Chapter 3 Reiko Onodera

At the end of spring, dusk fell.

The cherry blossom tree next to the villa fluttered in the wind, its petals a blanket of pink that defined the season.

After popping open a can of meat for the chubby cat, Haruka Yuzan opted for a quick shower.

On second thought, he decided to pull the curtain across the bathroom window, shielding himself from the season of pink romance outside.

Even through the clear glass, he felt a sense of shame, although nobody would be peeping at him.

Probably, maybe, possibly?

An idea filled with mischief.

After the shower, Haruka Yuzan strolled out of the bathroom in just a pair of big boxer shorts, toweling his hair dry—the true mark of a man was to air-dry, never to use a hairdryer. That was the best choice.

Gazing at the lethargic orange cat sprawled on the floor, weighing close to ten pounds, he thought, hmm, it would be good to lift with one hand for a wrist workout.

"Bang, bang, bang." Just then, a sudden knock at the door spared the fat cat its fate, its dull little eyes and its poop-scooper both turning toward the front door.

Opening the door, it was Mrs. Onodera,

"Haruka, do you have any dietary restrictions? I'm about to start cooking."

The large white T-shirt just managed to cover her small posterior, a pair of round and full legs exposed beneath. Reiko Onodera, dressed in home clothes, still looked alluring.

He couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to have those long legs constrained by fishnet stockings, compressed against the supple flesh.

However, despite her beautiful and delicate face, she still seemed somewhat afraid to look at men, and the air between them retained a hint of awkwardness.

"Ahem, ahem." Haruka Yuzan gave a fake cough,

"I don't have any dietary restrictions, Sister Reiko, whatever you make will be fine."

"All right, then I'll get started on the cooking." She brushed her hair back from her ear with her fingers, giving him a fleeting glance before turning to leave.

Her swaying figure was graceful, the unique aura of a mature woman deeply stirring the restless heart of the young man,

"Meow~" Apparently dissatisfied at the prospect of losing affection to a newcomer, the chubby cat leisurely came over and rubbed against Haruka's shins.

"Okay, I haven't forgotten you. There's a newcomer tonight, so you'll get an extra meal, I'll allow you half a can more."

"Meow, meow, meow~"

Having closed the door, he lay down on the double bed, his whole body sinking into it,

Not to mention, inheriting the furniture inside the villa was a complete setup, and it was all quite high-end, saving Mr. Haruka quite a large sum of money.

He opened the System,

eager to see just how much income he could get from Reiko Onodera.

[Tenant: 002]

[Name: Reiko Onodera]

[Physical Strength: 5]

[Intelligence: 5]

[Charm: 9]

[Daily Rent Due: 1000 yen or help with housekeeping services (already paid)]

[Daily Money Generated: 5000 yen]

[Tenant's Wish List:]

[1. Hope to find a suitable job]

[2. Hope to bring the daughter to Tokyo to live together]

[Reward for fulfilling wish one: Receive twenty percent of Reiko Onodera's income]

Spying that reward, Haruka Yuzan immediately felt one step closer to his dream of living off his rental income.

The softness of the Simmons bed allowed the boy's muscles to relax. Gradually, fatigue crept up to the corners of his eyes; his heavy eyelids slowly closed, and his handsome profile fell into a steady and serene repose.

The spring breeze from outside wafted in, mixed with the fading glow of the sunset that shone on the corner of the bed, where Roast Meat twisted its chubby body, looking at its master and meowing twice.

Seeing no response, it leaped with a "bang!" aiming for... the wooden headboard of the bed. Its round face trembled twice with the impact, like an orange cannonball, it crashed heavily onto the floor.

It cried out in pain with a "meow meow meow."

Haruka Yuzan, who had been dreaming of being a landlord, was jolted awake by the noise and sat up abruptly from the bed.

Gulping in large breaths of air, he looked around with beads of sweat on his forehead,

Was there an earthquake?

This damn place, 365 days a year, it shakes every day.

"Meow~" Suddenly, a cat's meow reached his ears,

After glancing at his phone and seeing no earthquake early warning alerts, Haruka Yuzan let out a sigh of relief and stepped down from the bed. He looked down, locking eyes with those two black-bean-like pupils.

"Did the earthquake wake you up, too?"

"Meow meow meow~"

"What nonsense are you talking, I don't understand." he muttered, stepping over Roast Meat and walking out the door.

Looking down from the second floor, the entire villa was dim. Listening closely, it sounded like the noise of frying food in hot oil.

Descending the stairs and seeing the lights on the wall, he hesitated slightly but walked over anyways. There were a multitude of switches, but Haruka Yuzan only ever used two or three of them, pressing the one he used the most,

Even when he was home alone, he chose not to turn on the lights in the living room. After cooking or buying ready-made meals, he preferred to eat alone in his room.

Firstly, it saved a bit of electricity, and secondly, facing the emptiness of the large house could affect his mood while eating. It was better to cuddle up with the fat cat and retreat to his room, where they could watch anime together while dining,

"Click,"

In an instant, the entire living room lit up, even Roast Meat, just out of the bedroom, seemed unused to the brightness,

Meowing, its clear and foolish eyes filled with curiosity.

Starting today, there would be an additional source of income, so there was no need to be so frugal anymore. Now that a new member had joined the household, the living room should be utilized to foster a good relationship, especially since he would be counting on Mrs. Onodera to make money for him in the future!

Entering the kitchen, Reiko Onodera was deep-frying tempura, sliding the batter-coated fish one by one into the bubbling oil. Accompanied by a "sizzling" sound, the fish and batter quickly turned golden brown, and a faint aroma filled the air.

"Oh? Mr. Haruka, you're here." Mrs. Onodera noticed the landlord standing at the entrance and turned around with a smile, clearly enjoying her time cooking.

She was wrapped in a pink apron that was bought to fit Haruka Yuzan's size. Unexpectedly, it fit Reiko Onodera—who stood a head shorter than Haruka—just right, even a bit snug across her upper body.

Is it... a bit too small?

How wonderful!

"Once the tempura is done, we can eat. Just the two of us—I only made two dishes."

Dressed like a housemaid, Reiko Onodera slightly pursed her lush lips,

The frugal beauty originally thought one dish would be enough for the two of them. But, considering her landlord, Haruka Yuzan, was young and owned his own villa in Tokyo, he must have come from a wealthy family.

She was somewhat worried that serving just two dishes and a soup might bring complaints from Haruka, even though the young landlord didn't seem like that type of person.

Two dishes and a soup??? Isn't that a bit extravagant?

Haruka Yuzan was taken aback upon hearing this and showed a trace of shock in his eyes,

You see, to save money, he normally made one dish last for at least two meals. If rice wasn't filling enough, he'd eat noodles.

Just like in his previous life, he'd make a pot of stew and eat it with noodles whenever he got hungry.

No choice, though he had a big house, the exorbitant utility bills weren't something a poor student like him could afford!!!

Without being at least a bit thrifty, it was really hard to survive.