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Gasping, Himiko slowly spun in place in the Paris Métro subway. People rushed by, their voices echoing. Heels clicked against the concrete flooring. Navigation signs hung on the walls. Buskers with guitars, saxophones, and oboes played jaunty tunes. Himiko could feel her MP being restored.
Angie stood before the musicians, furiously sketching in a notebook. She wore a ribbed turtleneck dress. “Oh me, oh my! The music, graffiti, people passing by… this atmosphere is simply divine!”
Tenko clasped her face when a group of young women passed them. “Ooh, just look at how casually chic they are in their blouses and slacks! Do you think they’d tell me where they got them if I asked?”
Burdened with messenger bags, Kokichi approached them. “Considering last time you attempted French you asked, ‘Where’s my ostrich,’ that’s a no.” Tenko tsked. Exhaling, Kokichi dropped the bags to the ground. Dusted off his suit jacket and jeans. “I’ve been called a jackass before, but I’m no mule. Not doing this.”
Tenko crossed her arms over her leather jacket and floral midi dress. “Listen here, degenerate. We’re here to support Angie. Hope’s Peak is funding her and her friends going to the Louvre to study art.” Tenko jabbed a finger into Kokichi’s chest. “You are only here as a translator, non?”
Stooping down, Kokichi grabbed a fistful of Angie’s brushes from a suitcase and offered them out to a passerby. “Excusez-moi, madame, but can I interest you in some free crap? My friend here is shoveling it and—”
“Filthy degenerate!”
“Nyeh, that’s enough.” Himiko pulled them apart, then adjusted her beret. She wore a gray oversized sweater and dark leggings. “We gotta hurry if we don’t wanna miss the train.” She pulled out her itinerary plans from her purse. “There’s the Eiffel Tower, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and the Louvre still to get to. We gotta make the most of this trip. Eat good food, make unforgettable memories, and uh… eat good food. Tenko, grab Angie and let’s go—”
Kokichi frowned. “Eh? Since when is Himiko in charge?”
Huffing, Tenko set her hands on her hips. “I suppose you wouldn’t know since you joined last minute. Himiko planned the entire trip!”
“Really? Huh.” Kokichi smiled broadly at Himiko. “Hey, hey! You wanna know the best way to experience Paris?”
Himiko sucked in a breath. “What?”
Kokichi plucked the itinerary out of Himiko’s hands. Ripped them in two. “It’s getting lost and enjoying it! Nee-heehee.”
“N-no…” Himiko gaped at the torn sheets lying on the ground. She winced at all the feet of passerby trampling it.
Growling, Tenko held up a fist. “You little—!”
“Ooh, monsieur, you have a very handsome build. It pleases Atua. Wanna take off your clothes so Atua can paint you?
“Angie, no!” Tenko ran into the crowd after Angie.
A loud horn resounded through the space. Kokichi turned to the platform. “Welp, there’s our train! Better motor.” Snickering, Kokichi waved at Himiko. He slipped into the crowd boarding the subway.
Himiko sighed. She had another copy of the itinerary in her purse, outlining plans that hadn’t involved Kokichi. Head down, Himiko wadded through the bustling people. “Kokichi better not ruin our trip or I’ll place my you-will-have-stinky-cheese-breath curse on him.”
Wind through her hair, Himiko strolled through Champ de Mars, a park. Around her people picnicked on lentil salad, someone walked their poodle, and students studied. Above them stood the Eiffel Tower, piercing the sky. As Angie and Tenko walked on ahead towards the Tower, Himiko came to a stop. She closed her eyes. Listened to the leaves rustling on trimmed maple trees and bushes. The melodic French language. Breathed in the smell of grass. A slow smile spread over her face.
“Boy, that is one ugly Leaning Tower of Pisa.”
Jerking, Himiko wheeled towards Kokichi. “Nyeh, that’s ‘cause it’s not! That’s in Italy.”
Kokichi put his arms behind his head and gazed up at the Tower. “Dunno… coulda fooled me. It’s a bit slanted.”
“No, it’s…” Eyes narrowed, Himiko scrutinized the landmark. “No, it’s not.”
“Hey, hey! Didja know? The Tower rests on the site of an ancient battleground.”
“Wait, what?”
“An ancient battleground! Y’know, armies marching and clashing, turf torn up, and blood and guts everywhere. All that marching and fighting made a biiiig sinkhole right underneath the Eiffel Tower! Every year the Eiffel Tower sinks a little more.”
Himiko stamped her foot. “There’s no way that’s true!”
