Volume 4 Chapter 10 Predators
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(It’s all far from the hotel)
I check my email with a list of store names in the lobby.
Most of the places on the list are near Elishira-san’s house, or in Midtown where we’re going to live, or in the East Village where I bought a gift for Risa-san.
At the end of the list, there’s a café in the Upper East Side that’s close to the hotel.
I decide to look up the café’s website, and it has all kinds of omelets and pancakes on the menu, along with the address and a map.
(It’s close from here, but it’s in Lexington town…)
I feel like I might run into President Totatsu if I walk around that area. I’ve talked to her a couple of times, but our conversations have been pretty normal, nothing flirty.
Last time, when she invited me to lunch, she said she wanted to know what guys my age are interested in, so it wasn’t the kind of invitation that would worry Risa-san.
But still──
I can’t shake the worry that there’s always some kind of body touch at the end of our conversations. That’s uncomfortable.
(What a hassle if I run into him by chance)
It feels awkward to have lunch with someone I’m not that close to, who travels around the world for work. To avoid running into him… I guess I can just change the time.
Thinking back to when I met him 2 days ago, I remember I went into the coffee shop a little after 9. The café I’m aiming for opens at 7, so I don’t have to wait at another place.
And if I leave before 10, I probably won’t run into her, right?
I walked quickly from the hotel to the café that had just opened in Lexington town.
I took a picture of the café’s exterior and the inside through the window with my phone. It didn’t look super fancy, but it seemed like a popular spot. I didn’t know that. Other tourists were taking pictures just like me.
Once I went inside, I sat at the counter, the farthest seat from the door. I ordered a 3-cheese omelet and a mixed juice with fruits and veggies.
A lot of the places around here are old, and this café has an Old American style. The decor is old, but it’s clean and well-kept. When my order arrived, I took a picture to capture the whole interior.
(What about the customers…?)
When I worked part-time in Japan, I never really thought about the types of customers coming in and out. I guess I should figure out the gender and age of people who don’t look like tourists?
The owner’s request to “check the customer base” was too vague, and I didn’t know how to do it. For now, I just jotted down the number of guys and girls and their ages.
”Are we playing market research today?”
When I turned around, I saw President Totatsu at a small table behind me, chuckling.
”‘Playing’ means…”
”I’m just joking. You looked so serious, I couldn’t help but tease you. You’re tall, have black hair, and a good-looking face, so you stand out even from far away.”
Talking to her now made me realize she has a unique kind of confidence that gives off a strong presence. It’s something I don’t have since I always act with some kind of anxiety.
When I face people like her, I always feel like I’m the one being preyed upon. So I try to resist not getting caught.
I didn’t understand this the first time we met, but by the second time, I was unconsciously trying to escape.
”It’s good to observe things like belongings and outfits. Is it street style? Business suits? Also, check what age and gender of people are getting takeout or eating in.”
It felt like she knew exactly what I was struggling with just a moment ago.
”Hey, it’s okay to have a meal today, right? I can tell you what you want to know.”
I thought her advice could really help with the problems I’m facing right now.
”I don’t have money, so I can’t go to fancy places. Is that okay?”
”Sure.”
I’m not a working adult yet, but while eating my cheese omelet, I wondered if this is how a salaryman feels when treating a business partner to a meal.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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