Kenkyo Kenjitsu

Reika-sama – 089

104 Comments

Everybody, please check the FAQ first before asking me questions.
If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!

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A ryoutei (料亭) is a type of luxurious traditional Japanese restaurant. Often used in important dinners or high-class banquets for important business meetings, or in low-key meetings between VIPs, celebrities or statesmen, traditionally ryoutei only accept new customers by referral.

Also a reminder that “Japanese food” in America is not necessarily actual Japanese cuisine. In the same way, “Chinese food” in America isn’t necessarily actual Chinese cuisine either, nor is “Chinese food” in Japan.

Ever since that first day, Gaudy Piercings continued to sit near me. Apparently his real name was Umewaka. “Gaudy Piercings” is enough for the likes of him.

“Hey, hey, Kisshouin-san! Say, you guys at Zui’ran are all like, ‘Gokigen’yoh’ right? Say it to me too! ‘Gokigen’yoh’~”

Annoying.
Starting the next day I made sure to bring questions and textbooks to read during the breaks. Hopefully if I looked busy enough he wouldn’t talk to me.
Sure, my secondary goal in coming here was to make some friends but it definitely wasn’t going to be those guys.
I continued to concentrate on my questions.

“Woooow. You’re so serious about studying, Kisshouin-san. Oh, you got that one wrong.”

Tsk!

Soon enough it was lunch. The cram school had one after each morning lecture. Almost all of the students went out to buy something to eat. Apparently Gaudy Piercings and his buddies were going outside as well.
I had my own lunch though, prepared by a chef hired by my family.

“Whooooaaa! Kisshouin-san, did your bentou come from a ryoutei or something!?”

…I should have waited for them to leave before opening this. Today’s lunch was a well-balanced square bentou.

“Looks yuuum! Lemme have one?”

Hey cretin, do you really think I would? Let me tell you now that I’m stingy when it comes to food. Especially today. I actually wanted a little bit more than this but because of the diet thing I tried to cut down. You really think there’s enough for you as well?

“Umewaka~ It’s time for us to gooo!” pressed the girl with the short hair.

You hear that? It’s time for you to go.

“Ohh! Bye then, Kisshouin-san!”

Yes, yes, go, go. And don’t come back, either.

I immediately got started on enjoying my tiny, but delicious lunch. The boiled fish was delicious.

It went perfectly with my chilled gyokuro tea.

Gyokuro (Japanese: 玉露?, “jade dew”) is a type of shaded green tea from Japan. It differs from the standard sencha (a classic unshaded green tea) in being grown under the shade rather than the full sun.  Gyokuro is one of the most expensive types of sencha available in Japan.

Anyhow, once the break was over, it was back to concentrating on my studies.

My days at cram school were pretty much a repeat of that.

Until one day, disaster struck.

That Gaudy Piercings stole one of my chakinzushi!

“Whoooooooooooooa! This is suuuuper good! Kisshouin-san, don’t tell me your family actually owns a ryoutei!?”

Chakinzushi… Fresh ingredients mixed with vinegared rice, wrapped in a delicate layer of egg… and something that I only had two of… My chakinzushi…

“Mm? How come you’ve gone all still, Kisshouin-san? Did that maybe give you a shock? Don’t worry, I’ll treat you to lunch as an apology so come eat with us?”

I silently packed my things away, left my chair, and then left the classroom to make a call. My favourite man was busy right now, so I dialled my doormat backup.

“Take me to some good food right now!”

I jumped into a taxi and sped to my destination. Waiting excitedly for me at the company headquarters was my doormat tanuki.

“It makes me really happy that you’ve come to visit me. Come in, sit down!”

“Otousama, I only have an hour and a half. Let us hurry up and go somewhere!” I replied before dragging him by the arm.

“Ooh! Got it!”

After getting some quick directions from the secretary, we were exiting into the hallway when I bumped into my real man instead.

“Oh, Reika. Why are you here?” asked Oniisama.

“It seems Reika here wanted to have lunch with me. She came all the way here,” my father replied smugly.

I notice that he particularly emphasised “with me”.

Unfortunately for you, Otousama, you’re just a man of convenience. A foody call, if you will.

