In the end, Shizuka Hiratsuka had no choice. Normally, she disliked showering before her morning exercise, but today she reluctantly gave in.
After making sure there were no strange marks left on her by Fujiko, she blow-dried her hair and glanced at the time displayed on her fully charged phone.
"Still early. I'll do a little warm-up." Nodding lightly to herself, she knew that even though Fujiko had delayed her schedule, her well-disciplined routine still gave her enough time to keep up her morning exercise.
She changed into the sportswear she had brought, tied her hair into a casual ponytail, and took the house key that Yukiko had given her the night before. Standing at the doorway, Shizuka stretched her arms across her chest.
"Phew, nice weather." Looking up at the bright sky at half past seven, she could already tell it was going to be another clear day.
After a brief warm-up, she looked around the quiet residential streets and then started running, her long legs moving at a steady rhythm.
"Oh, plenty of people out jogging this morning." Running at a relaxed pace through the neighborhood, Shizuka soon passed a few other residents also dressed in sporty clothes.
"There's even families exercising together. That's really nice." Seeing the cheerful faces around her, Shizuka's mood became lighter.
Though her own personality leaned toward straightforward and bold, she had always liked these warm family scenes.
Well… except she didn't even have a boyfriend, let alone a family of her own.
She kept running. From Yukiko's explanation yesterday, she knew the streets of this residential area were designed in a loop, so she wasn't worried about getting lost.
Breathing in the crisp morning air, Shizuka's pace unconsciously quickened.
Focused on her run, she didn't notice that while she was looking around at the other joggers, they were also looking at her. Her long ponytail swung behind her as her fitted sportswear highlighted her tall, shapely figure.
Many of the people living in Yukiko and Yusaku's neighborhood were of considerable social standing, not easily impressed. But seeing Shizuka jogging so naturally, many nodded to themselves in approval, their eyes lighting up.
If her pace hadn't suddenly quickened, leaving the men who wanted to strike up a conversation far behind, Shizuka might have already collected a handful of phone numbers by now.
"Oh, Shizuka, you're back already~" In less than thirty minutes, she returned to Yusaku and Yukiko's villa, where Yukiko was in the garden holding a watering can and waving at her.
"Mm, you're up early, Yukiko. I thought you'd be the type to sleep in," Shizuka teased as she wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel. Her gaze wandered across the flowers in the yard.
"Since when did you enjoy gardening? I thought most people just bought flowers already arranged."
"I need something homely to do. Taking care of flowers every day is supposed to be good for the spirit, you know~" Yukiko said with a bright smile.
"I don't think gardening suits you at all, Yukiko. You should focus on taking care of yourself first," Shizuka countered. Through the glass doors leading into the living room, she could see Yusaku in the kitchen wearing an apron, waving at her from behind the stove.
"Oh, that's Yusaku's hobby. But don't forget, my cooking is actually quite good, Shizuka, you know that," Yukiko declared confidently.
"Your cooking… you mean that sandwich you made when I fainted for no reason as a kid?" Shizuka gave her a doubtful look, clearly unimpressed.
"Hey, that doesn't count! I was just starting to learn back then. After Shinichi was born, I worked really hard on my cooking skills!" Yukiko insisted, placing the watering can down and planting her hands on her hips.
"Yes, and the result was that during the time I lived in Tokyo, Shinichi always snuck over to my place to eat my takeout. Sometimes he even brought Ran with him." Shizuka nodded seriously, not giving Yukiko an ounce of face.
"If Yusaku hadn't stepped in and learned cooking with you, who knows what would have happened."
"That reminds me, Shizuka, I still haven't settled accounts with you!" Yukiko retorted, refusing to back down. "Shinichi was just a kid, and you gave him beer!"
"Uh, that… wasn't he just curious? I figured letting a boy try a sip wasn't a big deal." Shizuka turned her head awkwardly, a little embarrassed.
She remembered her own father giving her alcohol when she was young. When her mother found out, he didn't come home for three days.
"It was only half a glass. How was I supposed to know Shinichi couldn't handle alcohol? At his age, I'd already tried stronger stuff," she muttered, pulling out her ponytail tie.
"Hmph! Well, anyway, my cooking isn't bad at all. Tonight, I'll cook dinner, and I'll make you eat your words!" Yukiko declared, jabbing Shizuka's nose playfully.
"That's not necessary. I admit your cooking's good, alright?"
"Hmph! Of course it's good. And even if it wasn't, it's still better than Eri's cooking!"
"…If you put it like that, I really can't argue," Shizuka admitted with a conflicted look. After all, Eri's cooking was… something that even her years of martial arts training couldn't prepare her stomach for.
"Alright, go take a shower, Shizuka. Breakfast is almost ready," Yukiko said with a triumphant smile, putting the watering can away.
"Today, I've got lots of fun things planned for us!"
"Fine, give me a minute. I'll make it quick."
"Don't rush. Take your time. I can even come up and scrub your back if you like~"
"Not a chance!"