Sakura peered over, joining Satoru at the window.
Her entertainment since childhood was kendo—no TV, no novels.
She couldn't fathom the allure of this weird plastic toy.
But she saw it.
Satoru's eyes sparkled with genuine want.
"Want it?" she asked softly.
"Ye—"
Satoru caught himself, glancing at the price tag—four zeros.
What the—?! More expensive than the bokken?!
Then he saw Sakura's eager look.
To the shop! To the shop! her heart screamed. Buy it for your little brother, and he'll call you "nee-san" again!
"Ahem…" Satoru coughed, activating Superhuman Endurance. "It's… alright."
A proud man like him, into a non-human, cutesy figure? No way. I'm not a furry.
He thought firmly.
"Oh…" Sakura sighed, shooting a glare at the Alpaca Princess.
Why're you mad? Satoru wondered, clueless.
Useless, Sakura thought. Couldn't even make Kobayashi-kun love you!
…
Department Store
Unlike Kagoku, Japan's veggies and fruits—like watermelons—were absurdly pricey.
Discount days turned the produce section into a battlefield.
By the time Satoru and Sakura arrived, it was a warzone of warring factions. The strongest were burly middle-aged housewives—swift, skilled, and strong, snatching baskets of greens like a storm.
Satoru and Sakura exchanged looks.
Sakura frowned. "Oh no… Mom asked me to grab some veggies, but…" Her lips twisted, clearly out of her depth.
Satoru smirked, took a deep breath, and bellowed, "Huh?! A couple's making out over there? In broad daylight?! Society's crumbling! Morals are dead!!"
Bluff Mastery LV3 activated.
A master of human nature, Satoru knew these aunties craved gossip and thrills. His words worked like magic.
Every housewife snapped their heads toward his pointed direction.
They saw… a bald uncle, secretly picking his nose.
A private act, now exposed. The uncle's face flushed red, then pale, then red again. Under their stares, he covered his face and bolted, tears streaming. "W-Why're you all staring at me?!"
The housewives shuddered, realizing they'd been duped.
Turning back, they saw Satoru and Sakura blitzing through, snagging the last discounted egg carton!
Now they were the ones gawked at. Satoru, unfazed, struck his temple like a cat, sticking out his tongue. "Ehe~ (๑Òڡㄑ☆)ᕘ"
Housewives: !!
We thought aunties were invincible. Who's this guy's general?!
"Retreat!" Satoru ordered.
"…O-Okay!" Sakura, half a beat late, used her kendo-honed reflexes to keep up, lugging two baskets as Satoru clutched the eggs.
The housewives stared at each other.
Too intense.
High schoolers these days had this much veggie-grabbing prowess? A new rival had emerged in Shibuya's market wars!
Sakura and Satoru sprinted off.
Onlookers—couples on dates—gaped. Kids this young, worrying about groceries? Not even married, and already this domestic? Marriage really is love's grave…
A girl nestled against her boyfriend. "So romantic. Will you grab veggies for me someday?"
"…"
"Answer that slow? You don't love me! We're done! I'm finding a guy who'll fight for my groceries!!"
"??"
"…Huff, huff." Satoru panted, stopping to check Sakura's haul. "Enough?"
"Plenty," Sakura smiled.
Passing aunties whispered.
"Look at those kids, so practical."
"If only my son and daughter-in-law were like them…"
Another couple misunderstanding.
Sakura, somewhat used to it, blushed. "Sorry, Kobayashi-kun…"
Being mistaken for his girlfriend must bother someone of his caliber, right? These aunties had no tact.
Satoru was bothered. A pure love warrior stealing someone's future girlfriend?
Future girlfriend—like ex-girlfriend, but for later. He'd coined it, so why not?
He took a breath, shouting loud enough for the aunties to hear, "Nee-san!! Let's head home!"
He turned to go.
…But Sakura didn't follow.
He heard a thud.
Turning back, he saw Sakura's hands slack, veggie bags on the ground.
Her stocking-clad thighs and slender shoulders trembled. Her fair face flushed a wet, bloody red, radiant yet refined.
She tilted her head back, purple eyes misty, pupils rolling up, showing more white than usual.
Her lips twitched, trying to smile but fighting it.
"…Nee-san?" Satoru called again, playing the part. What's with her?
Sakura shuddered, snapping back, meeting his puzzled gaze.
"…You okay?" Satoru asked.
"Fine…"
Sakura smoothed her messy hair, crouching to pick up the veggies.
Her cheeks still burned.
Saying "fine," she felt a strange switch flip. That loud nee-san had her so thrilled, she was soaked… her forehead and back, that is.
Sweat from pure excitement.
…
…