This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 372 - 262. Beichuan (8000-word target achieved)

Chapter 372: Chapter 262. Beichuan (8000-word target achieved)

By the time Gangye Yoshiko dragged Beichuan Si to the place to eat, it was already past seven in the evening.

The two of them entered a small yatai food stall.

The so-called yatai is actually a very common type of food stand in Japan.

Its overall shape is similar to that of a small van, with wheels underneath, stools around, a counter on top, various colored shades hanging outside, which are simply dragged away when the stand closes.

A tasteful owner would write the signature snacks of the stall on the shades and also offer drinks like sake, beer, and orange juice.

And it was such a stall that Beichuan Si and Gangye Yoshiko entered.

Although the yatai was quite cramped, the environment of the stall Yoshiko recommended was very nice.

Inside, the oden bubbled merrily, sending up white steam that filled the air with its fragrance, and the light yellow lighting gave a cozy, homely feel. One could tell the counter, which shone brightly from the owner’s cleaning, had a special sense of age.

The owner, wearing a navy blue half apron, was busy grilling yakitori with his back to them, unhurried in his movements.

Since it wasn’t yet the dining hour for the office workers, it was no wonder he was taking his time.

"Boss Heyuan! I’m here."

As soon as they sat down, Gangye Yoshiko greeted the owner loudly.

"Ah, isn’t this Yoshiko?"

Hearing Yoshiko’s voice, Boss Heyuan showed a kindly smile. As he wiped his hands and turned around calmly to face Beichuan Si and Gangye Yoshiko, he said, "And we have a little customer too."

"Hello, Boss Heyuan," Beichuan Si greeted.

"Ha ha... No need to be so formal, please take a seat."

Boss Heyuan was a middle-aged man with a layer of dark stubble, his apron spotless, his gaze benevolent, always wearing a smile. He looked at Beichuan Si, then at Gangye Yoshiko, and, in fact, he was quite surprised.

Gangye Yoshiko was, after all, a regular customer.

But she always came alone and drank a significant amount, like a stalwart drinking hero, which naturally made an impression.

The two had become familiar through these interactions.

But this was the first time Boss Heyuan had seen her bring someone to eat.

And it was such a young-looking boy...

Could this be Yoshiko’s boyfriend?

Boss Heyuan wondered.

They say that old people like to meddle, and he was no exception. After all, a woman like Gangye Yoshiko coming to drink alone was not particularly safe, even though she was a police officer.

If she could find a boyfriend, it would not only ensure her safety but also mean bringing another person to eat here in the future, which would undoubtedly be excellent.

Gangye Yoshiko was a big customer of this yatai, spending one or two thousand yen every visit; if she brought an extra mouth—

Besides, Yoshiko getting a boyfriend would be a win-win situation.

As he was sizing up Beichuan Si and Gangye Yoshiko, Yoshiko herself, seemingly unbothered, leaned against the counter and shouted loudly, "Boss, the usual."

"Right away." Boss Heyuan chuckled and calmly started arranging the small plates, taking out several skewers of shellfish and fishcakes for oden, setting them before Gangye Yoshiko and Beichuan Si. As he did so, he asked, "Yoshiko, what should I call this young man?"

"You can just call him Beichuan," Gangye Yoshiko picked up a skewer of oden and stuffed it into her mouth, regardless of the heat, and mumbled.

Boss Heyuan nodded at Beichuan Si and greeted, "So it’s Mr. Beichuan."

"Mhm," Beichuan Si nodded politely, beginning to eat as well, his expression cool as if he had no intention of flirting with Gangye Yoshiko sitting next to him.

Seeing the pair like this, Boss Heyuan opened his mouth slightly, silenced.

Gangye Yoshiko was like a steel straight man, utterly indifferent to the assist he had just offered.

Beichuan Si just ate quietly, as if the bill later on would not be his to pay.

Boss Heyuan coughed and brought over the yakitori, feigning indifference as he asked, "Is this your little boyfriend, Yoshiko?"

Cough cough cough cough—

Upon hearing this, Gangye Yoshiko coughed several times, her face turning red as if something was stuck in her throat.

She vigorously slapped Beichuan Si on the shoulder.

Beichuan Si, having heard Boss Heyuan but acting as if nothing was amiss, turned emotionlessly and gently patted her back.

Whew—

Gangye Yoshiko exhaled heavily and took a big gulp of ice water before pointing to the emotionless Beichuan Si, who was devouring the snacks, and said, "Boss Heyuan, you, you think this guy is my little boyfriend?"

Her tone was a mix of amusement and slight annoyance.

"Isn’t he?" Boss Heyuan smiled placidly.

By now, he had the shrewdness of someone who’d seen it all, and from Gangye Yoshiko’s reaction, he was already catching on.

"Of course not," Gangye Yoshiko said unflinchingly. "I’d like to live a few more years. If Beichuan were my boyfriend, I’m afraid I wouldn’t last many months without getting angered to death."

"That may be now, but who’s to say about the future," Boss Heyuan said unconcernedly as he fiddled with the tempura frying in the pan.

This too, was a skill of a yatai owner.

Able to delicately raise topics and humorously entertain the customers.

"Ha ha, impossible," Gangye Yoshiko laughed off, casually picking up a grilled bird skewer.

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