After a few hours of singing their hearts out at Karaoke no Tetsujin, the group left the karaoke booth feeling exhilarated. The neon lights of Akihabara seemed even brighter now that the night had fully set in. The bustling streets were still alive with energy as tourists and locals explored the otaku haven.
Kitsune (stretching):
"Ahh, that was fun! But now it's time to head back."
Taiyo (yawning):
"Yeah, I'm beat. Let's head home."
Yuki (glancing around):
"Wait... what's that over there?"
Her eyes caught sight of the glowing facade of Akihabara Radio Kaikan, one of the most famous spots for electronics, anime goods, and collectibles. Without waiting for a response, she wandered toward it, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Kitsune (sighing with a smile):
"There she goes. Guess we're not going home yet!"
The group followed Yuki, and soon enough, they were all browsing through the aisles of anime merchandise, from figurines to keychains. Yuki was captivated by a limited-edition figure of her favorite character from One Piece, while Taiyo tried (and failed) to convince one of the gyaru crew to buy a life-sized cardboard cutout of a magical girl character.
---
Next Stop: Super Potato
As they left Radio Kaikan, Ayumi, one of the gyaru crew members, pointed out Super Potato, the retro gaming paradise.
Ayumi:
"Omg, we have to check this place out! They've got all the old consoles and games!"
Yuki, who had a soft spot for retro games, couldn't resist. The group spent nearly an hour wandering through the cramped yet nostalgic store. Yuki found a mint-condition Game Boy Advance SP and nearly cried when she saw a copy of Pokémon FireRed. Kitsune, meanwhile, was busy laughing at Taiyo, who got stuck in front of a vintage pachinko machine.
---
The Train Ride Home
Finally realizing how late it was, they decided it was time to leave Akihabara. They made their way to Akihabara Station, passing the famous Electric Town Exit. Kitsune and Taiyo used their Suica cards to board the JR Yamanote Line heading toward Shibuya Station.
Taiyo (teasing Yuki):
"You looked like a kid in a candy store back there. I thought you were gonna move into Super Potato!"
Yuki (pouting):
"I just really love retro games, okay?!"
As the train rattled along, the group chatted and laughed, their energy infectious to the other passengers. Kitsune's gyaru crew, always loud and unapologetic, caught the attention of a few foreign tourists who seemed both amused and bewildered by their antics.
---
A Stop at Shibuya Crossing
Upon arriving at Shibuya Station, the group couldn't resist stopping by Shibuya Crossing, one of Tokyo's most iconic landmarks. The gyaru crew insisted on taking selfies in the middle of the scramble, posing dramatically as if they were in a music video.
Kitsune (holding her phone):
"Alright, everyone, strike a pose! Let's make this one for the books!"
Yuki awkwardly joined in, feeling a little out of place among the confident gyarus, but her shy smile won everyone over.
Taiyo (mocking her):
"Yuki, you're supposed to pose, not look like you're about to faint!"
Yuki (gritting her teeth):
"Shut up, Taiyo!"
---
Finally Heading Home
After the impromptu photo session, they resumed their journey. Kitsune, Taiyo, and Yuki walked toward their respective homes near Miyamasuzaka, just a short distance from Shibuya Station. Kitsune's gyaru crew slowly peeled off one by one as they reached their own homes, but not before showering Yuki with compliments and goodbyes.
Gyaru 1:
"Yuki, you were amazing tonight! Let's hang out again soon!"
Gyaru 2:
"Yeah, next time, don't be so shy. You've got a lot of hidden talents, girl!"
Yuki (blushing):
"T-Thanks, I'll try..."
Soon, it was just Yuki, Kitsune, and Taiyo walking together.
Kitsune (grinning):
"You know, Yuki, you're not so bad. Maybe you'll survive high school after all."
Yuki (smirking):
"Gee, thanks. I'll try my best not to disappoint."
As they reached the apartment building across from Shibuya Station where Yuki lived (3-8-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), she waved goodbye to Kitsune and Taiyo, who lived just a few blocks away in a traditional two-story house.
Yuki (murmuring as she unlocked her door):
"Today was... exhausting. But maybe it wasn't so bad after all."
She stepped inside, ready to collapse on her bed and prepare for whatever chaos awaited her the next day.