Haruka licked her lips, leaning slightly forward. "Hey, interested in going shopping with me?"
Shuichi froze, not out of nervousness at her invitation, but because his eyes were drawn to the fleeting glimpse of her tongue.
Something felt off…
Normal people… did their tongues look like that? It was almost serpentine.
Seeing Shuichi momentarily dazed, as if startled, Haruka couldn't help but chuckle. "Not interested?"
"No, I'm definitely interested. Shopping sounds great. If you don't mind, I know a good spot," Shuichi said, snapping back to reality.
"A good spot? Somewhere secluded?" Haruka's eyes gleamed with a suggestive glint.
"Not secluded at all. It's in Taito Ward, a lively shopping street," Shuichi clarified quickly.
He couldn't call his own turf remote, even if it was a bit out of the way.
Haruka laughed softly, finding his earnestness endearing. "Alright, let's go check out this place you recommend."
With that, she stood, and Shuichi eagerly followed.
Seeing them about to leave, Uchida, still bewildered, called out, "Wait, where are you two going? Hold up!"
Shuichi paused, pulling a precious Yukichi Fukuzawa bill from his dwindling wallet and pressing it into Uchida's hand. "A little something from my cousin for your trouble. Buy some manga to pass the time. Your sister and I have things to discuss, so we're heading out."
"Huh? For real?" Uchida blinked, then brightened. "Sweet, I've been eyeing some new releases."
"Yep. Gotta go, time's tight. Handle the burgers yourself," Shuichi said, waving as he followed Haruka out.
"Here we go again… Keep eating like this, and I'll go from otaku to fat otaku," Uchida muttered, watching them leave but grabbing the burgers anyway.
He'd buy a couple of manga, find a park, and eat slowly later.
---
Meanwhile, after leaving the burger joint, Haruka strutted down the street in her heels, glancing at the boy beside her. "What's on your mind? Excited for what's next?"
Shuichi, catching the intoxicating scent of her perfume, suppressed his stirring impulses. "Wondering why Uchida seems so scared of you, Igawa-san. Something happened before?"
Haruka's lips curved into a playful smile. "Him? Oh, nothing much. When he was in elementary school, my friends and I used him as a model, had him try on some clothes."
Shuichi's eyes twitched. "Girl's… clothes?"
Haruka raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You guessed it. Pretty sharp."
"No wonder he's terrified," Shuichi said, offering silent sympathy for his friend.
For a young boy, an older cousin was a nightmare. One who liked dressing him up like a doll? Pure terror.
"Call me Haruka-san. Igawa-san feels too formal, especially since you and Uchida are close, right?" Haruka suggested warmly.
"Haruka-san, then?" Shuichi replied, sensing danger. Uchida's cousin was a real predator. He was already stretched thin and honestly didn't want to tangle with another widowed beauty right now.
His hesitant look made Haruka mistake it for shyness, fueling her urge to tease the seemingly innocent boy. "Are you secretly hoping a pretty older woman will teach you all sorts of things?"
"Huh?" Shuichi thought, *No, if you'd come earlier, maybe, but I'm maxed out now.*
Haruka, finding his stunned expression amusing, leaned closer, her tone sultry. "Grown-up things~"
"Like?" Shuichi played dumb.
With a knowing smile, Haruka sauntered past him to a vending machine, pulling out her ID to buy a can of beer. Swaying back, she held it up with a mischievous grin. "Like this. Want a taste of something adult~?"
Shuichi stared, unimpressed. So, she thought he was a kid. "Pass, thanks."
Haruka burst into laughter, her figure trembling enticingly, impossible to ignore. "What did you think I meant?"
Shuichi sighed. "Guess I brought this on myself. Tricked you into coming out, so I deserve the teasing."
That piqued Haruka's curiosity. "So, why target your friend's sister? You're young, but your tastes are mature."
"Because you're gorgeous, Haruka-san. What else?" Shuichi said, leading her to the train station.
"Such a straightforward reason. That won't do. You've got to say things girls want to hear to win them over," Haruka teased, sipping her beer as she offered advice.
"I wasn't planning on a blind date. I had your number for ages but never added you. Uchida let it slip, so I had to trouble you to come out," Shuichi explained casually.
"I see…" Haruka's eyes sparkled with mischief. "But if you had the chance to be my boyfriend, would you be interested?"
"Isn't that… moving a bit fast?" Shuichi said, hesitating.
Haruka, thinking he was just shy, teased further. "Too fast? This is adult speed~"
Shuichi felt a bit cornered, pondering how to decline politely while keeping her goodwill to secure the deal.
