"Huff, huff..."
The morning breeze rushed noisily by,
and the community was enveloped in the quiet unique to the early hours, with only a few early risers scattered along the slightly damp pathway.
A light rain had fallen the night before,
and the morning air carried a clear scent of soil.
The handsome young man ran back along the path, his breathing even,
with a "click," the villa's gate opened, and Haruka Yuzan walked in.
Back at home, breakfast had already been laid out on the dining table.
Fried eggs, roasted sausages, sandwiches, and oatmeal—all in servings for two, except one sandwich was markedly larger than the other, which was much smaller.
It was another day yearning for deep-fried dough sticks and stinky tofu.
"Are you back, Haruka?"
A gentle voice came from the kitchen,
"Yes, I'm back."
Haruka Yuzan responded with a smile and then went to the bathroom for a quick wash.
By the time he came out of the bathroom, Mrs. Onodera had already sat down at the dining table. Their eyes met, filled with an undissipating shyness.
"What time are you going to work today, Sister Reiko?"
Haruka Yuzan took a sip of milk, chatting casually.
Today Mrs. Onodera was wearing a white tank top and black shorts, her hair tied back in a ponytail that naturally fell down her back. The tank top seemed a size too small, clinging tightly to her body.
Her chest also revealed a touch of snowy white, homely, casual, and pleasant to the eye.
"I have the day shift. I need to be at the convenience store by eight, work until eleven, then go back at two and work until five, just in time to get home without delaying dinner."
Everything was planned out, and Reiko Onodera looked forward to a life soon returning to normal.
With housing and food expenses already covered, this would allow Mrs. Onodera to save a considerable amount of money, even enough to compare with office workers in the city.
"Mmm, then here's to Sister Reiko's work going smoothly."
Haruka Yuzan raised his milk glass with a smile, celebrating with Mrs. Onodera.
"Thank you, Mr. Haruka."
Reiko Onodera smiled with pursed lips, also raising her cup.
"Ding," a crisp sound reverberated in the living room, the morning sun rose, harmonious and beautiful.
After breakfast, Haruka Yuzan returned to his bedroom on the second floor to take a bath.
After the bath, Roast Meat was, as usual, sprawled out in his little hammock, sound asleep.
Time for the daily check of the tenant's wish list.
It was a cat chosen by the System!
"Um...."
Thinking of that pig-like chubby cat, Reiko Onodera didn't know how to continue the conversation for a moment. Did it have... self-control?
Perhaps....
The two walked out of the villa together,
The yard was uneven with puddles, and the small grasses, after being ravaged by the wind and rain all night, could finally shake off the dewdrops in the air.
"It seems we don't have much food left at home."
On the way, Haruka casually mentioned, recalling that most of the groceries at home were nearly gone.
Originally, she had lived alone, and mostly bought whatever she wanted to eat on the way home from school without the habit of stocking up.
"Well... Haruka, what would you like for dinner tonight?"
Reiko Onodera thought for a moment and decided to ask the taste of her little landlord,
"After I get off work, I'll buy it and bring it directly...."
Her slender fingers touched her lips, and she moved with a light step.
The casual display of cuteness by Mrs. Onodera really was a foul play.
With the figure of a mature woman and the looks of an older sister, Haruka Yuzan naturally averted her eyes,
"Just buy whatever you want to make, Mrs. Onodera. You're in charge of cooking; you should decide."
After saying that, she took out her phone from her pocket,
logged into her LINE PAY account, and sent 3000 yen to Mrs. Onodera.
"Buzz buzz."
The phone vibrated twice, and Reiko Onodera hurriedly took out her phone, only to see that it was a transfer from Haruka Yuzan.
"Haruka, you...."
Just as she was about to say something, Haruka Yuzan grinned and cut her off,
"I remember Sister Reiko hasn't received her paycheck yet, right? Take this money to buy groceries for now, and let me know if it's not enough."
She wanted to refuse, but she only had five hundred yen on her, not enough even for buying vegetables, probably just enough for bread...."
"Okay, I will, once I get my salary, I'll definitely pay you back. Consider it a loan...."
Ultimately, Reiko Onodera accepted the money.
"Alright, Sister Reiko, have a happy day today."
Soon, the two arrived at the convenience store. Haruka Yuzan said a word and then turned to leave.
Reiko Onodera stood still, watching his retreating tall figure,
deeply imprinting in her heart the resolve to repay Mr. Haruka properly in the future.