Starting a New Life in Tokyo by Inheriting a Shopping Street [7]

Chiba Shuuichi spent the entire morning half-asleep in class. Sure, this youthful body had its perks—but it also meant he needed plenty of sleep.

As soon as the lunch bell rang, the students sprang back to life, noisily pouring out toward the cafeteria or gathering to eat their bentos in clusters around campus.

Chiba grabbed a yakisoba bun from the vending machine. He’d always heard they were good, and now seemed like the perfect time to try one.

Carrying the bread, he made his way to the rooftop. He’d recently taken a liking to the view up there—everything so vivid and clear, it was downright addictive.

But today, someone else had beaten him to it.

From just beyond the stairwell door, he could hear a voice on the phone.

“…Still haven’t found the right shop yet? Mom, how about I go with you tomorrow to look?”

“It’s fine, really. Better than being stuck at home with Nee-san hovering over me to study. Just let me relax a little, okay?”

“…”

The voice sounded familiar. As Chiba chewed his bun, he waited to confirm his suspicion.

Moments later, the call ended, and the person stepped into view.

Sure enough—it was Akiyama An, the class rep.

The second she spotted him, she startled so hard she physically jumped back half a step, eyes wide, instantly putting distance between them like he was radioactive.

Chiba blinked. “Do I look that scary? That backstep just now was pretty serious.”

Akiyama quickly turned away, muttering something under her breath.

She probably thought she was whispering, but with Chiba’s sharp hearing, he caught every word:

“Don’t make eye contact… Don’t talk to him… Don’t let him touch you… or he’ll trick you into having his baby…”

…Excuse me?

Chiba was speechless.

This cool, elegant class rep… was kind of an airhead?

And what was with that logic?! Where did she even get that idea?

Top of the class in academics, apparently a complete idiot in some areas.

He couldn’t help but feel the itch to tease her.

“I overheard you saying your family’s still looking for a shop,” he said casually. “I actually know a good spot—great location, rent’s reasonable. Need help?”

“Eh? Really?” Akiyama’s head snapped around. Her eyes lit up like a puppy being offered treats.

“Of course. We’re classmates, right?” Chiba gave her a friendly smile as he sized her up.

Delicate, well-proportioned features. Smooth, clear skin. Wide, innocent eyes practically sparkling with unfiltered sincerity. Long, straight legs held close together without the slightest gap, her skirt fluttering gently in the breeze.

She radiated pure, vibrant youth. And that unguarded smile—he couldn’t help but feel happy just looking at it.

Chiba thought to himself: If Akiyama-san ends up becoming a shop owner, and the system deems her a ‘top-tier tenant,’ I could get a salary bonus.

“You’re actually really nice,” she said with complete trust. “Not scary at all—nothing like what my sister said.”

Ah, Chiba nodded to himself. So this is all thanks to your sister’s brainwashing…

Memories surfaced from the original Chiba’s mind.

Akiyama Tsuki—student council president. Known unofficially as the “Ice Queen,” top academic ranking in the school.

Last year, she joined the student council and exposed the previous president for abuse of power. Without mercy, she tore the guy down and replaced him herself.

Unprecedented in this school’s history. Ruthless and brilliant.

Chiba’s only comment on that? Small temples attract big demons, shallow ponds raise fat turtles.

What kind of student council had political intrigue like that?

While he was lost in thought, Akiyama An had quietly crept closer. Now she was waving her hand in front of his face.

“Chiba-kun? About the shop—then what?”

Her eyes were bright with curiosity and anticipation.

Chiba smiled warmly. “Let’s add each other on LINE first. I’ll send you the address. You can take your mom tomorrow, and I’ll be there to help too.”

“Oh, okay! Thanks!” Akiyama pulled out her phone without hesitation and added him as a contact.

“By the way, what exactly did your sister say about me?” Chiba asked casually as she tapped at her screen.

True to her one-track mind, Akiyama responded without thinking:

“She said you’d lure me back to your place, lock me in a room, do all kinds of weird things… and then I’d end up pregnant…”

Chiba froze, his face darkening.

That’s slander! I’m not some kind of degenerate!

And seriously, that kind of warning wouldn’t fool a kindergartener—how did she believe it?!

This girl’s such a dummy… if I really tried, I could probably trick her into having ten kids!

Once she was done tapping, she looked up at him in surprise. “Wait… how’d you know my sister mentioned you?”

Chiba waved it off. “Not important. Let’s talk about the shop. We’ll meet at the entrance to Chisuzu Shopping Street at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Sound good?”

“Ah, okay! I can wake up by then… I think.”

“Great. I’ll head back to the classroom now for a nap.” Chiba crumpled up his empty bread wrapper and walked off.

Akiyama An stared at his back, blinking, an odd look on her face.

Hmm… feels like I forgot something…?

...

Meanwhile, at Chisuzu Shopping Street—

“We’ll be doing renovations over the next few weeks. Sorry in advance for the noise, and please accept these snacks as a small token of apology.”

The Ogawa sisters had spent the entire morning visiting every business on the street, delivering greetings and apologies ahead of their construction work.

Exhausted, they returned to the empty shell of their soon-to-be beauty salon and slumped shoulder to shoulder on the stairs.

“We finally have our own shop… and we’re opening two at once. It’s kind of amazing.” Fumika beamed through her fatigue.

“Yeah. Plus, with rent that low, and a sickly pretty boy to soothe your lonely heart—it’s not a bad deal at all.” Sayuki smirked.

Fumika’s face turned bright red. She twisted her legs awkwardly, flustered. “Sayuki, don’t tease me like that… You’re always picking on me.”

Sayuki rolled her eyes. “Can you please act your age, Nee-san? Stop blushing like some high school girl. Try acting like a proper divorced woman for once.”

Fumika pouted but didn’t respond.

Sayuki suddenly remembered something. “Didn’t Chiba-san say we could contact him if we needed anything? Think we can ask him to help with the renovations?”

She pulled out her phone and opened LINE.

“I don’t know if that’s okay… We’ve already troubled him enough with the rent,” Fumika said hesitantly.

“Relax. I’m just going to ask if he knows a good renovation company—we’re not asking him to pay for it. Besides, I already paid him this morning.”

She gave her sister’s thigh a meaningful glance.

---

T/N: I)AGTFAGHSIHFASPO

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!