Mabaka - Magic is for Idiots!/Recap/S1/C5 Failed Exploration

2-2 Failed Exploration
""Don't you know the meaning of the term girl's locker room!?""

Rokuro is justifiably stunned by at the size of the buildings in Tokyo. According to him, Mahokkai isn't exactly filled with these types of structures. He notes that how different his picture of Japan was before coming here, and that what they teach back at home is very likely outdated by a few centuries. His elders' definition of humans also seemed quite different different than fact. Akemi was nice, caring, and hospitable. Rokuro figures that any garbage his teachers spouted out was probably just their opinions.

Even though he likes the way the city looks, Rokuro doesn't enjoy all the stares he's been getting from people. When a small boy notes how he likes the weird clothes Rokuro has, the wizard realizes that normal clothing for him probably isn't normal for the first dimension.

After the boy asks where he can get cool clothes like that, Rokuro takes off and somehow ends up at Okashii High. Hearing Akemi's name being called (And seeing the orange hair), Rokuro peeks through a window at the gymnasium, where the kendo club is practicing. He quickly learns what kendo is, and that Akemi is fairly skilled at it. He makes another mental note to never piss the girl off too badly.

Inside the gym, Akemi's match is finished and she gets ambushed by Rie with a towel. Rie gleefully explains that she has found some information of wizards in her books that she wants to share. She also adds that she wants to go to the Hanabira Café so they can talk, as the gym is sweaty and gross. Akemi laments this, but gives in shortly.

"Akemi: You just want to go there because it's a manga café, don't you? Rie: Well, would you rather stay here? In this hot and sweaty place? Akemi: Eh, good point. I was leaving anyway. The teams are going to start their practice soon, so people who are only in the club- Rie: I know, I know, Akemi-chan... My older brother is on the team, remember? Akemi: How could I possibly forget?"

(That older brother will become important in the future.)

Akemi leaves to go change before heading off with Rie. Rokuro follows from outside, but almost gets caught by some girls who are walking around the schoolyard. Without thinking, he hops through the window he was going to look through anyway, and ends up in the girl's locker room. Naturally, Akemi is not impressed and Rokuro is embarrassed at having seen her in nothing but her underwear and a towel. She hits him without a second thought, but is slightly forgiving once she learns that the wizard has never heard of a locker room before.

"Akemi: You don't know what a locker room is? Rokuro: As I said before, no. So what is it? Akemi: People use locker rooms to get dressed. They go to the one for their respective gender. Y'know, girls, boys... They don't have those back in Mahokkai? Rokuro: Considering the fact that the majority of us have the ability to change with a snap of our fingers... There isn't a need for things like that. Akemi: Are you using a figure of speech? Rokuro: No, I'm being literal."

Once Akemi is dressed and Rokuro is no longer huddling close to the floor, Akemi gives him directions on how to get home and sends him on his way. She exits the locker room, only to be ambushed by a hysterical Rie for a second time. Rie inquires as to why she heard her best friend screaming. Akemi tells her to let it go.

Tropes

 * Accidental Pervert
 * Honorifics: "Your clothes are weird, onii-sama..."
 * Literal Metaphor
 * So Much for Stealth: As one reader points out, "Rokuro totally went Solid Snake after reaching the school... though not quite as successfully."