Inside an elegant passenger plane resting on the runway, a young man can be seen staring blankly out the window.
He does not seem to be looking at the airport or the runway, but rather his blue eyes remain unfocused on nothingness and an imperceptible smile tugs at his lips.
"We have already landed, sir. I would appreciate it if you would take your luggage and disembark as instructed."
Breaking the young man's concentration on his own world, the flight attendant gently touches his shoulder and points to his surroundings, showing that there is no one else on the plane.
"I'm sorry, I got lost in my thoughts."
"N-n-no, it's okay."
Blushing at the young man's natural smile, which highlights his strange but elegant combination of Western and Eastern features, the flight attendant takes a few steps back.
Of course, the young man notices these sudden movements, but he only laughs softly and deftly grabs his suitcase from the overhead compartment above his seat. With it in hand, he gets up from his seat and thanks the flight attendant again with a nod, then leaves.
...
"Jajaja, that looks awful, professor."
Leaving the automatic doors of the airport, a tall, dark-haired, stocky man laughs in a deep voice at the young man from the previous scene.
The young man didn't take the joke to heart, but instead scratched his golden hair that reached his neck and replied with a half-smile.
"I hate bureaucracy. Did they really have to search my suitcase so thoroughly and mercilessly?"
"You're not the exception; that treatment is the norm around here. Besides, luckily he can speak Japanese. Imagine what it would be like if he couldn't. So what made you accept this invitation? I remember Leonardo didn't have much money to pay."
Speaking with genuine doubt in his voice, the dark-skinned man leads the young man along the sidewalk and points to a vehicle parked nearby, changing their destination and the subject of conversation.
"Let's just say it's as much a professional trip as it is a personal one."
"Oh, are you here for a festival or something? I have to admit that even though I've only been working here with Leonardo for a short time, I've already heard about several."
"No, no, I'm just here to get to know the country of my late mother, which my father was so obsessed with in his youth."
Naming his parents with a strange emptiness, as if he didn't know how to feel about them, the young man shakes his head and looks around.
"So those features weren't a coincidence, you do have Japanese blood. By the way, I'm Richard Link."
"Asahiko... Yes, not only was my mother Japanese, but my grandmother was too, and her grandmother was as well."
Mocking the surprise on Richard's face, an American suddenly came out with a Japanese name, the young man now known as Asahiko gave Richard a firm handshake.
"Jajaja, I think that's a tradition in your family, so I guess I'll keep my beautiful Kitomi away from you."
"Weren't you just here a little while ago, and now you already have a girlfriend?"
"Men like me are in high demand around here... You know what they say about Asians."
Making a rather offensive gesture with his fingers that translates as "Short," Richard laughs openly at his bad joke and opens the car door for Asahiko.
This car is a Japanese classic that you could see anywhere, nothing foreign or exaggerated, but it has its peculiarities. One of those is the big-headed doll near the steering wheel, while the other is the mint-scented air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror.
"I always thought that was a myth, a way of making fun of Asians."
"And it is, but it's not without reason... According to my sources."
"I'm going to ignore what those detailed sources are."
Laughing together at the knowledge that old Richard has been in places unsuitable for certain audiences, they finally get into the car and set off for Richard's employer's office.
...
The trip goes smoothly between Richard and Asahiko, as one seems very willing to talk and the other to listen, so the 30-minute drive to the museum is not boring.
With that said, after getting out of the vehicle, the first thing that catches their eye is a beautiful artificial garden. It extends for several dozen meters around, has a water fountain in the center, and ends at some granite stairs that lead to an imposing museum.
"Richard, Professor Asahiko, I see you have finally arrived."
Appearing from behind a bush trimmed in the shape of an animal, a tall man with black hair and green eyes walks confidently toward them.
"Only an honorary one, Mr. Leonardo."
"You are too polite, Professor. Richard, please take his luggage inside."
"Sure, sure, I'm on it."
Returning to the vehicle to retrieve Asahiko's suitcase from the back seat, Richard, suitcase in hand, disappears into the bushes, causing Asahiko to raise an eyebrow.
"A little trick workers use to avoid running into customers. Now then... What can you tell me about that thing?"
"Just from the description, I can't do much, but thanks to that photo you sent last time, I'm sure it's a top-notch product."
Acting with the same discretion as Leonardo, who seems a little paranoid, Asahiko keeps a smile on his face and speaks in code, but they both know what it's about.
"It is, Professor. The Higurashi family, who contacted me, have extensive property and a long history, even their home is a large Shinto temple."
"But you still called me, do you doubt the product?"
"No, no, no, I just want confirmation from an expert so I can sleep more peacefully."
Shaking his head at Asahiko's words, Leonardo's eyes scan the surroundings and he reaches into the pocket of his clothes, pulling out a photograph.
This photograph shows an elegant straight sword, 65 cm long with a gem-encrusted hilt, although its width and blade are hidden by the sheath covering it.
"It looks like a model based on the Chokuto sword from ancient China, but I'll only know more after examining its shape from the front and carefully."
"I understand, but for now, please come inside and have some lunch with me. I'm sure it was a hectic trip."
"Sure."
Taking Leonardo's words, who seems quite helpful, Asahiko and he walk through the garden chatting about minor topics until they finally reach the main entrance of the museum.
Upon arriving at the main entrance, new details about the museum become apparent, such as the huge banners that read "Grand Opening," "Sengoku Period," and "25% Off." On the other hand, you can also see various decorative materials nearby, a sign that the finishing touches are still being made.
"It was a fierce competition to get this job, quite a few people wanted it. Oh, sorry about the mess, everything was delayed a few days due to legal issues."
"Don't worry, I'm not the investor or anything, although... Where are we going to eat now?"
"Jajaja, you have your priorities straight, Asahiko. Come on, follow me, there's a small rest stop nearby."
Leading the way as he is the first to move forward, as well as acting with more confidence, Leonardo returns to the conversation about how difficult it was to get this job, and Asahiko just listens to him from behind.