Starting Tokyo Life From Inheriting A Shopping Street-Chapter 186

"What’s with that look?" Naomi asked, amused, eyeing Sumire.

Sumire cautiously peeked inside. "He’s here?"

"You mean Shuichi-kun?" Naomi glanced back. "Yeah, he’s napping. Come in."

"Is that... okay?" Sumire’s heart raced with both trepidation and an inexplicable anticipation.

That anticipation made her feel guilty. How could she look forward to this when she’d caused her friend’s predicament?

"It’s fine, come on," Naomi said, ushering her in and closing the infirmary door.

Sumire entered, sticking close to the wall by the door, warily eyeing Shuichi lounging on the bed. She whispered to Naomi, "Naomi-chan, this guy’s cunning. Don’t trust his innocent act, or he’ll take everything."

"Talking bad about me, Nagase-sensei? Just say it out loud. I won’t stop you," Shuichi said with a light chuckle.

The mention of stopping her mouth sent Sumire’s heart pounding, images of Tsuki’s expressions—pouty, dimpled, engrossed—flooding her mind.

"No one’s fooling anyone. I know what’s happening and that it’s wrong, but..." Naomi gave a helpless smile. "Humans aren’t purely rational creatures."

Sumire felt even guiltier. "It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have avoided him, leaving you alone here..."

"Stop, your guilt makes no sense," Naomi said, laughing and cupping Sumire’s face. "If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I kept saying teacher-student relationships are bad, even in college, but here I am..."

She shook her head. "It’s like I pushed you away to sneak ahead."

Sumire waved her hands frantically. "No way I’d fall for this annoying little devil, don’t worry. But he’s also with..."

Shuichi smiled silently, unbothered by whatever she might say.

His attitude made Sumire falter, unable to continue. She still needed his help with Ichika...

"What?" Naomi asked, puzzled by her friend’s hesitation.

"Nothing..." Sumire avoided Naomi’s gaze, guiltily thinking, ’Sorry, Naomi-chan, I can’t say yet. But from now on, I’ll come every noon to protect you.’

With that resolve, she plopped into Naomi’s office chair, determined to stay.

Naomi, her emotions not fully vented, glanced at Shuichi. "It’s getting late, Shuichi-kun..."

"I know. Just call me anytime you need me, Hajime-sensei," Shuichi said, standing and giving Naomi a gentle hug in front of Sumire.

Since her friend knew and had caught them, Naomi didn’t shy away, holding his face and kissing him softly. "A parting gift. Do well this afternoon."

Shuichi tightened his hold on her slender waist, his hand sliding lower as he nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent and kissing it lightly. "Thanks for the blessing. This won’t be the last time, right?"

"Sadly, it’s still the last time," Naomi teased.

"’Still’ and ’last time’ sound like a contradiction. Nagase-sensei might want to correct that," Shuichi quipped, glancing at Sumire.

Sumire’s eyes widened, stunned that they’d be so bold with her there. Shuichi was one thing, but Naomi? ’Don’t treat me like I’m invisible!’

Still, just kissing and hugging wasn’t a big deal compared to what he and that odd student president did at her place last Saturday. That was much tamer.

"Nagase-sensei seems to enjoy watching," Shuichi said to Naomi, his voice loud enough for Sumire to hear.

Sumire bristled. "No way! You get back to class, exams are starting!" She snapped.

Naomi, catching her friend’s reaction, was slightly surprised. Knowing Sumire, that reaction confirmed it—she did like watching.

Besides cosplay, she had this hobby? Sumire was a bit odd.

But given her own actions with a student, Naomi had no room to judge.

"You’re a teacher too, shouldn’t you head back?" Shuichi shot back.

Sumire’s eyelid twitched. She didn’t want to walk with him but needed to ask about Ichika. Gritting her teeth, she stood.

Shuichi released Naomi. "I’ll head back. See you tomorrow, Hajime-sensei."

"Go on," Naomi said, amused, wondering why he loved teasing Sumire. He’d even said her figure was better than Sumire’s.

After a few steps, Shuichi turned back. "Oh, don’t forget to help me find a girlfriend."

Sumire, standing, frozen. ’What? You’re asking Naomi-chan to find you a girlfriend?’

"Got it, I’ll keep an eye out," Naomi replied with a smile, her tone light.

Sumire’s mind reeled. ’You’re smiling? Did he hypnotize you? Snap out of it, Naomi-chan!’