Regardless, Oniisama saw us out with a smile. But the whole time that doormat tanuki kept emphasising to all the employees we passed that I was a massive fathercon and saying, “My daughter just wouldn’t stop asking me to go out with her somewhere so I’ll be back after lunch.”

It felt a bit like a public execution. Damn tanuki.

Anyhow, Otousama took me to a high-class Chinese restaurant close by. It was multi-storied, had a nice view, and had private rooms as well, so you could eat in peace. Thanks to that it was popular.
I’m impressed that we even managed to get a reservation on such short notice. Impressed by Otousama’s secretary, that is.

“Don’t wait up, Reika. Eat as much as you want.”

So first I started with my favourites.

Chilli-fried prawns,

Ebi Chili (えびちり ebi chiri?) is a Japanese dish derived from Shanghai-style Szechuan cuisine. It consists of stir-fried shrimp in chilli sauce. It has a history in Japan.

shark-fin soup,

Shark fin soup (or shark’s fin soup) is a traditional soup or stewed item of Chinese cuisine and Vietnamese cuisine served at special occasions such as weddings and banquets, or as a luxury item in Chinese culture.

and scorched-rice with seafood.

Guoba is a Chinese food ingredient consisting of scorched rice. Guoba is also served in soups and stews and prominently featured in Szechuan cuisine. It is known as okoge in Japan.

Otousama had whole-boiled shark fin and Shanghai Mitten Crab fried rice.

Pretty extravagant for just a lunch, Otousama.

In the end we ordered some sides like dim sum as well, and it all became a little too much in terms of volume.
Today was special though. After all, tomorrow I was stuck fasting with Okaasama. It felt like I was having my last meal.

“How’s cram school, Reika?”

“I am giving my all.”

And I had better hurry up and finish this all before my lessons began again.
Speaking of which, I wonder if Otousama leaving so suddenly was a problem. It was worrying to think about. Then again, everybody we passed looked like super-elite professionals, so.

“Are you doing your job properly, Otousama?”

“What are you saying, Reika. Of course I am. Right, Sasajima?”

Incidentally, his secretary Sasajima-san was sitting at the table with us. At first they tried to decline because it was just lunch between father and daughter, but we ordered so much and I had to go soon too, so I asked them to help eat as a favour.

“Yes. The President is extremely busy each day.”

Well of course you’d say that, you’re his secretary. And also I note that “extremely busy” doesn’t necessarily mean “actually getting work done”.

“I hear that you have been training my brother since his days in school?”

“Yes. Takateru-san is truly outstanding. He is presently working with the sales department as well.”

I see. Oniisama did look busy. I wonder if he’s making sure to take lunch breaks.
We continued to talk about Oniisama for a while so Otousama began to sulk a bit. Wow, your immaturity is showing, Otousama.

Now stuffed with food, I thanked Sasajima-san for keeping the time for us and then left my seat. Otousama wanted me to stay a bit longer but I was going to run late for class at this rate.
Speaking of which, shouldn’t he be hurrying back to the company?
Farewell, Otousama! Even if you try to lure me with dessert it won’t work!

I just barely made it back in time for class so all the seats were pretty much taken. I ended up on one of the last chairs in the corner. Which happened to be far away from Gaudy Piercing & co. so I wasn’t unhappy about it. My stomach was unhappy though. I had to use my bag and scarf to hide my tummy from view.

*

The next day was fasting with Okaasama.
I imagined that we would be training on some dojo deep in the mountains or something but she brought me to a first-class hotel instead.
Apparently we were going to spend the next two days getting into jacuzzis, going to beauty salons, and taking walks in the hotel’s famed garden. “Fasting in style” in other words.

The other people were pretty much all Okaasama’s acquaintances; married women from the upper class. According to her she couldn’t turn down the invitation so she dragged me with her instead. Well yeah, I mean, Okaasama was completely skinny so I don’t suppose she would need to fast.
To think that maintaining a social life would even call on you to fast. Terrible.

After getting a private medical check, the hotel staff explained our itinerary to us. Apparently the hotel would provide water, tea, and rice congee, but we were free to eat out, and they had a pool and gym too.

