Chapter 255: International Student

“There are so many people here,” Takeshima Shinobu remarked as they walked.

Taking advantage of the holiday, Takeshima Shinobu suggested going shopping. Kazumi initially didn’t feel like going, but when she saw that Rumi seemed interested, the three of them decided to go out together.

“It’s Saturday, so it’s normal for there to be more people. Rumi, hurry up and keep up,” Kazumi said.

“Oh, okay.” The kendo girl, who rarely went shopping and was now excitedly looking around, quickly caught up.

“Rumi, you look just like a countryside girl visiting Tokyo for the first time,” Takeshima Shinobu teased with a light laugh.

Hearing this, Rumi immediately pouted in dissatisfaction. “Shinobu, you’re so mean, saying that about me.”

Seeing her pout, Takeshima Shinobu laughed even harder. “But it’s true. You probably don’t go shopping very often, do you?”

A little embarrassed, the kendo girl nodded.

When she admitted that her only usual pastimes were watching TV and practicing kendo, Takeshima Shinobu looked like she was about to faint. “Are you serious? Are you even a modern person? And by the way, practicing kendo doesn’t count as entertainment! No wonder you don’t have a boyfriend with habits like that.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with it. Actually, when I was in Hokkaido, I rarely even watched TV. I spent at least four hours a day practicing kendo, and on holidays, I’d practice all day.”

The more Takeshima Shinobu listened, the more incredulous she became. However, she also started to understand why this girl was so pure-hearted.

When they reached the third-floor women’s clothing section, they saw the swimwear area filled with a variety of swimsuits. Suddenly inspired, Takeshima Shinobu said, “It’s already summer again without us realizing. How about we go swimming sometime?”

Kazumi wasn’t interested, but Rumi seemed a little excited. “Sure, it’s been a long time since I’ve gone swimming.”

Seeing Rumi’s response, Takeshima Shinobu was very satisfied. She pointed to the swimsuits and said, “In that case, let’s pick out a couple of swimsuits to prepare.”

“There’s no need. I already have a swimsuit.”

“Don’t tell me your swimsuit is one of those old-fashioned one-piece ones. With your figure, it would be such a waste to wear something like that. Come on, I’ll pick out something super cute for you. Kazumi, you too!” Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed Rumi’s hand and dragged her into the swimwear section.

“Really, it’s fine—”

“No way.”

Seeing Rumi being dragged off, Kazumi couldn’t help but laugh as she remembered how her brother had also forced her to pick out swimsuits last time.

In the end, Rumi was coerced into trying on a three-piece bikini in the fitting room. However, when Takeshima Shinobu called her to come out and show off the look, Rumi, feeling the swimsuit was too revealing, refused to come out.

Eager to see the result, Takeshima Shinobu rolled up her sleeves and forcibly pulled her out, causing the shy girl to scream in protest, which immediately attracted strange looks from other customers. After some commotion, Rumi was eventually forced to leave with the two swimsuits that Takeshima Shinobu had chosen for her.

“All set?” Kazumi asked with a smile.

“Y-Yeah,” Rumi replied, her face flushed.

Takeshima Shinobu immediately started retelling the earlier scene, embellishing the details. Listening to her exaggerated version, Rumi became both embarrassed and flustered, trying several times to interrupt her.

After a while of joking around, Takeshima Shinobu said, “Let’s go check out the next section.”

Kazumi, however, had a strange expression on her face. “I’m a little thirsty. How about we head downstairs to the restaurant for a drink first?”

“Alright, that sounds good.” Takeshima Shinobu thought for a moment before agreeing.

“Let’s go then,” Kazumi said as she grabbed Rumi’s hand and headed for the escalator.

Noticing her urgency, Takeshima Shinobu found it a bit strange but didn’t dwell on it and quickly followed.

As the escalator descended, Kazumi glanced casually at the women’s clothing section on the third floor while Takeshima Shinobu and Rumi were chatting. She noticed someone familiar but was relieved that they hadn’t spotted her. Feeling reassured, she turned back to look at the kendo girl talking with Takeshima Shinobu.

After the three of them left, in the dress section next to the swimwear area, an exceptionally beautiful woman slowly stepped out of a fitting room.

“Lei, this skirt is too short,” Naoko said, blushing furiously as she tried to tug the ultra-short skirt lower.

When she looked up and saw Lei Yin staring at her intently, she lowered her head in embarrassment.

Slowly walking to her side, Lei Yin suddenly adopted a serious expression. “Naoko, there’s been a question in my heart for a while now, but I’ve always been hesitant to ask.”

Seeing his serious demeanor, Naoko felt a little nervous. “What is it?”

“Why is it that no matter what you wear, you always look stunning?” Lei Yin said, maintaining his serious expression.

Realizing he was teasing her, Naoko blushed and gently hit his chest with a playful pout.

Lei Yin chuckled and then took her delicate hand in his. “You truly look beautiful.”

Naoko’s cheeks flushed, and she softly said, “Didn’t you say before that you didn’t like me wearing miniskirts? Why are you asking me to try one on now?”

While playing with her slender fingers, Lei Yin replied, “It wasn’t that I didn’t like it. I just didn’t enjoy the thought of creeps ogling you. It annoyed me. But I’ve come to realize there’s no need to hide your gorgeous figure because of some strangers’ stares.” With that, he gently kissed the back of her hand.

A wave of sweetness washed over Naoko, and though she kept her head low, she couldn’t help but smile.

Lei Yin handed her two more skirts. “While you’re at it, try these on for me too.”

“Okay,” Naoko replied softly, blushing as she took the skirts and headed into the fitting room.

※※※

At a restaurant filled with light music, Lei Yin and Naoko were enjoying dinner together, casually chatting.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of an argument.

Turning to look, they saw a man in his forties angrily pointing at a server and yelling.

“Do you even know how to do your job? Do you have any idea how expensive this suit is? Your monthly salary wouldn’t even cover the dry cleaning!”

“I’m terribly sorry. It was unintentional. Please forgive me,” the server apologized repeatedly.

“You think a simple ‘sorry’ will suffice? Get your manager here! I need to see how they trained you.”

“I sincerely apologize. Please, forgive me.”

Lei Yin glanced at the water stains on the man’s suit and deduced that the server must have accidentally spilled tea while serving, prompting the man’s fury.

Normally, Lei Yin wouldn’t involve himself in such matters, but this time, he recognized the server.

A short while later, the restaurant manager arrived and offered multiple bows and apologies. Finally, the man calmed down after scolding the server and sat back down.

Once the situation resolved, the manager gave the server a harsh glare before walking away.

As the server dejectedly passed Lei Yin’s table, he suddenly heard someone call his name.

“Zhang Mingyu.”

The short-haired Zhang Mingyu froze and turned to see a man in casual clothes standing from his chair and looking at him.

Zhang Mingyu found the man familiar. After a moment, he recognized him.

“Gennai-san? What a coincidence,” Zhang Mingyu said with a strained smile.

“Are you working part-time here?”

“Yes, I am.”

“You haven’t been here long, have you?”

Zhang Mingyu forced a smile. “Not at all. Today’s actually my first day, and I’m already making mistakes. Sorry you had to witness that.”

Lei Yin studied him for a moment before saying, “A true man knows when to bend and endure. It’s inevitable to face grievances when working. Don’t let it bother you too much.”

Zhang Mingyu felt a surge of gratitude and nodded. “Thank you. I need to get back to work now. Please enjoy your meal.”

“Of course.”

After Zhang Mingyu walked away, Lei Yin fell silent, lost in thought. Naoko noticed his quiet demeanor but didn’t interrupt him, choosing instead to quietly admire his contemplative expression.

After a while, Lei Yin took a sip of water and said to Naoko, “He’s also a student at Teikyo University. He’s two years above me and in a different department.”

Naoko nodded. “I hope he adapts to his job. By the way, did I ever tell you that I worked part-time during university? A friend and I spent over three months as waitresses at a café.”

Lei Yin thought for a moment and then smiled. “I’d love to see you in a waitress uniform. I hear there are shops in Shinjuku that sell all kinds of uniforms. Let’s go find a waitress outfit for you to try.”

“No way,” Naoko said, blushing. The last time he had her wear a high school uniform, she had been mortified.

“Your protest is invalid,” Lei Yin replied, smiling as he held her hand.

Naoko gave him an exasperated yet amused look.

※※※

The following evening, Lei Yin arrived at Zhang Mingyu’s apartment door.

When Zhang Mingyu opened the door and saw Lei Yin, he looked surprised.

“May I come in for a chat?” Lei Yin asked with a faint smile.

