The black Volkswagen cruised past the park intersection in Okubo, winding through narrow streets until it pulled into a slightly run-down alley.
"Screech—"
Fuyukawa Tetsu hit the brakes, and the car came to a stop in front of an old six-story apartment building.
"This the place?"
"Yup~"
Tetsu's right hand was kneading a soft, plump thigh, his eyes glinting with excitement.
Feeling a slight pinch, Sayoko blushed, a mix of shyness and fluster in her voice. "So, I'll just—"
Before she could finish, Tetsu gently pulled her head closer.
"Eek—"
Their breaths mingled, and Sayoko's eyes widened as she realized what was happening, meeting his sharp, eager gaze.
Instinctively, she tried to resist, but a firm squeeze on her thigh melted her defenses.
What a bold guy…
"Tetsu-kun…"
Sayoko's eyes grew hazy, her breathing quickening. But before things could escalate further, she was pulled even closer.
Her office lady uniform, fragrant and perfectly fitted to her curves, sent Tetsu's pulse racing.
It wasn't just him—Sayoko's breaths came out soft and warm, and she grew bolder, her hands cupping his cheeks, her eyes shimmering with emotion. But just then—
"Knock, knock—"
A tap on the window startled Sayoko, making her jump and burrow into Tetsu's chest. Tetsu froze, turning to look outside. Standing there, seemingly out of nowhere, was a girl.
She wore a black-and-white JK uniform, the badge reading "Tokiwadai High School."
The uniform was standard, but a large red bow adorned the collar. Her long, straight black hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a delicate, palm-sized face with refined features. A single black earphone hung from her left ear.
Long black hair, JK uniform, and little black boots.
The quintessential anime senpai look, except…
Flat as a board.
Glancing at the red bow and the lack of curves beneath it, Tetsu, mildly irritated at the interruption, rolled down the window. "And you are?"
His tone was sharp, but the high school girl ignored him, her gaze fixed on Sayoko in his arms. "I mean, Oka-san, is it really okay to be doing this in a car with some random guy?"
Oka-san?!
Tetsu's eyes widened as he looked at the girl.
Sayoko was only thirty. If this girl was, say, sixteen and a first-year in high school, that would mean…
She had a kid at fourteen?
That was a bit shocking. Tetsu's jaw dropped, but in the next moment, Sayoko, still nestled against his chest, lifted her head at the sound of the voice. "Himawari-chan? What are you doing here?"
"That's my line," the JK girl, Himawari, replied in a calm, almost monotone voice, her expression barely shifting. "This isn't exactly how an Oka-san should act. I get it, you're at that age, still single, and it's tough. This guy's pretty hot, sure, but doing that in a car? Total no-go."
"…"
The moment turned awkward. Tetsu quickly let go, but Sayoko, reaching out from the car, grabbed Himawari's soft, mochi-like cheeks with a rare flash of irritation. "Himawari! Don't just say stuff like that!"
To pinch Himawari's cheeks, Sayoko leaned out, but her knee, still pressed against Tetsu, delivered an accidental blow.
"Ow! That hurts!"
"Eek! Tetsu-kun, are you okay?!"
"Oka-san, you're crushing his little brothers," Himawari deadpanned.
"…"
Ten minutes later, inside a cramped but spotless rental apartment.
The sound of a lively late-night variety show blared from the living room. In the kitchen, Sayoko was making fried rice.
She was focused on the pan, but her demeanor screamed anxiety—she didn't dare look up.
"So, you're supporting her?"
Tetsu exhaled a puff of smoke into the range hood, flicking ash into the trash.
"Y-yeah."
Sayoko's body trembled, her eyes fixed on the fried rice, filled with fear, attachment, reluctance, and a painful sense of this is as far as it goes.
The kitchen fell silent. The quieter it got, the more her fear grew, her body visibly shaking. Then, a pair of strong hands rested on her shoulders. "Don't overthink it. This doesn't change anything between us."
Her trembling stopped.
Under Tetsu's sympathetic gaze, Sayoko turned her head, her slightly damp cheek brushing against his hand. She sniffled, picked up the fried rice, and quietly walked out.
"The Shinjuku 704 traffic accident from ten years ago, huh?"
"No wonder she works at NTsoft, takes side gigs, and still struggles financially despite not wearing designer brands."
Watching Sayoko's retreating figure, Tetsu sighed. Himawari Izumi wasn't her daughter—there wasn't even a drop of blood tying them together.
Their connection stemmed from a car accident a decade ago.
According to Sayoko, she was just twenty at the time. Her father had racked up debts, forcing her into an engagement with the dim-witted son of a company president. But on the day of the wedding pickup, the president, drunk at the wheel, caused a horrific accident.
The president, his son, and Himawari's parents all died in the crash.
Normally, Himawari would've been taken in by relatives, but the accident left the seven-year-old with severe hearing damage.
It was treatable, but each surgery cost a fortune.
Himawari was passed around among relatives until Sayoko, learning of her situation, vowed to cover all her medical expenses.
"Guilt, huh? What a foolish woman."
Tetsu took another drag, but suddenly, a delicate face appeared right in front of him.
"Hey, mister, you thinking of some excuse to bail? Or maybe you're planning to act all sympathetic to worm your way into Sayoko's heart, use her, and then ditch her? Let me be clear—if you're that kind of guy, I'll make sure your 'tool' gets snipped. There was this one guy who didn't believe me and tried something. If the cops hadn't shown up, his little buddy would've been flushed down the drain."
"…"
Himawari, still in her JK uniform, stood with her hands behind her back, her face and voice expressionless. Her big, doe-like eyes stared at Tetsu, but her words were outrageously bold.
Tetsu nearly choked on his smoke, coughing as he stubbed out the cigarette. "What do you know, kid? Go eat your dinner."
Stare—
Himawari didn't respond, just fixed him with those big, blank eyes as he walked toward the living room.
This girl's got a dark streak.
Shaking his head, Tetsu stepped into the living room and nearly bumped into Sayoko, who'd just changed into casual clothes from the bathroom. A white T-shirt and black shorts hugged her curves, making her look like a ripe pear.
Pretty tempting.
Feeling Himawari's gaze from behind and noticing Sayoko's nervous expression, Tetsu reached out, pinching her cute cheek. "Stop worrying. I'm heading out. Don't forget, 9 AM at the office tomorrow."
"Got it! I'll be there on time!"
His affectionate gesture lit up Sayoko's eyes. Despite being a thirty-year-old woman, she playfully stood at attention and saluted, her movement causing a little bounce.
"Alright, I'm off."
"Drive safe, Tetsu-kun~"