“But it is! Think about it. The government wouldn’t want people to know about it; tourism makes way too much bank. If people knew that the Eiffel Tower was leaning, maybe even sinking, well…”
Sweating, Himiko glanced at the Tower.
“And we all know what’s under the city of Paris.” Leaning in close, Kokichi spoke in a stage whisper. “The catacombs. If you fall down to the catacombs below, no one would find your body for a thousand years.” Leaning back, Kokichi flashed a grin. “Better watch where you step! Nee-heehee.” After waving, he bounded off.
White-knuckled, Himiko fisted her purse’s shoulder strap. Ugh, why does Kokichi gotta be like that? I mean, he’s just lying again… right? She stole another glance at the tower. Gulping, she followed after Kokichi heading towards the Tower, eyes on the ground for any holes.
Later, Himiko and the others gathered for lunch at Maison Ladurée, a patisserie shop. The moment their maître d left, Kokichi snatched a decorative macaron off a console. Ate it. Cringing, Kokichi shuddered as he swallowed it. “Ew, stale.”
Tenko pounded her fists on the table. “Degenerative thief! How could you do that?”
“Uh, it’s called free samples? If they didn’t want people to take it, why would they leave it out? Honestly, it must be so nice being so stupid.”
Tenko cracked her knuckles. “Oh-hoho... I hope that macaron wasn't too filling, degenerate. Because you're about to taste my fist.”
Angie pouted. “Aw, the macarons are stale? Maybe we can use them to play air hockey.”
“Ooh, best of three pays,” giggled Kokichi.
“Deal!”
“Put them back!”
Shaking her head, Himiko shifted in her narrow chair. Its gold cushions matched the gold embossing of the paneled walls. Sighing, she cast her gaze across the room. “When we made reservations to eat here, I didn’t expect the interior to look so… old.” Between the dark wooden floors, bohemian rug, bookshelves and cabinets, the restaurant looked like an 18th-century study. “I’m a modern mage, not a medieval witch.”
A waitress approached. She was dressed in a white button-up and necktie with a long black apron wrapped around her waist. Greeting them, she handed out menus.
Tenko scanned the list. In broken French, she ordered, “I take water, dish of the day, and uh… Hey, degenerate male! How do you say this?”
Kokichi leaned over. “Lemme see. Oh, okay. Ask them this.” He whispered in her ear.
“C'est vrai que les Françaises ne se rasent pas les aisselles?” repeated Tenko.
The waitress started. Scowling, she spoke rapid French, pocketed her notebook, and strode off.
Tenko blinked. “What did I say?”
An unnaturally wide grin spread across Kokichi’s face. “If you could pick her nose.”
“Degenerate male!” Growling, Tenko rose from her seat and fisted the front Kokichi’s shirt. At the commotion, other patrons stared and murmured.
Angie tilted her head. “Hmm, doesn’t seem like the waitress is coming back. Guess only stale macaroons are on the menu today! Nyahaha!”
Groaning, Himiko rested her head on her folded arms. What a pain…
After scrambling to find somewhere else to have lunch, the trio explored the Louvre. Tenko covered Himiko’s eyes. “Himiko, don’t look! All these paintings of men with no clothes. How could they put such filth on display and call it art?”
Kokichi gasped. “Wooow, lookit that! That’s a huge d—”
“Menace! I have had enough of your tomfoolery.” Covering Himiko’s eyes with a hand, Tenko jabbed a finger at Kokichi. “You have caused no end of trouble for us this entire trip! First you refuse to carry our bags, then you scare Himiko at the Eiffel Tower, and—”
“Why should I have to carry your suitcases? You invited me on your trip, not the other way around.”
“You should be grateful I’m tolerating your presence here at all! Ooooh, I am this close to smashing your face into the floor.”
Himiko’s head throbbed as Tenko gripped it tighter. “Nyeh, so loud…”
Someone tugged on her sleeve. Himiko peered through cracks in Tenko’s hand to see Angie smiling at her. She pointed at a line of people entering a room. “That’s the way to the Mona Lisa. Atua beckons!”
Angie grabbed Himiko by the wrist, yanked her out of Tenko’s grasp, and dragged her into the room. The Mona Lisa hung on the far wall by itself in a small recess. A semicircular railing around it barricaded the painting from touch. Other Renaissance paintings of angels, the Last Supper, and other Christian imagery filled the remaining three walls.
Himiko’s knees knocked. The room was packed wall to wall with people jostling to get a peek at the Mona Lisa. Around her swirled the dissonant chatter of multiple languages. Cameras flashed. The smell of body odor and cloying perfumes was overpowering. People pressed into her. Whimpering, Himiko took a step back. She felt faint.
