Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Two: An Upper Experience in an Uptown without Ups and Downs
Trying not to rush but still eating quickly, I finish the skewers and pick up Gomamiso, who is begging for more food. Sensing the somewhat tense atmosphere from my forceful embrace, Gomamiso becomes uncharacteristically quiet, as if its usual inability to read the room is a lie.
It pokes its head out of my arms and perches on my shoulder, ears and tail standing straight up as it looks around.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ville and Mr. Xenon, who had already left their seats, are paying the bill and heading out.
As I turn to follow, I feel a tug on my clothes. Looking down, I see Ms. Aria’s white hand gripping the edge of my outfit. While Mr. Ville is walking ahead, Ms. Aria follows at a slightly slower pace, not letting go of my clothes…
We end up in a formation with Mr. Ville and Mr. Xenon in the lead, follow by me, Ms. Aria, and Mr. Ed at a slight distance.
“Rin, just stay with us behind Ville and bow your head like we’ll do, okay?”
“Mm. If you stay quiet, it’ll be fine…!”
“Uh, oh, okay…”
In a formation similar to our previous shopping trip, I found myself sandwiched between Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed as we made our way from the lively downtown towards the upscale residential area, the uptown.
The downtown area, now approaching dusk, is bustling with people hurrying home.
As we weaved through the crowd, Mr. Ed, wearing a seemingly friendly smile, whispered to me quietly. Ms. Aria also gave a faint smile and took my free hand.
…Huh… wait… what’s with this atmosphere!? It feels like we’re marching to our doom or something!
Huh? Aren’t we heading to where Mr. Ville’s family is?
Huh?
“Well, you’ll understand when we get there, yeah. They’re not bad people, but…”
“Mm. You should… keep holding Goma… too.”
“Wow… this feels like it’s becoming a really big deal…”
Noticing my obvious confusion, Mr. Ed added an explanation with a slight shrug.
At the same time, Ms. Aria, who had let go of my hand, gently lifted Gomamiso, who was still on alert on my shoulder, and handed it back to me. Judging from Ms. Aria’s serious gaze, there must be quite a reason for all this…
Unlike the crowded downtown, the uptown is already much quieter. I heard that at this time, many families send their housekeepers home and enjoy family time. That’s probably why more people are heading downtown than coming this way…
Amidst this, the lead group… I mean, Mr. Ville and Mr. Xenon suddenly turn down a side street. I readjust Gomamiso in my arms, who is still looking around intently, and follow them.
The side street seems to be lined with what looks like small restaurants. High-end-looking establishments, illuminated by storefront lanterns and street lights, are lined up every few buildings.
The place Mr. Ville enters is a building at the very end of this row… or so it seems.
“Hmm… this… requires some courage to enter, doesn’t it?”
“It doesn’t look like… a shop, right?”
“Yes, it’s almost like a private residence…”
The building has the same imposing structure as the uptown residences we have passed, with a matching atmospheric wooden door. There is no sign, just a brass plate with what seems to be the shop’s name on the door… If the lead group hadn’t gone in, this is definitely the type of place I’d never approach, yup. If someone told me it was "someone’s house," I’d just say, "Yup, totally agree.”
“Oh, good. I was worried we lost you since you entered a bit late.”
“…Sorry… It seems I had less awareness of my surroundings than I thought.”
“It’s okay! I came along with Mr. Ed and Ms. Aria, so no worries!”
Still, steeling myself to enter, I found the inside to be more like a bar than a restaurant.
Aside from the chic counter, there are no tables, and the dimmed lighting gives off a vibe that screams "for classy adults!”
Just as I was about to be overwhelmed by the ambiance, Mr. Xenon and Mr. Ville noticed our late arrival. Mr. Xenon smiled softly as he spotted us, while Mr. Ville lowered his eyebrows and gave a small bow.
But considering Mr. Ville’s feelings, he is about to face the family he’d been so apprehensive about… It’s understandable that he’d lose awareness of his surroundings. Fortunately, or perhaps I should say thankfully, Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed were with me, so I didn’t get lost.
Thinking this, I clenched my fist and smiled, which seemed to relax Mr. Ville’s expression.
“…It seems everyone has arrived… Please, this way…”
Suddenly, a calm voice came from behind. Turning around hastily, I saw a man who appeared to be in his early old age standing behind the counter. I hadn’t noticed him arrive.
With black hair mixed with white neatly combed back, wearing a white shirt and black vest, he has the perfect "bartender" vibe. Judging from the scale-like features on the back of his hands and cheeks, he seems to be a lizardman type with strong human-like characteristics.
As I stare at him with interest, he smiles back at me and smoothly reaches for a bottle at the very end of the shelf. He tips it down… and the shelf section rotates, revealing what looks like stairs leading underground.
“Woah?”
“A-Are you alright, Rin? Come on, let’s go.”
“I’m fine…! I just didn’t expect such a mechanism…”
I inadvertently stepped back and almost lost my balance, but Mr. Ville’s palm stopped my back. I answered the concerned voice coming from above while regaining my composure.
The exterior was like a hideaway bar, but I never imagined the interior would have such an intricate mechanism…!
“Well then, please take care… Have a safe trip…”
Watched off by the quietly bowing bartender, I stepped into the even darker secret passage.
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