Tokyo: Love Begins with Controlling the Rich Girl

Shimada Sho felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, so he lowered his head, picked up his cup, and took a sip of water.

"I bought it on a whim, it wasn't expensive."

Yuki Ayase did not respond to that statement.

She looked down at the gift box for a long time, as if trying to etch every single line into her mind.

Only after he was completely satisfied did he sit down again.

At this moment, Yuki Ayase's eyes brightened, and her voice returned to its usual clarity.

She earnestly stated, "I will wear it carefully."

"Whatever you like is fine with me," Shimada Sho said casually, putting down his water glass.

"I like it." Yuki Ayase nodded without hesitation, then emphasized, "I really like it!"

Shimada Sho felt that if they continued talking about this topic, the atmosphere would become awkward.

So he stood up and said, "Let's go, I'll take you home."

Yuki Ayase carefully put the gift box into her pocket and then picked up the white rabbit doll on the corner of the table.

The two walked out of the ramen shop.

Night had completely fallen, and the streetlights in the alley were on, casting circles of warm, dim light on the asphalt road. Faint music could be heard coming from the direction of the amusement park in the distance.

Shimada Sho walked ahead, with Ayase Yuki trailing behind him by half a step.

There was a narrow drainage ditch by the roadside, with moss growing along its edges. Ayase Yuki stepped on a loose paving stone and swayed slightly.

Shimada Sho reached out and touched her shoulder, then quickly let go.

"You twisted your ankle?"

"No." After she regained her balance, she didn't say anything more.

The two walked back to the main street along the alley.

The streetlights on both sides of the road lit up at night, making the two shadows intertwine.

The taxi stand was not far ahead, and Shimada Sho stopped.

"That's enough for now. The car is here, please get in."

Yuki Ayase stood in front of him, still holding the white rabbit doll in one hand, and the gift box in the other hand in her pocket.

She didn't answer immediately, but just stood there quietly.

Shimada Sho waited two seconds, and seeing that she didn't speak, he added, "Be careful on the road."

"Ah."

She finally responded, turned around and walked towards the taxi stand, took two steps, then stopped and turned back.

"Xiang Jun".

"Ok?"

"Thank you."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached my ears on the cool night breeze: "I'm really happy today."

Shimada Sho stood under the streetlight and waved to her.

Yuki Ayase watched his movements, a smile appearing on her lips, before turning around and getting into a taxi.

The car door closed, and the taillights faded into the night.

Shimada Sho stood there, watching the car disappear around the street corner.

He looked away and smiled nonchalantly.

Although it may cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

But it's good to see her smile again.

Even though she has been abandoned by her father, she feels fulfilled.

"Consider it a thank you for taking care of her before!"

Sho Shimada muttered to himself, then stepped into the night and headed towards the distant bus stop.

……

The next morning.

Sho Shimada was awakened by the chirping of birds outside the window.

He opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling and a thin crack on the white-painted wall that stretched from the corner to near the lamp base, a stark contrast to the moldy wooden beams of the rented room.

It took him a few seconds to realize that he no longer lived in Higashi-Nakano.

The quilt was new, with the fresh scent of laundry detergent. The sheets and duvet cover were a clean, light blue, with the edges neatly folded. Aunt Daohua must have washed and dried them beforehand.

He sat up and his gaze fell on the potted green ivy on the windowsill. The leaves glistened with a thin layer of water in the morning light, as if they had just been watered.

The sounds of spatulas clattering and faint voices could be heard from downstairs.

He came home late last night, took a moment to log into the game "Young Lady" for a bit, and then went back to his room to sleep.

Perhaps because I had lived there for a while before, I didn't feel like a stranger and fell asleep quickly.

I woke up feeling refreshed and invigorated.

After stretching, Shimada Sho changed his clothes and went downstairs.

Shima Hana Runa was busy in the kitchen, wearing that old apron, frying tamagoyaki in a pan, and simmering miso soup in a small pot next to her.

Seeing him come down, she turned around and gave him a gentle smile: "Xiao Xiang is awake? Go and wake You Yue up for breakfast, she must be sleeping in again."

"it is good."

Shimada Sho walked up the stairs and stopped in front of the door at the end of the second floor, which had a note that read "No Entry Without Permission." He raised his hand and knocked twice.

"Yuzuki, it's time to get up."

There was no response.

He knocked twice more, "Get up."

A few seconds later, there was a rustling sound coming from inside the door, followed by a muffled voice: "...Understood."

When Shimada Sho went downstairs and returned to the dining table, Shimahana Runa had already brought the food up.

It's just plain white porridge with a few side dishes.

But it was still so much better than the bento box I had in advance.

"I'm starting." After sitting down, Shimada Sho picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of tamagoyaki, and put it in his mouth. It was soft and had a slightly sweet taste.

"Is it good?" Shimahana Runa sat opposite him, propping her chin up as she looked at him.

"good to eat."

"Then eat more." She put another piece on his plate.

