ebookslot Chapter 538 - 510: Married Maiden
Chapter 538 - 510: Married Maiden
That night, The Keeper Forrester really did slaughter the sugar pig he had been raising for three years, eating it clean with nothing left over.The next day, they went to Nara, mainly to take Sienna Thornton to see the deer at Nara Park.
As soon as they got off the car and hadn’t yet reached the park, Sienna saw a group of tourist girls wearing beautiful kimonos heading to the park, so she tugged on Simon Forrester’s arm, speaking softly, "Honey, I want to wear a kimono too."
"Sure." Simon Forrester smiled meaningfully, "Let’s buy a few sets to take home."
They found a shop selling kimonos on a nearby shopping street, and Sienna picked out a kimono with a grapefruit pink base and white-pink overlapping cherry blossom patterns.
The shop assistant smiled and spoke to her in English, asking if she was married, which Sienna didn’t understand for a moment.
Simon pointed to the sleeves of the kimono she had chosen: "The one you picked is a furisode kimono, typically worn by unmarried young women."
As he spoke, he pulled out a kimono with a purple base and light pink cherry blossom patterns on the sleeves and hem from the rack beside him, and compared it against her: "This tomesode kimono is what married women wear."
"Huh? Women?" Sienna chuckled, "Can’t there be married girls? Why do you immediately become a woman once married?"
Simon burst out laughing.
Sienna looked down at the kimono he was holding up against her, and complained, "This style is a bit old-fashioned, not suitable for an old girl like me."
Simon laughed, and then exchanged a few words in English with the shop assistant, who quickly brought out a kimono with a soft pink base and beige floral and grass patterns on the hem and sleeves.
Sienna tried it on in front of the mirror, finding it satisfactory, she quickly went in to change.
While waiting outside for her, Simon picked a few sets of pajamas and bathrobes for when they visit the hot springs at Fuji.
As he was paying, he suddenly heard a soft voice call out to him: "Otousann~"
Turning around, he saw Sienna dressed in a pink kimono, walking towards him with her head slightly bowed.
She had styled her hair into a bun that matched the kimono, with her long bangs parted in a four-six style and pinned behind her ears, giving her a graceful and elegant look.
Wearing geta sandals, she carried a small handbag in both hands in front of her, walking gingerly like a Japanese lady until she stopped before him, slightly bowing and softly saying in Japanese: "Otousann, thank you for waiting."
It was the first time he saw her in a kimono, and he felt a peculiar sensation rushing from his heart to his head.
Simon was stunned for a few seconds, his gaze intense. Snapping out of it, he smiled and pulled her into his arms, whispering something in Japanese.
Sienna didn’t understand, so she leaned closer to his ear and asked, "What does that mean?"
He smiled without speaking, and turned away to pay.
.
Leaving Sienna’s clothes and the extra kimonos at the store, they walked to Nara Park.
The weather was nice, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
They bought two bags of deer crackers to enter the park. In the spring, Nara Park was lush with greenery, and herds of deer played freely, exuding vitality everywhere.
The park was filled with many free-roaming deer. Tourists from around the world interacted with the deer, and screams of excitement from tourists could be heard interspersed with the deer, both big and small, gathered around.
However... there were deer droppings everywhere, and the air was filled with the smell of deer dung.
Simon’s expression changed slightly; just as he was about to speak, Sienna also frowned and asked, "It stinks, why did you come here specifically to smell deer poop?"
Simon held his breath: "I thought you liked cats, so I figured you’d like deer too."
Sienna pursed her lips, yet continued breathing normally: "Cats keep themselves very clean, but these deer seem unbathed and a bit smelly, I don’t like it."
Simon clearly couldn’t stand the smell more than she could, holding her hand as he immediately wanted to leave.
She stayed put, said "Hey," and raised the deer crackers in her hand: "Since we’re here, let’s feed these before leaving, no need to waste them."
Simon, focused on holding his breath, didn’t reply, and led her towards where more deer were gathered.
.
With Simon helping to scatter the deer crackers, two bags were quickly emptied.
On the way to The Great Eastern Temple, Sienna complained: "The deer here are a bit realistic."
Simon had been busy scattering crackers and holding his breath, without noticing if the deer were realistic or dreamy.
Sienna remarked: "Give them crackers and they’ll follow you around and even nod at you. But once the crackers are gone, they leave immediately, and even if you nod at those too slow to leave, they just ignore you. Really clever yet realistic."
Simon chuckled: "Almost becoming human-like, aren’t they?"
"Aren’t they just?" Sienna thought of Felix Raines, "Just like Felix Raines!"
Simon put an arm around her shoulder, smiling: "But think about it, isn’t it easier to deal with someone you can easily satisfy with a little benefit? The most trouble comes from those who are impervious to any advantage."
Sienna rolled her eyes: "Yeah, like your dad who’s impervious to all benefits."
Simon burst out laughing.
.
The Great Eastern Temple stands on the north side of Nara Park, along a wide and bustling street lined with shops.
Simon took Sienna to find a place for lunch, rested briefly, and then planned to tour the temple.
The main path to The Great Eastern Temple was littered with well-fed deer, leaving variously shaped droppings on the ground.
Sienna covered her nose, Simon held his breath, both watching their steps over the "landmines" as they hurried forward.
Their path took them past a tour group led by a guide speaking in a Taiwanese-accented Mandarin, waving a small flag and hopping from foot to foot. The guide cheerfully instructed the group, "Be careful, avoid stepping on the wet ones, just step on the dry ones!"
Simon: "..."
Sienna: "..."
They didn’t understand—why step on dry ones? Can’t they just avoid stepping on any of them?
As they walked further, an impressive gate stood tall ahead, with golden shachi ornaments on the roof shining brightly under the sun.
Passing through this gate leads into The Great Eastern Temple.
The temple was built in the Tang Dynasty style, with many traces hinting at the tastes from the Sui and Tang periods.
Simon was evidently interested in this, exploring the temple all afternoon, from The Great South Gate, to The Grand Hall, and on to Jadewing Garden.
He didn’t just immerse himself, but shared his thoughts and feelings with Sienna throughout, though she didn’t know much about architecture, she listened attentively.
After a day of sightseeing in Nara scented by deer dung, they took a cab back to the hotel, planning to have a bath and later walk to The Canal Walk for some gourmet food.
.
The Canal Walk in Nankai is a famous street of eateries, with all kinds of restaurants and izakayas flanking the bridge on both sides.
Sienna, holding Simon’s arm, strolled and talked with him, suddenly remembering the Japanese phrase he whispered in her ear that morning. She clung to him, asking what it meant.
She held his arm, softly and repeatedly asking, "Tell me, what does it mean?"
"I’ll tell you in a few days."
Simon was very patient and good at keeping things to himself; when he said a few days, she knew she’d really have to wait those few days to find out.
Her curiosity was killing her, yet she thought about how in that setting, wearing the pastel pink kimono, judging by Simon’s expression back then, he definitely said something meaningful.
Just as she was about to once again pester him for an answer, he suddenly received a phone call and walked aside.