“Angie, I… I’m going to step out. This place is sapping my MP reserves. I’ll join everyone outside.”
Angie blinked. “Hm? Himiko, you all right? Himiko? Himiko!”
Himiko pushed her way out of the crowd towards the exit.
Groaning, Himiko leaned against a storefront. My feet hurt… Himiko gazed about. Cars crawled through the one-way street. Cafés had outdoor chairs and tables set up, leaving only a narrow strip of the stone sidewalk for pedestrians. Models advertising sales covered glass storefronts. Opposite of Himiko was a row of four-story Gothic rowhouses. Decorative metal fencing served as balcony railings.
Himiko kicked off her shoe and massaged her foot. After all that walking, I found a bunch of cafés but I gotta save my money for the best treat to bring back to everyone. Tenko, Angie, and Kokichi should be in the Louvre for another hour. I still have time. Himiko peered through the line of parked cars to glimpse a bread shop. “Ooh, baguettes!”
Himiko glanced down, looking for her shoulder bag. “Wait, where’s my purse? I need my wallet and phone…” Eyes wide, Himiko gasped. Oh, that’s right! Tenko took it earlier when she saw I was getting tired. I should head back, get some money and… Wait, where am I? How do I get back to the Louvre? Without my phone I can’t use my GPS spell!
Heart pounding, Himiko fell back against the storefront. “No, no, no, I can’t be lost. I haven’t learned how to say, ‘Where’s the bathroom?’ in French!”
Swallowing, Himiko approached a couple on the street. “E-excuse me? Monsieur, madame?” Dressed in crisp suits and an airy dress, they didn’t spare her a glance. They passed by, making rapid intelligent conversation.
Chest tight, Himiko circled in place, taking stock of the neighborhood. “A-anyone?” A cacophony of foreign words assaulted her ears. Car horns blared. Vehicle exhaust smothered her.
Himiko clutched the front of her sweater. Closing her eyes, Himiko took a deep breath. “It’s okay. I haven’t wandered far. Just gotta stay positive. I’ll find them. I’ll find them.” Gnawing her lip, Himiko trudged forward.
Shoulders tense, Himiko trekked through the backstreets of Paris. Everywhere looked the same. Rowhouses. Stores. Volkswagens. Stores. Toyotas. Houses. People. Himiko’s legs felt like lead. Her head pounded from a hunger headache. Breathing hard, Himiko came to a stop by an intersection. As she looked around, Himiko wiped the sweat off her forehead. Nope, still unfamiliar. So much for making the most of this trip. I completely ruined it. Whimpering, Himiko bit her lip. I just wanna go home. Her eyes stung. But I’m thousands of miles away.
I’m all alone.
“Himiko!”
Gasping, Himiko whipped her head up. Arm waving, Kokichi ran across a crosswalk towards her. “There you are. Geeeez! I should have you pay remuneration for having me chase all over town looking for ya. Send the money to my subordinates or my Swiss bank accou—”
“Kokichi!” Himiko surreptitiously wiped an eye. “I’m so glad… someone found me.”
Kokichi crossed his arms. “Just what the heck were you thinking? Tenko, Angie, and I have been searching for you for forever.”
Head bowed, Himiko balled her slacks. “It’s just you and Tenko were so noisy and all the crowds… I wanted some fresh air. But I realized I left my purse with Tenko, so I couldn’t call you or pay for a taxi.”
“Seriously?” Kokichi bent down to meet her downward gaze. “Don’t take this the wrong way, my beloved mage, but you’re, like, really dumb.”
“What right way is there to take that?!”
Kokichi pointed in the distance. “The Louvre is against the Seine River. All you had ta do was find the riverbank and walk along it. And even if you can’t speak French, just say ‘Louvre’ and anyone would point you in the right direction. Which is toootally a good thing because I lost my wallet and phone, too. So yeah! Better get started walking.”
“Who’s the dumb one now?!” Exhaling, Himiko shook her head. “Ugh, let’s just get going already.”
The two lapsed into silence as they strolled through the city of Paris. Vendors called out to them. The aroma of baking bread and flowers drifted from the stores.
Brow raised, Kokichi held his chin. “No lie, I gotta say I’m really surprised I didn’t find you, like, lying on the sidewalk bawling your eyes out. Y’know, ‘Mommy, where are youuuu?’ kinda deal.”
