Perhaps because she was the heiress of a prominent family and had, from early on, stepped into managing the Jinno family with competence, Jinno Sumire always had a strong presence that inspired fear.
Although her looks and figure were top tier, not many men dared approach her.
The useless husband the Jinno family had painstakingly brought in as a live-in son-in-law didn't even dare consummate with her.
On the wedding night he fled in a hurry.
She had noticed the signs beforehand, arranged for someone to extract sperm externally through certain means, and then via test-tube she had the first child, Jinno Ai.
Although Jinno Ai was a daughter, unlike the old man at home, she was not biased toward sons and doted on her.
That in itself was not a problem.
But the old man at home had lately been insisting that she must bear a son to inherit the Jinno family, which was a real headache for Jinno Sumire.
After all, she was not getting any younger; it was almost do-or-die time.
And that useless husband had run off more than a decade ago, not expected to return.
Her childhood dream had been to take complete control of the Jinno family.
But clever women cannot cook without rice. One woman alone could not magically produce a child.
How could she get a child. Thinking this, a rare helplessness appeared on Jinno Sumire's cold, elegant face.
———
Led respectfully by the pretty miko in shrine robes, Hikari walked out of the shrine hall.
The townsfolk along the road were not surprised that the miko treated Hikari so well; after all, they had just seen the high priest and the Jinno family heiress on the platform and it had looked like they knew Hikari.
People who knew such big names were not to be underestimated. The villagers and townspeople now looked at this somewhat unfamiliar man Hikari with a little more reverence.
Hikari did not care about their looks and calmly walked to the shrine gate.
Sure enough, the blonde blue-eyed Arisa was already waiting for him at the shrine entrance.
Seeing him come out, she immediately reached out to greet him.
"Hikari-kun!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Hikari offered a slight apology.
Arisa quickly shook her head, "No, no, Hikari-kun, you had things to do first, of course. Besides, I just finished praying. And I'm really grateful you took me to the shrine to play."
Seeing the easily satisfied Russian beauty, Hikari smiled.
Arisa then asked with some curiosity, "Hikari-kun, I heard them say just now that the very pretty cold-looking lady on the platform is the shrine's high priestess. Do you… know them?"
Hikari nodded, "Yes, her daughter Ai-chan used to be my childhood playmate."
Hearing that, Arisa's face showed surprise, "Wow!"
Hikari couldn't help laughing, "Why so surprised?"
Arisa said, "I haven't been here long, but I've heard the Jinno family is very powerful in Ino Town. If you know them, that's pretty impressive too."
On hearing that, Hikari smiled and didn't say more, just led Arisa away from the shrine.
Maybe because of what Arisa said, although Hikari left with the foreign beauty Arisa at his side as before, the villagers no longer cast envious or jealous looks at this young man.
Hikari escorted Arisa down the country road toward home. The sunset light reflected off the green waves of the rice fields, throwing out streaks of gold. It was already evening.
Looking at the breathtaking sunset, Arisa excitedly tugged on Hikari and pointed things out.
Timing his words, Hikari said, "It's getting late, Arisa. Let's end here for today. I'll take you home."
"All right!", Arisa agreed.
They walked along the country path toward home.
Suddenly Hikari felt someone take his hand.
The soft little hand felt slick with nervous sweat. He turned to look at Arisa beside him.
Her face was a little flushed, whether from the sunset or embarrassment he couldn't tell.
She spoke with nervous but uncontrollable happiness, "Th-thank you so much, Hikari-kun, for taking me out today."
"I'm really so happy!"
Arisa held Hikari's hand tightly. Her blue eyes sparkled under the rosy sunset.
"Actually I don't have any big dreams. As long as I can live a simple life each day, have someone to chat with while watching trees, planting flowers, reading books, and have rice, oil, and salt, I'd be very satisfied," Arisa said.
Hearing her ordinary dream, Hikari smiled; it was not hard to achieve.
"But… but…", Arisa's pretty eyes stared at Hikari, as if she had something difficult to say.
"Hm?", Hikari looked at the somewhat stammering Arisa.
"It's nothing, it's just that my ordinary dream seems hard to achieve. Alone in a foreign country, my heart really can't settle completely."
Arisa seemed to think of the fiance Suzumura Kouta who had left her in a hurry, and her mood dropped.
"If trouble comes up, Miss Arisa can look for me," Hikari said casually.
"Yes! Luckily there's Hikari-kun! Thank you so much! You are the best person I've met! Today with you was the happiest day since I came here!"
Under the sunset, Arisa suddenly spun and hugged Hikari.
In the tight embrace their chests pressed together and they could clearly feel each other's heartbeat.
At the same time, an enticing softness spread, stirring unavoidable fantasies.
Just as Hikari was about to speak, Arisa hurriedly let go, blushing, and bowed her head to apologize, "So… sorry, Hikari-kun! I was just too happy today and lost my composure. Sorry!"
Hikari waved his hand, "It's fine. We're almost at your house. Go on home."
