That ladder probably wasn't missing at all, but secretly hidden away by Ryusei Haruyoshi and his kid.
Their goal was obvious. They wanted Ryusei Haruyoshi to act as a "human ladder" so he could take advantage of Sayako.
Hearing that scoff, and seeing Hikari trying hard not to laugh, Ryusei Haruyoshi felt exposed and irritated. His dark face flushed a little, and he stiffened his neck and snapped at Hikari, "Hey, you brat, what're you laughing at!"
Hikari waved his hand, "Nothing, I just suddenly thought of something funny."
Ryusei Haruyoshi didn't say more. His eyes just swept with burning heat toward the hem of Sayako's skirt, secretly staring at those long jade-like legs wrapped in black stockings.
Even without high heels, just flat shoes, Sayako's round, soft, well-shaped legs still looked incredibly long.
And even though she was wearing a long dress, so Ryusei Haruyoshi couldn't see much, only a bit of calf, just thinking about how amazing her legs must feel to the touch was already making his heart burn.
"Sayako, hurry and ride on my shoulders so you can take down the Soju. I'll be your ladder, I'm really steady. Trust me!"
Saying that, Ryusei Haruyoshi rushed to crouch down.
Seeing him squat there, Sayako looked troubled, "This… this isn't really about being steady or not, Ryusei-kun. This posture… it's not very proper."
She still didn't know about his little scheme, but she gently refused.
After all, letting her husband's younger brother be her human ladder, and then climbing onto him to get the Soju… they'd definitely end up touching.
Sayako absolutely couldn't accept that.
But just then, the brat Ryusei Jun ran over and urged from the doorway, "Aunt Sayako, Dad, those customers are asking for the Soju already. They said if you don't bring it fast, they're leaving!"
"And someone said an izakaya with no Soju to drink is way out of line!"
Still crouching, Ryusei Haruyoshi added with urgency, "Sayako, hurry and take the Soju down. Don't hesitate or the customers will get mad! Come on, climb on, I'm already tired from squatting!"
Hearing the father and son pushing her over and over, Sayako felt her head buzzing.
She didn't particularly care about these few orders, but the Ryusei father and son claimed they were all regulars.
Losing regulars would be a shame, and it would hurt the restaurant's reputation too.
Seeing her wavering, Ryusei Haruyoshi pushed further, "Sayako, it's just grabbing some Soju. It's no big deal."
Under his eager gaze, Sayako finally agreed, "Then… alright. Let's get the Soju down and send it out."
The moment she said that, joy exploded across Ryusei Haruyoshi's face. His voice even cracked, "Then Sayako-sis-in-law, hurry and climb on!"
He lowered his head, stretched his neck like a giraffe, and shook his shoulders, which he thought looked broad and strong, to signal her to climb up.
But before he could sink into his fantasies, Sayako suddenly pointed at Hikari, "Um… Hikari-kun, can you give Aunt a lift and help me take down the Soju?"
Those words froze Ryusei Haruyoshi in place like a black donkey or a black dog squatting on the ground.
He lifted his head and looked at Hikari in disbelief, "Hah? You're letting this high schooler lift you?"
Sayako's pretty face flushed as she nodded, "Yeah. Hikari-kun can help."
She still didn't know his scheme, but instinctively she didn't want that kind of closeness with him.
The thought of placing her thighs on his shoulders made her feel uncomfortable, even a little sick.
But if it was Hikari… she could just barely accept that.
Hearing Sayako's words, Ryusei Haruyoshi was both anxious and furious.
Everything had been going perfectly, but Hikari's presence had ruined the plan.
He didn't want to break his back plotting only for someone else to benefit.
He glared at Hikari, "Hikari-kun is just a high schooler, doesn't have much strength. What if he drops you? What then?"
Sayako ignored him and turned to Hikari, "Hikari-kun, can you?"
Hikari smiled and nodded, "No problem."
Sayako's cheeks flushed again, "Then… then squat down and let Aunt… ride on you…" [T/N: Ahem! I removed 'on your shoulders...']
Hikari nodded.
But instead of squatting right away, he looked at Ryusei Haruyoshi and Ryusei Jun, "I'll squat and help Aunt in a second. But shouldn't you two head out first? The customers are waiting, and the izakaya is unattended. That's not good."
Right then, voices rang out from outside.
"Bring the drinks! Owner? Where are you? Hurry up!"
"Anybody working here? My meat is burning! Someone get out here!"
Hearing that, Sayako also urged the father and son. Ryusei Jun ran out.
Ryusei Haruyoshi clenched his teeth hard, fists tight, veins bulging on his forehead.
But with Sayako watching, afraid she'd suspect something, he reluctantly left.
———
BANG!
