(NOTE: Names of places mentioned in the novel and this particular chapter has nothing to do with the original places, this is just to satisfy the readers expectation and excitement.)
The next day in Japan, Avia woke up early to prepare for the day, she was about to enter the bathroom when her phone beeped Alphašš(the way she saved Emmett contact)called, she smile before picking up. "Good morning Chameleon"Emmett greeted from the other side
"Good morning Alpha"She greeted back with a smile
"Are you ready for the day?"Emmett asked
"Just waking up"Avia replied stretching out
"Very lazy girl"Emmett teased her
"Are you picking me up?"Avia asked ignoring his teasing
"Yes, I will be there in few minutes"Emmett said
"Okay, see you"Avia replied and hang up.
She rushed to the bathroom to have a hot shower, the weather seems cold today, after bathing she walked to her closet to pick an outfit. She chose a black no-show underwear, baby pink crop top, sleek black jeans, cozy collared cardigan for the weather, black wool beret to keep her cool, rose winter scarf, gold studded high gloves and a comfy combat boots. She did a mint chocolate make-up and styled her hair in Jennifer big waves, to compliment her dressing she carried a delicate pink mini bag, she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled at herself "I look perfect"She said smiling happily.
Few minutes later, Emmett is at the mansion to pick her up, his physique is definitely one to die for, he's putting on a brown outwear which is covering his inner wear, a black trouser, a scarf and gloves, he looks like he came out from a novel, Avia was stunned looking at the man standing beside his black car crossed-leg. "Hi Emmett"She waved, Emmett looks at her and was dumbstruck, he opened his mouth looking at the beautifully dressed lady walking towards him, no one will believe she's a teen. "Hey Alpha"She snapped her finger "Oh sorry, you look so beautiful that I can't keep my eyes off you"He complimented "Let's go, enough with the stupid joke"Avia blushed. He open the passenger door for her like the gentleman he is before going to the driver seat, he drive along the road staring at Avia every now and then.
The car finally stopped in front of a gate, Avia looked outside and saw that the place is busy, she turn to the driver side and see that Emmett is no longer there, then she heard his voice asking her to come down. They entered inside the gate not talking to each other "Where is this?"Avia finally broke the silence "This is SensÅ-ji a Buddhist temple in special wards of Tokyo, Japan"Emmett replied
"Wow, this place is nice and big, so beautiful too"Avia looked around with amazement
"Yes, it is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is Tokyo's oldest temple, and one of its most significant. It is dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of compassion"Emmett explained as they walk forward
"You know so much"Avia replied looking at him
"What do you expect from someone who studied history?"Emmett said with pride "History? Wow"Avia was amazed then she pointed at the statue at the gate "Kaminarimon is the first thing you see after leaving theĀ AsakusaĀ Subway Station. A large red lantern is its mark. On both sides of the gate stand statues which are images of the gods of wind and thunder, Fujin and Raijin. The lantern is 3.9 meters in length and 3.3 meters in diameter, weighing 700 kilograms. When you look up at it from close by, you will be surprised by its powerful presence."Emmett explained pointing at the Kaminarimon and the gate
"Adjacent to the temple is a five story pagoda, the Asakusa Shinto shrine, as well as many shops with traditional goods in the Nakamise-DÅri."He explained showing her the buildings
"Oh, I will like to buy something from the shops, let's check them out"Avia said and rushed to the shop, Emmett follow her immediately. She bought literally from all the shops
"This things are nice and I love them"Avia beamed
"Buy as much as you want"Emmett said looking at her happy face
"I'm done buying, where are we going next?"She asked looking around
"The Hozomon"Emmett replied "Hozomon?"She asked looking at him "Hozomon is the gate following Kaminarimon, and there is a main hall ahead of this gate. The images of Nio are standing on the left and right of Hozomon. They are the gatekeepers of theĀ temple, protecting the Buddha from bad things. Their characteristics are the powerful faces that look like they might come to life at any moment. Displayed on the rear side of the gate are two giant straw sandals waraji, each measuring 4.5 meters in length."He explained as they walk down to the Hozomon
"Wow this place is really nice"Avia said looking at the Hozomon
"I can see this is your first time having fun in Japan"Emmett said
"Yeah, I regret not having this kind of fun earlier"She replied looking around
"The next is to purify ourselves before visiting the temple"He said pointing at the eight dragons
"Wow this is nice"Avia said and run to the eight dragons
"Purify your mind and body at the Omizusha that is water hut before visiting the Kannon of SensÅ-jiĀ Temple. Draw water flowing from the mouths of eight dragons to prepare for the visit." He explained
"How do I do that?"Avia asked with confusion "You can refer to the procedure which is described in the hut with pictures"He pointed at pictures and they followed the procedures illustrated
"Next on let's purify ourselves with smoke"He said and they move forward
"Smoke? How do we do that?"Avia asked surprisingly
"There is a Jokoro that is normal incense burner in front of the main hall, which smoke rises from. According to the folk belief, if you touch the smoke to unhealthy parts of your body, it will recover. You can give it a try. If you want to burn incense, you can buy a bundle for 100 JPY at the building next door."He explained and Avia rushed to buy a bundle of incense
"Now let's purify ourselves"Avia said and they begin to burn the incense. Avia put the smoke on her heart, Emmett was watching her all along and smile at her childish act.
