I’m a Witch In Dongying

But for Jiufeng Shion...

She might have never returned to Kyoto for nearly a century. Using this adjective to describe herself seems very appropriate.

Ten minutes later.

The distance between the bus and the building complex gradually narrowed.

The whole picture of Kyoto was finally presented to Bai Shuiqiu and others.

In the hazy drizzle, you can see the outlines of buildings with primitive shapes, which are looming in the line of sight. On the street a little closer, there are threes and threes of pedestrians walking around, some with paper umbrellas in their hands. On the other hand, they simply walked in the rain, and most of their clothes were plain.

Speaking of it, although the distance between Kanto and Kansai is not very far, the cultural differences are still very obvious.

This difference is most intuitively reflected in the two representative cities of Tokyo and Kyoto.

As the current capital of Dongying in the practical sense, Tokyo can be said to be a representative of advanced culture in line with international standards. There are tall buildings with more than 20 floors in the urban area. Various bustling commercial streets and high-end office buildings are lined up. Almost every block They all exude a modern atmosphere, and the clothes of passersby on the street are generally trendy, and there are many foreigners among them.

As the "Ancient Capital of Thousand Years", Kyoto is much more traditional.

Not only the architectural styles in the cities tend to be classical, but most of the people's dresses are also very simple, as if there is a thousand-year-old historical heritage everywhere.

By the way, the relationship between Kyoto and Tokyo is actually not very harmonious.

The former thinks the latter is a cunning nouveau riche in the market, and the latter thinks the former is a vulgar and barbaric hillbilly. Even the specifications of the electrical sockets in the two areas are different, and they cannot be used in common with each other.

but……

This kind of discord has little to do with everyone in the Kyudo Club.

Because the city of Narita where they live, in the eyes of Tokyoites, is a poor country that can't get on the table...

In a sense, Narita is at the bottom of the entire chain of contempt...

After entering the city of Kyoto, the bus went around for a few more streets, and finally stopped on a slightly remote street. Not far from it was a seven or eight-storey commercial hotel, which seemed a bit luxurious. Look like.

"arrive."

Washmine Shion patted Bai Shuiqiu on the shoulder, then turned around to signal Ogata and the others to get off the car, and softly explained:

"This time is the peak tourist season in Kyoto. Tourists from home and abroad are gathering here. The hotels close to the competition venue are almost booked. The remaining street hotels are too shabby, so they can only stay a little further away. A room is reserved for a block of one point. But don’t worry, there will be vehicles that will send you to you during the game, so I’m sure you won’t be late.”

While they were talking, the group of people got out of the car one after another.

At Ogata's greeting, several boys helped drag the luggage and set it up in the hotel.

Jiufeng Shiyuan has booked a total of three large rooms, two for boys and one for girls. Except for a few fewer people, the arrangements are basically the same as when they were in Chiba City last time.

While the group was busy setting up their luggage, Washmine Shion greeted Shirasuiqiu and Ogata, and left the hotel first.

As a team advisor, she needs to go to the organizing committee of the IH competition to sign and report to confirm the eligibility of the competition.

Then after the opening ceremony, the participating teams of each school decided the order of the competition by drawing lots, and competed for the final winner round by round.

Jiufeng Ziyuan originally asked Bai Shuiqiu if he wanted to take a look at the stadium, but she decisively refused.

After the old monster left, Bai Shuiqiu and several other members took the elevator to the large room on the third floor of the hotel.

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"Xiao Qiu, do you want to go out together later?"

After putting the suitcase on the bedside, China Hashimoto, who lived in the same room, approached and asked.

"sure."

Bai Shuiqiu was packing his luggage, he was taken aback when he heard the words, and then nodded.

Including her, most of the members of the Kyudo Club came to Kyoto for the first time. It is easy to have such an opportunity to travel at public expense. Naturally, I really want to see the style of this thousand-year-old capital, and then take a look at the famous only Garden Festival—According to the schedule of the celebration, today should be the day of "Miraculous Parade".

It's not too late now, so if you go out for a while, maybe you still have a chance to see the magnificent scene.

After reaching a consensus, a few people simply tidied up.

Bai Shuiqiu threw everything else in the room, only stuffed the [Demon Sealing Scroll] into a small schoolbag and carried it on his back, and followed Hashimoto China and the others out of the room.

In the corridor outside, I met Ogata and others who were helping others to move things.

Because Shion Washamine, the leader of the team, was absent, Ogata, the deputy minister, had already taken the initiative to take care of everyone. After learning about Shirasuiqi’s intentions to go out, Ogata hesitated: "Go out." There is nothing wrong with turning around, but don’t go too far. After all, Kyoto is not Chiba. You are not familiar with the place where you are born. If you lose yourself, you will be in trouble..."

