Chapter 5: Spinning the World!

Inside a quiet bookstore in Amsterdam, Haru and Elise stood in front of a large, antique earth globe. The golden frame gleamed under the warm lighting, and Haru's fingers twitched with excitement.

"This is how we're deciding..?" Elise asked skeptically.

"Yup!" Haru grinned. "One spin, one point, and that's our next destination. No takebacks."

Elise sighed. "Fine, but if we land in the middle of the ocean. I'm spinning again."

Haru spun the globe dramatically, and as it slowed, he jabbed his finger at a random spot.

Elise leaned in. "Where did you land?"

Haru squinted. "Oh… huh. That's interesting."

Elise read the name aloud. "Colmar, France."

She blinked. "Wait.. isn't that-?"

"A ridiculously underrated, fairytale-looking town? Yup!" Haru finished, grinning.

Without hesitation, they booked their tickets.

As their train pulled into Colmar, they were immediately greeted by a scene that looked like it had been frozen in time. The town was a stunning blend of French and German influence, with half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and a canal system that reflected the charming pastel buildings.

"Holy crap.." Haru breathed. "We've been isekai'd into a medieval fantasy setting."

Elise laughed. "It's like something out of a G**bli film."

They wandered through the narrow streets, the air filled with the scent of fresh bread and blooming flowers. Unlike the bustling tourist hubs of Paris or Nice, Colmar had a slow, peaceful rhythm.

A small canal boat glided past, and the boatman called out in French, "Bienvenue à Colmar! Vous venez de Paris?" (Welcome to Colmar! Are you from Paris?)

Elise, who had picked up some French in university, responded, "Non, nous voyageons à travers le monde." (No, we're traveling around the world.)

The boatman chuckled. "Alors, vous avez choisi le plus bel endroit!" (Then you've chosen the most beautiful place!)

Haru nodded enthusiastically. "I don't even need to understand French to agree with that."

They strolled through La Petite Venise, the most picturesque part of the town. The timber-framed houses, some dating back to the 13th century, stood like colorful puzzle pieces along the canals.

"Can you imagine living here?" Elise mused. "Waking up to this view every day?"

Haru smirked. "I'd probably get lost every morning, but yeah, I could get used to this."

They stopped at a small café, ordering tarte flambée, a thin, crispy Alsatian dish similar to pizza but topped with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon.

As Haru took his first bite, his eyes widened. "Elise. This. Is. Life-changing!"

She rolled her eyes. "You say that about every local food we try."

"Because I have a deep appreciation for culture."

"Uh-huh. Culture. Not just food."

As the sun set, Colmar transformed into an even more enchanting sight. The lantern lit streets, the reflection of the golden lights on the canals it was as if the town itself was telling a centuries-old story.

Haru leaned against a bridge railing. "This might be the most peaceful place we've visited."

Elise nodded. "It's a hidden gem. Not as crowded as Paris, but just as rich in history."

A violinist played a soft melody in the distance, and for a moment, the world felt perfectly still.

Then Haru ruined the moment. "So, uh… does this mean we've unlocked a secret RPG village?"

Elise groaned. "You really can't be serious for five minutes, can you?"

He grinned. "Nope."

Laughing, they continued their walk through Colmar, knowing that tomorrow.. another adventure awaited.