Hoshino Yuuki came down a while later, her hair still messy, her eyes half-open and half-closed. She plopped down at the table, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating her porridge.

Shimahana Runa glanced at her helplessly and said nothing more.

After the meal, Shimada Sho helped clear the dishes, and Shimahana Runa took the plate from his hand and nudged him.

"Go do your own thing, these aunties can handle it."

Shimada Sho dried his hands, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and changed his shoes at the door.

"Auntie, I'm leaving."

"Be careful on the road."

He walked out of the courtyard gate; he was going to work today.

Although it's Sunday, Rena Takikawa's convenience store is open almost all year round, and there are even more customers, especially on weekends.

Shimada Sho arrived at the Imperial Garden and pushed open the door of the convenience store.

The wind chimes tinkled.

Rena Takikawa was leaning over the counter scrolling through her phone when she saw him come in, and her eyes lit up.

"Genji-kun! You've come at the perfect time!" She walked over quickly, shoved an apron into his arms, and said with unusual urgency, "Do me a favor."

Shimada Sho took the apron, momentarily confused, "...What kind of help?"

"My newly opened bar is short-staffed today. None of the part-time jobs I hired have come, and I only have two young girls left. They're completely overwhelmed. Could you keep an eye on things for me this afternoon?" she said, then pleaded, "Just this afternoon!"

Shimada Sho instinctively refused, saying, "I'm not familiar with bars."

"It's very simple! It's just helping to take orders and deliver drinks. You can just stand there. You don't need to know how to mix drinks."

Shimada Sho still wanted to refuse.

Seeing his hesitation, Takikawa Rena immediately moved closer, clasped her hands together, and pleaded, "Genji-kun, please~"

Shimada Sho was so taken aback by her action that he took a half step back and said helplessly, "Give me a raise."

"add!"

"How many?"

Rena Takikawa thought for a moment, then made a hand gesture, "Five thousand yen per hour, how about that?"

Compared to the price of slaves at convenience stores, this price is incredibly attractive.

Anyway, working in a shop is the same as working in a bar, so there's not much difference.

Shimada Sho nodded. "Alright."

"Great!" Takikawa Rena immediately came out from behind the cashier, picked up the light jacket hanging on the back of the chair and put it on. "Let's go, I'll take you there."

Shimada Sho followed her out of the convenience store, across two streets, and into a relatively quiet alley.

There aren't many shops on either side of the alley, and most of them are quiet, contrasting with the bustling atmosphere outside.

Rena Takikawa stopped in front of a dark gray metal door and took a key out of her pocket.

The bar wasn't open yet, and the walls were covered in graffiti with the words "Dayflower" in large letters.

"This is it." Takikawa Rena pushed open the door and stepped aside to let Shimada Sho go in first.

Shimada Sho stepped inside and glanced around.

The space was larger than he had imagined. The bar was against the left wall, with a dark wood countertop that was polished to a shine. A row of upside-down glasses were placed on the countertop, and behind it was a whole wall of wine cabinets, with the wines arranged neatly and orderly.

On the right are several high tables and scattered seats. The sofas are dark gray with a warm, lustrous leather surface. There is a small stage further inside, where the drum set and microphone stand are still there, but it is obviously not yet in use.

The overall color scheme of the space is dark, with warm yellow lighting as the main tone. Several wall lamps cast soft halos on the walls, creating a lazy and quiet atmosphere. It is not large, but the atmosphere is just right.

"How is it?" Takikawa Rena stood behind the bar, her hands resting on the counter, looking at him.

"Not bad." Shimada Sho walked to the bar, reached out and touched the countertop. The wood was smooth and dust-free, so it must have just opened recently.

"There's a kitchen and a small storage room in the back." Takikawa Rena came out from behind the bar and pushed open a small door next to her. "Take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the place; the customers will be arriving soon."

Shimada Sho asked in confusion, "A guest coming at this hour?"

"Our place is called Daytime Glory, and it's one of the few bars that's only open during the day~" she replied matter-of-factly.

Shimada Sho: "..."

Selling alcohol in the middle of the day, he could already foresee the shop's imminent demise.

After walking around the store, Rena Takikawa led him to the bar and pointed to the menu board hanging on the counter: "The drinks menu is all up here. Beer, cocktails, and soft drinks are the main three categories. Just write down your order and we'll send it to the corresponding table."

Where's the bartender?

"We'll arrive at four in the afternoon," Takikawa Rena explained. "Right now, we only have soft drinks and premixed cocktails available. Just bring whatever the customers want."

Shimada Sho nodded.

This is indeed not difficult.

"Oh, right." Just as Takikawa Rena was about to leave, she remembered something and instructed, "Another little assistant will be coming to help. She'll arrive a little later than you. She's a pretty cute girl. You can look after her when she arrives this afternoon. Anyway, we'll be open as usual this afternoon. Just keep an eye on things and call me anytime if anything comes up."

"Row."

Rena Takikawa patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction, gave him a few more instructions, and then left in a hurry.