Shuichi stepped into the clothing shop and saw piles of fabric scattered on the floor. Haruka, her hair tied up in a messy bun, wore a tight camisole, sorting through materials.
From behind, Shuichi's gaze instinctively lingered on her alluring figure. Her waist, sinuous like a water snake, seemed to flow rather than twist.
"Sneaking peeks like that isn't good. Girls are sensitive to those looks—they might dislike you," Haruka said, turning with a teasing smile. "Done with school?"
"Yeah, just checking on you, Haruka-san. Settling in okay? Need help with anything? Like finding a reliable renovation team or promoting the shop? I've got you," Shuichi said, aiming to build her sense of belonging the proper way. Relying on sneaky tactics wouldn't work long-term—not with so many shops to manage.
"So kind? I don't have much to offer in return," Haruka said, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, her body radiating a magnetic allure, her voice rich and sultry.
"A few custom outfits would do. Private designs aren't cheap, right?" Shuichi replied, tilting his ear slightly, catching a faint, familiar sound.
"I appreciate the thought, but I don't need help yet. It's been a while since I designed, so I need to get back in the groove," Haruka said, grabbing a tape measure from a nearby box. She sauntered over. "Since you're here, let's measure you up."
Her scent, subtly seductive, and her suggestive words made Shuichi's pulse quicken. Noticing the mischief in her eyes, he realized she was teasing again and countered, "New fridge, Haruka-san? I hear a buzzing sound."
Haruka paused, then smirked, starting to measure his shoulders, whispering in his ear, "You've had health class, right? Guess what it is."
"No clue. Teach me?" Shuichi played dumb.
Haruka's eyelids lowered as she noted his shoulder width, moving to his sleeve length. "You're not honest, are you? I won't fall for it again."
"Where's that coming from?"
"From that dice keychain by your pocket," Haruka said, pointing at it with a flirty glance. "I've bought that model too. Don't tell me you don't know what it is."
Shuichi chuckled. "Sharp eyes, Haruka-san."
"Just experience. I've tried most models out there. Need advice, I can help," Haruka said, sliding her hands under his arms, brushing his ribs to measure his chest, making him squirm slightly from the ticklish sensation.
This widowed beauty teased with words but kept her hands professional.
"Not bad," Haruka said, eyeing the tape measure, raising an eyebrow. "Thought you were skinny, but you're surprisingly solid."
"I work out. Slim in clothes, built underneath," Shuichi said, lowering his arms as she moved to measure his torso length.
"Sounds tempting. I'm practically drooling," Haruka teased.
"Want a look?" Shuichi asked, watching her hands wrap the tape around his waist.
"Tempting me? That's hard to resist," Haruka said, noting his waist size before crouching to measure his inseam.
"Don't feel like you're tempted," Shuichi said, looking down at her. Her camisole revealed her rounded shoulders, the neckline shifting enticingly with her movements.
"You're not serious about showing me either," Haruka said, standing with a smile. "I won't make a fool of myself like yesterday."
"Same here. Your compliments don't seem sincere. Perfect chance, and you didn't even cop a feel. No effort," Shuichi said, shrugging.
They shared a laugh, an odd mutual understanding forming. Both teased but held back—Haruka, jaded by past heartbreak, and Shuichi, wary of overextending himself.
His phone buzzed. A message from Sayuki: [Heard exams were tough. I've got a surprise to help you unwind. Stay next door as long as you want, but if you're too tired to comfort my sister tonight…]
Shuichi blinked, surprised. He'd just arrived, yet Sayuki's message came so fast. Was she watching from upstairs?
Haruka raised an eyebrow. "Little girlfriend? Naughty, Shuichi-kun, flirting with me when you've got someone?"
"No girlfriend, and you started flirting," Shuichi said, feigning innocence.
Haruka didn't argue, just smiled. "Sly. Not a girlfriend yet? Work harder. Girls are easy to win over. Go chat with her, don't waste time here."
"Clothes are on you, Haruka-san. If you need help, just say. As Uchida's friend, I'll do what I can. Don't hold back."
"I'll be counting on you then," Haruka said with a smile.
Shuichi took a few steps, then turned back. "Not women's clothes, right?"
Haruka laughed. "If you want, I can. I specialize in women's fashion, and this'll be a women's design studio."
"No way, I'm out," Shuichi said, waving as he left without lingering.
Outside, he glanced at the fitness room's second floor, spotting a familiar figure that vanished from the window. Smirking, he texted: [Jealous, Sayuki-san? Kinda happy about it.]
[Dream on.]
[Just checking on a friend's sister, new in town, seeing if she's settled.]
[No need to explain. I'm not your keeper.]
[But I want to explain to you. Okay?]
Sayuki's lips curved slightly reading his words. [My sister's been happy lately. Don't neglect her, or I'll be mad.]
[Of course. What about you, Sayuki-san?]
[I don't treasure you like she does. I'd be happier if you didn't bother me.]
[Oh? I mean, got a surprise for me too?]
Sayuki fumed. *This little pervert.* [Don't even think about it. No.]
[Sigh… I was hoping for a leg-lock from those silky stockings.]
[…] Sayuki bit her lip. [Demanding, huh.]
Shuichi grinned, knowing he'd secured it. That silky leg-lock last time was unforgettable, and he craved it again.
---
Dinner was early after school. Shuichi ate, feeding An, then leaned back to digest. An clung to him like sticky candy, her head on his shoulder.
Free from shop duties, the silly girl brought her dinner over too.
Shuichi patted her full tummy. "Won't you get indigestion, eating so much?"
