Chapter Text
The Lugunica nightlife district always comes alive when the sun goes down. Amidst the dazzling neon lights and thumping bass music coming from behind soundproof walls, Mathers Club stands proudly and majestically. This is not just an ordinary bar or nightclub. It is a high-end exclusive club, where wealthy men spend their money on the most intimate worldly pleasures.
The club provides everything from imported liquors worth tens of millions to private rooms for "special" activities. Of course, everything is done with the utmost professionalism. The rules at Mathers Club are very strict: every service must be based on agreement and full consent. There can be no coercion whatsoever, either from the guests or the workers. Roswaal L. Mathers, the club's eccentric owner, will not hesitate to throw customers who dare to break the rules out onto the street.
That night, the club was bustling with activity. At the bar table, Otto Suwen, the manager, was massaging his temples while checking the reservation reports. Near the entrance, Garfiel, the blond bouncer, was leaning back casually, watching anyone who dared to cause trouble.
Meanwhile, in the VIP area and lounge, the club's high-class workers were getting ready to welcome their clients. There was Crusch, who exuded an aura of elegance, Anastasia, who was skilled at sweet talk and squeezing her clients' wallets with her smile, and the twins Rem and Ram, who always attracted the attention of elite customers. Of course, the star of the night—as on other nights—was Satella. She is the main star of Mathers Club. Her extraordinary beauty, with her silver hair and gentle smile, makes high-ranking officials willing to wait in line for months just to book her time. On the other side of the room, Felt, the only employee who does not provide room service because she only works as a waitress, is busy running back and forth carrying trays of drinks.
Amidst the hustle and bustle filled with the scent of expensive perfume and excitement, the main doorbell rang.
A young man entered. His name was Natsuki Subaru.
His appearance completely ruined the aesthetic appeal of the nightclub. While all the other men wore suits or expensive silk shirts, Subaru wore only an orange and black tracksuit jacket, slightly faded jeans, and ordinary sneakers. His hair was also a bit messy. His sharp eyes scanned the room with an uncomfortable expression. To be honest, he really disliked places that smelled of alcohol, cigarette smoke, and a wild nightlife atmosphere. But tonight, he had an important mission.
Garfiel immediately frowned and stopped him. "Hey, bro. Are you sure you're in the right place? The cover charge here is expensive, and you haven't even ordered a drink yet."
Subaru casually returned Garfiel's gaze, completely unfazed. "Relax, I'm just looking for something to eat. According to an online food forum, the chef at this club makes seriously underrated side dishes," replied Subaru.
Garfiel was stunned. Huh? Food forum? This is a nightclub, damn it! Who comes here to review food? However, before Garfiel could kick him out, Otto signaled from afar to let the young man in. For Otto, guests were guests, as long as they could pay.
Subaru was directed to sit on one of the empty sofas in the corner of the room. Soon after, Felt approached him carrying a leather-bound menu book.
"Good evening, sir! What would you like to drink tonight? Also, who would you like to be accompanied by? Satella happens to be free for about half an hour before her main client arrives," Felt offered with a cheerful smile.
Subaru didn't even open the menu. He looked at Felt seriously. "I'll have a large portion of French fries, one serving of karaage chicken, and... this is the most important thing. Please bring me the club's special mayonnaise. As much as possible. A whole bowl, if you can. For drinks, just cold water."
Felt blinked several times, trying to process this customer's strange request. "Huh? Just mayonnaise? You don't want alcohol, cocktails, or a girl to chat with in your room?"
"No, thanks," Subaru quickly declined. "I'm here purely because I'm hungry and curious about the mayonnaise. That's all."
Felt finally shrugged and returned to the kitchen. There, Rem was helping prepare some light snacks. Hearing the strange order, Rem deftly mixed the Mathers Club's secret homemade mayonnaise, poured it into a large glass bowl, and arranged it on a tray along with Subaru's fried food order.
When the order arrived at the table, Subaru's eyes immediately lit up. Oblivious to the thumping music and the scantily clad women passing by, Subaru immediately dipped a French fry into the bowl of mayonnaise and put it in his mouth.
Time seemed to stop for Natsuki Subaru.
The perfect creamy taste, a combination of rich egg yolk, a slightly refreshing sourness, and a soft texture that melted instantly on the tongue. This wasn't just the ordinary mayonnaise he usually bought at the convenience store. This was a masterpiece.
"Damn, this is so good!" Subaru muttered to himself, his eyes half-closed as he savored the deliciousness. He even started using a spoon to eat the mayonnaise directly, mixing it with the karaage, and smiling like a madman.
The scene did not escape the attention of the staff. From the bar area, several workers waiting for clients began whispering in confusion.
"What is that guy doing?" Anastasia asked, folding her arms across her chest and staring at Subaru in surprise. "Did he come to a place like this just to eat sauce?"
Ram, who was standing not far away, snorted softly with his characteristic cold gaze. "Ram has been watching him licking his mayonnaise spoon. It's a truly disgusting and sad sight. What a strange man."
Rem, who had just come out of the kitchen, chimed in politely. "Rem thinks he's just a very hungry person, sis. Even though his order is a bit unusual."
Even Satella, the diva who had just come out of the dressing room wearing a purple silk dress that hugged her curves perfectly, paused for a moment when she saw Subaru. Every man who came to this club would immediately stare at her with lust, trying to find a way to touch or seduce her. But the young man in the orange jacket didn't even glance at her. His gaze was completely fixed on the white bowl in front of him.
"Eh... he didn't order anything to drink?" Satella muttered softly, her voice very gentle. "Is he lost? I feel sorry for him, eating alone in such a noisy place."
Roswaal, who had been watching from the second-floor balcony with a glass of wine in his hand, just smiled slightly at the strange scene unfolding on the dance floor.
Twenty minutes later, the mayonnaise bowl was completely empty. Subaru wiped his mouth with a napkin, looking very satisfied and happy. He then got up and walked towards the cashier where Otto was.
"How much is the total, sir?" Subaru asked casually.
Otto mentioned a fairly fantastic amount for just French fries, karaage, and water. Of course, this was because of the entertainment tax and the nightclub's suffocating cover charge. However, without batting an eye, Subaru took out his very thick wallet. He placed several bills on the table.
"Just take the change as a tip for the chef who made the mayonnaise," Subaru said cheerfully. "I swear, that mayonnaise is god tier! Crazy, I've never eaten mayonnaise this delicious in my entire life. Tomorrow I'll come back here just for this!"
Without waiting for a response, Subaru turned and walked out of Mathers Club, leaving an awkward silence among the staff.
Garfiel, Otto, Crusch, Rem, Ram, Anastasia, and even Satella could only stare blankly at the door as it slowly closed. The man had just spent a fortune at one of the most expensive clubs in Lugunica... just to eat mayonnaise and go home.
"Was that... a real person?" Otto muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead.