63 Surprise
[KiShin HQ]
October 27, 1990, Saturday.
"Our FamiCom sales have reached 1 million!" Lee Han exclaimed joyfully, while the employees in the meeting room erupted in celebration.
The room filled with happiness as they raised their bubbling beer bottles, shaking and playfully spraying foam on each other's faces.
Amid the festivities, Shin wore a continuous smile. He had initiated the idea of celebrating when FamiCom sales reached 1 million, and he could feel Mira's hand touching his own. He turned to her with a smile.
As everyone rejoiced, Shin and Mira locked eyes, the jubilant employees fading into the background, creating a seemingly tranquil moment.
Their gaze was interrupted as a spray of beer hit Shin's face. The employee responsible looked slightly worried, fearing trouble, but Shin simply smiled, grabbed another unopened beer bottle, shook it, and playfully sprayed it in the direction of the employee, causing laughter all around.
Mira joined in the merriment and embraced the celebration.
---
After the festivities concluded, Shin invited Mira into his office.
"It's Sunday tomorrow. How about we tour Kyoto?" Shin asked Mira with a smile.
"So suddenly?" Mira looked at Shin with confusion, considering they still needed to plan for the creation of their FamiCom 16-Bit system.
"I suddenly have the urge to experience Kyoto's scenery. After all, it was Japan's former capital," Shin replied with a smile.
"Really..." Mira gazed at Shin. They had grown so close that they could now understand each other, but she suspected there was more to it.
---
As time passed, on Sunday morning, Shin and Mira boarded a bullet train to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto.
They engaged in conversation and enjoyed snacks to pass the time and keep themselves entertained during the journey.
In just 2 hours and 30 minutes, they arrived in Kyoto.
Shin and Mira disembarked from the train.
Kyoto Train Station bustled with people, most of whom were likely tourists, including some foreigners.
Shin and Mira hailed a taxi to reach the Gion District.
In just about 5 minutes, they arrived at their destination, with Shin settling the fare at 1,500 Yen.
Gion District was a renowned tourist attraction in Kyoto.
Upon their arrival, Shin and Mira spotted numerous tourists, females dressed in kimonos, while the males wore montsuki. Interestingly, many of the people donning these traditional Japanese garments were foreigners.
The architecture of the buildings resembled ancient Japan, a stark contrast to the urban landscape Shin and Mira were accustomed to.
Mira smiled, feeling that their decision to explore new places occasionally was the right choice, especially after dedicating herself to Shin's company.
Shin and Mira strolled side by side until they reached Kimino Yamashihora, where they both changed into traditional Japanese attire.
Mira adorned herself in a graceful kimono, while Shin donned a distinguished montsuki. Completing their ensembles, they even wore traditional Japanese geta sandals.
Walking through the streets of Gion felt like a journey back in time, and Shin and Mira reveled in the immersive experience. They leisurely explored the area before deciding to dine at Kichisen, indulging in traditional Japanese cuisine before heading to Kawai Shrine.
Hand in hand, Shin and Mira entered the shrine and inscribed their wishes on the mirror-shaped ema. To their surprise, they had written the exact same wish: "To live and grow old together with our loved ones."
This coincidence brought a blush to Mira's cheeks, while Shin simply smiled and chuckled.
Following their visit to the shrine, they ventured to Kamo no Chomei's hut. Although they could only admire it from the outside, they could glimpse the treasures within—the works of Kamo no Chomei, including art and poetry.
Kamo no Chomei made the decision to renounce the world after enduring the tumultuous politics and society of his time. He had borne witness to a series of natural and social catastrophes, including the Genpei War, the Great Fire of Kyoto, and the Great Plague of 1206. These experiences had left him disillusioned with the world of politics and society.
Following their exploration, Shin and Mira purchased souvenirs before continuing their journey. Shin then decided to visit the Kinkaku-ji Temple.
After a while, they arrived at the Kinkaku-ji Temple, and in the distance, they beheld the three-story temple. The area featured a tranquil pond and was adorned with a variety of plants and trees, including cherry trees, maple trees, and lotus flowers, enhancing the already mesmerizing scene.
Shin and Mira marveled at the sight as they approached the temple. Though they couldn't enter it, they admired its exterior. Many tourists were capturing the temple and its captivating surroundings in photographs, creating a chorus of voices.
Amid the crowd, Shin gently took Mira's soft hand, and she didn't mind as they continued to explore together.
As afternoon approached, Shin led Mira to Kitcho Arashiyama Honten, a renowned high-end traditional Japanese restaurant in Kyoto. Mira was surprised by the choice, and as they entered, the staff bowed respectfully. One of the staff members guided them to a private room that Shin had reserved in advance.
Inside the Kinkaku-ji Room, they settled on Tatami mats woven from rice straw, finding them remarkably comfortable. A waitress entered the room and explained the dishes, after which Shin and Mira placed their orders. A sake sommelier also joined them, inquiring about their sake preferences. They selected Dassai 45, and the sommelier left to serve it.
"I love the ambiance of ancient Japan here," Mira commented, reclining on the tatami mats.
"I knew you'd appreciate it," Shin replied with a smile.
They slid open the shoji door and gazed at the serene view outside, finding it profoundly peaceful.
"It's refreshing to experience this tranquility, especially when we're usually in the noisy and bustling city," Mira remarked, smiling.
Shin and Mira engaged in light conversation as they awaited their dishes and sake.
After a while, the sliding door opened, and the waitstaff entered with their dishes. They displayed the food on the table with precision. After placing the dishes, they formally bowed to Shin and Mira before leaving, quietly closing the door behind them.
Shin and Mira savored their meal, with Mira enjoying her food while Shin discreetly watched her, seemingly waiting for something special to occur.
As Mira delicately used her chopsticks to enjoy her sashimi, a sudden yelp of surprise escaped her lips as she picked up a piece.
Shin couldn't help but chuckle slyly as he inquired, "What's wrong?"
Startled, Mira gazed at Shin, her words stumbling, "Sh-Shin! There's a golden ring beneath my sashimi!" She gently set down her chopsticks and displayed the ring for Shin to see.
"Really?" Shin's chuckle continued as he questioned.
Mira nodded and explained, "The chefs might have accidentally left it here," as she offered the ring to Shin.
However, as she extended it toward him, Shin's mischievous smile widened, leaving Mira feeling a sense of unease.
"Why are you smiling?" Mira asked suspiciously, and she noticed Shin's grin growing broader.
Shin replied with a hint of excitement, "Just take a closer look at the ring yourself."
"Take a closer look?" Mira queried, her confusion deepening as she followed his suggestion and examined the ring more closely.
The ring featured an intricate design, with three interwoven bands adorned with diamonds. She exclaimed, "This ring looks incredibly luxurious. It must be quite valuable," as she turned to Shin.
Shin simply nodded and encouraged her, "Take an even closer look."
Mira felt even more perplexed by Shin's insistence; she believed she had already scrutinized it thoroughly. However, she complied with his request, examining the ring with greater scrutiny. It was then that she noticed an engraving on the ring's hallmark—a name in fancy Japanese script: 'Mira and Shin.'
Mira froze, her eyes locked onto the engraving in sheer disbelief. If she hadn't grasped Shin's intentions by now, she would have considered herself ignorant and foolish.
Her gaze shifted to Shin, her emotions swirling within her, complex and profound. Yet, her feelings were far from sadness; they overflowed with uncontainable joy.
For a while, she had harbored doubts about whether Shin would fulfill his promise, but now, she stood deeply moved by his heartfelt proposal.
[The image I had in mind for Mira's appearance matches my patreon profile picture.]