An squinted, savoring the fullness, giggling. "I'm super healthy, rarely sick."
"Your sister says dummies don't get sick, right?" Shuichi teased.
An's eyes widened. "How'd you know? Did she badmouth me? Don't believe her."
"Just a guess. But dummies not getting sick isn't totally nonsense," Shuichi said, stroking his chin.
"Why?" An asked, curious.
"Dummies are carefree, low stress and have good appetite." Less likely to get sick," Shuichi said, kissing her tender cheek. "Being a dummy's great. Not everyone can pull it off, and you're so cute."
"Shuichi-kun likes dummies?" An frowned, conflicted. "I don't want to be a dummy, but if you like it, I'll try."
"Just be you," Shuichi said, chuckling. *Don't try harder, you're plenty silly.*
"But I want you to like me more. If being a dummy works, I'll do it," An said earnestly.
Shuichi's heart skipped, her clear eyes leaving him speechless.
Before he could respond, An tilted her face up. "Can I have ice cream now?"
"Don't need a break?" Shuichi said, caught off-guard by her topic switch.
"Dummies don't get sick, and my stomach's fine," An said, suddenly seeing the upside of being a dummy—a perfect excuse for gluttony.
"Go for it," Shuichi said, swatting her backside lightly. *Getting flustered by a foodie? I'm the dummy.*
Watching An lick her ice cream, digestion done, Shuichi changed into workout clothes and headed downstairs.
"Stay and play if you don't want to go home. No rush," He said.
"Where's Shuichi-kun going?" An asked, eyes wide.
"Gym. Interested?"
An shook her head. "Nope, it's my rest day."
"See ya," Shuichi said, heading to the fitness room.
Upstairs, he found Sayuki organizing yoga gear, her long legs wrapped in sheer black stockings, irresistibly tempting. Shuichi plopped on the floor, hugging her legs and rubbing his face against the silky fabric.
"Sayuki-san, you're the best. This smoothness is unreal. Fresh from a shower? Smells amazing," He said, nuzzling her thigh.
Sayuki's lips twitched into a smile at his shameless obsession, but she huffed. "Save the flattery for next door. I'm not buying it."
"Flattery? I just missed you all day," Shuichi said.
Sayuki rolled her eyes, but her eyes softened, glistening. "Something special today?"
Shuichi looked up, blinking eagerly. "Something special?"
Sayuki paused, feeling his hands slide from her thigh to her calf, then lower, recalling his foot massage. Her cheeks flushed. "You and your weird tastes. What's so great about feet?"
"They're yours, so they're perfect," Shuichi said, touching her ankle.
Sayuki frowned, biting her lip. "Get to your workout. You've slacked off lately."
"Slacked? Look at my progress," Shuichi said, standing and lifting his shirt to reveal toned pecs and abs.
Sayuki's eyes widened, impressed. His physique had improved. She pressed his chest, testing. "No supplements, right? Those are bad for you. You're not going pro."
"All natural talent," Shuichi said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her lips softly. "Helping you exercise counts too."
Sayuki glared but retied her hair to keep it from falling loose. "How'd exams go?"
Shuichi knew she was on board, pulling her to sit on the floor. "Fine. Strong subjects went smoothly, weak ones too."
Sayuki felt a strange sensation as he kneaded her legs, eliciting soft, pleasing hums. "What kind of answer is that? Weak ones went smoothly? Overperformed?"
"No overperformance. Just scribbled and moved on," Shuichi said, his hands busy.
Sayuki scolded, "That's reckless. Don't you plan for the future? College exams?"
Shuichi guided her to lie down, starting yoga stretches, folding her legs until her feet pressed against her thighs. "Your flexibility's amazing, Sayuki-san."
Sayuki felt her ligaments tighten, watching his face draw closer. "You didn't answer."
He kissed her flushed lips. "Doesn't matter. I just want to spend my life with you and Fumika-san, running this street."
Sayuki, tingling from his touch on her soles, wrapped her arms around his neck, stroking his face. "From what I saw, your family's wealth is more than this street. You'll manage bigger assets. Even a young master needs to study."
Shuichi held her feet firmly. "Those don't matter. I want to run this street, be with you all every day."
"That won't do. You'll blame us later," Sayuki said, her eyes growing hazy as she bit her lip.
Hearing her soft gasps, Shuichi nuzzled her chest, voice muffled. "No big ambitions. Owning this street, collecting rent, and pampering you—that's my perfect life."
Sayuki hugged his head, her long neck arching with a soft, drawn-out sigh. "No ambition, huh? But marrying well suits a family like yours. No need to force it."
"Sayuki-san, you mean…?" Shuichi teased.
"Did you hear me?" Sayuki swatted his back, exasperated.
"Who cares about that? Your allure's too distracting to think of anything else," Shuichi said, grinning.
"Mm…" Sayuki turned her head, humming softly.
*
While Shuichi was busy "exercising," An Akiyama, done with her ice cream, grew bored. She sprawled on the floor, staring at the ceiling, then rolled around restlessly, like a flea-infested puppy. Free time was nice, but it felt off.
After rolling enough to polish the floor, she hopped up, slipped on her shoes, and scampered downstairs. On the bustling shopping street, she wasn't sure where to go.
Her eyes landed on the fitness room across the way. *Shuichi-kun's probably working out there, but exercise is tiring…*
She glanced at the flower shop nearby. *Mom says the owner's super pretty but kinda cold and quiet.*
Finally, An settled on the salon opposite. *That Ogawa-san seemed nice the few times I saw her. Probably easy to talk to.*
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