Tokyo, 1994, starting with medical training

Chapter 10 was too expensive.

"Can."

Kiryu Kazusuke didn't seem to have much of a psychological burden about this.

The other party probably thought he was a suitor of Imagawa Ori, which is why they made this request, hoping to hurt him.

Sachiko Nakamori looked relaxed and confident.

If she really does knock someone unconscious with money, then we can only hope that Dr. Imagawa doesn't think she's joking before she digs her hand in.

"very good."

Sachiko Nakamori's smile deepened.

Just then.

A waiter approached, carrying an ice bucket with a bottle of pale pink champagne inserted at an angle inside, a small shield-shaped label hanging from the neck of the bottle.

Dom Pérignon Rosé Champagne.

The waiter placed the ice bucket steadily on the table, and then skillfully and elegantly pried open the cork with a bottle opener.

A soft "pop" sound.

A fine stream of bubbles emerged from the bottle opening.

He picked up two tulip-shaped champagne glasses, poured a small half-glass for Sachiko Nakamori first, and then poured wine for Kazusuke Kiryu.

Not long after.

A figure appeared next to the booth.

The person who arrived was wearing a well-tailored black suit, and the top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, revealing a small portion of his collarbone.

Her features are exquisite, and together they create a cool and aloof aura that transcends gender.

Not long after.

Wearing a black suit, Imagawa Ori walked over with a smile. Two buttons on her collar were undone, revealing a small patch of fair skin and delicate collarbone.

When she reached the booth, she paused noticeably.

It's normal that Sachiko Nakamori is here.

But why is there a man sitting next to her?

If I'm not mistaken, isn't this Kiryu Kazusuke, the trainee doctor at the medical center?

Has the fact that he had a part-time job been exposed?

Gunma University Hospital is a national hospital, and its doctors hold the status of national civil servants or equivalent, which means that it is governed by the National Civil Service Law and the Local Civil Service Law.

Therefore, in principle, she is not allowed to have part-time jobs outside.

Unless permission can be obtained from the personnel department or hospital.

If it's a part-time job helping out at other hospitals, such as on-call duty, seeing patients in the outpatient clinic, or performing surgeries, then she might have permission.

But, a woman disguised as a man becoming No. 1 in "Kagura Club"?

If the matter is exposed, the consequences range from suspension to dismissal, and the doctor's license may even be revoked for damaging the hospital's reputation.

Imagawa Ori, who had already obtained her specialized medical qualifications, was certainly aware of this.

But she did it anyway.

The reason is simple: under the medical bureau system, even if one becomes a specialist doctor, one is still considered cheap labor and the income is not very considerable, roughly at the national average annual income level.

Here, as long as you please a woman and open a few bottles of expensive champagne, your income can easily exceed her monthly salary.

While you're young, you should take advantage of any opportunities that allow you to make a living based on your youth.

A series of questions arose in her mind, but Imagawa Ori quickly calmed down and did not show any abnormality in her expression.

"Good evening, Nakamori-san. You've become even more beautiful since I last saw you a few days ago."

She continued to play the role of Nao Imagawa, opening with a slightly androgynous, magnetic voice.

Then, he looked at Kiryu Kazusuke.

"But who is this?"

Imagawa Ori's tone carried a hint of displeasure at being offended.

At this point, she could only assume that Kiryu Kazusuke hadn't recognized her, or that she had mistaken her for someone else.

"Don't you recognize him, Imagawa-kun?"

Sachiko Nakamori picked up her water glass, took a sip, and seemed to enjoy the possessiveness that Imagawa Ori was showing.

"Someone I know?"

Imagawa Ori turned her head to the side and looked at Kiryu Kazusuke for a while, her face showing just the right amount of confusion.

"I just ran into him at the store entrance. As soon as he came in, he specifically asked for you, Imagawa-kun."

Sachiko Nakamori chuckled softly and put down her water glass.

Imagawa Ori's expression froze.

Are you specifically asking for your own name?

As expected, it's Kiryu Kazusuke, a trainee doctor at the medical center. How did he know that I work part-time here and have a stage name?

But she didn't say anything, only her gaze fell on Kiryu Kazusuke.

"I came here on the recommendation of a friend who works at the university hospital," Kiryu Kazusuke quickly explained. "My friend said that Imagawa-kun is actually a girl, so I came here specifically to see her."

This was a way of giving her a way out.

After all, things like, "Dr. Imagawa, you don't want people to know you're working as a gigolo for a rich woman, do you?" can only be said in private.

Imagawa Ori felt somewhat relieved.

Since Kiryu Kazusuke doesn't want to expose them on the spot, there's still room for maneuver.

"So you're a guest who came because of your reputation. Thank you so much for your support."

She gave a look of sudden realization and then prepared to sit down next to Kiryu Kazusuke, since the waiter had just told her that he had requested her.

"Imagawa-kun."

Sachiko Nakamori spoke up, her face expressionless.

She brought Kiryu Kazusuke in to give Imagawa Ori a sense of crisis, not to actually create an opportunity for them to get to know each other.

She is the star of the night, and the only big spender.

Although Sachiko Nakamori hasn't said anything yet, in "Kagura Club," being able to read the room is a basic survival skill that everyone must master.

Imagawa Ori is naturally one of the best in this regard.

However, she didn't say anything. She simply adjusted her posture, took a step forward naturally, and sat down next to Sachiko Nakamori.

Sachiko Nakamori was extremely pleased with this little gesture from her.

"So that you, Imagawa-kun, can feel my feelings more clearly."

She placed her hand on Imagawa Ori's shoulder, asserting her ownership, and then raised her other hand.

A waiter who was waiting nearby immediately jogged over and bowed respectfully.

"Nakamori-san, what can I do for you?"

"Let's open a champagne tower."

"You mean the champagne tower?"

The waiter paused, then leaned down, afraid he might not hear the customer's request clearly. Even though he had heard it, he still asked again, somewhat uncertainly.

"That's right, let's just make it a simple six-story building."

"For champagne, please use the best Louis Roederer from your store."

Although Sachiko Nakamori was speaking, she glanced at Kazusuke Kiryu out of the corner of her eye.

Louis Roederer Crystal Champagne, with its eye-catching transparent crystal bottle and gold cellophane packaging, is a favorite among hip-hop artists and celebrities from the University of Northwest University, and here it sells for as much as 20 yen a bottle.

To build a 6-tier champagne tower, you need 91 glasses and 17 bottles of champagne.

That's a total of 340 million yen in spending.

Such extravagant spending has not been seen for a long time in this depressed era following the bursting of the economic bubble.

Even a few years ago, this was a legendary scene that only occurred when the most elite guests celebrated the birthdays or anniversaries of the most top-tier hostesses.

Tonight is neither anyone's birthday nor any anniversary.

Sachiko Nakamori's sole reason for opening the champagne tower for Nakagawa was to demonstrate her power to Kazusuke Kiryu.

"Nakamori-san, this is too much of a expense, how could I..."

Although Imagawa Ori was overjoyed, she still showed a flattered expression and quickly declined.

That's just polite talk, of course.

She had no reason to refuse, nor could she refuse.

(End of this chapter)