Wait... maybe she was the hypnotized one? Why was everyone acting so strange?

"Nagase-sensei? Time to go," Shuichi called from the door.

Sumire followed dazedly, leaving the infirmary. To ground herself, she pinched her thigh.

"What’s that for? Another weird kink? Need me to pinch instead?" Shuichi teased, turning and pinning her against the wall with a playful kabedon.

Sumire yelped, glancing down the hall. Luckily, the infirmary’s corner location saw little traffic, especially on exam day.

"What do you want? Keep this up, and I’ll scream. Let’s see you explain to Hajime-sensei," She said, trying to sound composed, like a rabbit facing a wolf.

Shuichi smirked, amused by her faltering bravado. He leaned closer, shrinking her space. "Talking bad about me earlier?"

Sumire shrank back, her spine pressed against the cold wall, turning her head guiltily. "Naomi-chan’s my friend. Of course I’d warn her. You’re up to no good..."

"That hurts," Shuichi sighed. "Last night, Ichika-san said if I do well in literature, I’d get a reward..."

"Reward?!" Sumire’s eyes widened, forgetting her fear, grabbing his collar. "Ichika’s reward? What makes you worthy? What’d you ask for? Something wicked, right? Not enough to mess with me and Naomi-chan, now you’re after Ichika?!"

"Very wicked," Shuichi said, rolling his eyes. "I told Ichika-san you’re pitiful and asked her to give you a chance. Now I think it’s too wicked. I’ll ask her to change it tonight..."

"Wait, wait!" Sumire grabbed his arm, blushing furiously. "S-sorry, I misunderstood Shuichi-kun. What’s the chance?"

"Gone. You hurt my feelings," Shuichi said, feigning sadness.

Sumire knew she’d have to offer something to get answers. Biting her lip, she whispered, "What... Do you want to?"

"What do you think?" Shuichi tossed the question back.

Sumire avoided his intense gaze, adjusting her glasses. "Another... cosplay?"

Shuichi’s scoff said it wasn’t enough.

Thinking of Ichika, Sumire steeled herself. "You can bring the student president to my place again this weekend..."

"Oh?" Shuichi raised an eyebrow. That was a bold offer.

"Weekend at your place, like last time? Not bad, but that’s just repayment for thinking of you. For Ichika-san’s reward, I thought of you first, but you badmouthed me. I’m heartbroken and need something to cheer me up."

Sumire thought of what he did with Naomi. "You’re not scared of Naomi-chan finding out?"

"Not if you initiate," Shuichi said, switching places so she was pinning him.

Sumire’s forehead vein pulsed. ’Shameless little devil!’ She wanted to punch him, but for Ichika... she endured. "What do you want?" She asked, her expression a mix of defiance and grievance, reminiscent of Tsuki’s early theatrics.

Shuichi grinned, understanding why the president liked a bit of resistance—it was thrilling. "Your figure... eh, not much to work with," He teased, infuriating her.

’Sorry my figure’s so average!’ She thought, fuming.

"How about a kiss?" Shuichi said casually, dropping a bombshell.

"What?!" Sumire covered her mouth, eyes wide. "That’s my first kiss!"

"You’re planning to stay single, right? So, first kiss or not, does it matter?" Shuichi asked, puzzled.

"..." Sumire was speechless. "True, but it’s still my first kiss... so carelessly..."

"Exams are starting. If you’re not up for it, I’m off," Shuichi said, unfazed.

"Don’t move! Fine, I’ll do it!" Sumire pinned him back.

Sumire’s hands trembled as she pressed them against Shuichi’s chest, her resolve wavering under his teasing gaze. The hallway’s quiet amplified the sound of her quickening breath, her glasses fogging slightly. Shuichi leaned closer, his warmth seeping through her thin tracksuit, stirring a restless heat within her.

"Shuichi-kun..." She murmured, her voice shaky with a mix of defiance and curiosity. Her fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him nearer as she rose on her toes, her lips brushing his hesitantly. The contact sent a jolt through her, her body pressing closer instinctively.

Shuichi’s hands found her waist, guiding her gently, his lips deepening the kiss with slow, deliberate care. Sumire’s breath hitched, a soft moan escaping as his fingers traced the curve of her hips, slipping just beneath the hem of her tracksuit top to graze her bare skin.