The women all immediately chose to go to the beauty salon. I ended up going with them as Okaasama’s extra. One rotund older woman brought along a round ojousama. Her name was Narutomi Akimi, and she was 20. We were the only two young participants. Madam Narutomi said that she really hoped we would get along when she introduced us. Akimi-san kind of hid behind her mother with her head hanging.
Wow, kind of shy for somebody older than me. Come on, I won’t bite~

At that moment, Madam Kaburagi gallantly strode in. It was like the whole room started sparkling with her entrance.
That’s right. Apparently this hotel was owned by the Kaburagi group. Apparently she heard that we were participating so she came here to say hello.

Of all things, a Kaburagi hotel…

That was my first thought.

But then I realised that just by being here it was like broadcasting that I was in need of a diet…

Kaburagi couldn’t know. And I didn’t want that dandy Kaburagi Papa to know either.
I guess this is what you call a maiden’s heart.

After Mrs. Kaburagi finished her greetings she spotted me hiding away, so she walked over with a smile.

“Reika-san, I’m glad you’ve come! It’s going to be a difficult two days, but hang in there! I’m cheering for you.”

“Yes, thank you very much…”

Embarrassing. So embarrassing. It was like admitting that I was fat. I’m still in the skinny zone for BMI measurements, okay!
Also after she mentioned cheering for me all the other madams started paying more attention to me. I endured with a forced smile.

After that, Mrs. Kaburagi flashed everybody one last smile before leaving like the wind.

*

I suppose it’s time to check out our accommodations.

Even if you try to lure me with dessert it won’t work!

Incidentally it was a type of almond jelly called annin tofu.

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104 thoughts on “Reika-sama – 089”

  4. Thanks for the dose of food torture. Hum I mean chapter.

    Seriously I should never try to read a chapter when I’m hungry.

    Still this is great, thanks for all the hard work. Looking forward to her being embarrassed later on because Kaburagi will no doubt hear about it.

    Liked by 20 people

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  7. Thanks for the chapter!

    Getting annoyed with how weak-willed the protagonist is. And the fact she is supposedly stupid frustrates me. I thought she already regained her past memories? There should at least be some academe-related stuff in her regained memories, right?

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. Let’s put it this way. When you’re 20 years out of high school, do you think you can remember any of the shit they taught you?

      Because lemme tell you, I’m only 24 and I can’t even remember how to long divide, let alone any of the intermediate calculus, chemistry or physics calculations that was a breeze for me back in the day.

      Liked by 23 people

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      3. Well, your situation is different from the protagonist, though. For you, I’m pretty sure you are also not currently taking classes in long division or calculus but for her, she is taking classes, had a tutor (or tutors, if I’m not mistaken), and is in a cram school. I’m pretty sure she would’ve recalled some things while listening in class.

        Furthermore, this, “I remember as far as graduating from vocational school and looking for a job. I can’t remember anything from after that.”, indicates that she should’ve a fresh memory on her past knowledge when she was 6. A “high-school-level” person is expected to at least have mastered her primary skills, e.g. elementary math, japanese, etc, right? But as far as I can recall, she was not like that and still needed to work hard in order to get to the top…5, I think? It feels like they are portraying that she was stupid in her past life.

        To make it more relatable, I’m pretty sure you still know arithmetic, right? I think that’s what is learned in elementary math, even in Japan. But the protagonist apparently still needed to work hard for that. For algebra, as I’ve said, she was also re-learning/recalling it whenever she listens in class. And I’m pretty sure middle school algebra is easy. It’s not pre-calculus, after all (not that pre-calculus is hard).
        Of course, I might be wrong since perhaps the kanjis learned in middle school are not that used in everyday lives so that’s one plausible struggle. And many more. But like I said, she already learned those things back then and what she is already doing now was to recall/re-learn those which should be a lot easier compared to starting from scratch.

        And I mostly like her character except when she is bullied and she just let it go. I’d expect her to somewhat “fight back” now since she’s in high school already and should have more backbone now but she’s still “weak-willed”. Still no development on that part. And no. I don’t think that’s being a pacifist. If someone is bothering her, she could just tell them to stop bothering her and everything should be alright, unless the others are asses. But no, she’d just endure it because….I don’t really know.

        Also, Tatsuya character is shit. I’d rather have a Reika-character rather than a Jesus-kun.

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      4. I’d pick it back up. Learning how to learn is the primary goal of a good education. I don’t really look at studying the same way that I used to. It’s like learning to ride a bike. Or shivving peoples in the back in TF2.