The others do not matter.

But if Bai Shuiqiu is also lost, then they can basically prepare to go home now...

At this time, a tall guy next to Ogata suggested:

"Vice Minister, otherwise, let Takagi-kun and I go with them. It just so happens that they can also help take care of the safety of Baishui students."

"...Also."

Ogata was a little moved, but he still asked Shirasuiqi's opinions.

Bai Shuiqiu naturally doesn't matter.

Anyway, she didn't plan to act privately, she just went out and walked around, it didn't matter who she was with.

As for the two boys who voluntarily asked to act together, it is actually easy to guess what idea they have in their hearts. You can guess by looking at the slightly wretched smiles on their faces...

"Then go."

A group of five or six people left the hotel, driven by China Hashimoto's mobile phone, and walked slowly in a certain direction.

Along the way, a few people stopped and went, turning their heads to look at the buildings on both sides from time to time.

As an ancient capital that lasted from the Heian Period to the present for a thousand years, even some ordinary houses in Kyoto seem to be quite distinctive. Occasionally, when passing by some candy shops and the like, a few girls will stop and choose to buy something to try.

This kind of food called "Kyogoku" can be regarded as a kind of traditional snack in Kyoto. To put it bluntly, it is fruit-flavored candies. There are many varieties and exquisite packaging. They are very popular with children.

Bai Shuiqiu was also divided into several groups, took it from Hashimoto China, peeled off one of the candies and threw it into his mouth, chewing slowly.

"By the way... there seems to be a lot of people over there?"

When approaching an intersection, Takagi said suddenly.

At this time, Bai Shuiqiu had also heard a slightly noisy sound, coming from the street next door.

Across a small alley, I saw a group of people gathered on the other side of the street. There was a large area of ​​darkness. It seemed that there was a big sedan chair slowly moving past the alley. There were dozens of people carrying the sedan chair. As he walked, he was dancing with his arms and legs, looking very eye-catching.

"This thing, is it the so-called ‘Miraculous Parade’?"

With curiosity, Shirasuiqiu and Hashimoto China and the others glanced at each other, then walked through the alley, and when they appeared on the side of the street next door, the scene in front of them suddenly became clear.

At this time, Bai Shuiqiu finally confirmed.

The scene in front of me is indeed "Miraculous Parade".

Or to be more precise, it is "mao patrol".

The so-called "mountain 鉾" is a big sedan chair with tall trees or long knives standing upright, a bit like a float, covered with silk products similar to embroidery. These mountain ferns are actually used to clear the way for the "mikoshi". According to the ritual regulations of the Gion Festival, they usually travel around the various districts of Kyoto City first. When the evening comes, the real "god" "Sedans" will come out of Yasaka Shrine and will be exhibited in Kyoto city.

This entire process is called "pre-sacrifice", which is the ceremony of welcoming the gods.

About a week later, there will be a "post-sacrifice", which is a ceremony to send gods.

Finally, after a fireworks display of the "Natsugoshi Festival", the Gion Festival, which lasts for one month from the beginning of July, will officially end.

There are a total of 23 mountain scorpions participating in the pre-meeting, most of which can be visited-of course, you need to pay, and you can also buy small goods such as gods and amulets on them. Basically, these things can be regarded as mobile granting places, and Yasaka Shrine can get a lot of money every year by relying on this ritual activity.

Before Bai Shuiqiu came over, he had read some materials, and he understood the situation fairly well.

So at this moment, there was still a psychological expectation, and he explained a few words to Hashimoto China and others in a low voice.

When a few outsiders were whispering to each other, there was a burst of cheers from time to time in the crowd next to them, and there was a scene full of voices.

It is worth mentioning that Bai Shuiqiu also heard a lot of Chinese accents in these chirping voices. It is estimated that they may be tourists from Huaxia, or Huaxia people living and settled in Dongying. This season is going to travel. Peak period.

It was also when he heard these Chinese suddenly, Bai Shuiqiu couldn't help but speak, turned his head and glanced over there, feeling a little kind.

Of course……

Kindness belongs to kindness.

With Bai Shuiqiu's temperament, he did not intend to take the initiative to find someone to talk to him. When he met the Chinese tourists who looked like a family of three, he smiled slightly, and then withdrew his gaze.

On the contrary, the other party saw her look clearly and was amazed. One of the 13 or 14-year-old girls approached, politely leaned over and said hello, and asked in stubborn Japanese: "Hello, Ou Nai sauce." , Are you a student in Kyoto? We are traveling from Huaxia. May I take a photo with you?"

The girl's Japanese is obviously only a beginner's level, she is not fluent, and some of the words are not appropriate.

