Shuichi checked the system's quote and, as expected, Haruka, the widowed beauty, met the criteria for an excellent shopkeeper.
The discount was the same as for Fumika.
"Eighty thousand yen a month, Haruka-san. What do you think?" Shuichi said, snapping back to focus and looking at Haruka.
Haruka blinked, surprised. "That cheap?"
Having run a studio with friends, she knew shop rents well, and this price was shockingly low.
"No deposit, no key money, and management fees included," Shuichi added.
Haruka leaned forward, her figure accentuated as she rested on the desk. "Such great terms… If you're just the manager, can you really make that call?"
Shuichi shrugged. "Besides being the manager, I also own this shopping street."
"I see… You're even more intriguing than I thought," Haruka said thoughtfully, tilting her head to study him.
There was no intent to seduce, but her casual glance was effortlessly captivating.
"With such generous terms, I'm wondering if you're expecting some… unexpected benefits," She teased.
That fleeting look nearly broke Shuichi's composure, but he managed to stay calm. "Terms like these could easily be misunderstood," He said, pretending to ponder. "How about you make me a few outfits when you have time? That should cover it."
"Just clothes?" Haruka probed, trying to read his intentions.
Today's blind date felt odd, and it all tied back to this boy.
Shuichi winked, sensing she was still teasing rather than genuinely interested. "If there's a pleasant surprise, I'd gratefully accept. If not, no worries. Seeing Haruka-san every day is more than worth it."
Haruka stared at him, unable to fully grasp his motives. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she laughed. "I wasn't kidding earlier. Once could be an accident, twice a coincidence, but three times… there's got to be a deeper reason. Plus, I'm old enough for you to call me Auntie. If I were ten years younger, I might've chased a fun guy like you."
"But now…" Her eyes carried a hint of melancholy, yet even that made her more alluring.
"Haruka… Auntie?" Shuichi said playfully.
Haruka snapped back, half-amused, half-annoyed. "I said that, but calling me Auntie is a bit much."
"Alright, Haruka Auntie, ready to sign? Or want to check out the shop first?" Shuichi teased again.
"I only said I'd consider it, not commit," Haruka said, exasperated. This boy wasn't the shy kid she'd assumed—quite the opposite, and it was getting under her skin.
"You won't find rent this cheap anywhere else. And you're probably fed up staying at home, right, Haruka Auntie?" Shuichi spread his hands.
Haruka propped her chin, giving him a sultry side-eye. "You're so sure I'll say yes. Pretty bold."
"So, you're in, Haruka-san?" Shuichi confirmed.
"Not Auntie this time? You're so fickle," Haruka said, amused.
"Not fickle. I actually think Haruka Auntie has a unique charm. But then I realized that calling you makes me a generation below Uchida, which feels like a loss," Shuichi said, shaking his head regretfully.
Auntie had its own special allure.
Haruka was speechless. Were kids these days this unpredictable?
---
The lease was finalized after meeting the old buttler, confirming to Haruka that her cousin's friend was no ordinary boy.
At Shuichi's recommendation, she ate at the Akiyama ramen shop and found the food genuinely delicious, adding another reason to move here.
Back home, as Haruka pushed open the door, her mother rushed over from the kitchen, where she'd been washing dishes. "How'd it go? Back so soon?"
"What, expected me to spend the night with him on the first date? Is your daughter that wild?" Haruka said, slipping off her heels, her stocking-clad feet touching the floor.
"How did it turn out? Smoothly?" Her mother asked eagerly, pulling her along.
"Can I at least get a drink first?" Haruka said, exasperated.
"Sit on the couch, I'll get you water," Her mother said, ushering her to the living room before fetching a glass.
Handing it over, she pressed on with questions.
Haruka took a sip, then said, "The date was a total bust. The guy didn't even show."
Her mother froze, then sighed, understanding. "He heard about your past?"
"Yeah…" Haruka curled up on the couch, hugging her knees. "But there was an unexpected gain."
"What's that?" Her mother asked, disinterested.
"Though the guy didn't come, his cousin—well, Uchida's friend—showed up."
"If that's all, I'm going back to the dishes," Her mother said, standing, focused only on her daughter's future.
"I'm into Uchida's friend. I'm going to pursue him," Haruka dropped casually, tossing out the bombshell.
"You're chasing who?" Her mother took a moment to process. "Uchida's friend? Same age as him? How old are you compared to him?"
"Age doesn't matter. In fact, his youth and energy make him perfect, don't they?" Haruka said, upping the ante.
Her mother rubbed her temples. "You…"
Haruka kept going. "Oh, and Uchida mentioned that their class rep, a talented girl, is also after him. So, to stay ahead, I'm moving nearby to get to him first."
Her mother's face darkened. "You think I'm an idiot?"