"What next Alpha?"She asked smiling all through "Visiting the main hall"He said and they move towards the main hall "Any story behind the main hall?"She asked knowing he will have something to say
"1300 years ago, there was Kannon caught in the net of brothers fishing in the nearby SumidaĀ River. This Kannon is enshrined in the main hall. The present building was rebuilt in 1958."He explained with a smile
"You are intelligent, any instructions?"She said "Enter theĀ templeĀ from the open door, and put your hands together quietly."He said and they entered the temple together. After coming out of the temple, Emmett showed Avia some pictures on his phone, she was unaware he has been taking pictures of her all this while "You are good at taking pictures, this picture is really nice"Avia said looking at every picture "You are welcome to the unheard thanks"Emmett laughed "Is this all?"Avia asked looking around "After visiting Kannon, let's draw an omikuji."Emmett replied as they walk towards the place "Isn't that fortune telling?"Avia asked to be sure "Different from fortune-telling, omikuji is the message from Kannon."Emmett replied "How do we get the message? Sounds ridiculous"Avia asked with curiosity "There areĀ barsĀ in a wooden box, numbered from 1 to 100. Shake the box and receive the paper with the number of theĀ barĀ coming out of the box. It says your fortune in the future."He replied looking at the curious teen beside him "Sounds fun"She beamed and tried what he said "I got number eight, wow this is amazing"She jumped around happily like a little girl "What does it says?"Emmett asked curiously "It is written in Japanese, I will translate it with Google translate"Avia said keeping it in her delicate pink mini bag, Emmett did his own too and kept his paper from her too. "Now let's go to the final place"Emmett said and hold her hands in his "Where?"Avia asked not noticing their fingers are intertwined "The 48 meter five story pagoda"Emmett replied looking at their intertwined fingers like that of couple "Can we go in?"Avia asked curiously "No, you can look around the grounds, you cannot enter the five-story pagoda."He replied holding her closer to him "So what is there to do?"She asked feeling sad "Its towering appearance in the sky is a great spot for taking photos. The bones of Buddha are enshrined on the top floor. I can take nice pictures for you"He said making her smile. Avia moved to the front of the building and Emmett took different pictures of her as she pose.
Finally, it is time to leave the sensÅ-ji temple, they've spent all their morning and afternoon at the temple. "Are you hungry?"Emmett asked as they walk out of the gate towards his car "I guess"She replied looking at their intertwined fingers "I know a good restaurant that serves the best ume shio ramen"Emmett said as he walk her to the passenger seat "I will love to try the ramen"Avia said as she sits in the car opened by Emmett. Emmett walked to the driver side and drive off, few minutes later they stopped in front of a local restaurant, the owner recognized Emmett immediately "Hey my son"He greeted "Good evening Sir"Emmett greeted back "Good evening Sir"Avia greeted him too and the old man stare at her and back to Emmett "Is she my daughter in-law?"The man asked with a smile, Emmett and Avia looked at each other and didn't say a word to convince the man "Oh, now I understand, free ramen for my lovely children"The man said and left.
Sudden awkwardness was between the two of them, they waited for the ramen, he's a regular customer so the man knows what he will order, soon their order was there with a juice. They ate to their heart content but the awkward silence could not be evaded. The old man came to sit with them after seeing that they finished their food "My son, are you both coming from the temple?"He asked "Yes, I took her to the temple,"Emmett replied "Can I see your Omikuji?"The man asked and they both handed their paper to him, Emmett and Avia looked at each other avoiding glances "Wow, my daughter fortune says Sue-kichi meaning blessings to come and for you my son it says Dai-kichi meaning great blessings"The old man said then look at the two of them avoiding each other stare "Son, why didn't you choose a language you understand?"The old man asked knowing this is not his first time at the temple "I actually don't want to intrude her privacy with the Omikuji"He lied avoiding Avia's glare "He didn't tell me they were various language"Avia scorned and the man laughed. Few minutes later, the duo get up to leave, they drove back to Avia's mansion, the whole ride was unnecessarily quiet, none of them said a word to each other.
They got to the Simpson mansion, Avia got down and waved good bye without saying a word to him and Emmett drove away after watching her walk angrily inside.
AVIA'S POV
I just met this guy three days ago and I am already feeling different, the first day I met him, I was not even myself and we've only had dinner once. Is this what they call love? No this can't be love, I love Carl not Emmett. Less I forget, Carl belongs to someone else, I really don't want to give love another chance but I am always happy when I'm with Emmett. But have I really given love a chance before? No I guess, I didn't even get to spend time with Carl. I don't think I love Emmett though, maybe I just like his company, yeah that is what it is, I love his company. But why did I get angry when I realized he didn't tell me about the Omikuji? Just normal feelings I get. What about when that old man said was I his daughter in-law? I didn't deny it. I'm overthinking I guess.