Chapter 303
Chapter 303
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 303
Chapter Title: Mimaya Takasho (2)
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1.
Takasho grabbed Siu's wrist, who was still trying to wrap his head around the situation, and led him up to the manager's office on the second floor.
"Whoa! My soul brother! Shin Siu! You look great!"
The moment the door closed, Takasho threw his arms open and pulled him into a tight hug.
A thick wave of cologne hit him, easing some of the bewilderment.
Siu had expected a warm reunion, but seeing Takasho so transformed sparked more confusion than joy—what the hell had happened?
"You look even better. What's this? Hidden camera prank?"
Takasho pulled out bottles and glasses from a display case, lining them up neatly for himself and Siu.
A flashy luxury watch glinted as a bonus.
"Who do you think I am? I'm the pride of Hokkaido, the unbreakable Seven-Story Pagoda, the former No. 1 ace who ruled Kabukicho—Mimaya Takasho!"
Flopping onto the sofa with a frivolous laugh and casual speech left no doubt this was Takasho.
But he looked like a completely different person from the guy who always wore shabby work clothes and scratched his crotch endlessly.
If a stranger showed a photo and asked his job, Siu would've guessed wealthy entrepreneur.
"I've been cutting back on booze for self-care lately. But when a friend drops by, you gotta drink. Cheers. This is some new import."
Damn, he looks good.
Seeing his old worrywart friend thriving lifted Siu's spirits too.
Riding the festive mood, Siu pulled out his secret weapon from his bag.
"Nice. Let's have this with it."
"Th-this is...?"
Takasho sprang up from his successful-businessman pose, arms sprawled across the sofa.
Siu's secret weapon number one: instant ramen.
Not your average stuff.
This was the pricey kind—nearly 6,000 won a pack—using liquid soup stock to capture authentic tonkotsu broth.
"I remembered you always singing about wanting ramen, so I stocked up. About fifty packs."
"Fifty...? Ichiran Ramen...! My absolute favorite...!"
Takasho dove for the scattered ramen packs like he was crawling on the floor.
He looked like a junkie who'd stumbled on a secret stash.
"Siu... Siu... Takasho is so happy... you're my friend... You know all that 'Chonjening' crap from back then was just messing around, right?"
Tears welling up, he bowed deeply in dogeza.
The mainland dogeza style was on another level from the start.
"Hey, Takasho, get up, check everything out, then bow properly. Make it more sincere."
"Yes, sir! Master! Woof woof!"
Siu dumped out two bags in front of Takasho.
Potato chips tumbled out, along with the Japanese cigarettes Takasho had missed, comfy underwear, a razor and spare blades.
All sorts of Japanese instant foods, an instant camera with film, and a photobook collection of his favorite actress too.
Having lived in Gehenna himself, Siu knew exactly what you'd miss when it ran out.
He'd made a list of necessities and packed them all.
"Hng... Hng... So good... Too good... Takasho's gonna die happy...!"
Seeing Takasho rolling on the floor in bliss brought a warm smile to Siu's face.
2.
With two bags of potato chips opened and warm ramen in front, the two chatted away.
To Siu's question of what the hell had happened, Takasho explained.
"After you left, I did a lot of thinking. You went through the same slave life as me but learned magic properly and made it big. Made me feel like I'd wasted my time—total emptiness."
Takasho slurped noodles with ecstatic expressions at each bite, then gulped broth and shivered like he was hitting climax.
As the gift-giver, nothing felt more satisfying than seeing him this happy.
"So I figured it was time to chase my own dream."
"Dream?"
"Dying as a mere pleasure slave for the witches felt too pathetic."
"Becoming a host club boss. That's the true emperor of the night, right? A man’s gotta dream big."
Takasho chugged his booze and thumped his chest proudly.
"So I went to Count Adonai. You know his trading company handles Gehenna logistics. I asked for a loan to start a business."
"And he gave it to you?"
Takasho was popular with plenty of witches, sure, but he was still just a slave.
Even in a backwater like Lenormand Town, opening a prime spot like this took serious cash...
"I explained it thoroughly. Gehenna lacks entertainment, as you know. Especially for witches to unwind their pent-up lust? Only two spots."
"Velvet Brothel in Tarot Town and the 'Hydrangea Garden' at Levana Grand Bathhouse. That's it."
"Our host club fills that gap perfectly."
"Witches too poor for bathhouse memberships, who want flirty teasing and VIP treatment over plain sex—romance-lite vibes."
"Sounds solid."
"And I staked my life on it. If it doesn't turn profitable in a year or break even in three, I'll volunteer as a magic test subject."
Siu chuckled.
He figured it was exaggerated bravado.
But Takasho's face was dead serious.
The eyes of a man.
"You nuts?"