Himiko bristled. “M-maybe I would have done that before, but this is different! Everyone else is giving their all. Even if she’s no good at it, Tenko studied French for weeks. And Angie wanting to improve her art is the whole reason we’re on this trip to begin with. I wanna make this trip special for them. So I told myself I wouldn’t say anything is a pain and try my hardest…”
Expression neutral, Kokichi quietly gazed at her. “I see.”
Himiko thrust a finger at Kokichi. “But if anything was a pain this trip, it was you! Everywhere we went you caused nothing but trouble. Do you always have to be so… so annoying?”
Kokichi came to a stop. “Do you know how many tourists take pictures of them pretending to hold the Eiffel Tower?”
“Huh?” Himiko stopped walking to look back at Kokichi.
“That goes double for the Egyptian pyramids and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Millions of people come to Paris, snap photos, climb the Tower, and look at the creepy smiling lady. So boring. Having Tenko ask if it’s true that French chicks don’t shave their armpits is waaay funnier.”
“What?! I thought you said she asked about picking her nose!”
“Yeah, that was a lie. Makes for a great story to tell everyone back home though! Nee-heehee.”
Brow raised, Himiko crossed her arms. “And what about scaring me with the catacombs?”
“Just like I said. A good scary story.”
“Nyeh!”
Grinning, Kokichi continued walking down the street. “Hey, hey, you know what else is great? C’mon, it’s just up ahead!”
After a beat, Himiko followed Kokichi. “Oh… wow.”
The mighty Seine River lay before her. Water sparkled in the sunlight. Himiko breathed in the fresh air. Gone were the claustrophobic streets with towering multistory buildings. Here a vast expanse of clear blue sky stretched overhead. Buildings with gothic architecture lined the horizon.
When the road cleared, Himiko and Kokichi crossed the street to reach the riverside. Vendors called out from kiosks. A red tourist bus honked. People strolled past them, walking home from work and enjoying the sunny weather. Trees swayed in the breeze.
Kokichi leaned against the concrete wall that acted as a railing. He nodded at a cathedral across the river. “That’s the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, so the Louvre must be that way. Gotta be less than ten blocks away.”
Himiko gazed out across the water. Felt the cool spring air on her face. She whispered, “Thank you, Kokichi.”
“What?”
“I said thank—No, you’re not tricking me!”
Elbow on the wall, Kokichi rested his chin on his palm. Smirked. “You’re the one who does tricks, magician.”
“They’re not tricks! And I’m a mage!”
Kokichi raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. If you wanna lie, who am I to judge? Anyway, wanna take a selfie?”
“Nyeh? Uh sure.”
Standing close to Kokichi, who made a peace sign, Himiko smiled at the camera. She blinked. “WAIT, SO YOU DO HAVE YOUR PHONE!”
Kokichi winked. “Yup, and I texted Angie and Tenko ages ago! You should know better than to trust a liar. And they should be here any…”
“Himiko!!”
Pigtails flying, Tenko and Angie ran across the street towards them. Tenko crushed Himiko in a hug. “Ohmygodohmygodohmygod, are you okay?! We were searching everywhere for you! You’re not hurt, are you? Any degenerative male look at you funny? I’ll sock them into next week!”
Himiko mumbled in Tenko’s dress. “Ah fan’t wreathe.”
“Oh! Sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Angie clapped her hands. “Never fear when Atua is near! Buuut it’s his nap time now, so maybe I was a teensy bit worried.”
Tenko handed Himiko her purse. “You must be exhausted! Here, let’s go back to the hotel and rest. It’s starting to get late and we have another full day tomorrow.”
Accepting it, Himiko hoisted her purse onto a shoulder. She opened the flap, checking to see that her phone, wallet, and itinerary were all inside. Himiko frowned. Why didn’t Kokichi tell me he had his phone? Because of him, we had to wander the streets all alone and lost until…
Himiko glanced over her shoulder. The sun had just touched the horizon, tinting the sky and the Seine River orange. She breathed in the smell of the water on the wind.
“You wanna know the best way to experience Paris? It’s getting lost and enjoying it!”
Himiko shook her head. Guess even liars tell the truth sometimes. Kokichi telling the truth… Himiko smirked. Now that would make for a good story to tell everyone back home.
“Heeey, Himiko! You coming?” Across the street, Kokichi waved an arm at her. Tenko and Angie stood behind him, already heading back to the hotel. “You’re going to be left behind again, not that I would mind the quiet.”
“Rrgh, you degenerate male! You never stop, not even for a second!
“Nyahaha! Fight, fight!”
Laughing, Himiko raced after them. Her itinerary slipped out of her purse. Fell to the ground. Catching the breeze, it fluttered up and away in the air.