"I'm serious. I've got his photo—I'll send it to you. Ask Uchida about the details," Haruka said calmly.
Her mother immediately called Uchida, grilling him about the date. What could he say? His cousin had indeed dragged his friend off right in front of him.
This confirmed Haruka's story, making her mother's expression even more conflicted. Had her pressure pushed her daughter to act so recklessly?
Competing with a young girl for a boy?
And talking about his "energy" being a good match…
Her mother thought of the drawer full of toys, feeling her heart seize up.
Haruka, prepared for this, had deliberately left with Shuichi in front of Uchida. She waited calmly for her mother to finish verifying, then spoke. "He's a great guy—handsome, good personality, and seems to come from a solid background. If I can win him over, maybe your daughter will marry into wealth. Happy now?"
Ignoring her mother's reaction, Haruka got up to pack.
She'd seen the shop; the second floor was livable, and the first floor's renovations could wait.
"You're moving out now?" Her mother asked, following, watching her pack, including *those* items.
"Yep, found a place right across from his. Also rented a small shop, so work's sorted too," Haruka said, packing clothes from her wardrobe.
"You're set on this?" Her mother asked, still dazed.
Haruka paused, hugging her. "Wish me luck. I'll keep you and Dad updated. If it goes well, I'll bring him over soon."
"Wait until your father's home tonight to discuss…" Her mother pleaded.
"Nope, your daughter's too desperate for a man," Haruka said, continuing to pack casually.
Her mother watched helplessly as Haruka gathered her things and left. Even when her husband returned that evening, finding no dinner or hot bath, she was still in a daze. Shaking her awake, he asked, "Where's our daughter?"
"She went to steal a boy from a high school girl."
"Huh?"
---
After a busy day, Shuichi changed into workout clothes and headed to the gym in the evening.
Sayuki was, predictably, absent.
Having been through this before, Shuichi didn't panic, heading downstairs to the salon.
He easily found Sayuki napping in the massage room, a towel draped over her.
Noticing the sheen on her legs, he realized Fumika must have given her an oil massage before leaving, and Sayuki had dozed off.
He approached quietly, a mischievous grin spreading. "Didn't Fuika-san say she was shopping? How's she asleep here?" He said, pretending to muse aloud.
Sayuki's eyelashes fluttered, but she didn't open her eyes.
"A sleeping Fumika-san, so defenseless and tempting. How is anyone supposed to resist?" Shuichi chuckled, leaning over to kiss her lips softly.
His hands brushed her rounded shoulders, feeling the coolness, and reached for the towel to cover her properly.
Suddenly, Sayuki grabbed his wrist, opening her eyes. "On purpose? You knew it was me but called my sister's name."
"Don't you like it, Sayuki-san?" Shuichi teased, pecking her lips again.
Sweet, soft, with the faint scent of massage oil lingering.
Sayuki narrowed her eyes, letting him tug at the towel. Her pale arms looped around his neck, her gaze lingering on his throat. "All your cleverness goes into this."
"It's because you're so special, Sayuki-san. Men who like you…" Shuichi fumbled, making the towel messier instead of fixing it.
"Nonsense. I just don't want to be apart from my sister," Sayuki said, unbothered as he struggled with the towel. "I noticed a new tenant next door today?"
"Yeah…" Shuichi replied distractedly, admiring every inch of her skin.
"Another beautiful woman, huh?" Sayuki tightened her hold on his neck, pulling him closer, her tone probing.
Shuichi, off-balance, fell forward onto the tangled towel, mumbling, "What're you thinking, Sayuki-san? Her name's Haruka Igawa, a friend's sister."
"Explaining so much? I'm not your keeper," Sayuki said, lifting his shirt to kiss his toned abs.
Shuichi shivered. A kiss now, but a wrong answer could mean a bite. "After Fumika-san every day, then you for another round, I'm not made of steel. No way I'm taking on more."
"Ditch the old for the new, and you'd have plenty of stamina," Sayuki teased, grabbing his waistband and tugging him closer to the bed.
Shuichi inched forward, a chill running down his spine. "As if I could abandon Fumika-san."
"I don't care about the others, but you better not neglect my sister. She's too kind, but I'm not," Sayuki said, nibbling on his waistband's drawstring.
"Uh… You didn't seem to care about the Akiyama sisters or the flower shop. Why the big reaction this time?" Shuichi asked.
"Kitagawa-san from the flower shop is otherworldly beautiful. Even I, a woman, was in awe. Someone like her won't fall for your sweet talk. As for the Akiyama sisters… my sister and I knew you'd eventually pick someone your age. But teenage romance—slow, clumsy, innocent—can't satisfy a little devil like you, right? For now, they can't compete with fulfilling my sister. But this new woman next door… she's different…"
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