Another glorious Friday has blessed us with its presence.
Thanks to the school's outdoor swimming pool requiring some intensive cleaning and a complete water replacement—apparently the maintenance crew had finally decided to tackle whatever unspeakable horrors had been accumulating in there—the water polo club's training session had been unceremoniously suspended for the day.
Not that I'm complaining. A free afternoon is a gift from the gods.
After school, I found myself returning to the apartment complex significantly earlier than usual. As I approached the familiar entrance, fate decided to orchestrate a perfect little encounter: Tomoko Matsumoto was just stepping out, clearly dressed for some kind of expedition into the outside world.
"Tomoko-san, are you heading out somewhere?" I inquired, taking a moment to appreciate how the afternoon light caught the soft curves of her figure.
Even just stepping out for errands, she manages to look effortlessly elegant.
"Well, I need to go pick up some ingredients for dinner. But what brings Sosuke-kun back so early today? Don't you usually have club activities around this time?" she asked, tilting her head with that curious expression that somehow made even mundane questions seem endearing.
"The school's club activities got suspended, so I managed to escape early for once," I explained with a slight grin.
"I see! Well then, would you like to accompany me to the supermarket, Sosuke-kun? I could use the company," she offered with that warm smile that could probably melt arctic ice.
Let's see... I could go upstairs and waste time alone, or I could spend the afternoon with a beautiful woman who cooks amazing food...
The decision wasn't exactly difficult. I'd been eating at Tomoko-san's place regularly without contributing much beyond my charming presence and enthusiastic appetite. Today, with time actually on my side, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to be useful for once.
"Absolutely. Just wait for me a moment, Tomoko-san—I'll be right back after I dump my bag upstairs."
"Of course! I'll wait for you, Sosuke-kun," she replied, and I could swear her expression brightened even further.
Originally, Matsumoto Tomoko had been planning to see Ginjo at their usual dinner time, but this unexpected early encounter had transformed her already pleasant mood into something approaching pure delight.
I practically sprinted upstairs, deposited my school bag with all the ceremony of tossing it onto my bed, and returned to find her waiting exactly where I'd left her, patient as a saint and twice as beautiful.
Ready for adventure. Or at least, ready for grocery shopping, which is basically the same thing when you're with the right person.
We set off toward the supermarket together, falling into an easy conversational rhythm as we navigated the sun-baked streets.
According to the weather forecast I'd glanced at on my phone earlier, today was destined to be one of those gloriously clear days with not a single cloud marring the azure sky. The maximum temperature was predicted to soar well beyond 35 degrees Celsius.
However, thanks to this delightfully scorching weather, the local scenery had become significantly more... aesthetically pleasing. The ladies of the neighborhood had collectively decided that less fabric equaled better survival strategy, and I was certainly not about to argue with their logic.
This included my gorgeous landlady, who had clearly dressed with both comfort and visual impact in mind.
Today, Tomoko-san was wearing a fitted T-shirt that hugged her curves like it had been personally tailored by angels, paired with slim shorts that showcased her legs to absolutely devastating effect.
Those magnificent peaks rising and falling with each breath...
That perfectly round ass swaying with each step...
Those firm, shapely thighs that could probably crack walnuts...
And those delicate, pristine feet in her summer sandals...
This kind of natural beauty should come with a warning label.
Such breathtaking scenery was the kind of visual feast that never got old, no matter how many times you experienced it. Each glance revealed new details to appreciate, new angles to admire.
This is exactly why summer has always been my absolute favorite season.
Summer vacation, beach trips, girls in swimsuits, outdoor festivals, fireworks displays, and the endless parade of summer fashion—there were countless reasons to worship at the altar of the hottest months.
Plus, the way the heat makes everyone dress a little more... liberally... is definitely a bonus.
"Tomoko-san, any particular reason you're not hitting up the nearby vegetable market today? You usually prefer the local vendors," I asked, partly to make conversation and partly to distract myself from the hypnotic sway of her hips.
"Oh, that's because the supermarket is having their store anniversary celebration! Three whole days of special discounts. I spotted the advertisement in our mailbox this morning," she explained with the satisfied expression of someone who'd successfully hunted down a bargain.
Ah yes, the universal truth: discounts are like catnip to housewives, regardless of geography or culture.
Even though the supermarket was considerably farther from our apartment complex than the usual shopping spots, our conversation made the journey pass by in what felt like mere minutes. Before I knew it, we were standing before the entrance of a fairly impressive retail establishment.
This was one of those large chain supermarkets with locations scattered across the entire country—popular for their combination of rock-bottom prices and an inventory that could probably supply a small army.
The Walmart of Japan, basically.
The moment we stepped through the automatic doors, we were greeted by a blessed wave of climate-controlled air that instantly banished the oppressive heat we'd endured during our trek.
The cool interior was like stepping into an oasis after crossing a desert. I could practically feel my body temperature dropping back to sustainable levels.
Much better. Now I can focus on important things... like watching Tomoko-san shop.
I gallantly commandeered a shopping cart while Matsumoto Tomoko placed her smaller basket inside it—a perfect system that established me as the designated pack mule while allowing her to maintain her shopping efficiency.
Division of labor: I provide the muscle, she provides the expertise.
"Let me think about what to prepare for today's dinner~" she mused aloud, her voice taking on that thoughtful tone she got when planning culinary masterpieces.
As she spoke, her hands moved with practiced precision, selecting vegetables and ingredients with the kind of efficiency that could only come from years of experience. Every movement was purposeful, every choice calculated.
It was as if she possessed some kind of specialized housewife superpower—an innate ability to navigate any grocery store with optimal pathing and maximum efficiency, regardless of layout or crowd density.
If some kind of international housewife competition existed, I was absolutely convinced that Matsumoto Tomoko would not only qualify but probably dominate the field.
"By the way, Sosuke-kun, what would you prefer for breakfast tomorrow morning? Are you in the mood for bread, or would you rather stick with rice?" she asked as we arrived at the main grain and bread section.
"I'm honestly fine with whatever you think is best, Tomoko-san," I replied, because frankly, anything she prepared was guaranteed to be delicious.
"Is that so? Hmm..." she murmured thoughtfully, tapping one finger against her lips in a gesture that was far more distracting than it had any right to be.
"You know, I feel like we've been having rice quite frequently lately, so maybe it's time to switch things up with some bread," she decided aloud, selecting two bags of what looked like premium bakery products and adding them to our growing collection.
"You know, Sosuke-kun, I've noticed that you never seem to be picky about food at all. You always finish everything I cook, no matter what it is," she observed with a proud smile that made my chest feel warm.
The genuine satisfaction in her voice made it clear that my enthusiastic appetite was one of the things she treasured most about our arrangement.
--
If you want to read 30 chapters further ahead, visit my pn.
pn.com/Hentai_kun