Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Ecchi Days - An Interactive Tenchi Fic ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

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Ecchi Days
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It was a normal Friday, at least to anyone with a flexible definition of "normal". As Tenchi knew by experience, nothing was quite normal when more than half the people in your house were aliens. But considering that, the day was almost normal. Not quite there though, it was always the little things which made the difference.

Like the afternoon snack standing next to his homework assignment. Classical Japanese food if not for the bit of spice which had never actually existed on Earth. Always the small differences.

Tenchi halted that train of thought, since he knew where it lead. He would consider the bliss of life without extra-terrestrial guests, only to remind himself how boring that was when he tried it after Kagato's defeat. Also, there was the fact that he was supposed to be concentrating on his homework instead of letting his thought wander freely.

Determined to concentrate better on his homework, he re-read the essay assignment. The topic was cultural differences, and they had to find source material and do research by themselves.

After realizing that he had been staring at the paper for ten minutes, he decided to ask everyone about it now, and borrow some real books on the subject as soon as possible. Grabbing his notepad, Tenchi started to search for the others.

As he entered the stairs, he almost collided with Ayeka. Gathering himself, he prepared to ask her.

"Ah, Ayeka, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

For a brief moment, Ayeka entertained a private fantasy of Tenchi dropping to his knees to ask for her hand in marriage. She quickly banished the thought, but still flushed a bit.

"Of course not Lord Tenchi."

Tenchi, perceptive as always, completely missed the blush and hopeful tone of Ayeka's voice.

"I am sort of making an essay on Cultural Differences for school, and I was wondering what you know of the subject..."

Only slightly disappointed, Ayeka replied.

"Cultural differences are very important to diplomats like myself. It is vital to know of any cultural differences when engaging in relations with different cultures, lest one commit a faux pas."

Noticing Tenchi's slightly clueless look, Ayeka elaborated.

"Take for instance the Ssorldytes. Their species was almost destroyed by an infestation of Sunflowers on their home world. For this reason they have an intense dislike of plant-life, and to visit them in a tree-ship would be a grave offense."

Nodding, Tenchi made notes of this. When done, he thanked Ayeka and went downstairs in search of more answers.

Looking into the living room, he spotted his father reading a book. He went over to ask him.

"I have an essay on Cultural Differences for school, I was wondering if you could help me, dad."

Looking up from his book slightly puzzled, Noboyuki answered.

"Cultural Differences? Is that like the westerners using knife and fork instead of chopsticks? I am afraid I can't help you much on that subject."

"That's all right dad, I am just asking around for ideas."

Tenchi nodded and continued searching the house. He had hoped to find Washu out of her lab, since he really didn't want to go in there for an answer. Unfortunately she wasn't in the house, so he decided to ask her later.

Tenchi looked over his notes so far, not really sure if the answers had helped him or not. He understood the examples, but it was like he couldn't grasp the concept behind them. And using the examples for his report as they were didn't seem like a bright idea. He was pretty sure his teacher would not take the alien quality kindly.

Sighing to himself, he decided to find the last two regulars in the household, Ryoko and Sasami. In a way it was a shame that Mihoshi and Kiyone lived in town, since he was pretty sure that Kiyone would have given the most useful answer. Then again, living with Mihoshi was a whole host of problems he didn't particularly envy Kiyone, so he was quite satisfied with the current living arrangements.

He was also pretty sure that they couldn't afford to have Mihoshi and Kiyone staying. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't really see how they could afford the girls staying currently. The only person with regular income was his father, and that had been just enough to support the three of them before their visitors. Now with four extra girls and a cabbit, he couldn't really see how they could keep in the black, but his father never complained about economical problems.

Shrugging, he donned his slippers and walked outside. He quickly spotted Sasami and Ryoko, both fishing in the lake side by side. As he got closer, he heard idle chat, giggles and occasional laughter, and considered not interrupting them. Before he chose, however, the girls turned to look at him, and he decided to follow through with the question since not disturbing them was too late now anyway.

"Uhm..Hi. I was looking for ideas to an essay for school. Something about Cultural Differences."

Ryoko seemed to have lost most interest at the word 'school', while Sasami thought it over for a few moments before replying.

"Like religion? Juraians all worship Tsunami - the Protector of Trees, quite unlike Shinto, which is polytheism at most."

Tenchi nodded at that, seeing a point to Sasami's comment. However he had never really seen this difference himself. He knew a lot of Shinto from his association to the shrine of course, but this was more or less the first time he had even heard the name Tsunami.

Tenchi's musings were interrupted, when suddenly Sasami exclaimed.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I have to go start on dinner. Could you please take my gear when you are done here, Ryoko?"

Ryoko nodded, and had Tenchi been looking at Sasami, he would have noticed her winking conspiratorially to Ryoko.

You now have the choice.

(*) Tenchi goes to the shrine to ask his grandfather - go to chapter 7
(*) Tenchi stays to help Ryoko with the fishing gear - go to chapter 8