His lips trailed to her jaw, then her neck, coaxing a quiet gasp as he kissed the sensitive spot below her ear. Sumire’s body arched slightly, her thighs brushing against his, the friction igniting a spark that made her heart race. Shuichi’s hand slid lower, teasing the edge of her waistband, his touch gentle but deliberate, drawing a trembling moan as her body responded, warmth pooling within her.

The intensity built, her breaths growing ragged, until a soft shudder ran through her, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly as a wave of pleasure washed over, leaving her flushed and breathless. Sumire pulled back slightly, her eyes wide, glasses askew, a mix of shock and satisfaction on her face.

"You..." She panted, adjusting her glasses, avoiding his gaze. "That was..."

Shuichi smirked, stepping back. "Not bad for a first, right, Nagase-sensei?"

She swatted his arm, flustered. "Don’t get cocky! This better be worth it."

After a moment, Shuichi, satisfied, let her go. Sumire, catching her breath, straightened her glasses, hiding her flustered eyes and misty gaze. "Is this enough?"

Shuichi smacked his lips. "Not bad, but that tracksuit’s a shame. You’d shine more dressed up."

"I dress like this so no one suspects my cosplay hobby," Sumire said, licking her lips. The kiss had left her heart in chaos, a strange, thrilling sensation.

It felt like she was rushing toward a trap, her body betraying her.

Time was running out, so Shuichi stopped teasing, heading to class. Sumire hurried after him. "The reward?"

"I keep my word. Won’t change it," Shuichi said seriously.

"What’s the chance?" Sumire asked eagerly, trailing him.

"You can guess. A chance to get closer to Ichika-san," Shuichi said as they walked.

"How close? Can I call her by her name?" Sumire asked, hopeful. He’d proven himself with Tsuki, Naomi, Ichika, even her—trustworthy in this.

"Just that?" Shuichi stopped, exasperated. "A name’s not worth a reward. I could just ask Ichika-san casually."

"Then how much closer?" Sumire’s eyes widened, barely daring to imagine.

Ichika Amamiya was a once-in-a-lifetime perfection!

"Closer?" Shuichi mused. At least reaching her upstairs world. "If I say, completely naked, fully open with each other, how would you repay me?"

Sumire didn’t flinch, just looked skeptical. "Like bathing together? Can you arrange that? You’re teasing, but if you pull it off, I’ll do anything."

Shuichi tilted her chin. "Your words. Anything."

"I said it," Sumire replied, doubting he could manage. It was too outrageous.

"Not bathing together. My terms," Shuichi clarified.

"Not that? Then what’s more open than that?" Sumire asked, suspicious. Wasn’t that the most logical bare scenario?

Why else strip down?

"Don’t worry about it. Deal?" Shuichi asked, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Deal."

Sumire thought, ’Even if you’re bluffing, if you manage it, I’d even... serve you. I’m not marrying anyway, so my first... doesn’t matter.’

’After all, I live for Ichika!’

Shuichi high-fived her to seal the deal, then slipped into class as the bell rang.

Got her. Sumire Nagase, the slippery teacher, was hooked.

---

"Exams are done!" An cheered, raising her hands as they walked through Shopping Street.

"Why’s she so happy? Don’t you say that’s not ladylike?" Shuichi asked Tsuki, walking side by side behind An.

Exams kept the student council from working late, so the three walked home together, a rare treat.

"She gets a break after exams. No shop work, less strict rules. Tonight’s her free evening. After finals, she gets a full day," Tsuki explained, then called An, "If your grades are fine in a few days, you’ll get your snacks back. Also, Shuichi-kun’s taking you to the supermarket this weekend for treats."

"Supermarket?!" An’s eyes sparkled. She pounced on Shuichi, rubbing her face against him. "Shuichi-kun’s the best! You’ll buy me snacks?"

Shuichi laughed, ruffling her hair. "Don’t get too excited. Your sister’s glaring. I’ll take you, buy whatever you want."

"Yay!" An kissed his cheek with a loud smack.

"You’re asking for it. Want to lose your free night?" Tsuki snapped, fuming. She’d warned An countless times—Shuichi wasn’t a good guy, stay away! But she never listened.

’Rushing to get tricked?’

An pouted, letting go of Shuichi and muttering as she entered the ramen shop. "Mean sister. You’re so close to Shuichi-kun, but you bully me..."

Tsuki sighed, exhausted, following her home.

Shuichi paused at the management office door, hesitating, then headed to Minami’s clothing shop. A day had passed; he wondered how she was settling in.

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