Starting a New Life in Tokyo by Inheriting a Shopping Street [53]

No one knew how long had passed before Chiba Shuuichi finally tossed the two white-stockinged feet aside, then got up with satisfied ease and headed for the bathroom, leaving behind only one sentence:

“Finish cleaning the floor. And next time, don’t laugh so loud—it really kills the mood.”

She mumbled, words unclear, “But… the soles of my feet are so ticklish… it was so hard to hold it in…”

But the young master’s order wasn’t done yet. The little maid forced herself up, searching for the rag she’d somehow flung who-knows-where earlier. Arms and legs still weak, trembling, she tidied the mess of the floor.

After a moment’s hesitation, she changed back into her own school uniform.

Akiyama Tsuki seemed to have recovered some energy, and from the side gave a cold, cutting remark:

“As expected of a pervert. Interested in a girl’s blue-and-white stripes, and that’s the way you choose to tickle her soles.”

“Dinner,” Shuuichi said flatly. For this sort of sharp-tongued yet honest-in-action type, he couldn’t be bothered to play along with her act, just walked straight past.

“…”

Tsuki bit her lip in dissatisfaction, quickly packing away the maid outfit, the white stockings, and the blue-and-white stripes, stuffing them into her bag—planning to find a chance tonight to sneak over and wash them.

She caught up to him, following downstairs. “Perverted Shuuya must really want to look back right now, huh?”

“Not interested,” Shuuichi said, merciless as ever.

Though today’s “supplement” had left him with more energy than yesterday, after nearly three hours of high-intensity effort, he could honestly say his heart was now as calm as still water.

Even if Akiyama Tsuki’s clothes suddenly vanished this second, he’d only be wondering what kind of magic could make them disappear instantly.

“Despicable young master… In the future you’ll definitely use my sister as leverage, keep doing these things to me, leave me all messed up, won’t you?”

Tsuki’s expression was full of grief and indignation—revealing her desire.

Shuuichi stopped, glanced back at her. “More than that, I’d like to do it next time right in front of the class.”

“Guh…” Her legs went weak instantly, breath coming fast as she slumped where she stood, fingers barely curling on the railing. “No, absolutely not. I would never accept that. I’d rather be kill—”

“No means yes. With Kaichou this worked up, you must be looking forward to it. Such a pervert.” Shuuichi looked at her as if at some kind of amoeba.

“Mm… I’m about to lose it again…” Tsuki’s legs were so weak she couldn’t stand.

Dinner itself was nothing worth remarking on. Shuuichi, thoroughly satisfied for the day, was focused entirely on the rich meal, eating with real dedication.

Tsuki sat there alone, replaying the events just now in her mind.

---

Wednesday morning, in a small, old shop in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward, an eighty-something obaa-san carefully locked the door, then hung up the “Closed Today” sign.

After triple-checking that the door was shut and the sign was right, she slowly made her way down the street.

“I wonder how that Tamako girl is doing… But the safety here in Adachi Ward isn’t great. It’s probably good she moved away with her two daughters… Ai…”

She sighed, muttering to herself, and boarded the train.

She’d left early to avoid the rush hour, so she wouldn’t have to worry too much about the crowds—dangerous for the elderly.

As for taking a taxi—the cost in Tokyo was just too steep for her to accept.

Since getting older, she hardly went out anymore, spending her days serving old regulars at the shop.

But this time, with Akiyama Tamako’s new shop opening after her move, as the master who had taught her ramen-making, Kizaki-obaa-san still felt uneasy—she wanted to see for herself.

Between Adachi Ward and Taitō Ward lay Arakawa Ward. Even setting out early, at Kizaki-obaa-san’s pace, it was already full daylight by the time she reached the bustling Senzoku shopping street.

Shuffling along the street, she soon spotted Tamako’s ramen shop.

An old signboard hung above the door—one she knew well—simply reading:

[Akiyama Ramen].

---

It was breakfast time. Shuuichi’s hand was still idly stroking Akiyama Tsuki’s thigh when, suddenly, a figure appeared at the entrance—making him jump.

Turning, he saw a small, stooped obaa-san, someone he didn’t recall ever seeing around the shopping street.

“Kizaki-obaa-san?!”

Tsuki recognized her instantly. She quickly pushed Shuuichi’s hand out from under her skirt—couldn’t have a respected elder from her past seeing that.

Her sister might have been one thing, but someone of this age… they might just be shocked into collapse.

“Someone you know?” Shuuichi asked curiously.

“Mm. She used to look after our family a lot. Mom learned ramen-making from her. But Kizaki-obaa-san was strict—back when Mom was learning, she got scolded to tears often.”

Tsuki gave the short explanation, then hurried to greet her.

Shuuichi watched the scene with interest—finally seeing Kaichou’s proper side. A little refreshing, even.

The supposedly strict Kizaki-obaa-san, when faced with Tsuki, was all warmth, smiling as she reached out to pat the girl’s head.

“Good child. You’ve grown more and more capable. Where’s your mother?”

She looked at Tsuki with satisfaction. This girl studied well, worked deftly, was considerate and sharp enough not to be fooled.

Truth be told, the Akiyama family ran more on this child’s shoulders than on Tamako’s.

“At the stove…” Tsuki turned to point—only to find the person gone.

Shuuichi got up, bracing his hands on the counter, craning to look into the kitchen. It took a while before he spotted Tamako, crouched in a corner, hugging her head and trembling.

“…,” he thought.

Apparently, Kizaki-obaa-san really was that strict. What kind of deep-seated trauma did it take to get a reaction like that?

“Still so spineless. You’re the mother of two kids—how can you go on like this?”

Led into the kitchen by Tsuki, Kizaki-obaa-san blocked the escape route, then gave the ostrich-like Tamako—huddled, head buried—a thorough scolding.

---

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!