"All right!", Arisa ran home quickly, cheeks red and appearing a little embarrassed.
———
Back in her room, lying on the bed, Arisa's fair tender face was still flushed and hot.
Walking along the country path at sunset was already romantic. Plus the warm embrace had felt so comfortable. Arisa now realized she had an uncontrollable fondness for Hikari.
She couldn't even tell when it started, whether it was in the car or at home.
After all, this young man had helped her many times.
She had even prayed for Hikari at the shrine and hoped they could always be friends.
Thinking of how comfortable it was to be with him, Arisa nearly confessed just now, but because she already had a fiance, she swallowed the words.
If her fiance were Hikari instead of Suzumura Kouta, how wonderful that would be.
Touching the ring on her middle finger, Arisa's expression darkened a little.
———
On the other side.
Not long after Hikari returned home, he saw an invitation from Sayako asking him to come to the izakaya for dinner.
He immediately replied "okay."
After all, both Miyuri and Sayako doted on him like aunties.
He had just left the izakaya this morning and gone home with Miyuri, so naturally he would go to the izakaya tonight to keep Sayako company, sharing time with each.
Night fell and most salaried workers had finished their day.
When Hikari arrived at Sayako's izakaya, half the seats were already taken; clearly many customers had come.
Inside the izakaya, aside from two girls Sayako had hired to help serve, Sayako herself was behind the counter handling the accounts.
She wore a fitted pale blue floral dress. Although it didn't quite match the izakaya's style, with Sayako's glamorous face and full figure, she still looked extremely beautiful and alluring.
Even though the dress was conservative, no low cut, no shoulders or legs exposed, fully wrapped up, Sayako still exuded irresistible charm.
Many customers stealing a glance felt the food and drink in their hands become sweeter just by seeing her beautiful eyes or smooth hair.
Seeing Sayako silently become the center of attention, Hikari immediately walked to the counter.
Seeming to hear his footsteps, Sayako lifted her head slightly. When she saw it was Hikari, she quickly put down her pen and rose to her feet.
Before Sayako could come around the counter, Hikari was already in front of her, "Good evening, Aunt Sayako."
"Good evening, Hikari-kun. You finally came~", Sayako, seeing him, couldn't help but smile and grab his hand.
Her glamorous face bloomed with charm, but only Hikari could see it fully.
"Auntie, are you still doing the accounts? Busy? Want me to help?", Hikari asked as Sayako pulled him behind the counter.
"Not busy. Didn't I have you hire a few girls to help? Auntie is much more relaxed now, just roughly finishing the accounts," Sayako smiled.
Before, the Ryusei Haruyoshi father and son often helped, so the shop didn't need many hands.
But after their deaths, Sayako was too busy running the izakaya alone, so Hikari hired a few people to help.
Sayako suddenly said, "By the way, Hikari-kun, how much did you pay them? They said you already paid, let me return the money to you."
Hikari waved his hand, "Not much. I'll pay. Aunt Sayako, you should rest and not overwork."
Sayako shook her head, "No. Hikari-kun, you're still a student; where would you get money to pay wages? Let Auntie pay."
Hikari laughed. His part-time at Seika Girls' Academy had already earned him quite a lot.
Plus he had bet once on the girls' sprint with Katou Mio and Mia and won big.
And with other miscellaneous income, he estimated he had over a hundred million yen. With his ability, earning money was easy, so he didn't care about the amount.
But he didn't want to explain all that to Sayako and joked, "Where would the money come from? I live off Miss Mira. Aunt Sayako, don't you know?"
Upon hearing that, Sayako pouted for some reason, "You live off Mira? Why not live off Aunt Sayako? I want to support you. Why don't you leave Mira's house and come live with Auntie? I'll take care of you~"
Seeing Sayako coyly wink, Hikari had to admit it was tempting.
But he shook his head, "No thanks, Aunt Sayako."
Sayako laughed and said, "I knew you'd say that. I was just joking. My modest assets are nothing compared to your foster mother's. If I were you I'd also choose to live off Mira."
"But Auntie won't lose in loving Hikari-kun!"
Saying that, Sayako actually hugged Hikari.
Held in her arms, Hikari smelled a pleasant scent of face wash.
Sayako was especially bold today. Before, she only got that close when they were in a back room or there were no people. Today she hugged him in the main hall of the izakaya. Fortunately the counter was high and shielded the customers' view.
With Sayako so passionate, Hikari didn't hold back and casually leaned in. Sayako's pretty face slowly flushed.
Just as Sayako was about to be embarrassed and let Hikari go, footsteps sounded.
"Sakai-kun?"
With his back to the newcomer, Hikari could only see Sayako's generous chest and heard Sayako's surprised voice.
"Sister-in-law Sayako."
From behind came a slightly hoarse male voice.
Sayako snapped out of it and quickly let go of Hikari.
Hikari shook his head, turned, and looked at the newcomer.
He was a tanned, thin middle-aged man.
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