Starting a New Life in Tokyo by Inheriting a Shopping Street [66]

Even though he’d gotten to rua some kitty today, without thighs to stroke, he still felt strangely empty inside—like something was missing.

After washing up for the night, Chiba Shuuichi sat against the headboard, watching K-On! playing on TV while chatting with Ogawa Fumika on his phone.

—[What kept you busy today? Haven’t seen Taichi all day; feels weird.]

At this moment, Ogawa Fumika was soaking in the bathtub, enveloped in the comfort of hot water, easing the fatigue from her whole body.

—[I missed you too, Chiba-kun. I was tied up with shop paperwork today, didn’t have time. Sorry about that.]

—[Did the paperwork go smoothly? Need any help?]

Chiba Shuuichi asked considerately. Anyway, with the System around, money could solve any problem.

Although he'd already spent 300,000 yen from his savings, and it was only a third into the month, he wondered if he could even survive until next payday.

—[Yeah, things went smoothly. I asked a regular customer to help out.]

—[Glad to hear it. But now, let’s talk about your apology. An apology requires sincerity, you know.]

—[Sincerity? How?]

—[Isn’t it common sense to show your belly when apologizing?]

Ogawa Fumika’s cheeks flushed as she bit her lip, pouting slightly as she replied: [There’s no such common sense! Chiba-kun is teasing me again.]

—[Then… at least let me see your legs? Can’t touch them, but seeing them would be nice...]

Fumika's blush deepened. She looked down at her thighs, shimmering beneath the foam, and at her submerged belly, then quietly opened the camera app.

Several pictures were quickly sent over.

Chiba Shuuichi’s eyes immediately lit up as he carefully admired them.

Those lush thighs, smooth as mutton-fat jade, peeked alluringly through the foam, slippery and tantalizingly impossible to grasp.

The photos were taken from multiple angles—one featuring slender, scallion-white fingers pressing softly into the skin to emphasize its softness, another revealing a breathtaking glimpse of the curves between waist and hips.

Even though he’d personally played with those thighs before, Shuuichi couldn’t help swallowing hard at these pictures.

—[I regret this…]

—[?]

—[Shouldn’t have looked at these before bed. I’ll lose sleep now…]

Ogawa Fumika couldn’t suppress the curl at the corner of her lips. [Do you still want to see the belly, then?]

—[Of course. If I’m already losing sleep, might as well have more.]

Fumika sat up slightly, her abdomen rising above the waterline. After finding the right angle, she took another photo.

—[Now I’m in real trouble. Sleep aside, I don’t think I can settle down without using this as a Drinking Photo.]

Shuuichi wasn't joking. Playing with the cat was nice, but while the kitty was fully satisfied, he'd wasted plenty of time himself without achieving anything.

Seeing these pictures at night was definitely a mistake.

—[Then… Chiba-kun, why don't you use them for a drink?]

—[Taichi, how cruel. Don’t you think it’s pitiful for a boy, hiding alone in his room, forced to drink to mere photos?]

Rendered speechless, Fumika paused. On second thought, that really did sound pitiful. [Should I come over now?]

—[It's already late. It’d be too tiring for you, after a full day. Instead, how about...]

—[How about?]

Fumika’s heart pounded wildly, anticipating whatever idea he might come up with next.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed—Japanese people usually kept their phones on vibrate to avoid disturbing others. Nothing else was implied, truly.

Startled, she quickly answered, "Chiba-kun?"

"It's me," Chiba Shuuichi replied.

"Mmm... I missed you," Fumika murmured, her heart filled completely just from hearing his voice.

"How much?" he teased playfully.

"A lot… so much…"

Even though it was just through the phone, with her eyes closed, Fumika felt as though he were whispering right next to her ear.

"Enough to secretly practice Water Magic?"

Fumika immediately let out a soft whimper, hastily opening her eyes. "Nothing of the sort!"

"Then what's that splashing sound I hear?"

"Stop teasing, Chiba-kun. You know I'm in the bath…"

"Sigh. Seems Taichi doesn’t miss me enough—even neglecting to practice Water Magic," Chiba Shuuichi said with mock disappointment.

Fumika's cheeks burned as she reflexively pressed her thighs together. "That's nonsense… Is that really the only proof of missing you?"

Listening to the water sounds through the phone, Shuuichi swallowed audibly. "In my book, it definitely counts."

"..."

Fumika didn’t know how to respond. Hearing the longing evident in his swallowing, she felt compelled to fulfill his expectations.

But such a thing… even if it wasn’t face-to-face magic, it was terribly embarrassing.

"I've just pulled your stockings from the cabinet. It's okay if they get a little dirty, right?"

Fumika heard the faint rustling of the cabinet door on the other side of the phone, her heartbeat quickening uncontrollably. She instinctively pressed her left hand against her chest.

But the slippery foam caused her hand to slide off.

"N-no problem..." Her rapidly rising excitement made Fumika’s throat dry.

"The stockings are ready, other things are prepared too. I’m about to start drinking."

Chiba Shuuichi's voice drifted closer and further, holding an irresistible magic. Images of him drinking floated vividly into Fumika's mind.

Her hand slipped downward again.

"Hey, Taichi, where’s your hand right now?"

Even though it wasn’t a video call, Shuuichi somehow seemed to clearly perceive what was happening. Startled, Fumika hurriedly raised her left hand in innocence.

"N-nowhere… I'm not doing anything," she denied in panic.

"Taichi’s being naughty. Your hand must be somewhere, no? How could it be nowhere?" Shuuichi teased mercilessly.

"..."

Fumika had no words to respond.

"Then, different question. What’s your favorite part of me? Can you picture it clearly in your mind?" Shuuichi continued gently, patiently enticing her. Even with his own excitement reaching incredible heights, he still teased unhurriedly—a remarkable level of control.

"Your Adam’s apple... collarbone..." she murmured softly.

"I see, Taichi's tastes are quite special," he chuckled lightly. This Taichi truly had a young maiden’s heart, liking something so pure.

Fumika’s face turned fiery red, steam rising gently from her head, indistinguishable from the bathwater vapor.

"It's exactly one week since I had the honor of meeting Taichi. Shall we celebrate like this, together over the phone?"

He didn’t spell it out clearly, but his ambiguous tone spoke volumes.

He even remembers something like a one-week anniversary…

Fumika was weak to sentiments like these. Instantly overcome, she managed a tiny, husky reply. "Mm..."

"Hmm?"

"Mm…"

"Is that a yes?"

"Mmm..."

"Taichi?"

Splashing sounds.

"I thought I heard water again. Taichi, are you still listening?"

"Mm..."

"If you're not answering, I'll hang up."

"Chi…Chiba-kun…let’s celebrate together…"

At last, Shuuichi gave a satisfied smile. "As you wish, Taichi."

Over ten minutes later, the impatient Ogawa Sayuki, waiting for her turn to bathe, finally sat up from her bed and walked toward the bathroom.

"Nee-san, aren't you done yet? It's my turn now. Isn't the water cold by now?"

Opening the door, she was just about to complain when she suddenly froze, blinking rapidly. "Nee-san…what’re you doing?"

"Kya! Sayuki, get out—" Fumika squeaked, startled.

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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!