21st Century Necromancer-Chapter 893 - 887: Conversation
Chapter 893 -887: Conversation
The quality that sets doctors apart from ordinary people—this was something Chen Yu hadn’t managed to figure out.
Not that Chen Yu didn’t ask. Instead, the geisha teasingly kept it to herself, leaving the question unanswered.
This was likely a part of geisha strategy—piquing a guest’s curiosity so that the topic could be revived the next time they visit.
Keeping guests curious about them was, after all, a survival skill for geisha.
Chen Yu didn’t continue pressing for an answer, and interestingly enough, just as their conversation reached this point, another geisha finished her dance performance and prepared to pour drinks for the guests, naturally interrupting the topic.
The interruption didn’t make Chen Yu feel bothered or dissatisfied—everything unfolded seamlessly.
Yet it highlighted the geisha’s precise control over conversational timing and exceptionally polished skills in dialogue and small talk.
In establishments like this ryotei, geisha typically don’t accompany guests for the entire duration. Instead, they leave at an appropriate time to visit another group of guests.
This setup allows guests to enjoy the geisha’s performances while also granting them private conversation time without concerns about sensitive topics being overheard by the geisha.
It’s worth noting that during the Bakumatsu period, Meiji Restoration Patriots often relied on conversations between geisha and Shogunate officials during banquets to gather critical information and intelligence.
Moreover, this arrangement works in favor of geisha since moving among different guest groups means more income for them.
Of course, if a group wishes for a geisha to stay with them exclusively, paying extra can make that happen.
And some wealthy patrons aren’t shy about inviting multiple groups of geisha, alternating between them to indulge in varied experiences.
Chen Yu, however, wasn’t as extravagant; he simply hired this particular group of geisha to accompany them until their meal was finished.
After dinner, three geisha departed, and Chen Yu and his companions also left Gion.
Because Jounouchi Hiromi was pregnant, Chen Yu escorted her back to the hotel first, while the others opted to explore Kyoto’s nightlife, splitting off to visit their favorite spots separately.
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Kohinata Kaori naturally linked arms with Minami for their stroll, and since Misumi Mikoto was also single, she joined them rather than cozying up by Tokairin Yuko’s side like a third wheel.
The three wandered along Kamogawa Riverside, admiring Kyoto’s nightscape while lingering by the diverse array of stores lining the street.
As Misumi Mikoto stepped into a nearby kimono shop to admire its selections, Kohinata Kaori seized the chance to ask Minami, “Minami-chan, are you still crushing on my Second Senior Brother? Judging by the way you looked at him today, it’s like you’ve totally fallen for him! Get a grip! He already has a girlfriend!”
“I know already! It’s just… I really do like him…” Minami, feeling embarrassed by Kohinata Kaori’s blunt remark, hesitantly admitted, “I understand liking him is wrong, and if anything actually happened between us, the consequences would be severe, but I simply can’t control how much I like him!”
Upon hearing Minami’s confession, Kohinata Kaori sighed deeply and said in exasperation, “Why would you fall for Second Senior Brother? If you must latch on to someone, pick Senior Brother Chen instead! What’s so great about Second Senior Brother anyway? He’s an extremely ordinary guy…
I mean, if you liked Senior Brother Chen, I’d totally get it. He’s handsome, talented—the kind of guy every woman dreams of. But Second Senior Brother… I seriously don’t see what you’re thinking here!”
Minami looked at Kohinata Kaori, who seemed visibly frustrated as though she couldn’t stand her lack of judgment. Minami offered a sheepish smile, fully understanding Kaori’s intentions. She didn’t see Kaori’s interference as meddlesome; instead, she appreciated that it was out of concern for her own good.
However, after struggling with denial and distress, Minami had chosen to accept and confront the fact that she was truly drawn to Inomata Naoki.
So, apologizing for the trouble she’d caused, Minami said, “I’m really sorry, Kaori. I’ve caused you so much worry. It’s just… I’ve genuinely tried not to like Mr. Naoki, but when it comes to love… once it’s there, I find it impossible to suppress. I can’t betray my own feelings.”
Tenderly expressing remorse, Minami added, “But you don’t have to worry, Kaori. I only admire him silently; I won’t take any actions toward Mr. Naoki or seek to be with him. Just harboring my feelings is enough for me…”
“Seriously, what’s so amazing about Second Senior Brother anyway!” Kohinata Kaori, growing even more helpless, exclaimed at Minami’s confession. “If you told me you wanted to snatch him away, I could maybe understand better—but you, Minami, with your whole secret unrequited thing… I just… ugh, I don’t know what to say to you anymore!”
Defeated, Kohinata Kaori let out a resigned sigh, giving up on persuading Minami.
After all, she knew that matters of the heart couldn’t be forced. No matter how much one tried to talk sense into a person in love, it was almost impossible to overturn their feelings.
At this moment, she could only hope that Minami was being truthful—that having her silent affection would suffice and she wouldn’t confess or make any moves toward Inomata Naoki.
“What are you two chatting about?” As Kohinata Kaori and Minami were discussing Inomata Naoki, Misumi Mikoto finished browsing the store, walking over with a pale yellow yukata in hand.
“Nothing much—Minami said she’s recently gotten a crush on someone and asked me for advice!” Kohinata Kaori immediately deflected, noticing the yukata in Mikoto’s hands and asking, “Dr. Misumi, are you planning to buy a yukata?”
“Yes, I just looked around and really liked this pattern, so I’m thinking of purchasing it.” Misumi Mikoto explained as she handed her bag to Kohinata Kaori. “Dr. Kohinata, could you hold this for me? I want to try on the yukata to see how it looks on me.”
Kohinata Kaori received the bag and nodded, saying, “With your complexion, Dr. Misumi, it’ll definitely look gorgeous on you. This color suits your skin perfectly!”
Hearing Kaori’s compliment, Misumi Mikoto’s mood brightened instantly. She smiled and replied, “Dr. Kohinata, you’re too kind! Your skin is so well-maintained too—I’ve been meaning to ask you for skincare tips! Being a forensic doctor, I rarely get to wear makeup and still haven’t figured out how to care for my skin properly!”
“Not wearing makeup is actually better for your skin. I don’t do much upkeep—mainly just use facial masks. The one I’m using right now is from a brand I discovered during my time studying in the United Kingdom. When we get back tonight, I’ll give you a couple to try.” When it came to skincare, women seemed instantly engaged. Kohinata Kaori quickly began chatting up Misumi Mikoto on the subject.
“Sounds wonderful! I’ll make sure to visit you later tonight then!” Mikoto nodded eagerly, clutching the yukata and heading toward the fitting room.
