Lady of Chinatown

Nankinmachi

1

Kafka

…Um, I get why you and Renga have to, but why do I have to wear this too?

Yukikaze

You look good, Kafka. My “Outing with Kaede Disguise Tools” are working well.

Kafka

Huhhh? I don’t want any compliments from you, and that name is pissing me off!

2

Yachiyo

This bow is so cute… If you just add some lace… Ack, snap out of it, Yachiyo! You’re gonna expose your online girl persona…!

3

Ten

An eyepatch? Seriously? This just makes me stand out more.

4

Renga

What the hell is this?! Can’t I just wear a cap and mask?!

Liguang

…Tch. I can’t see…

Kaede

Well, I don’t think anyone will recognize us with these on, at least…

(Renga-kun and Liguang-san are matching… Yuki-nii, you sure are brave for giving those glasses to them.)

5

Yukikaze

……

Kaede

(He’s giving me a thumbs up. Does that mean he did it on purpose to help them get along?)

(If they realize, it actually might make things worse…! I need to distract them for now.)

Okay, let’s get back t⁠—

Mafia Member A

Now what’s the brat from the Lurong family doin’ ‘round these parts?

Liguang

……

Mafia Member B

What business does a HAMA kid got in someone else’s territory?

Liguang

…I’m here to observe, not for family business.

Mafia Member A

Huh? You think we’d believe that? Take your ass back to your little city before we dump your body in the harbor!!

Liguang

……

Yachiyo

Hieeee, th-th-they’re actual yakuza membeeers!

I’m gonna die… I’m gonna piss my pants…!!

Kaede

(W-W-What do we do?!)

Yukikaze

Hm, they saw through our flawless disguises. They must know Liguang well.

Kaede

(Yuki-nii, are you seriously impressed by them right now…?!)

???

What are you doing?

Mafia Member A

…K-Kotonojo-sama?!

Kotonojo

You lot are from Chinto’s territory. This is my garden, so can I ask why you’re messing with my guests?

Mafia Member B

Hyah! I-It’s not what you think, Kotonojo-sama. This guy isn’t just a guest, he’s⁠—

Kotonojo

HUH?

What did you say? I didn’t hear you. Cat got your tongue? Should I rip it out for you?

Kaede

(She looks so pretty and refined, b-but she’s actually really scary…!!)

Mafia Member A

W-W-We’re terribly sorry!! H-Hey, let’s go!

Mafia Member B

A-Ayeah… Pwease enjoy your twip, guys…

Liguang

……

Kotonojo

Hey, sorry about that. You got your hands dirty in our city’s sewage waste. I’m Yuzuriha Kotonojo, KOBE’s Ward 1 mayor.

Kaede

(She’s the mayor here…!)

Th-Thank you so much for the help…

Kotonojo

You’d naturally throw away trash if it was in your room, right? That’s all I did.

Kaede

Ah… Ahaha… I guess you’re right.

(She doesn’t seem to know that we’re from HAMA. I can’t mention it now… She was scary, but it looks like she treats guests nicely.)

Kotonojo

But now we might receive some trashy reviews because of them… Hey, let me treat you all to some lunch.

Kaede

Huh? No, it’s fine…!

Kotonojo

You’re not gonna say no, are you? Are you?

Kaede

(She’s smiling, but it’s not reaching her eyes…! I feel like she’s threatening us…)

What do we do, Kafka?

Kafka

……

Well, studying your enemy’s moves is important too. Let’s take her up on it.

Chinese Restaurant VIP Room

Chinese Restaurant VIP Room

Kotonojo

The food here is beautiful, isn’t it? It’s a shame that it all becomes waste after humans eat it.

Yachiyo

Wow, wow, wow… A VIP room in a fancy Chinese restaurant… This is too much for a poor person to handle…!

Renga

…We have fancy Chinese restaurants in HAMA too…

Liguang

……

Yukikaze

It all looks delicious. Thank you for paying for us, Kotonojo.

Ten

Can I order the shark fin?

Kafka

Alright, let’s eat. ♪

Kaede

Y-Yeah…

Kotonojo

So, where are you coming from?

Yukikaze

HAMA. We spent some time at the harbor yesterday.

Kotonojo

Ah, then you probably met Minamo. He’s always working around those parts.

Kaede

Ah, yes, we did. He was very nice. His hospitality services were really good too…

(Kotonojo-san is friendlier than I thought…)

Kotonojo

I see… So you’re from HAMA. I’m surprised you came from so far away.

KOBE is in a different dimension compared to a run-down city like HAMA.

Renga

…Huh?

Kaede

Um…

Kotonojo

Ah, I wasn’t badmouthing all of you. The reason why HAMA is a trash heap is because of its incompetent mayors.

I heard they have a new Ward 0 mayor, but that’s it. An idiot born in a place like HAMA could never do anything to save it.

I feel bad for all of you for being born in that dumpster.

Kaede

(Sh-She’s saying all of this because she doesn’t know they’re mayors…right?)

Renga

Kh… Grr…

Kaede

(Renga-kun really wants to say something back…! He’s literally shaking…)

Yachiyo

Shudder shudder shudder… I-I’m gonna piss my pants again…

Yukikaze

I see. You’re very honest, Kotonojo. But HAMA is a nice city.

Ten

Ah, I’ll take some fried live abalone too.

Kotonojo

Well, HAMA wasted all of its great tourist attractions and doesn’t treat its guests well like we do, so it was bound to fail.

After all, why go to HAMA when you can have a better time anywhere else in JPN?

Liguang

……

Kotonojo

Is something wrong? I’m talking to you, in the weird glasses.

Liguang

It’s nothing.

Kotonojo

The boy with the mustache seems like he has something to say as well.

Kafka

Really now? Are you sure you’re not trying to make me say something?

Kotonojo

Hah, well, whatever. This is KOBE, a beautiful city, unlike HAMA. Enjoy your stay here.