Seeing him think so seriously, Haruka worried he might take her teasing to heart, so she eased off. "Alright, no more teasing. I asked you out alone to discuss something."
"What's that?" Shuichi thought, *Perfect, saves me some brainpower.*
They boarded a train, finding seats in the sparsely populated carriage, away from rush hour.
Haruka lowered her voice. "It's about today's date. My family's been nagging me to find someone, and it's getting annoying. If you don't mind, could you play along and act as my boyfriend for them?"
"Fake boyfriend? So that's what you meant," Shuichi said, relieved he wouldn't be devoured by this predatory woman.
"Disappointed?" Haruka asked slyly.
"A little," Shuichi admitted, half-sincere.
Maybe another guy his age would be head-over-heels for this captivating woman, but his threshold had been raised by the teachers and ladies. He was tempted, sure, but he could handle it.
If Haruka got serious, her natural allure might sway him, but this verbal flirting wasn't enough to shake him.
Haruka, thinking he was saving face, offered comfort. "You're a cute kid, really appealing. But someone like me… I'm not a good choice."
She held out her left hand, showing the faint mark of a ring on her finger, her tone softening. "Uchida probably told you about me. Getting involved with me brings bad luck."
"I heard a bit, but I don't buy into those," Shuichi said, turning the tables to reassure her.
"They might not all be myths," Haruka said, eyeing his frame meaningfully.
Shuichi had been training for two weeks, and with the gym's boost, his physique had transformed, though it wasn't obvious under clothes. Haruka figured a slender boy like him wouldn't last long with her.
"Time to get off, Haruka-san," Shuichi said, standing.
Haruka blinked, then followed. After another transfer, they reached the shopping street, strolling side by side.
"So, what's the verdict? If you agree to play along, I can grant some reasonable requests~" Haruka said, her playful tone returning.
"Playing along's fine. Reasonable requests… anything goes?" Shuichi asked, winking.
Haruka leaned slightly toward him, hands behind her back. "That kind of request? I get that boys your age are full of energy, but no~ You'd get drained by me."
"If it's not that, then it's fine?" Shuichi said as they reached the entrance to Shopping Street.
Haruka glanced at the weathered sign, squinting to read it. "What's special about this place? You brought me all this way for a reason."
Shuichi led her in, explaining, "I work as a manager here. Since you studied fashion design, I thought you might consider opening a studio here. Rent's discounted."
Haruka froze, completely caught off guard.
She'd expected this shy boy to eagerly show her some quirky shop he found cool or take her to a romantic spot to get closer. But…
Renting a shop?
How did the conversation leap to this?
"Come on in," Shuichi said, guiding her to the management office while she was still dazed.
Haruka followed, scanning the interior. Shuichi sat behind a desk, gesturing for her to sit, then said, "You mentioned granting reasonable requests. Asking you to consider opening a shop here… that's not too much, right?"
Haruka laughed, reevaluating the boy. She'd thought she was in control, teasing him, but his goal was entirely different.
"Well, that's unexpected. I guess I got a bit too full of myself. It is a little embarrassing," She admitted.
"No way. Honestly, I'd love for you to stay around so we could see each other often," Shuichi said, flashing a charming smile.
Haruka shook her head, amused. "I'm not falling for that now. You're not as simple as you look."
"Will you consider it seriously? You seem bored at home. Starting your own business, leaving the past behind, could be a good move," Shuichi suggested.
Haruka thought it over. She had been wasting away at home. Maybe it was time to pull herself together and find purpose again.
With romance out of the picture, pouring her energy into a career made sense. She'd once dreamed of becoming a renowned designer…
Shuichi waited patiently. Soon, Haruka snapped out of her thoughts. "Thanks for the great suggestion, but I don't have much capital to start a shop…"
Her husband's investment failures and suicide left no inheritance, forcing her back to her parents' home.
"I mentioned there'd be a discount. Want to check out some spaces first?" Shuichi offered with a smile.
She'd just agreed to consider it, not commit, so Haruka couldn't refuse. She perked up. "Alright, show me around. You've got a certain charm when you're working."
"I'm not falling for your flattery either, or I'd be embarrassed if I got too flustered," Shuichi shot back playfully.
Haruka laughed, watching him flip through files and explain professionally. After a bit, she spotted a promising unit, though she wasn't sure about the rent…
"This one?" Shuichi said, a bit surprised. It was right next to Sayuki's gym. "Sixty square meters across two floors. A bit small? You'd probably live upstairs, so the shop's only about thirty square meters…"
"Plenty. A personal studio doesn't need much space. Too big, and it'd feel empty," Haruka said, then winked, her tone dripping with charm. "So… how much of a discount are you giving me?"
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