Starting a New Life in Tokyo by Inheriting a Shopping Street [43]

In Japan, hardly anyone understood the actual effects of goji berries—but Mrs. Akiyama happened to be one of the few who did. She had even given them to her late husband before!

Recalling how her husband had indulged himself relentlessly back then, becoming increasingly thin until she had no choice but to prepare special tonics for him, Mrs. Akiyama smiled nostalgically.

She thoughtfully regarded her eldest daughter, seeing something of her younger self reflected in Tsuki. Connecting this to Tsuki’s shy, awkward behavior during breakfast, she immediately realized what must’ve happened.

Hmm… The exciting games of young people—really brings back memories…

“I understand. You can leave it all to Mom.” Mrs. Akiyama patted her chest reassuringly, choosing not to expose her daughter. Some games lose their charm once they’re revealed.

If these two kids wanted to secretly play their little games right under her nose, she'd pretend she saw nothing. It was rather pleasant, after all, reminding her of her own youthful days.

But does Tsuki-chan understand moderation? She’d better hold back and avoid anything dangerous. Chiba-kun is still young—it would be troublesome if she ruined his health.

Hmm, I’d better stock up on nourishing ingredients. Who knew the recipes from those days would come in handy again?

After tidying the kitchen, Mrs. Akiyama changed her clothes and left for shopping. Even without this incident, she would've needed to go anyway—the ramen shop’s grand opening was imminent, after all.

As soon as her mother stepped out, Tsuki quickly sneaked two cans of Suntory’s fruity Horoyoi cocktails from the kitchen fridge and stealthily headed next door.

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A few minutes earlier, after leaving the ramen shop, Chiba Shuuichi climbed the stairs to his apartment, still savoring the lingering taste of the delicious meal. Deciding to help digest a bit, he casually began tidying up the place.

He hadn’t had a spare moment these past few days, so the apartment had become a bit messy.

His bedroom still faintly smelled of Ogawa Fumika—it was time to air it out. Then there was also the maid outfit left behind by the perverted student council president next door, which needed to be put away.

Shuuichi opened his bedroom window, then returned to the living room and opened the storage bag, curiously inspecting the maid costume inside.

It seemed Akiyama Tsuki had already tried it on, as the outfit was no longer neatly folded.

He picked it up and took a tentative sniff. A subtle, pleasant fragrance lingered on the fabric—a fresh scent distinctly different from Mrs. Akiyama’s.

He held it up and gave it a shake—a standard black-and-white maid uniform, except…wasn’t the skirt a bit short?

Shuuichi frowned slightly. Not just short—it looked barely long enough to cover those blue-and-white stripes beneath.

Kaichou really is a pervert, huh? Did she intentionally pick something so short, worried there’d be too much fabric?

He chuckled lightly, placing the maid outfit aside, and continued digging through the bag.

A few accessories for the costume…

Two adorable cat-ear headbands—one black, one white…

And a fluffy cat tail…wait.

Shuuichi suddenly felt something wasn’t quite right. Did I ever mention a cat tail?

This tail didn’t seem like it was meant to be clipped onto clothes or tied around the waist, either…

He held it up by one end, gradually widening his eyes as realization dawned.

Just then, he heard the distinct tapping of Tsuki’s leather shoes as she climbed the stairs. Seeing the apartment door open, she casually walked in, holding the two cans of alcohol.

Their eyes met.

A long silence followed.

“Hey, Kaichou,” Shuuichi said, waving the cat tail teasingly as he stepped closer, “mind demonstrating how to use this for me?”

Tsuki immediately slipped into character, biting her lower lip and glaring at him with feigned embarrassment. “You really are a pervert! How could you ask me to do something like that? I’d rather die than—”

“Guess I’ll just ask the Class Rep, then.” Shuuichi casually moved toward the door.

“Wait!” Tsuki quickly caught hold of his sleeve with two delicate fingers, eyes filled with panic and inner turmoil. She clenched her teeth. “I-I understand…but I can’t do it today. I need some time to prepare…”

Shuuichi turned around, gently gripping her chin to tilt her face upward, regarding her with a look reserved for lower lifeforms. “Kaichou, you really are a deviant—going out of your way to buy something like this yourself. Are you that desperate?”

“Guh…” Tsuki dramatically turned her face away, overwhelmed by humiliation. “Kill me already.”

“Murder is illegal. Why would I do something like that? Besides, it’d be a waste, considering how pretty you are.” Shuuichi couldn’t help but get a bit immersed in the scenario as well.

He picked up the maid uniform he'd set aside earlier. “For today, put this on and help me clean the room.”

“Didn’t we agree on tomorrow?” Tsuki complained, frowning slightly and acting unwilling. But her breathing quickened, betraying how eager she actually was.

“It’s your own fault, Kaichou. You secretly bought something like this and deliberately left it here for me to find. After seeing it, how could I possibly restrain myself?”

Shuuichi swung the cat tail playfully, then paused abruptly. “By the way, you really went all the way to Akihabara to buy this instead of discreetly ordering it online?”

“I wore a mask. Nobody recognized me,” Tsuki replied defensively, shifting restlessly on her feet as she took the maid outfit from his hands.

“Shut the door and close the curtains. Change right here.” Shuuichi seated himself comfortably in a chair, calmly issuing instructions.

“Fine…” Tsuki pursed her soft, pink lips, clearly acting coerced. “Mom went shopping and will be back soon. I can’t stay too long.”

“And what does that have to do with me? Just do as you're told.” Shuuichi’s expression remained indifferent, though inwardly he scoffed, I’ll probably have trouble getting you to leave when the time comes!

Tsuki obediently closed the door behind her—complaining outwardly but thrilled inwardly—then swiftly pulled the curtains shut. Standing before Shuuichi with barely contained excitement, she began the changing play.

Slowly, one button at a time, she undid her shirt—her school uniform was a typical blouse and blazer combo.

With each button she unfastened, her breathing grew heavier, her face flushed deeper.

Finally, she fully opened her shirt and shyly removed it, wrapping her arms around herself to conceal her body.

“Continue.” Shuuichi remained seated, unmoving, closely observing her trembling form, noting even the tiny hairs on her arms shivering slightly.

Her hands moved shakily to the skirt at her waist, unfastening it carefully and allowing it to drop freely to the floor at her feet.

But instead of continuing, she stood frozen in place, toes curling anxiously against the floor, hands tightly hugging herself.

“…”

Shuuichi felt utterly speechless. This perverted Kaichou was clearly enjoying being stared at! If she kept stalling like this, would he even get to sleep tonight?

“Hurry up,” he urged impatiently.

“All right…” Tsuki sighed with genuine reluctance this time, deliberately dragging out the dressing process until she finally donned the maid outfit.

Then Shuuichi ordered her to scrub the floor, leisurely following behind to admire the view.

“Right there. Clean it thoroughly,” he instructed, sitting cross-legged on the floor as he watched her scrub vigorously with a cloth.

As he'd suspected, the skirt really was absurdly short. Forget covering the blue-and-white stripes—it felt practically cut off at the waist!

The soft, pale flesh of her thighs, especially the backs of them, looked impossibly delicate and tempting, making his mouth water and his fingers itch.

And so, Shuuichi slowly reached out his hand…

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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!