Starting a New Life in Tokyo by Inheriting a Shopping Street [18]

At that moment, Chiba Shuuichi, now the victim of a very skewed public image, was starting to regret his earlier impulsiveness.

Though, to be fair, it wasn’t because he thought what he’d done to that high-strung girl was “too much”—after all, with Akiyama Tsuki’s attributes, it was exactly what she’d wanted.

No, what he was really regretting was the recklessness of it. If she’d been setting him up for a honeytrap, things could’ve gone very badly.

In Japan these days, the most dangerous people weren’t train gropers anymore—it was strange women. Sure, it was only a very small percentage who were predatory, but the rules of the Dark Forest applied here: you never knew which one might play the trap card first.

There were already women using exactly this method to blackmail lonely office workers and socially awkward men for pocket money.

Fortunately, Akiyama Tsuki really did have special preferences. He’d narrowly dodged a landmine this time—but next time, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down again.

After some self-reflection, Chiba tightened his vigilance and even spent some time online researching how to challenge someone to a formal samurai duel—because honestly, getting arrested for a street fight was better than being branded a molester and suffering social death.

He hadn’t gotten far in his research when he received a LINE message from Ogawa Sayuki:

[My sister went over to your place. Don’t do anything weird to her!]

Chiba glanced at the message and snorted. “So… you're basically telling me to do something weird, huh?”

One after another, they were all like this. Mouths say no, bodies say yes. Women—whether grown or still girls—were really hard to figure out.

He went downstairs, and sure enough, Ogawa Fumika was already seated, waiting quietly. She looked up at the sound of his steps, then quickly dropped her gaze again, the tips of her ears turning pink.

“S-sorry to bother you, Chiba-kun. Sayuki kept saying I was in the way… told me not to stay over there and get underfoot…”

“Not a bother at all. Actually, I’m really happy you’re here, Fumika-neesan.”

Having just been stirred up by Akiyama Tsuki, Chiba felt like he’d been wandering in a desert—and now, Ogawa Fumika was the clear spring his parched heart had found.

“Um… should I help clean your ears again?” Fumika peeked up at him. Her cheeks were hot, and the look in his eyes was so intense it both drew her in and made her want to flee.

“Doing it every day probably isn’t a good idea, right?” Chiba was tempted, but thought better of it and declined.

A hint of disappointment crossed her face. Why was I even looking forward to that? she thought, ashamed. It’s not like Chiba-kun actually needed it…

“But what about a massage? You’re good at that too, right?” Chiba asked, switching gears just in time.

“Mhm! I am!” Her eyes lit up instantly.

“Would you mind? My shoulders have been stiff lately.” He smiled as he made the request.

“Not at all! I’d be glad to help. It’s just… the beauty salon’s still under renovation, and I don’t have all the tools. It might not feel as good as usual,” Fumika said a little apologetically.

“That’s okay. Something simple is fine,” Chiba said with a reassuring smile. Then he glanced toward the stairs. “So… shall we go upstairs?”

U… upstairs?!

Fumika flinched as if hit by lightning. Her heart began pounding wildly. Upstairs? Does that mean…?

Is it going to become… that kind of situation?

What do I do? Wouldn’t that be too fast? Would Chiba-kun be angry if I said no?

But… I’m not ready for this…

Sayuki always told her that as a mature woman, she should just go for it—but still… could she really go through with something like that?

If I end up on Chiba-kun’s bed so easily, would he think I’m some shameless woman?

Would he see me as… cheap?

Her head spun. In that moment, more than anything, she wished Sayuki were here to give her some kind of guidance or support.

But right now… it was just her.

“What’s wrong, Fumika-neesan?” Chiba asked, knowingly feigning concern.

Fumika bowed her head so low it looked like she was about to bury her face in her collar. She braced herself on the table, trying to stand, but her legs had turned to jelly. She couldn’t run. She didn’t dare go upstairs. She wanted to hide her head like an ostrich.

And then, it hit her—I’m on my period.

Why am I so worried? Even if I go up, nothing’s going to happen. He won’t… do that, so he won’t think I’m easy or shameless.

