Mt. Fuji, the highest point in Japan,
is a mountain I aspire to climb.
I could only make it partway up this summer.
But I made the decision to take on it again.
That I'm going to stand at the peak of Mt. Fuji this time.
Are Hiking Shoes Really Awesome?
So anyway, Kaede-san,
I was thinking of trying to climb Mt. Fuji again.
Sounds great. Good luck.
Thanks!
So would you like to go with us again?
We were thinking about going at the end of the month...
The end of the month?
Mt. Fuji is already off-season.
What?
But it's still September!
The buses aren't in service, and the huts are closed.
I think it might be snowing at the summit now.
Really?
I guess I'll have to wait until next spring, then.
You know, it's in April and May that Mt. Fuji has the most snow on it.
Ack!
Which means...
It's not happening until summer.
Summer?!
A year later?
But I finally made up my mind...
There, there.
In that case, is there anything I can do now?
Let's see...
You can get in shape.
Carry heavy stuff, try some smaller mountains, stuff like that.
I see!
All right. Let's do this!
Sure.
Actually, maybe you should both think about buying proper hiking shoes.
Hiking shoes?
Dad was saying the same thing, too.
Hiking shoes...
Will I actually need them?
You might as well, if you're going to be climbing a lot.
I know!
Let's go buy some today!
Today?
Kaede-san, could you come with us after school?
Sounds great. Let's go.
Okay, Aoi?
I don't have a lot of money, though.
Don't worry. I don't, either.
I'll ask Dad.
Let's go home first and then meet up again.
Okay.
I hope they have some cute shoes.
So how much should we bring?
Let's see...
40,000 yen should do it.
40,000...
40,000 yen?!
40,000 yen...
40,000 yen... 40,000 yen...
If I had 40,000 in the bank...
I could buy autumn clothes, yummy food, or beads...
Wait!
Do I really need hiking shoes?
Outdoor, Camping, and Mountain Climbing Goods
Look at all these shoes!
I don't see any cute ones, though.
When you buy hiking shoes,
you want to choose practical ones over fashionable ones.
Manager.
Hello.
Welcome.
Hello.
Believe it or not, they've gotten a lot more stylish than before.
They used to be uncompromisingly practical and made just for dirtbags,
but since there are a lot of girls like you climbing these days,
they've gotten a lot nicer-looking.
So, what kind of shoes are you looking for today?
They're not for me,
but these two are looking for their first proper hiking shoes.
Could you help them out?
We'd appreciate it!
W-We would.
There are actually several types of hiking shoes.
This is good if you want to just walk around town or hike around Chichibu.
Something like this would be good for Mt. Takao.
Where have gone climbing before?
Um...
Mt. Tanigawa, Mt. Tsukuba the other day, and...
Oh, Mt. Fuji.
Likewise.
Do you plan to go to all kinds of places in the future?
Yes, I hope to.
Likewise.
All right, I'd recommend something like this, then.
Give them a feel.
Okay.
Wow, it's pretty stiff.
Yeah, it's stiff.
The sole is made not to bend.
Why is that?
That way, it catches firmly on the rocks.
It doesn't slip.
But if it's soft, it bends too easily.
It may catch, but it'll slip right off.
Oh...
Would you like to try them on?
Wow, you measure using a computer?
It's just a rough measurement, though.
The same size shoe by the same manufacturer
can still be a slightly different size.
How's that?
Are your toes touching the tips?
Um...
I think it's good.
You need to leave about one centimeter of space in front,
or your toes get hit when you're going downhill.
What happens if they do?
Your nails can crack, and you can end up bleeding everywhere.
Okay, try walking in them.
Walk up and down that thing.
A rock face?
Hey, how's it going?
Oh, well...
They're kind of awkward to walk in.
Try walking with your whole foot rather than just your toes.
They're so heavy.
They're so stiff, I can't turn my ankles.
The soles are stiff.
It won't be easy to walk like you normally do.
Something like this?
I made it!
They aren't comfortable to walk in.
And for something so expensive...
Do I really need them that much?
Of course, you don't need them.
People in the old days climbed Mt. Fuji in straw sandals, after all.
Besides, do you think Kato Buntaro had fancy hiking shoes?
Who?
Why not think of them as safe tools rather than as shoes?
Tools?
Sports cars are nice, aren't they?
In a well-paved city, they're comfortable and just great.
But... they're no match for an off-roader on a rocky mountain.
Whether you're playing tennis, dancing ballet, or anything else,
every sport has its own kind of shoes, right?
Don't you think it's the same way with mountain climbing?
I get it!
But if I'm going to spend a lot of money on them,
I'd rather get some cute ones—
I like these shoes!
Do you have these in other sizes?
Sure.
Just a second.
Okay.
Break them in well so they fit your feet.
Okay.
Also, make sure you inspect them before you leave.
It would be a disaster if the sole came off in the mountains or something.
Some people fix them with wire,
but if you have the mind to carry wire with you,
you might as well check your shoes before you go.
That sounds...
Mt. Takao
...kind of familiar.
Oh, and I'll teach you how to tie your laces so they don't come loose.
There's a trick to it?
Make sure you remember it.
We decided to walk up Mt. Tenran on our way home.
We wanted to break in our new shoes.
The knot that the manager taught us...
There.
That should do it.
Huh? Did I mess it up somehow?
Sheesh.
You're so clumsy.
It's like this.
This is a normal bow knot.
It starts out the same,
but you put this loop through the hole a second time.
There. All done.
That'll keep it from coming loose too easily.
But you can untie it the same way you would a bow knot.
Okay.
Now...
To Mt. Tenran we go!
Mt. Tenran Peak / Mt. Tounosu
Mt. Tenran Peak via rocky path and sixteen arhats
Let's go via the rocky path course.
Agreed.
They were right.
It's not the same.
It definitely feels safer.
They're a bit heavy and stiff, but...
Are you okay?
Yeah.
My feet are fine.
So there's a reason they're heavy and stiff.
We made it!
Kaede-san, hiking shoes are nice.
I'm glad I took the plunge.
I know, right?
I'm glad you get it.
You looked like you were upset about spending the money just a minute ago.
Shut up!
I'll use these to climb a lot of mountains,
build up stamina,
and take on Mt. Fuji next summer.
To be continued.
To Be Continued