As Chisako wiped her shoe soles with a tissue, they, hailing from Tokyo and Capital City, walked together through the Nagoya night.
"Prime Minister Dubian, may I ask you a question?" Chisako held a beverage in one hand and covered her neckline with the other, the evening breeze a bit cold.
"Secretary Chisako, I’m not cold."
"No, it’s not about that. What does your being cold have to do with me?"
"Huh? You speak to me this way?"
"I’m sorry, Prime Minister!"
Dubian Che snorted arrogantly through his nose.
Kiyono Lin and Sahui exchanged glances, seeing the same helplessness in each other’s eyes.
Chisako took a sip of her drink, which retained a bit of warmth; she hurriedly took a few more sips, hoping to finish it before it completely cooled down.
Enjoying the sweetness between her lips, she continued, "I heard you moved from Iwate Prefecture to Tokyo for school alone. Can you share some life experiences?"
"Don’t go to Ochazuke," Dubian Che blurted out.
Hearing Chisako’s question and also prepared to listen earnestly, the other two girls showed puzzled expressions along with Chisako.
Dubian Che looked grim, "The cafes there always play outdated rock music, and even if you add sugar, the coffee is still bitter."
"...I see," Chisako replied, unsure what else to say.
"Be serious," Kiyono Lin muttered irritably.
"Alright, alright, I’ve never seen someone from Capital City, just wanted to tease a bit."
"We’re not monkeys!" Chisako and Sahui exclaimed in unison.
Dubian Che pointed at the two girls and said with a laugh to Kiyono Lin, "See, isn’t it funny?"
"That’s very rude," Kiyono Lin stated, not denying the humor.
"Chisako," Sahui grabbed Chisako’s arm, glaring at Dubian Che, "Let’s go back."
Sahui paused her steps to turn, still speaking to Chisako, "Let’s have a feast, and specifically order the expensive items!"
"...Is that really okay?"
"What’s the big deal?" Sahui tucked her long hair behind her ear, speaking nonchalantly, "It’s his fault anyway. He still owes us for the last incident at the station concert. It’s only right that he treats us."
Chisako hadn’t seen Sahui before, this Dubian Che really was her nemesis.
She looked helplessly at Kiyono Lin.
"Hey, my secretary, why are you looking at her? I said I’m treating," Prime Minister Dubian Che spoke discontentedly.
Kiyono Lin smiled lightly and nodded, "That’s a good idea, better to treat us than spend money on games, and a perfect chance to apologize for last time."
"Then we won’t hold back. Ah, we’re here, I can already smell it!"
Chisako pushed open the fabric curtains and disappeared into the shop.
Dubian Che to Kiyono Lin, "...It’s my money, right? Why do you decide?"
"Do you have a problem with that?" Kiyono Lin looked at him lightly.
Chisako popped her head out from inside the store, "Come on, I’ve found a seat!"
The three of them entered the shop.
It was an udon noodle shop called ’Kawasho’, with unique decor.
It resembled a shed constructed of steel bars, with rusty columns, walls adorned with white coarse cloth gloves, safety helmets, clippings from newspapers, celebrity photos, and more.
Even the stools were peculiar, consisting of overturned baskets used for storing wine and eggs, with black cushions on top for seating.
Inside, two groups of patrons were already seated, both men and women in suits, seemingly society people out after a work event.
The four of them sat down in a corner against the wall, Dubian Che and Kiyono Lin naturally sitting together, he facing Chisako, with Sahui sitting opposite Kiyono Lin.
"This place is strange," Sahui’s big, dark eyes curiously scanned everything inside.
"I’ve never been to such a shop before, and it’s already eleven at night!" Chisako said, slightly excited.
"Welcome, what will you order?" The waiter approached with a pad and pen.
"Miso pork cutlet," Dubian Che ordered without even looking at the menu.
"No," Kiyono Lin vetoed.
"The miso in Nagoya is different from Tokyo’s, and what if you get sick and it affects tomorrow’s match? Can you take responsibility?"
"Do you think I’ve been training all this time for nothing?"
"No matter what you’ve trained for, you can only eat udon tonight." Kiyono Lin no longer wasted words, directly telling the waiter, "Two udon sets, skip the special side dishes, thank you."
"Alright," the waiter noted down the order.
Dubian Che picked up the barley tea on the table, pursed his lips, and the cold liquid slid down his throat, cooling his insides.
Meanwhile, the two girls from Capital City were conflicted over the menu.
"What should we do, I really want to try the flat noodles, and this oyster and egg looks delicious too!" Chisako frowned slightly.
"This assorted hot pot and oden looks quite good..." Sahui also frowned, pondering seriously.
"You can order everything if you want," Dubian Che swirled his glass, sipping the barley tea as if it was scalding hot, "I brought enough money."
Sahui’s hand was about to make a decision when Kiyono Lin spoke, "You have a match tomorrow too, right? Better stick with Kyoto cuisine."
Kyoto cuisine, cooked with Kyoto flavors, is selective about seasonal ingredients, mainly using tofu, bamboo shoots, and vegetables, known for its delicate flavor and exquisite presentation.
"Close call, close call. Sahui, let’s just have udon too."