get to visit the holy land of anime consumerism.”

After much deliberation, Akari finally settled on a holographic keychain of her favorite Yakuzoo character, Kiryoo, clutching it protectively as she made her way to the counter. “I had to be reasonable,” she said mournfully. “There was too much I wanted.”

“Very responsible of you,” Aurora teased.

Asami took a long sip of her coffee. “Pathetic.”

“Shut up,” Akari grumbled, stuffing the keychain into her bag.

Their next stop was an arcade, its entrance glowing with neon signs promising endless entertainment. Inside, the space was packed with machines, each surrounded by enthusiastic players locked in intense battles of button-mashing, rhythm-matching, and precision aiming.

Akari’s eyes locked onto a massive rhythm game setup. She grinned. “There it is.”

Aurora raised an eyebrow. “You said that way too seriously.”

“This is where I thrive,” Akari declared.

The game featured four large panels that lit up in sync with the beat of the music. A leaderboard displayed the top scores, and Akari tapped the screen, pulling up her ranking from Kyoto.

“You… have a registered player ID?” Asami asked.

Akari beamed smugly. “Oh yeah.”

She slid a sleek-looking card into the machine, and her saved data loaded, displaying an anime-styled character greeting her. She immediately set the game to her favorite song, her fingers hovering over the controls in anticipation as she hummed along.

Aurora and Asami stepped back as the music began. Akari’s hands moved with precision, hitting the notes flawlessly, her body shifting instinctively with the rhythm. The bright flashes of the game reflected in her eyes, her entire demeanor shifting from bubbly to laser-focused intensity.

Aurora exchanged a look with Asami. “Okay, that’s actually impressive.”

Asami huffed. “I suppose.”

For the next few rounds, Akari dominated, racking up perfect scores. When she finally stepped away, slightly flushed but grinning, she turned to them expectantly. “Who’s next?”

Aurora raised her hands in surrender. “No way. I have a reputation to protect.”

Asami scoffed. “You should not waste time with children’s games.”

Akari pouted. “You two are no fun.”

Before they left, Akari dragged them to a visual novel machine, grinning mischievously.

Aurora frowned. “Wait… you play these?”

“Not just any visual novel—this one,” Akari said proudly. “I have progress saved from Kyoto!”

She inserted her card, and the machine loaded her data, displaying a romance-heavy story with a cute anime girl in the center.

Aurora groaned. “Oh, come on!”

Akari ignored her, navigating the dialogue with practiced ease. Asami smirked. “So, are you winning?”

“Of course,” Akari said confidently.

The screen flashed red soon after. The girl she had been pursuing looked visibly upset, her dialogue sharp.

Akari’s smug expression dropped instantly.

“No… no, no, no.” She clicked desperately, trying to salvage the situation.

Aurora leaned in. “Wait… are you getting dumped?”

Asami snickered. “In real-time? This is spectacular.”

Akari’s jaw dropped as the final words appeared on screen:

"’I just don’t think we’re meant to be’?!" Akari practically screamed.

Aurora and Asami burst into laughter.

Asami tugged her away from the machine, still chuckling smugly. “Alright, that’s enough heartbreak for one night. We need to head back—we’ve only got four hours before sunrise.”

Akari pouted but reluctantly followed. “Tonight was still a win.”

Aurora grinned. “Yeah… let’s call it that.”

Once they stepped outside, Aurora let her wings unfold and every otaku in sight froze in place, staring at her transformation. Cellphones came out immediately followed by what was effectively strobe lighting as they recorded video and took pictures of her. She winked and waved as she put her arms around the other two, extending her aura around them and launching into the air.

Akari gasped. “I don't think I will ever get used to that any time soon. I left my stomach on the street.”

“Sorry, I had to hurry.” Aurora laughed. “We’d have been mobbed by otaku if I didn’t jump.” The three of them giggled, though Akari nursed an upset stomach as they rocketed away from Tokyo back north along the coastline. Thankfully, due to how safe Tokyo tended to be they had a wonderful night together and none were the wiser. When they returned to their room, Akari simply plopped her swag beside her bed and they all quickly went off to dreamland. 

Sadly, early the next morning they were blasted out of bed by a tremendous racket. 

There truly was no rest for the weary.