But this time, there were three people at the table and three sets of cutlery.
Kinoshita Yoko's friend apparently had no intention of coming over in person to discuss the matter.
Kinoshita Yoko nodded. "My friend is getting engaged, so tonight, we're planning to throw a midnight party to celebrate for her.
"But perhaps because the engagement is drawing near, or perhaps because the stalker has been getting more and more excessive, she's been restless lately. Unless it's necessary, she doesn't want to go out at all, so I came by myself.
"There will also be several other friends at tonight's party. I'd like to ask you to come take a look. With lots of people there and a lively atmosphere, and with the engagement she's been worried about finally settled, she should calm down and be able to provide more information about the stalker. That'll also make it easier for you to communicate."
—Originally, after learning at the last minute that the client did not want to leave home, Kinoshita Yoko had asked for her opinion and planned to bring Jiang Xia directly to her friend's house for the party.
However, Jiang Xia said that he had recently acquired an assistant who was quite skilled at tracking down stalkers, and he wanted to give the assistant more opportunities to gain experience.
So the meeting place had not been set directly at that friend's house, but at this familiar club as usual.
In other words, this was a small interview Kinoshita Yoko had arranged for "Yamada Taro," just in case some terrifying obsessive fan slipped into the gathering and caused her friend too much trouble—one stalker had yet to be dealt with, and they certainly did not need another one mixed in.
Fortunately, Kinoshita Yoko thought to herself, "Mr.