“Please come in. Sorry, the place is a bit messy,” Zhang Mingyu said as he quickly invited Lei Yin into his apartment.

Upon entering, Lei Yin glanced around at the scattered empty beer cans and instant noodle containers on the floor. Smiling, he remarked, “You’re being modest; this is more than just ‘a bit messy.’ But it’s fine. With several men living together, it’s hard to keep everything tidy.”

Zhang Mingyu scratched his head awkwardly and laughed. Then he asked, “What brings you here, Gennai?”

After sitting down, Lei Yin opened the beer Zhang Mingyu handed him and took a sip. After a moment, he asked, “If I’m not mistaken, you’re majoring in business management, right?”

“Yes,” Zhang Mingyu nodded as he opened a can for himself.

“After graduation, do you plan to stay in Japan to work?” Lei Yin inquired.

With a bitter smile, Zhang Mingyu replied, “It’s not really about what I want. Japan has strict restrictions on hiring foreigners. Jobs that qualify for a work visa are mostly in international business or education. Also, it’s rare for Chinese people to be given managerial roles here, and climbing the ladder in a Japanese company is extremely difficult. Instead of working as a regular employee here my entire life, it would make more sense to return home, where I wouldn’t feel like a perpetual outsider.”

Lei Yin nodded in agreement. “You’re right. Japan is a homogeneous society and tends to see foreigners as either guests or intruders. Even when they’re polite to you, it doesn’t mean they’re willing to truly accept you. Let me ask you—among the Chinese students you know, are most of them working part-time? What’s their situation like?”

Based on what Lei Yin already knew, most Chinese students in Japan, unless they were from wealthy families, relied on part-time jobs to afford the high tuition and living expenses in Tokyo, one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Though surprised by Lei Yin’s question, Zhang Mingyu, who felt a sense of camaraderie with him, shared what he knew.

For over an hour, Lei Yin listened as Zhang Mingyu explained the struggles of Chinese students. Their situation was even tougher than Lei Yin had anticipated.

In recent years, Japan’s economic slump had led to rising unemployment, making it hard for even native Japanese people to find jobs, let alone Chinese students. Japanese immigration laws permitted students to work no more than 28 hours a week during regular school terms. But with Tokyo’s high cost of living, the income from 28 hours was barely enough to cover basic expenses. As a result, some students secretly took on physically demanding jobs under exploitative conditions. Others, out of desperation, worked in the nightlife industry in areas like red-light districts—though many only did menial tasks like dishwashing or cleaning, some fell into vice, becoming prostitutes or pimps. According to immigration laws, any student caught working in such establishments was immediately deported.

In reality, the lives of most Chinese students working in Japan were far from the glamorous image outsiders might imagine. Their hardships were something only they could truly understand.

After digesting this information, Lei Yin pondered for a while before finally looking up. “Would you be interested in managing a restaurant?”

Zhang Mingyu was stunned. “What do you mean?”

Tapping his fingers lightly on the table, Lei Yin explained, “I’m planning to open a Chinese restaurant, and I need a manager. If you’re interested, I’d like to offer you the position.”

Zhang Mingyu stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious? Where is this restaurant?”

Lei Yin smiled. “Didn’t you hear me? I said I’m planning to open it, which means it doesn’t exist yet. But everything is already in motion.”

Hearing this, Zhang Mingyu’s enthusiasm visibly waned.

Noticing his reaction, Lei Yin added, “Construction is set to begin within the week. If you agree, I’d like you to oversee the process. Of course, I’ll pay you a monthly salary. This is the first month’s advance payment.” He placed a stack of cash on the table as he spoke.

Seeing the money, Zhang Mingyu began to believe Lei Yin wasn’t just making things up. Looking at Lei Yin in confusion, he asked, “Are you really planning to open a Chinese restaurant?”

“Yes. As for the staff, I want them to be mostly Chinese, prioritizing Chinese students. But we’ll figure out the details once construction is further along.”

“How big is the restaurant going to be?” Zhang Mingyu asked, still unsure whether to believe it.

Lei Yin chuckled. “You’ll see when the time comes. I’ll notify you when construction begins.”

After taking a moment to process this unexpected opportunity, Zhang Mingyu asked, “What’s the name of the restaurant?”

“The name?” Lei Yin thought for a moment before replying, “Let’s call it Chuka-ro (China Tower).”