And so, Keli and Sato Kazuma discussed it and decided to go for a look together, then begin alternating surveillance.
Or rather, voyeurism.
Normally, places that deal in strange drugs, in stereotypical thinking, would probably be in dark alleys in residential areas, or in park restrooms or similar places.
But in reality, that place was not secluded at all; in fact, one could even say it was ostentatious.
"Sister's House."
Sato Kazuma scratched his head, trying his best to pronounce the English phrase with his construction site English as accurately as possible, as he looked at the building.
At this moment, Keli and Kazuma both wore cosplay masks that Keli had bought from a secluded used goods store. Because they were secondhand, they didn't cost much. Keli's was the upper half of a Batman cowl, and Sato Kazuma's was Kaneki Ken's zipper mask.
Their appearance would probably attract a lot of attention elsewhere, but this was Tokyo, and passersby showed no reaction at all, not even a second glance.
As for why Kazuma was scratching his head, it was because a cross stood atop the building, and the windows featured stained glass, the kind commonly used in churches to depict religious stories. The entrance also had fish-shaped graffiti, an Irish cross, and various other strongly religious decorative elements.
However, in contrast to the sense of peace these decorations conveyed, bright lights flickered visible through the glass door, and a receptionist stood at the entrance, wearing a nun's habit on her upper body and a high-slit skirt revealing tattooed thighs and stockings on her lower body.
Presumably, if the soundproofing wasn't excellent, standing there would surely allow one to hear the deafening music inside.
Kazuma covered his face.
"Church-themed bar, Tokyoites must be crazy."
Kazuma, a shut-in who hadn't been out for years and wouldn't come to such places even if he did, was deeply shocked.
He didn't know that such magical things were already commonplace in Japan. Not only were there many in various districts of Tokyo, but also in places like Osaka. While churches are still relatively serious religious institutions, it's only been in recent years that temples have had monks directly opening bars in their back halls or downstairs for many years already.
Keli, however, felt this perfectly fit his stereotype of Japanese people.
Just walking from a convenience store in the suburbs, where he had used their Wi-Fi, to here, he had seen many abstract things along the way.
Host club advertisements blanketed the entrance to the commercial district, various male-use Holy Grail products and mobile game promotions were ubiquitous, small booth cars with revealing advertisements parked by the roadside, and rows of adult entertainment shop signs lined up. Young women dressed in various cosplay outfits would start introducing their shop's services as soon as they saw someone.
What, you ask what those small cars are for? Generally, they allow corporate slaves to pay to get in after work or during lunch breaks, then watch adult videos inside and relieve themselves. The cars usually also sell disposable Holy Grail products.
By the way, it's not just these shops; simply walking into some city parks, you can see rows of 'God-waiting girls' standing together. However, these 'God-waiting girls' are not like Sayu Ogiwara, where you can just take them home for a night; they usually charge a fee. The shy ones might wear masks and huddle in corners, while the bold ones directly hold up price tags and enthusiastically promote themselves.
Some bizarre price tags even listed a certain number of kilograms of polished rice for one night.
This enormous sense of disparity made Keli click his tongue in wonder. Less than 5 kilometers away, the riverbank was a homeless encampment with dilapidated buildings where various down-and-out people lived. Just a few days ago, there was even an incident of homeless people being arrested in the street, yet this place was like another world.
Prosperous, crazy, as if one had entered Slaanesh's castle.
Kazuma also felt a sense of disconnect. Japan is a country where gender issues are severely debated. Although it seems the battle has ended, and Japanese men and women now split bills on dates, and bride prices have dropped to the level of a few months' salary for a working-class person—yes, Japan also has bride prices—in reality, online, men and women are practically wishing to strangle each other.
But what Kazuma saw when he rarely went out was countless young men and women seeking pleasure in reality: women looking for host club hosts, men going to adult entertainment shops, and single mothers vigorously promoting themselves with signs, unwilling to find other work.
Looking at those things online, it's hard to imagine, but only by seeing them in these places can one truly believe. Yes, humans are a species, rare in the entire animal kingdom, that is in estrus all year round and can derive pleasure from sex—a naturally succubus-like race.
"Japan is finished," Kazuma couldn't help but shake his head.
"Is this how this world should be?" Keli said, not knowing if he was answering Kazuma or speaking to himself.
After marveling at Tokyo's nightlife, the two still had their main business to attend to. Kazuma had initially thought this would be very difficult, even imagining how he would outwit the surveillance personnel, but with the area being so prosperous, it seemed unnecessary.
Of course, this also presented a problem: it seemed that observing anything from across the street in front of the door was impossible.
After much thought, Kazuma turned to look at Keli.
"How about we go inside and take a look?"
"Alright," Keli nodded.
"That's great, I've never been to a place like this," Kazuma rubbed his hands, and the two walked towards the bar.
"Peace be with you, welcome!" Listening to the welcome message that could make a true believer faint, the two oddly dressed individuals entered without any hindrance.
This was normal, after all, this was Tokyo.
Kazuma walked in with an expectant heart.
For a NEET like him, who would never go to such places, a bar was no different from another world.
In various games and anime, these places always seemed to be particularly debauched, with men and women having wild parties on the dance floor, and people striking up conversations if you just sat there. All sorts of legal and illegal transactions took place here, and perhaps if the two of them sat down, a rosy encounter might begin.
Of course, until he entered, Kazuma's heart was still filled with disgust for the 'bad women' of the 3D world, thinking they were completely rotten and full of STDs. His noble Lord Kazuma would never be interested in women who came to such places.
However, when he saw the figures of those hot girls with exquisite makeup, he had to admit that sometimes one couldn't be autocratic; the brain held the main power, but occasionally, one also had to trust the judgment of the second brain.
The frantic background noise was like a strong acid assaulting their ears. Since their purpose was to gather information, the two did not look for a secluded spot but found a place to sit in the main hall.
"As expected of a Japanese church, there are no little boys."
As Keli sat down and mused, a Service Staff dressed in a nun's habit immediately came over.
"Guests, what would you like? If you need to add anything later, you can tell the bar staff~
By the way, are both guests here alone? Do you need a girl to accompany you? Many of the girls in our shop have just graduated from high school~"
Because people associated with organized crime cannot open bank cards for electronic payments, and due to the special nature of the venue, orders were not placed by scanning codes.
Keli solemnly took the menu, nodding or shaking his head from time to time, and occasionally asking questions.
"Where is the wine from for your mixed drinks?"
"William Winery in France," the Service Staff answered respectfully.
"Hmm... Is this sake pure rice?"
"Yes, guest."
Looking at the exorbitantly priced various alcoholic beverages, those were likely for when one ordered a hostess and needed additional services. Bottles of wine that cost tens of thousands of yen outside were priced at hundreds of thousands here.
Seeing Keli meticulously scrutinizing, even delving into the origin, the Service Staff's eyes immediately lit up. This was a big customer! So, she rubbed Keli's hand, which was resting on the table, with her thigh.
"Guest, if you're too bored, you can go to a private room, and I can also have a drink with you~"
"That's great. Three cups of this 300 yen lemon cola, please. Remember to come and drink with me. Oh, and a plate of fries."