Chapter 34: False Advertisement

Angelie was standing near the female restrooms. She was catching her breath while still looking at several directions. She then heard a flushing sound coming from the restroom. After a while, someone came out of the restroom while wiping their hands with a handkerchief. It was Sanaka.

"Sanaka-san! We've been looking around for you!"

Angelie rushed over to Sanaka and grabbed her shoulders

"Sorry, Angelie-san. My stomach suddenly hurt and well, you know, I had to run quickly. Must have been the lunch we had."

Sanaka laughed as she put her hand behind her head.

"I'm pretty sure it's all those pastries you ate earlier."

Angelie sighed but then smiled at Sanaka.

"You can't blame those cute and delicious pastries! They were too good to cause me pain!"

Sanaka pouted her lips at Angelie.

"I don't think that has anything to do with your stomach acting up. Anyway, let's go to the exit. They must be waiting there already."

Angelie grabbed Sanaka's hand and dragged her towards the exit. As they were walking, Sanaka put her finger on her chin and looked up.

"I wonder if we can buy any food at Ginkakuji—"

"Don't even think about that!"

Angelie looked back at Sanaka.

---

Sanaka and Angelie reached the exit and the others were waiting there. Sanaka bowed and apologized at Sumire and Mizumi for running off without saying anything. She explained what happened and on what she blamed it on. They then went outside and boarded their bus. The travel time going to Ginkakuji was just short. They arrived there and everyone got out of the bus.

Ginkakuji consisted of the famous Silver Pavilion, a unique dry sand garden, a beautiful moss garden and some other temple buildings. The tourist site could be enjoyed by walking around a circular route surrounding the grounds, from which the buildings and gardens could be viewed.

The first thing that can be seen upon entering the circular path is the Silver Pavilion. Despite its name, the building is not covered in silver. It was assumed that it was just a nickname given to it to rival the famous Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion, which was also located in Kyoto. Alternatively, it was said that the previous iteration of the building was colored in dark lacquer and the moonlight it reflected at night made it look like it was silver.

Next along the circular route was the meticulously maintained dry sand garden, known as 'Sea of Silver Sand', with a large sand cone known as 'Moon Viewing Platform'. There was also a temple beside it which could not be entered.

After the sand garden came the old temple building known as Togudo. Its architecture comprised mostly of the use of tatami mats. The building and its rooms were not usually accessible to the public.

Then, after the Togudo was the beautiful moss garden, which featured ponds with islands and bridges, little streams and various plants. The path led to a hill they could climb and have a better view of the gardens and even the city. Finally, one could have a better view of the Silver Pavilion before exiting the grounds.

Again, Sanaka, Mizumi and Sumire were walking ahead as they entered Ginkakuji. Angelie and Akuma were walking closely behind them.

"Damn that Sanaka, making me move around unnecessarily. I knew she'd get a stomachache from eating all those breads earlier. "

Akuma glared at Sanaka's back.

"That's what I said to her. But she just couldn't blame the pastries because they're cute."

Angelie shook her head.

The two of them looked at each other. They were surprised that they agreed on something, so they quickly looked away.

---

Once inside, they saw the Silver Pavilion. The three girls in front were taking pictures of it. Akuma and Angelie stood behind them.

"Silver Pavilion? It’s not even made of silver. That is some misleading name."

Akuma stared at the Silver Pavilion that was not made of silver.

"It's just a nickname they gave this one to rival that of the Golden Pavilion. Some say that back then, it was colored with black lacquer and the reflected moonlight made it look like silver."

Angelie condescendingly explained to Akuma.

"Tsk. Know it all. And a Golden Pavilion? I bet that one's not made of gold either."

Akuma made a side glance at Angelie.

"You'll find out tomorrow. Then you could correct your ignorance."

Angelie was grinning while facing the Silver Pavilion. Her air of superiority emanated as she closed her eyes and stood beside Akuma.

"Whatever."

Akuma started walking towards Sanaka and the others. The three girls were already near the dry sand garden. Angelie slowly opened her eyes since it became quiet around her. She saw that Akuma had already walked away.

"Hey! Don't leave me here! Say something if you're going to move already, you idiot Demon Lord!"

She ran after Akuma and the others.

---

They arrived at the dry sand garden. They were amazed how the sand were designed and arranged meticulously. The girls took pictures with it as the background. Akuma refused to join them.

"What's so great about sand?"

He talked to himself as he waited for the girls to finish taking pictures. When they were done, they continued walking along the path. Angelie called out to Akuma.

"Hurry up! What a slowpoke."

"You're the one who got left behind just earlier, you damn Saint. Ugh, why am I stuck with you? This better not happen tomorrow as well!"

Akuma walked towards Angelie, who surprisingly waited for him

"It's just because we're not allowed to go around on our own. I don't want to disrupt Sanaka-san and the others while they are bonding now as new friends. Surely, tomorrow I'll be joining them, so you won't have to worry about that."

Angelie then walked ahead of Akuma. He followed her after heaving a sigh.

---

The group went past the Togudo and went directly to the moss garden. When they arrived there, the three girls immediately took pictures. Akuma and Angelie crossed a small bridge and stood at the edge of a small island. It was so that while waiting for the other three, they wouldn't stand in the way of others who wanted to go on ahead.

"I can't wait for this to end. I want to sleep in the hotel already."

Akuma was facing the crowd of people passing through the small island. Angelie, who was beside him, was facing the pond and was taking pictures.

The number of people suddenly surged and the island became to crowded. Someone bumped into Angelie. Akuma saw it happen. He also saw that Angelie was falling towards the pond. He then unconsciously held out his arm. Angelie, while trying to twist her body to avoid falling, saw Akuma's arm. She immediately grabbed it. Akuma pulled her up and Angelie stood properly. Both of them saw that they were holding each other's hand. They quickly pulled away their hands.

"What are you doing, grabbing my hand like that?!"

Akuma shouted while looking away from Angelie.

"What?! You were the one who grabbed me!"

Angelie's face turned red. She was looking at Akuma.

"W-why would I do that? A-anyway, you should be thanking me because if my hand wasn't there for you to grab, you'd already be dripping wet by now."

Akuma was still looking away.

"Huh? Just admit that you wanted to save me, which was why you grabbed my hand!"

Angelie kept on staring at Akuma while his face was turned away. Then, he turned his head and faced Angelie.

"Look, you're imagining things! You grabbed me—"

Someone bumped into Akuma. He started to lean back towards the pond. The whole time he was staring at Angelie. She didn't reach out her hand to help him. He started to fling around his arms and bend his back to get his balance. He was able to stand straight and didn't fall into the pond. After he breathed out a sigh of relief, he glared at Angelie.

"Why didn't you reach out your hand to help me?! I was about to fall into the water!"

"And then what? Shove it to my face that I wanted to help you? No way."

Angelie turned her head away from Akuma.

"I wonder who's the real Demon Lord around here."

Akuma kept on glaring at Angelie.

---

The group exited Ginkakuji after the two's argument started to attract attention. It was almost evening now. They would now return to the hotel to eat and rest up for tomorrow's itinerary.

Sanaka, Mizumi and Sumire were again walking ahead of Angelie and Akuma. The two were looking away from each other. Then, Mizumi and Sumire discreetly looked back at Angelie and Akuma. Sanaka noticed what the two girls were doing.

"Hey, is there something wrong?"

Sanaka asked the two of them. Mizumi and Sumire looked at each other and then nodded. Mizumi whispered into Sanaka's ear. After Mizumi finished talking, Sanaka's eyes widened. When she was about to say something, Sumire then covered Sanaka's mouth. The three girls then went aboard the bus followed by Angelie and Akuma.