Starting a New Life in Tokyo by Inheriting a Shopping Street [75]

Ogawa Sayuki’s eyelids twitched slightly. She herself didn't understand—clearly knowing exactly what was happening on the other end, yet somehow…she didn’t want to end the call.

Was it mischief? A desire to hear her sister's embarrassment again, like at dinner a few days ago?

Sayuki couldn’t fully grasp her own thoughts. She leaned slightly backward, long, toned legs crossing elegantly.

“Sis, are you still listening?”

“Mm…”

“I'll quickly update you about the opening. Do you have time now?” Sayuki lightly licked her lips.

“Nnh…yes…”

“I just finished the final checks. All the equipment for the gym and beauty salon is here. Tomorrow’s tasks are arranging everything further and preparing for the grand opening…”

“Mm-hmm. You've worked hard, Sayuki…”

Sayuki switched the position of her legs. “And regarding invitations to our regular customers, let’s double-check the list together tonight, make sure no one’s missed.”

“Okay…”

“Your staircase…is really long, Sis,” Sayuki commented faintly.

“Sayuki…you—go have dinner first. Don’t wait for me.”

“It’s fine, I already ate at Akiyama Ramen. Since it’s still pouring outside, I stayed here a bit longer.”

“Mm…that’s…goOoooOood…”

That final drawn-out syllable distorted noticeably.

Sayuki finally came back to her senses and quickly said, “Then I'll hang up now. Talk later when you come down.”

But there was no longer any response from the other end, just rapid, breathless panting.

When Sayuki ended the call, she suddenly noticed her own face burning hotly.

What came over me? What on earth was I doing just now?

...

Though they'd agreed Madame would take the initiative, Ogawa Fumika’s habitual lack of exercise soon showed itself. Her stamina couldn’t match Chiba Shuuichi’s, leaving him to ultimately take charge.

“Madame looks breathtaking like this.” Chiba Shuuichi gently held Fumika, smoothing back her sweat-dampened hair.

“Chiba-kun…” Fumika murmured softly.

“I’m right here…” Shuuichi responded tenderly.

“You didn’t…think badly of it, right?” Fumika gazed at the young man before her, eyes hazy, her brain utterly muddled, having no space at all to think about what her sister had overheard moments ago.

“Of course not. It’s a wonderful memory—I’m sure when I’m old and gray, recalling today will still put a smile on my face,” Shuuichi whispered, gently caressing her cheek.

“Then…then I’m glad…” Fumika relaxed, her voice softly trailing off.

They fell into silence, quietly listening to the rain outside, savoring the lingering afterglow…until—their strength returned.

...

After leaving the restroom, Ogawa Sayuki sat at the counter, chatting casually with Akiyama-san about the Shopping Street, desperately avoiding the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

Both being newcomers here, they had plenty in common, especially since Akiyama-san’s two daughters were classmates of Chiba Shuuichi.

From Akiyama-san, Sayuki managed to glean a few details about Shuuichi’s life at school.

“Hm? Chiba-kun’s actually an otaku?” Sayuki asked incredulously after only a few exchanges.

“Yes, An-chan said Chiba-kun hardly stands out at school, rarely socializes, and only has one friend—a boy who shares his otaku interests.”

Akiyama-san nodded, completely unbothered, not even questioning why both her daughters might be interested in an otaku.

Sayuki found this utterly absurd. That little brat, with his frighteningly practiced methods of flirting, was supposedly an otaku? Was this a joke?!

Her own sweet peach of a sister had been thoroughly devoured by him within just a week!

The more they talked, the stranger Sayuki felt. It sounded exactly like a boy with masterful social skills deliberately disguising himself as an inconspicuous otaku at school.

But why would anyone do that? Normal people wouldn’t enjoy isolation or being ignored, right?

Was he really that uninterested in green apples—so uninterested that he’d go to this extent?

This brat really was suspicious…

Sayuki found herself growing inexplicably curious.

They chatted for a long time, from when the rain gradually eased until it finally stopped. By the time it was past seven, the Akiyama sisters finally returned.

“The rain was heavy, so we're late—but it looks like today wasn't too busy?” Akiyama Tsuki asked upon entering, briefly glancing at Ogawa Sayuki before addressing her mother.

“Mm, today I finally got a breather. Otherwise, your mama would’ve been exhausted,” Akiyama-san immediately relaxed upon seeing her daughters, dropping any pretense of formality.

“You must be Ogawa-san from across the street? Thanks for visiting our little shop.” Akiyama Tsuki politely turned to greet Sayuki.

“Not at all. With ramen this delicious and affordable, I’ll definitely come by often.” Sayuki subtly looked her up and down meaningfully.

This girl was likely the voice from the earlier phone call.

“Sis, could you take my bag upstairs for me? I have something to tell Mom…” Akiyama An quietly tugged her sister’s sleeve.

“You’re just hungry and want to sneak some food, aren’t you?” Tsuki rolled her eyes but didn’t object further. After all, they’d returned quite late, and the chill from the rain had made hunger hard to bear.

After Tsuki excused herself politely and went upstairs, An slipped into the kitchen to quietly report today’s outcome to her mother.

“Mom, the rooftop confession plan failed…”

“Oh, that’s completely normal,” Akiyama-san reassured her calmly, used to such scenarios from her own youth.

An nodded earnestly. “I know. Next time, I’ll try writing a love letter and secretly slip it into Chiba-kun’s shoe locker.”

“Yes, do exactly that. Even if boys won’t accept, they still love finding love letters when changing shoes in the morning.”

Akiyama-san whispered mysteriously, as if passing down secret wisdom. “It makes them feel envied by their friends. Your father only told me this after we got married.”

“Ohhh, I understand,” An nodded thoughtfully, though she honestly couldn’t quite grasp why this would be enjoyable. She herself had received letters before, and each time, she’d panicked, asking her sister for help.

After Tsuki intervened, the letters stopped coming.

Honestly, it was just troublesome.

Ogawa Sayuki, sitting at the counter, deliberately avoided listening to their conversation, unaware they were chatting about the very same brat she’d just been discussing.

Yet, during her earlier chat with Akiyama-san, she’d naturally learned bits and pieces about the sisters.

A student council president and a class representative—both outstanding, both incredibly cute, clearly the kind who drew plenty of attention at school.

And they were sisters, no less…

Sayuki narrowed her eyes slightly. It seemed that brat’s tastes weren’t only mature; he seemed particularly fond of sisters as well.

Certain things didn’t need to be spoken aloud—both parties knew clearly that the relationship between Madame-types like herself and her sister and a young brat could only ever be mutual consolation.

This had been set from the start, dictated by the gap in their ages.

---

This is a fan translation of 从继承商店街开始东京生活 by 净消尘土 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!