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    3. She’s not weak willed imo. She’s just want to live peacefully, that’s why she hates to attract attention. And she’s not a genius either, so that’s normal for her to have difficulty in academic thing. She’s just a normal girl, and if I remember correctly, she’s already give some explation about her studying.

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      2. I think that’s pretty much why I like Reika as a character. She’s doesn’t have “cheat” powers and is “dumb.” And by “dumb,” I mean she has average intelligence and generally makes rational decisions, she just doesn’t always have self-control, sometimes gets caught up in her own pace and has relatively sensible fears about being destroyed by Enjou/Kaburagi. Unlike most manga/anime protagonists, she’s not dumb because the plot requires her to be dumb, she’s dumb because it’s something she would believably do because of her character.

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        1. For example Reika has none of the squeamishness or getting her hands dirty that the oujosamas do. So that leads her to being attacked by the deer or volunteering for more work than she wants. She loves food, as an artifact of her past memories, so this leads to her overeating and her weight gain. She values authenticity over formal appearances, which leads her to attempt to show her affection with cooking, even though she has no talent for it. Then she burns herself black going to the beach, rings the bell at the party and waltzes with her brother. She’s terrified of Kaburagi and Enjou to the point that she doesn’t seem to have noticed that the latter seems interested in her and is pretty much exactly her type. (Kind and considerate, has a face she likes but has a “dangerous” mischievous streak to him that Akizawa lacks but which Takateru decidedly does have.)

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  8. Gaudy Piercings-san commit suicide later on that day with two shots on back of his head

    Thararank you for the chapter~
    Zu’u kogaan hi dii fahdon

    Liked by 3 people

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  14. Thank you very much for bringing this chapter today, Este-san. But I am wondering.. did Reika actually really think of her doting father so funnily like that or it’s just your creative way in wording it out :D
    Looking at all the delicious foods there makes me become more hungry though. Seriously Este-san. You are not trying to torture your faithful readers, aren’t you? 😅😜and yet.. 😄😄😄
    by the way.. reika’s ordered dishes are certainly tasty. they just look so.. yummy. if only I can get all of them now😍😍😍

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    1. “But I am wondering.. did Reika actually really think of her doting father so funnily like that or it’s just your creative way in wording it out 😀”

      In Japanese there are two distinct terms that don’t have a direct translation in English. The first is 本命(honmei) which refers to your first choice in romantic partner, or alternatively your real girlfriend/boyfriend.

      The other is キープ（kiipu）, or in other words, the one you keep stringing along for sex or just keep around because you can, not because you’re genuinely interested.

      Reika refers to her oniisama as her 本命の男 (honmei man) and her father as her キープの狸 (kiipu tanuki).

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        1. I’m starting to think that maybe her family was really framed in “Kimidol” but the fiction just didn’t bother to tell it

          Liked by 2 people

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            1. I attributed it more to general influence. Papa Kisshouin seems like the impressionable and loyal type. The wills of such people are pretty much identical to the wills of the people around them. They are only as good as bad as their environment makes them. Some people consider it a virtue. I consider it a glaring flaw in character.

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          1. Yes, she’s even more brutal in recent chapters.. to easily thought of her dad again as a tanuki who only collected reading glasses.. ckckck.. the author is really clear in showing that reika really does not have any high opinion of her doting father😅😂
            though I also can imagine her reaction because using older Kaburagi-san as a comparison is just too much..😆😆😆

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      3. and not only just as a conveniently used man, but also a conveniently used tanuki.. reika.. your mind.. 😂otou-sama, it’s helpless already.. your daughter does not have an ounce of respect for you😄😄😄

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      4. So is this basically like a main ho and a side piece/chick? Foody call was a good choice though, I don’t think there’s a male equivalent other than that.

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  21. Lol gaudy dude is so clueless, but he means well. Too bad he doesn’t understand that no one takes Reika’s food xD. Thanks for the chapter!

    Liked by 8 people

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  24. Pingback: Reika-sama – 088 | お兄ちゃん、やめてぇ！

  25. Hahahahahaha! Go Reika!

    Mou.
    I’m getting impatient, there is not enough interaction with Reika and prospective male leads >__<

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  30. Thank you for the chapter! That Piercings dude is way to friendly, like zero personal space. You don’t just start taking people’s food, especially if they’re uncomfortable around you. And man, that food is making me hungry.

