Shizuka glanced at the wall clock and decided it was almost time for this little episode to end.
She still had to prepare dinner tonight.
Thinking of this, Shizuka stood up without hesitation and began to dismiss the person. "Okay, that's it. My child isn't planning on becoming a child star for now.
I'll take your business card. If I change my mind, I'll contact you."
Her dismissal wasn't meant to be too abrupt; she had to convey a hint of hope, so they'd think they'd change their minds after a while.
This way, they wouldn't insist too much when she dismissed them.
This was Shizuka's little trick for driving away salespeople. Hey...
The middle-aged man said nothing else. He stood up, bowed slightly to her again, and left.
He felt the woman's words meant to give her some time to think, and he'd seen her wavering expression during their earlier conversation.
So, he thought there was a chance!
It wasn't until the sound of the door closing could be heard that Shizuka raised her hand and gently patted Tsuna, who was peeling an orange. She said helplessly,
"Don't bring just anyone home, okay?"
"How can you blame me? Even if I turned him down, he'd probably come to see you, Mom, okay?"
"That makes sense. Never mind. I'll go get dinner." Giving up on the idea, Shizuka reached out and snatched the peeled orange from his hand, stuffed it into her mouth, and left the living room.
"..." Tsuna was speechless.
"Auntie, let me help you!" Seeing her orange snatched away, Shouko stood up and followed Shizuka.
She had been helping Shizuka lately, learning some bento-making techniques along the way.
Seeing them both leave, Tsuna leaned back on the tatami, staring at the ceiling, and began to plan his days.
His academic plans remained the same, but starting tomorrow, he planned to add an exercise routine.
He'd considered adding an exercise routine back in elementary school, but he'd considered his age and his body still developing.
He was particularly concerned about affecting his height if he started exercising too much too soon. He'd measured his height at home a few days ago; Shouko stood at 161cm, while he was only two centimeters taller. The thought was terrifying.
But he knew Japanese girls were generally shorter, and Shouko's height, after all, he'd estimated, would stop at around 168cm.
So, he wasn't so worried anymore...
Coming back to the point, when it came to exercise suitable for his age, the only thing that came to mind was running. A morning run every morning would be a great idea.
Running around the block and back again—he'd estimated it was about a kilometer or two, which he could handle.
Besides, running was a great workout, strengthening both the heart and lungs, and improving endurance. He could even ask Shouko if she wanted to join him.
But considering her ears, which prevented her from engaging in strenuous exercise, he'd quietly written off the idea of inviting her.
He'd wait until high school or college to see a doctor.
It should be treatable...
As for weightlifting, he planned to wait until he had stopped growing in college.
But playing basketball and football are still possible.
As for the future light novel plan, there is no rush; there are still three years.
"I'm back!"
At that moment, Daisuke's voice came from outside, interrupting Tsuna's thoughts.
However, there is nothing essential to consider, so let's leave it as it is for the time being and add anything else later.
"Dad, welcome home,"
Daisuke looked at Tsuna lying on the tatami and asked in confusion: "Why are you alone?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he smelled the fragrance from the kitchen, and guessed the answer, and reminded him:
"You might catch a cold if you sleep here."
"Don't worry." Tsuna waved toward the entrance. Night fell, the sky dotted with stars.
"Good evening, Aunt Miyamura."
Shouko walked to the living room entrance and saw only Shizuka inside. After greeting her, she curiously asked,
"Why are you here alone, Godmother? Where's Uncle?"
"He's taking care of something in the study." Shizuka smiled softly and waved.
Shouko pretended not to notice her gesture and hurriedly said, "Godmother, I'm going upstairs to find Tsuna." She apologized mentally and ran away.
She knew that if she went over, she wouldn't be able to escape Aunt Miyamura's embrace for at least an hour, and then her face would be the one to suffer.
"Knock, knock, knock...!"
"Tsuna, can I come in?"
"Yes."
When Shouko pushed open the door, she saw Tsuna sitting in a chair, reading a workbook.
"That's right, I have something to ask you." Tsuna reached out and patted the chair next to him, motioning for her to sit down.
After Shouko came over and sat down, she looked at him puzzledly and asked, "What's up?"
He mentally composed his words before slowly speaking, "I'm thinking of going for a morning run every day starting tomorrow. Do you want to join me?"
During dinner, he thought to himself. Although Shouko couldn't handle strenuous exercise, he still had to ask her to do so. Otherwise, if she found out,
she might think he disliked her and didn't invite her or tell her. He didn't want that to happen.
She'd definitely have all sorts of thoughts and secretly cry under the covers.
"Okay!"
Shouko nodded excitedly without a second thought, then shook her head, remembering her mother and the doctor's advice.
Tsuna saw her nod and shake, knowing she was remembering that advice, and soothed her, "Okay, when your ear is healed, we can run together again.
I'll always be waiting for you."
His words dispelled the sadness and regret that had just begun to surface in Shouko.
She nodded firmly. Tsuna was right. He would always wait for her. The place by his side would only belong to her, and his body and heart would only belong to her!
Besides, by then he'd be up early for a run, so it shouldn't be a problem for her to get up early to prepare his lunch box.
Seeing her nod, Tsuna breathed a sigh of relief, but he still had to change the subject, his lips curling slightly.
"Since you've been so good lately, how about I continue telling you a story?"
"Sure! I want to continue with the one about eating your liver." Shouko clapped her hands happily.
"That's about me wanting to eat your pancreas..."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
She didn't know what was wrong with Tsuna's brain. They were all the same, so why was he so smart?
And he knew so many stories she had never heard before.
She'd asked him about it before, but he'd always just brushed her off, even though his excuses were ridiculous.
He'd said it was a light novel he'd read in his past life. Who would believe that? He didn't even bother finding a better excuse.
If it were anything else, she might have believed it.
(End of Chapter)
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