"Compared to life's fifty years like a fleeting river, a dream's but a wisp. Who among the reborn doesn't die?"
"......"
"Shin Siu, I'm dead serious."
Dizzying.
Great to see his friend spreading ambitious wings, but wagering his life seemed reckless.
Siu quietly resolved to ask his master for help if things went south.
He couldn't just watch his buddy become a lab rat.
But no need to jinx it yet—he kept the talk going.
"Business running smooth?"
"Still soft-opening, but the potential's there."
"How do you handle operations?"
"Hosts from good-looking public slaves—train 'em up. Booze straight from Adonai Trading. That's why I went to the count; he’s got direct lines to city hall and suppliers."
Bit reckless, kinda vague.
Still...
"You badass, you."
"Right? I think the same every time I check the mirror."
Honestly, he was impressive.
Not the polished new look, but the passion to risk it all for a dream.
"Anyway, buddy, it's been ages—spill your updates. Got a girlfriend?"
Girlfriend, huh...
Someone pretty damn close had come along.
Should introduce her to Takasho sometime.
"Yup. Witch?"
"Freaky accurate, punk."
"Show me pics. What's her name?"
"Sharon Evergreen."
"Whoa, pretty name. Lemme see~"
Siu opened his phone gallery and showed the few Sharon shots he had.
Takasho swiped through them.
No posed selfies.
Just casual ones from living together—meals or outings.
Siu's photography skills were generously "mediocre" at best.
But Sharon's flawless looks and killer bust turned even sloppy snaps into magazine spreads.
"Damn Korean punk."
Takasho's brows furrowed darkly as he scrolled.
"You go on dates with this babe, ask 'What do you wanna eat today?', irresponsible creampie barrages in bed? Lazy morning sex, sleepy wake-ups rubbing eyes, sweet coffee kisses, playful ass smacks over eye contact— that's your daily life?"
"Holy shit, what are you?"
Nailed it.
Kinda creepy.
"You fraud!"
"Y-you've been with witches too."
"Siu... I told you a million times... witches aren't girlfriends to me... Sigh... Jealous as hell. Should've studied magic harder."
His face crumpling like he might cry, Takasho kept swiping.
Then another witch pic caught his eye.
Eloa this time.
A recent one—post-sparring, sunset shot, her popping in to goof off in front of Siu.
Takasho's trembling intensified.
"Yo, Korean. Who's this?"
"Uh... an acquaintance witch. Teaching me the ropes now."
"Teaching what?! You messing with me?! Came all this way for this?!"
"You wanted to see—gimme the phone!"
Fuming and flailing, Takasho swiped faster.
After sparse master pics came one from the twins' visit.
His thumb froze.
Siu in the middle, twins squishing cheeks against his face till they puckered.
Siu still remembered Odil and Odet bickering over who got more face in frame.
Anyway, they looked suspiciously chummy.
"Jemernai twins. Yo, Shin Siu. You said just look, don't touch apprentices."
"Hand it over."
"Late learners stay up all night studying, huh..."
Siu snatched the phone back in a panic.
He'd totally forgotten that pic.
Calming down, Takasho looked enlightened.
"Y'know, thinking about it, I'm basically your master. A true teacher's heart rejoices in their disciple's success."
"Can't argue that."
Takasho's advice had a high hit rate on practical stuff, after all.
"So, wanna work at my place?"
"Nah, heading back soon. I'll visit often though."
"Aight?"
Whatever jealous rage that was, Takasho grinned easily—probably joking anyway.
That's just how he was.
A genuine friend who cheered you on no matter how well you did.
"Introduce your girl next time. I'll boost your ego proper."
"She said she wanted to meet you after I mentioned you."
They were about to keep catching up.
-Knock knock
The blond guy who'd led Siu in earlier entered.
"Sorry to interrupt your catch-up, bro. Traders are here from the company. Need to talk?"
"Who?"
"Liquor distributors, looks like. Tariff issues cropped up."
"Got it."
Takasho straightened his rumpled suit and stood.
Patted Siu's shoulder and rose.
Now he cut a proper businessman's figure from behind.
"Sorry, Siu. First visit in ages, but gotta bounce."
"No biggie. I'll swing by again soon."
"Yeah, you look good too—great to see. Next time, let's get properly wasted."
Takasho walked off.
As Siu geared to leave, the blond guy hesitated, eyeing him.
"Um..."
"Something up?"
"Are you close with witches?"
"Kinda."
"Dunno if I should ask, but... got a favor. See, my bro..."
Just then, Takasho's voice cut in perfectly.
"What're you doing, Paul? C'mon!"
"Yes, bro! ...Never mind. Excuse me. Take care."
The blond guy—wanting to say something—vanished without a chance.