Starting a New Life in Tokyo by Inheriting a Shopping Street [11]

Chiba Shuuichi was a little surprised by Ogawa Fumika’s reaction. He hadn’t done anything seductive—just a look—and she reacted like that?

Isn’t she a little too sensitive?

Then again… that made her all the more alluring.

Ogawa Sayuki gave her sister a helpless look. So quick to fold—no wonder she always got picked on.

“I’m heading back to check on the renovation. You just stay here for a while,” she said.

Startled, Ogawa Fumika clutched her sister’s sleeve. “I-I’ll go with you!”

Sayuki rolled her eyes. “And what are you going to do there? You never speak up anyway. I’m the one doing everything. Don’t just tag along and get in the way.”

“But… isn’t it a bit awkward for me to stay here? I don’t want to trouble Chiba-kun…” Fumika snuck a glance at Shuuichi.

“Would it trouble you?” Sayuki looked over at Chiba, half-smirking.

“Not at all. This is the management office—it’s here for the shopkeepers, after all. Fumika-neesan, stay as long as you like.”

Chiba Shuuichi was honestly pleased by the turn of events. He hadn’t expected a chance to be alone with her on just the second day.

And considering how Sayuki had been wary of him earlier, clearly trying to shield her sister… only to now create this opportunity—it meant Fumika must’ve shown some interest too.

“Well, that’s that. Don’t follow me and make a mess of things,” Sayuki said, tossing the words over her shoulder as she left Fumika behind and headed back to the shop.

Left flustered, Ogawa Fumika sat down nervously. Chiba Shuuichi’s gaze lingered on her, causing her to fidget and rub her legs together in discomfort.

After a while, Shuuichi suddenly spoke up. “Fumika-neesan, could I ask you for a favor?”

“Wh-what is it?” Fumika jumped slightly.

He pointed to his ear with a faintly troubled expression. “Lately, it’s been itchy inside, but I can’t see it myself, and cotton swabs aren’t doing much. Could you help me out?”

“Oh! No problem!” Fumika agreed without hesitation. She was good at that—her beauty salon even offered ear-cleaning services.

“Let’s go to the room next door then—it’s quieter there,” Shuuichi offered, standing up.

That made sense; ear cleaning did need a peaceful environment. Fumika hesitated a little, but since the room was still part of the first-floor management office, technically a public space… it should be okay, right?

The ground floor had an open reception area that could be seen from outside, and only one room that offered a bit of privacy.

If he had suggested going upstairs directly, Fumika likely would’ve panicked. So Chiba went with the next best thing. As expected, she agreed after a moment’s pause.

Since she hadn’t brought any tools, Chiba went upstairs to grab an ear pick himself—a traditional bamboo one with a soft puffball on the end.

By the time he returned, Fumika had already moved the chair over to the small window in the room.

Shuuichi sat down and handed her the ear pick. When she took it, her fingers brushed his palm—just lightly—but it still made her heart flutter.

“Thanks for helping, Fumika-neesan.”

In the sunlight, his smile was open and innocent, as if the earlier touch had been nothing but a coincidence.

Fumika felt dazed for a moment. The romance novels she used to read as a girl floated up in her mind. The boy in those stories… he must’ve looked just like this.

“Fumika-neesan?” Shuuichi’s voice snapped her back.

“Oh, sorry!” She blushed and quickly got to work.

Looking down at his long neck and gentle profile, Fumika felt her heart skip a beat as she reached out.

His hair was warm from the sun and carried the clean scent of shampoo. Her eyes fell on his ear.

“Chiba-kun… you have such nice ear shape.”

“Really?” Shuuichi’s thoughts were drifting as well.

Fumika smelled faintly sweet—not cloying, just naturally fragrant.

Since he was sitting and she was standing, she had to bend over a bit, and the motion revealed a tantalizing glimpse beneath her collar.

“There’s quite a lot in here…” she murmured softly, inspecting his ear.

Her warm breath brushed against his skin, sending a ticklish shiver down Shuuichi’s spine. This… this was live ASMR.

“I’ll begin now, Chiba-kun. Don’t move, okay?” Fumika said gently before inserting the bamboo pick.

A tingling sensation spread from his ear, to his brain, then straight to his heart.

Because of the awkward posture, Fumika had to constantly adjust her stance, which made the hem of her blouse sway above him.

Shuuichi couldn’t help but speak up. “This looks tiring. Should we switch to a more comfortable position?”

“Eh? I’m fine with whatever… but it is kind of hard to see deeper this way,” Fumika admitted softly.

As soon as she removed the pick, Shuuichi stood and brought over three more chairs, lining them up.

“It’s a pity there’s no bed here. We’ll have to make do. You should sit too—it’ll be easier on you.”

Fumika obediently sat down but looked puzzled. What kind of position is he planning? This doesn’t seem ideal for ear cleaning…

And then—Shuuichi lay down, resting his head squarely on her lap.

Fumika froze.

She hadn’t expected this to be what he meant by a “more comfortable” position—a lap pillow!?

Isn’t this going a bit fast?

But why is Chiba-kun acting so naturally about it? Is this… is this really that normal?

“Fumika-neesan?” Shuuichi looked up at her with a puzzled expression. “Are you tired? Want to rest a bit before we continue?”

“Huh?” She snapped out of her daze and quickly shook her head. “No, no—I’m fine! We can keep going.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.” Shuuichi basked in the soft, smooth sensation against his cheek—the heavenly feel of stockings over shapely thighs. Surrounded by her scent, he felt as if he were floating, eyes slowly closing in contentment.

Fumika looked down at the boy resting peacefully in her lap, and her heart fluttered all over again. Sunlight spilled through the window, casting a golden glow on his face.

It was a scene she’d once dreamed of.

As she resumed the ear cleaning, she hesitated, then softly voiced the doubt in her heart. “My legs… they’re not really nice, are they? Doesn’t it bother you to lie on them, Chiba-kun?”

“They’re beautiful. And honestly, super comfortable,” he replied, placing one hand gently on her thigh, as if to test his own words.

Startled, Fumika paused her hand. “Ch-Chiba-kun?”

“No doubt about it—your legs are grade-A, Fumika-neesan.” Shuuichi gave her thigh an appreciative rub.

“Mmm…” A muffled, sticky moan escaped from deep in her throat. Her toes curled involuntarily in embarrassment.

“Fumika-neesan, are you uncomfortable?” Shuuichi asked knowingly, his hand still in motion.

“N-no… not uncomfortable…” Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with moisture.

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T/N: IOH)FASIHFAS HIGRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

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!