Chapter 51: 'Tenchi In Tokyo'

"Did you enjoy your meal sir?" The stunning brunette behind the lunch counter asked. "Not really," Tenchi thought, smiling politely, wondering if he should just come right out and say... "I'm accustom to larger portions and the sauce you use for your teriyaki eel is substandard at best!" Instead he simply nodded and smiled. After all Washu's seafood supply plus Sasami's cooking no doubt had him spoiled rotten!

"And here's your change!" She intoned, pleasantly if mechanically, "Please come again!"

Sighing Tenchi began making his way out almost running into a pair of gentlemen on their way in.

"So my friend?" One of them was saying as he half-led his obviously foreign born companion. "This is your first experience with true Japanese cuisine?"

"Heck no!" his companion answered with a strange accent even for someone speaking the kings English. "They just open this place called the 'Hanoi Grill' last month in Columbia."

"Uh." Tenchi muttered, still having no luck what so ever with the mans point of origin. 'American' of that much he was sure. In spite of having been off planet on a few occasions, it still didn't make Tenchi 'well traveled' enough in the terrestrial sense to lock in the man dialect. Clearly he wasn't the only one who's knowledge of other lands could use a bit of broadening, considering that 'Hanoi' was in Korea!

"Well then!" The Japanese man who had first spoken continued, with a conspicuously strained smile. "This will be quite an experience for you I'm sure!"

Tenchi bowed and excused him-self not really wanted to witness the coming spectacle making way out the restaurants door.

"Hey?" He never the less heard over his shoulder. "Is this a bait shop?" punctuated quite loudly with, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT FROG!!?" Just as the door closed.

"Welcome to Tokyo." Tenchi smiled shaking his head. Pausing for a moment then to orientate himself. After all there had been a lot of changes since the last time he'd been in Ginza shopping district.

"Thirty five years to be precise!" He smirked at what was for his friends and family a very private joke. Thank god for guide books!

But, if the information he'd gotten from dad was correct, his destination would be down one level below. As he set off, Tenchi recalled reading recently that 'shopping malls' were dying out in America. Being Japanese, he had to shake his noggin at the notion. Probably had to do with having the luxury of space.

Something that was defiantly foreign in Japan! Briefly then he wondered if Sasami were ok. He hated leaving her at that cooking demo but she had insisted, and he had other matters to attend to. Besides, they were inside the mall, and a more levelheaded girl than Sasami didn't exist!

At the bottom of the escalator, Tenchi swung a hard right then paused, smiling at the large over head sign. 'Goldstein fine jewelry' He had arrived!