So… it’s fine, right?

And besides, maybe it’s just to talk or rest. Just because they go upstairs doesn’t mean anything will happen. Sure, she was a married woman—but Chiba was still so young. He probably wouldn’t move that fast…

Little by little, courage welled up inside her.

Chiba couldn’t see what was going on in her head. All he saw was that she wasn’t responding, head bowed low, completely silent.

Maybe I was too pushy, he thought. Fumika-neesan isn’t as forward as some other women… it’s normal she’d be shy.

So he softened his tone. “Sorry—maybe I was being too forward. It’s just that there’s no bed down here, so it’s not really suitable for a massage… I forgot you’re a woman, and that it might be uncomfortable…”

“I-it’s fine!” she blurted out.

She raised her head, bit her lip, and looked as if she’d made some major life decision.

Her period gave her courage.

Chiba blinked. He hadn’t expected her to suddenly change her mind, but it was a good sign. He didn’t pry.

“I’m glad, then. I was worried I offended you.”

“N-no… it’s really okay…”

Fumika slowly stood up, wobbling slightly as she followed behind him. Her legs were still weak, but at least now they could move.

Even if nothing happens… still… what if something does?

Why did I follow him so easily? Am I really that shameless? I’m an older woman fantasizing about a boy so much younger…

Her thoughts spiraled into chaos. She trailed behind him, dazed, and didn’t notice when Chiba suddenly stopped. She walked right into his back.

Chiba felt the bump and instinctively reached behind to steady her, his hand wrapping around her slender waist.

“Careful. Falling down the stairs would be bad.”

“S-sorry…” Fumika murmured. His palm on her lower back felt hot, the warmth spreading up her spine like an electric current—tingling and dizzying.

They reached the second floor, entering a neat and somewhat sparse living room. The lack of clutter made everything seem especially tidy.

“Chiba-kun keeps things so clean. I thought it’d be messier with a guy living alone,” Fumika said, looking around with growing curiosity. The clarity of her surroundings gave her a bit more confidence.

“I’ve heard it’s girls’ rooms that are usually messier—but I’ve never seen one myself. Once you move in, Fumika-neesan, I’d love to take a look around,” Chiba teased.

Fumika flushed. Her and Sayuki’s bedroom was usually kind of a mess… but they never had guests, so who cared?

“There’s no sofa in the living room—let’s head to the bedroom. It’ll be easier to lie down for the massage,” Chiba said, watching her expression closely.

Fumika’s heart thudded. She knew it!

Even if she wasn’t afraid of “that” happening, the idea still made her flustered. And then she remembered—the underwear I put on today isn’t even a matching set! Her whole body tensed in regret. If Chiba-kun sees that, I’ll die of embarrassment!

Lost in her thoughts, she followed Chiba into the bedroom.

She didn’t even take in the room’s layout. Her blood was rushing to her head, short-circuiting her brain.

“Shall we… get started?” Chiba asked gently, closing the door behind them.

Click.

The soft sound of the latch made Fumika jump.

She didn’t dare look around. Staring at the flower embroidery on her blouse, her legs twisted together, her black stocking-covered toes curling and uncurling in nervous rhythm.

Chiba deliberately walked past her, his gaze briefly lingering on her petite feet. The moment he looked, she drew her toes back like a startled kitten retreating into her slippers.

“I was in a rush this morning and didn’t get to make the bed. Hope that’s not too embarrassing,” he said, trying to lighten the mood.

“N-not at all,” Fumika replied quickly.

Chiba smiled and flopped down onto the bed. “Then I’ll leave the rest to you, Fumika-neesan.”

With that, he lay still, leaving it entirely in her hands.

A beautiful young man sprawled out on the bed, inviting a stunning, voluptuous older woman to touch him as she pleased—it was an impossibly charged scene.

Except… this particular woman was painfully shy.

Fumika looked at Chiba’s long, lean frame, eyes tracing up and down more than a few times. Her throat tightened.

She gulped.

But in the end… she dared not do anything bold. She quietly sat beside him and gently placed her hands on his shoulders.

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T/N: GULP

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!