In Tokyo: They are heavily dependent on me

Chapter 3. No money? Then let's find another way...

Lifting the curtain that reads "Hoshinoya Ramen," you'll be greeted by warm orange lighting.

Orina Mizukami stood at the entrance, looking around the ramen shop tucked away in an inconspicuous alleyway with a sense of unease.

The dark-colored floor surface looks like it has been walked on by many guests, leaving marks that can't be removed no matter what.

Compared to other ramen shops, the modern equipment in the shop seems rather rudimentary. Due to its age, the surrounding walls are somewhat faded, but the decorations are full of Showa-era style.

"Please sit down. It's so late now, there are no other customers."

Hoshino Kaoru changed into her work clothes to prepare ramen. Her younger sister was in charge of making ramen and serving customers, but she was probably already resting. As her older brother, she couldn't trouble her with everything.

Mizukami hesitated and sat in the corner. She was not yet used to being alone with a man in an unfamiliar environment, and felt uneasy like a kitten in a strange place.

After waiting for a few minutes, the curtain to the kitchen was lifted.

Hoshino Kaoru placed the steaming hot ramen in front of her.

"What is this?"

Looking at the strangely shaped bowl of ramen, Mizukami brought it close to his cheek and sniffed. He could smell a strong aroma of chili peppers. It was topped with a layer of green onions and lots of tofu.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 202ᴋᴋs.ᴄᴏᴍ]

"Mapo tofu ramen is our restaurant's signature dish."

"Mapo tofu? What's that?"

A confused expression appeared on his face as he looked up from the water.

Hoshino Kaoru didn't intend to explain any further and placed her chopsticks next to the ramen.

"Eat it while it's hot, you'll see. It tastes best right out of the pot. After a while, the noodles will stick together and won't taste as good."

"Hoshino-san is in such a hurry, could she have put some strange drug in it?"

Hoshino Kaoru felt helpless at what was said on the water.

What does this guy think he is?

Kidnapper? Or pervert?

"Yes, I did put a drug in it. I put a drug that would make Mizukami remember my Mapo Tofu Ramen forever after he ate it just once."

"...You really are good at lying, Hoshino-kun."

Mizukami gently unwrapped the disposable chopsticks, as if she believed that Hoshino wouldn't put any drugs in the ramen that could make her lose consciousness. She brushed the hair in front of her forehead behind her ears, and the earrings hanging on her earlobes swayed slightly.

She bent down and began to eat her ramen.

It must be said that the way she ate certainly had the air of a young lady from a wealthy family.

They chewed slowly and carefully, even the chewing motions were very gentle.

"Mizukami-kun, how's the taste?"

Hoshino Kaoru poured her a glass of water. Finding the Mapo Tofu a bit spicy, she held the glass and drank it all in one gulp without any hesitation.

After drinking the water, she wiped the sweat from her forehead with a tissue.

The way he looked at Hoshino Kaoru was no longer as wary as before.

A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes. She hadn't expected that Hoshino, who gave off a frivolous first impression, would make such delicious ramen.

"Well... it's not bad..."

As he spoke, he continued to use his chopsticks to pick up ramen noodles and put them into his mouth.

"Brother, have we had guests?"

Just then, a sound came from the stairs behind them.

Hoshino Kaoru turned around and saw her younger sister, Hoshino Rin, still wearing her pajamas, rubbing her eyes as if she had been woken up.

"I didn't know you had a younger sister."

Mizukami raised her face, glanced at him, and gave him a look that said, "Someone like you shouldn't have a sister."

Hoshino Kaoru didn't want to pay attention to her for the time being. She quickly walked up to Rin, put her hands on Rin's shoulders, and pushed her upstairs.

"Brother! What are you doing!"

"Go to sleep, it's very late. Leave the work of entertaining the guests to me."

"Give it to you? Hmph, don't be ridiculous."

Rin slapped his hand away from her shoulder, looking at him with disdain.

"My brother usually makes his sister make him breakfast. What if a customer gets food poisoning from eating your ramen? I don't have the money to compensate the customer..."

"You really underestimate your older brother. I've been learning how to make ramen for longer than you, believe me. Go to sleep now and leave the entertaining and cleaning to your brother."

Xun raised her right hand, placed it on her sister's head, and began to gently massage it.

Rin didn't dislike this behavior. She looked up at him blankly, and finally, as if she realized his intention, her cheeks puffed out slightly.

"Brother, no matter what you say, I won't agree to you selling the ramen shop. Even if you flatter me... say lots of nice things to me, buy me my favorite sweets and toys, it won't work..."

"I know Rin likes sweets and dolls. I'll figure out a way to deal with the money. You should go and get some rest. Goodnight."

Kaoru pinched her puffed-up cheeks, which resembled those of a pufferfish, and led her into the room.

Then he turned around and quickly went down the wooden stairs.

He wasn't worried about not settling the bill while still downstairs on the water; he was just worried that the other party might suddenly leave.

After all, that's currently the only chance he can live off a woman...

Fortunately, his worries were unnecessary.

The young lady was still sitting in her seat, having finished the large plate of ramen in front of her.

She wiped the traces from her mouth with a tissue, stood up, and reached into the outside pocket of her skirt.

"Thank you, I'm full."

Having filled her stomach, her tone became noticeably softer.

"You're welcome. Remember to pay, it's six hundred yen."

The price is very affordable, even students can afford it.

However, this heiress, whose net worth exceeds one trillion yen, did not generously take out 10,000 yen and casually tell Hoshino Kaoru to keep the change, as is often portrayed in movies and TV dramas.

She rummaged in her pocket for a long time... but in the end she only took out a 5-yen coin that had become dirty.

The coin looked like it had been discarded on the road and stepped on by countless people, and she just happened to pick it up.

She placed the coin on the table and then carefully looked straight ahead.

"Is this money... enough?"

"That's enough—if you find another 120 identical coins."

"But... I have no other money."

"Since you don't have enough money, you can settle the remaining balance in another way."

"Another...way?"

Mizukami watched him warily, clearly thinking of something else quite serious.

"Yes, in another way."

Hoshino Kaoru ignored her gaze and walked straight toward her.

"What do you intend to do...? Let me make it clear beforehand... if you're planning to take action..."

Seeing the young lady's frightened expression, Hoshino Kaoru remained unperturbed. She walked around her, picked up the 5-yen coin on the table, blew on it gently, then tossed it over her head, covering it with her other hand as it fell.

"Mizukami-kun, you should know that I have no obligation to help you."

He took the initiative and sat in a seat to the side.

"Let's guess. If it's a tree, I'll let you go. If not, you'll have to stay and work as an employee for a day. If you don't agree, I'll contact the police and have them take you away on the grounds of 'dining and dashing.'"

"Mizukami-kun, what do you think?"