    Liked by 4 people

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  36. Daammmnnn… my queen is cute as always. (♡^♡)
    Hahaha recent chapters described more food than ever before, tantalising the readers.
    Those pictures are 👌uhm uhm👌 *I’m hungry*

    See you next chapter!!! FIGHTING!!!

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  41. Thanks for the chapter. I really fell sorry for Reika, I mean having kaburagi mother on you is hard please continue posting

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  42. Many thanks!
    Goodness. Is this piercing guy actually ononef those guys who bully the girl they like? It’s a pity than. Reiki has high tastes and all her fans wont let just anyone date her.
    Lol. Poor Reiki. Everyone keeps hammering the fact that she’s getting chubby XD She just can’t get a break. It seems she got more of her father’s genes (considering that he’s a tanuki) than her mother’s.

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  43. Is…. is it a a new friend?!?! Also, Gaudy Piercings likes her?!? He could just be teasing her, but I want to ship it to annoy Reika-san’s Oniisama, and Enjou, and Kaburagi!!!

    Thanks so much for all your hard work ani-ue!!!!

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  44. Thanks for the chapter!

    Gaudy Piercings-san! Whhhy troublemaker!!!!

    Uwaaaa… food torture… I should go diet again. uhuuu… I’ve been gaining again… orz…

    Este-chaaaaan whhhhyyy!

    Liked by 1 person

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        1. From left to right,

          http://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-white-cat-that-swore-vengeance-was-just-lazing-on-the-dragon-kings-lap/

          http://forum.novelupdates.com/threads/sumi-de-ii-desu-kamawanaide-kudasai-yo-the-corner-is-fine-please-dont-mind-me.28345/

          http://www.novelupdates.com/series/can-someone-please-explain-this-situation/

          http://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-magician-wants-normality/

          http://forum.novelupdates.com/threads/the-inner-palace-tale-of-a-villainess-noble-girl-%E6%82%AA%E5%BD%B9%E4%BB%A4%E5%AC%A2%E5%BE%8C%E5%AE%AE%E7%89%A9%E8%AA%9E.9898/

          http://www.novelupdates.com/series/drop%E3%80%80%EF%BD%9Ea-tale-of-the-fragrance-princess%EF%BD%9E/

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  50. This story is so freaking hilarious. Thanks for translating – it wouldn’t be as funny without your hard work!

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  51. The entire chapter was so funny!

    Argh, I always get a bad feeling whenever Kaburagi or his family appears. I get the awful vibe that people are conspiring to ship them.

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    1. Madam Kaburagi has been shipping them in every appearance she’s made. I find it odd because I can only assume she behaved this way in the original timeline too, despite knowing next to nothing about Reika. It baffles me that they care so much about business or lineage that they overlook whether either kid in the equation even wants it. You’ve got to notice that your son is mopey about Yurie, right?

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  53. Hmm the blond dude… Is this a main lead flag!?!
    sorry almost the whole school and her parents are set to give her off to kaburagi but it doesn’t seem like there is a spark.
    She has a better chance of ending up with Enjo than anything.

    Also thank you for the chapter!

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  54. Hey, Estellion-san…
    It seems that you are very busy and maybe tired too… but would it be possible to update the next chapter this week???? Early next week is fine too.
    I have semester exam end of next week and I’m hoping that you’ll help me de-stress with next chapter……
    But, it’s okay if you can’t tho.
    *hopeful glance*
    Best of luck for what-ever- project or tasks you’re doing!

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  55. I really love this history you see it must have reread 3 times every week this last month the entire history. Please continue and thank you for translating this wonderful novel.

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  56. Pingback: Reika-sama – 090 | お兄ちゃん、やめてぇ！

  58. Munching away to Monday (cuz today’s Sunday).
    Chomping on dumplings with gusto while scrolling, eyes lingering on the pictures provided by Esteemed-Translator-san.

    Now I’m the sofa. I’m a couch potato.

    And the bentou-snatched-situ. I feel you, Reika. I totally getchuuuuuuu. But pitiful me have no foody-call-able onii-sama (let alone a backup Tanuki hehe).

    Liked by 1 person

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