Starting a New Life in Tokyo by Inheriting a Shopping Street [4]

“Two units?”

Chiba Shuuichi blinked in surprise. He had honestly thought this deal had fallen through, so much so that he’d all but given up and told them to check out other locations.

But now—sudden reversal?

“That’s right,” Ogawa Sayuki replied with a cryptic smile tugging at her lips. “I plan to open a shop here too, right next to my sister’s.”

Her eyes swept slowly up and down Chiba’s figure.

She hadn’t looked closely before, but now that she gave him a proper once-over, this young administrator really was quite the pretty boy.

Delicate features, slender frame, and a sickly-soft look that gave off zero threat—he practically screamed bully me.

Something about that made her fingers twitch with temptation.

Chiba, entirely unaware of the dangerous glint in her eye, only found her change in attitude odd. She had been so guarded just moments ago—what changed?

He glanced over at Ogawa Fumika in the corner. She lowered her head the instant their eyes met, as if his gaze had burned her. Clearly no answers coming from that direction.

Suppressing his curiosity, Chiba turned back to Sayuki. “And what kind of shop will you be opening? Which unit are you interested in?”

“A gym,” Sayuki tilted her head toward the unit next door. “That one looks perfect. It’s right beside my sister’s. I’ll be the store manager. If everything checks out, I’m ready to sign today.”

“A gym?” Chiba frowned slightly. “That space is about the same size as this one. It might not be large enough for all the equipment.”

“It’s plenty,” Sayuki replied with a calm smile. “I’m opening a women-only fitness studio. Private sessions, members only—we’re not going for high foot traffic.

The focus will be on Pilates and yoga, with an emphasis on toning and fat loss. Less strength training, fewer heavy machines.”

“Ah, I see,” Chiba nodded in realization. “I’ve heard those kinds of women’s gyms are trending. Didn’t one of them rake in something like twenty billion yen in a year?”

Sayuki gave a firm nod. When it came to work, her expression was all business.

“Exactly. And it’ll pair perfectly with my sister’s beauty salon. After a workout, our clients can head next door for an aromatherapy massage—soothe their sore muscles.”

Aromatherapy spa…

Chiba’s eyelid twitched slightly at the phrase. Images of creamy thighs and the spiritually devastating valley from earlier flooded his mind unbidden.

Sayuki caught the flicker in his expression and smiled, lips curving with mischief. “So? Can we have both spaces? Once we’re open, you’re welcome to come by for a free trial, Chiba-san.”

Snapping back to himself, Chiba kept his face composed while secretly checking the system interface.

“If you’re going with the adjacent unit, then the rent will be the same: 200,000 yen per month. No deposit, no key money.”

Sayuki gave a satisfied nod. “Deal. Let’s sign right now.”

“I’m afraid that’ll have to wait a moment,” Chiba said with a small shake of his head.

Immediately, Sayuki’s brow arched. Ah, so there’s the catch. What now? A little “under-the-table” requirement?

Chiba noticed her change in expression but didn’t pay it much mind. He simply shrugged. “I need to wait for the steward to handle the paperwork.”

“Steward?” Sayuki blinked. What is he, the heir of some chaebol family?

Chiba nodded, keeping his tone casual. “That’s right.”

...

Back at the management office, the Ogawa sisters sat quietly, waiting for this mysterious “steward.” Their feelings were… complicated.

Sayuki frowned in thought. No wonder he’s a little shady. Kid must be some rich young master from a big family…

Fumika sat stiffly in her chair, twisting her legs together. Her sister’s teasing still lingered in her mind, making her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles.

She wanted to suggest they leave, but every time she opened her mouth, the words caught in her throat. Her head felt foggy. She had no idea how to start.

Meanwhile, Chiba sat behind the desk, busily reviewing the documents the two had brought and preparing the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s standard lease contracts.

From time to time, he glanced up at the sisters, wondering what had prompted their sudden change of heart.

Ten minutes later, an elderly man with silver hair arrived, impeccably dressed in a traditional steward’s uniform. He gave Chiba a respectful bow.

Without unnecessary chatter, the old man handled the contract formalities, then nodded at the two women and took his leave.

Chiba had seen him once before when the system first activated. The man was a functionary provided by the system—ostensibly the steward of the far-off wealthy relative who’d “left” Chiba the shopping street.

Anytime a contract needed signing, he appeared like clockwork. Until Chiba met the system’s final requirements and took full ownership, the man would handle all formalities.

Everything from official filings to bureaucratic paperwork—none of it would fall on Chiba’s shoulders.

With the contracts now signed, the Ogawa sisters exchanged a look.

“Well then,” Chiba said, leaning back in his chair with a pleasant smile. “Welcome to the shopping street. I look forward to working with you.”

Fumika responded quickly and flustered, “N-not at all! We should be the ones asking for your guidance.”

“Indeed. We’ll be relying on you,” Sayuki added with a knowing look that made Fumika duck her head in embarrassment, cheeks flaming red.

Chiba watched their reactions thoughtfully and pulled out his phone.

“You both use LINE, right? Mind adding me? If anything comes up or you need help, just let me know anytime.”

“Of course we do. What, you think we’re a couple of old ladies or something?” Sayuki rolled her eyes. Even when she complained, those sultry peach blossom eyes made her seem endlessly charming.

Chiba let out a quiet laugh and looked at Fumika. “If all older ladies looked like the two of you, I’d say your beauty treatments are Nobel Prize-worthy, Ogawa-san.”

“N-no, not at all! That’s way too much,” Fumika said, red-faced, waving her hands in denial.

“Take it easy, Chiba-san’s just teasing. You’re taking it so seriously, it’s making you look silly,” Sayuki sighed.

Once they’d added each other on LINE, Sayuki stood and looked at Chiba.

“We’ve already taken up enough of your time today. We’ll come back first thing in the morning. Even if you don’t require key money, it wouldn’t feel right not to bring a little gift.”

“I’m not picky, but yes, getting to know the other shop owners is important,” Chiba said with a sense of responsibility. “You’ve seen the street—has a certain… historical charm to it. Most of the shopkeepers are older folks. They’ll care about proper etiquette.”

“Got it. Thanks for the tip.”

Sayuki nodded seriously, then flashed Chiba a mysterious, half-teasing smile as she turned to leave.

“Chiba-san… do look forward to tomorrow’s gift.”

---

T/N: IT SHOULDVE BEEN ME DAMN YOU CHIBA!!!

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!