Not far from the storage room, he punched the wall in fury.
His lungs were ready to explode.
He'd plotted all this just for a chance to get close to Sayako, let her sit on his shoulders, maybe "accidentally" fall and grab each other, closing the distance.
Then he would break that uncle-sister-in-law barrier.
Sayako's husband had been dead for years. He believed the lonely Sayako would fall for him as soon as they had close contact.
And now it might all become a wedding dress he'd sewn for Hikari to wear.
Thinking of Sayako's long full legs straddling Hikari's shoulders, tightening around his neck, Ryusei Haruyoshi nearly burst with rage.
Sayako always kept her distance from men, and he didn't want to lose her trust.
So he'd never touched her, not even held her hand.
And now Hikari had barely known her for any time and they were already this close. It made him furious.
After he left, Hikari shut the door, not even giving him a chance to peek.
Once the scheming father and son were gone, Sayako hurried, "Hikari-kun, help Aunt be the ladder so I can grab the Soju. The customers are waiting."
"Alright," Hikari had been about to say something, but seeing her anxious look, he let it go and went over to crouch.
Seeing him crouched and ready, Sayako's white, soft face grew even redder.
She was wearing a formal dress today. Since it came down to her knees, she hadn't worn safety shorts.
And it all felt… a bit embarrassing.
Her face was burning with shyness, but she didn't want to keep Hikari crouching.
So she bit her lip, lifted her skirt, stretched her long legs over Hikari's shoulders, and stood.
Then she slowly settled onto the back of his shoulders.
Once she sat, Hikari reached out to hold her round straight legs. The soft sensation came through the smooth stockings.
Feeling her tremble, he asked softly, "Aunt Sayako, are you sitting steady?"
"Y… yes, steady!"
She placed her hands near his ears. Feeling the heat from his palms through her legs made her knees go weak.
Hikari didn't hesitate. He slowly stood up.
Sayako, prepared, only let out a small gasp as she rose with him.
But when he was about to straighten fully, Sayako suddenly spoke in a strange tone, "Um, Hikari-kun, can you… not stand any higher? This height is fine."
He was confused, "Hm?"
Sayako hastily explained, "Any higher and Aunt might… not be able to take it. And your hair… it's poking me. It's a little itchy… kinda uncomfortable."
Hikari agreed, "Alright. Can you reach the Soju from here?"
She nodded, "Y… yes! Don't move too much, okay? Or Aunt will… Aunt will get scared…"
She took down the jars one by one and handed them to him. He held her leg with one hand, took the jars with the other, and placed them on the table.
After several jars, Hikari suddenly felt something cool and damp on the back of his head.
He muttered, "Aunt Sayako, did some liquor spill? Or are you hot and sweating?"
Sayako, perched on his shoulders, suddenly trembled. Her voice stammered, "It's… it's fine! It's a little hot! So I guess I sweated… haha!"
"Almost done. Just a little more."
Hearing that, feeling the dampness at his neck, Hikari figured some liquor must've splashed.
He chatted idly with her while the noisy voices of the izakaya drifted in.
Suddenly, the smell of grilled squid wafted in.
Probably seafood grilling out there. That briny scent.
Hikari gave it a thought. It wasn't too bad. A bit strong, but not stinky.
Not exactly fragrant, but kinda intoxicating.
Sayako suddenly fell silent and quickened her pace, taking the jars much faster.
Hikari matched her speed.
Soon, they'd gotten all the Soju they needed.
Hikari crouched and set her down carefully.
Her feet touched the floor and she let out a breath of relief.
She quickly stepped back and, before he stood up, hurried to drop her skirt.
But Hikari still caught a glimpse of deep black under the vivid dress.
The same color as her stockings?
Noticing his gaze, Sayako blushed and gripped her skirt tightly, "Hikari-kun, what… what are you looking at!"
Hikari answered seriously, "Just making sure you didn't trip."
Hearing that, Sayako patted her full chest and waved, "It's fine…"
She was about to say she was okay when she felt her palm was wet.
———
Feeling the dampness, Sayako reflexively looked down.
She saw that a fold of her skirt was completely soaked through.
She wiped her forehead. There was a lot of sweat there too. It was embarrassing. Her fair face flushed deep red. She gripped her skirt tightly, "Um… Hikari-kun, it's hot today, and I think I accidentally sweated a lot just now. It's uncomfortable being all wet, so I'm going upstairs to change."
"Can you… carry the Soju out first?"
Hikari nodded, "Sure."
"Can you handle it alone? If not, I'll come help after I change," She sounded worried.
"It's fine, I can manage. Aunt, hurry and change," he said.
Hearing that, Sayako grabbed her damp skirt and ran out of the room, heading straight upstairs.
Hikari watched her hurry off.
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