Bai Shuiqiu listened a little hard, and simply smiled: "I think it's better for you to speak Chinese..."

"Okay, okay...Huh? You can also speak Chinese?"

Mime private 484

When Bai Shuiqiu spoke, the little girl was stunned for a moment, as if she didn't expect to hear fluent Chinese in a foreign country.

And the people of Hashimoto China next to them also opened their eyes wide, and looked over here a little strangely.

Dongying is deeply influenced by Chinese culture. From the Han and Tang Dynasties to the present, many upper-class people have been proud of studying Sinology. Chinese characters are often seen on more formal occasions. Even the college entrance examination and civil service examination papers often appear in Chinese characters. Reading comprehension of ancient texts. So most students can still understand a little Chinese.

But "understand" and "can speak" are two completely different concepts.

In general, you can compare the English proficiency of most students in China...

Of course, the group of people in Dongying who have the most in-depth research on Sinology is also highly accomplished. Some even understand Chinese history better than most Chinese people, but after all, such people are still a minority, and ordinary middle school students are not. Have the skills to communicate with Huaxia people.

"Well, I used to'self-taught' a little Chinese..."

Bai Shuiqiu squeezed out a "a little bit" gesture with his fingers, explained a little softly, and then smiled at the little girl:

"Sorry little sister, we are not local residents of Kyoto, but middle school students from Chiba Prefecture. Just like you are traveling here in Kyoto... But you can take a group photo or something, if you don’t mind if."

It is a very common thing to take photos with local people on the way to a foreign country.

It is rare to meet a guest from his hometown, and Bai Shuiqiu naturally does not intend to refuse such a small request that is not excessive.

not to mention……

The little girl who was talking had a round, small face, slightly fat, and she couldn't help but want to squeeze her face with a hand. The look was pretty flattering.

"Really, really okay? Then...Does Ou Naijiang mind if my parents also take a photo with me?"

"Well, it's okay."

The little girl was a little excited. First, she politely asked Bai Shuiqiu to wait for a while, and then quickly turned back to her family. After a few brief exchanges, a family of three walked over together, followed by a middle-aged man in his 30s and 40s. Man, said some kind words to Bai Shuiqiu in Japanese.

After hearing a few words, Bai Shuiqiu probably understood their identities——

This middle-aged man is an international student who came to Dongying from China at the beginning of the century. He studied at Doshisha University and stayed in Kyoto to work and settle after graduation. Although the name of this school sounds a little strange, it actually has nothing to do with "comrades." It is the top university among the private universities in Toei. It was founded by the great educator Nijima Yoshinori during the Meiji period. Everyone who can pass the exam is a top academic.

And a family of three are his relatives, probably his distant brother-in-law and his little niece.

In the past few days, because the children are on summer vacation, the whole family flies to Dongying to play together, accompanied by a middle-aged man who is familiar with the local situation as the tour guide.

The little girl's name is Sun Qiyue. She has learned a little Japanese in hobby classes, but she is not proficient in speaking.

"Speaking of which, Ms. Bai Shui's Chinese is really good. It is rare for Dongying people to see such a standard pronunciation..."

The middle-aged man praised heartily.

"Really, thank you Mr. Sun for the compliment..."

Bai Shuiqiu smiled and said that he had "studied" Chinese for more than ten years in his previous life, and his pronunciation was naturally very standard.

Although I didn't say it for a long time after I came to Dongying in this world, and when I spoke again, it seemed a little jerky, but normal communication is definitely no problem. On the contrary, Sun Qiyue's Japanese is a bit awkward. By talking to this girl, Bai Shuiqiu couldn't help correcting some of her idioms.

"Then, Ernie Chan, let's get started."

Sun Qiyue put her hands together and said expectantly.

soon.

A family of three stood on both sides of Bai Shuiqiu, posing with their backs to the crowds and mountain ferns on the street, making a V-sign, and the middle-aged man took a few photos with his mobile phone.

Finally, the couple took a look at the effect of the photo, and solemnly thanked Bai Shuiqiu. After waving goodbye, they took Sun Qiyue and walked a few steps aside. It seemed that they wanted to line up to the mountain to collect the seals and make purchases. There are souvenirs like rice dumplings.

——The zongzi of Gion Festival is different from the usual zongzi. It is not the kind that is eaten, but the amulet called "the zongzi", which is said to be hung at home to help people drive away bad luck and attract blessings.

It was also until this time that China Hashimoto gathered around again, as if they had discovered a new world, looking up and down Shiraizu:

"Xiao Qiu, so you have learned Chinese?"

"When did I learn by myself, or the first time I knew it, it's amazing!"

"Then Xiaoqiu, can you write Chinese calligraphy, like the kind written on a lantern?"