Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 13
Sunday noon.
An unknown, heavily tinted car came to pick me up from my apartment.
Driving it was Chairman Takeru who was decked in his flashy suit as usual.
Meanwhile, quietly sitting on the front passenger seat was Dr. Tengo. He was wearing something simple and cheap from that famous clothing retailer known for its affordable, mass-produced clothes.
It suited him so well that he looked like one of those models posing for that brand.
And then there was me who wore a plain, one-piece dress. The car door was opened and I sat in the back.
I decided to confront them about my suspicions today, but my will was already breaking.
Please stop treating me like a princess, I’m not used to this.
“Umm, actually today, I—”
I had so many questions I wanted to ask, but I messed up right away.
“— I was wondering where we’re going today?”
“We’re going to that Chinese restaurant.”
Where is that, Dr. Tengo?
“Yeah, the one with the nice ambiance.”
So where exactly is it, Chairman Takeru?
Are they kidnapping me?
As I looked outside the car window, I noticed that we were near Ariake. [1]
After a while, we stopped in front of a hotel with a unique structure, with twin towers that were connected on one of the upper floors.
No, that’s not it.
Before we entered the establishment, we had to present a membership card in an area that looked like a guard’s station.
The entrance had a feeling of luxury compared to ordinary hotels. But compared to the entrance, the inside looked more luxurious when we entered.
The ceiling is so high!
Ah, it’s a crystal chandelier!
“Ummm, Chairman Takeru?”
“Oh come now, didn’t I tell you to call me Take-chan?”
Sorry, I just can’t.
I have to be professional, professional.
“Actually, today I—”
“Have you been to Bay Resort Club before?”
“Bay Resort… Club?”
“Yeah. This is a members-only establishment and I’m a member. Tengo says he wants to eat Chinese cuisine, so–”
“Members-only!?”
“Don’t sweat it, Tengo and Azuki-chan are my guests so it’s fine.”
So if you’re not invited by a member, you’ll be unable to get past the entrance?
Is there such a thing in Japan?
Wait… How much is the membership fee here?
Is Chairman Takeru actually rich?
Aah, I can’t! I already told myself I won’t be carried away this time!
“Nanakida?”
“Y-yesss?”
Dr. Tengo, please stop suddenly whispering into my ear like that.
Also, why do you look so cool in that set of mass-produced clothes?
“Do you like Chinese food?”
“Y-yes, yes I like it!”
“I see. So that’s why you look like you’re always enjoying all the dishes I make.”
“Ah…”
All the staff meals Dr. Tengo made — Chahan, chukadon, mapo tofu [2]
It’s embarrassing to think about what face I make while eating.
Will he go out of his way to look while I ate Chinese food this time too? Am I just overthinking things, or am I just being too self-conscious?
I’m not used to this!
Lightly putting your hand on the small of my back and escorting me to the elevator is embarrassing!
What’s up with this perfect situation?
A simple girl in a one-piece dress sandwiched between two handsome men. To top it all off, it becomes some sort of punishment game as I’m forced to look at our reflection on the mirrors inside the elevator.
“Welcome, Mr. Yoshiya!”
“Thanks. We’ll be in your care today.” [3]
The manager-like staff guided us to the Chinese restaurant on the top floor.
Wait a minute.
Isn’t the atmosphere quite different from the Chinese restaurants I see in magazines?
The inside looked chic with a black interior and polished ceilings which reflect the glass-topped tables.
But don’t Chinese restaurants have that spinny circle thing on their tables?
Translator’s Notes:
[1] Ariake – is a district in Kōtō, Tokyo, Japan. It is best known as the region adjacent to and directly east of Odaiba. Source
[2] Chahan, chukadon, mapo tofu – namely fried rice, chinese-style rice bowl, and mapo tofu.
[3] We’ll be in your care today – Since there is no direct meaning for よろしくお願いします, I decided to use the above phrase since Takeru was greeting the restaurant staff.
