Chapter 10 : Mizumura Rika

Mizumura Rika. 21 years old, third-year student at Tokyo Medical University. Currently renting the European-style villa across from Shangguan He’s house. Intellectual, gentle, well-mannered. Kind and poised, her every gesture puts people at ease. Given she can afford such a grand villa, her family must be well-off. Rumors that she’s the daughter of a prominent private hospital’s director probably aren’t baseless…

All this intel was gathered by Shangguan He in his first playthrough. Why go out of his way to dig up details on his neighbor lady? Because she’s gorgeous, obviously! Her flawless, fantasy-level beauty goes without saying. But what hits hardest at first glance is her overall presence. Waist-length light blue hair, emerald cat-like eyes.

By now, Shangguan He’s used to it. But when first-playthrough him saw her, he instantly formed high expectations for this world’s aesthetics. After that, no matter what wild hair colors other characters had, he wasn’t fazed.

Back to the point: as an older woman, Rika’s captivating eyes have shed their girlish innocence, but she’s not a jaded veteran of the world either. As a current JD (female university student), she carries a unique vibe fitting her age and status. What’s that vibe? Pure-hearted? Kind and sincere? Refined and elegant? All work, but none are quite right. There’s a trending phrase that nails it: clear-eyed and foolish. To elaborate: sometimes you spin a wild tale you don’t even believe, but college students will eat it up!

Case in point— “Baby!?” Rika’s eyes widen, her mouth agape. Her gaze ping-pongs between Shangguan He and Yamazaki Miki, her expression screaming, You two? High schoolers? Playing that big? Unwed pregnancy?

“Miss Mizumura, let me explain!”

“Xiao He, do your parents know?” Rika’s face is serious. “You’re both still in high school. I’m an outsider, but I have to say, getting pregnant at your age is way too soon. What are they teaching you in health class? You need basic biology knowledge! This recklessness is just too much—”

“No, no, no! Miss Mizumura! Before you scold me about protection, hear me out! Hey, Miki! Stop laughing! This misunderstanding involves your honor too!”

After the chaos, Rika finally gets the full story. “Don’t make jokes like that again. It’s bad for the heart…” Misunderstanding cleared, the beauty furrows her delicate brows, lightly patting her chest. Her black sweater accentuates the soft, bouncy curves revealed by the simple motion.

For dog-walking, Rika’s dressed casually today: a sweater paired with fitted light blue jeans, radiating healthy, sunny neighbor-lady vibes. Being scolded by her feels like a spring breeze. In his line of work, getting chewed out by a beauty is a reward. Especially since Rika has a habit of gesturing naturally while talking, aiding her expression. This, of course, sets off waves of jiggling in her soft, elastic assets.

Shangguan He stares, entranced. Miki, standing beside him, gives him a subtle elbow jab, the dull pain snapping him back. “Ahem, Miss Mizumura, you’re right. No more jokes like that!” He wipes the sweat from his brow, forcing a grin and nudging Miki. “Right?”

“Hmph—” Miki pouts.

“Oh, I didn’t notice you were sweating so much.” As an adult, Rika just smiles, unbothered, and changes the topic. She pulls a tissue pack from her waist bag, folds a sheet, steps closer, and gently dabs the sweat from his forehead.

A wave of fragrance hits him. Is it from her wrist or the tissue itself? Their encounter mirrors his first playthrough—meeting her at his doorstep as she walks her dog. But the details differ significantly. For one, Miki’s here this time. For another, Miki’s wild lie about them sparked Rika’s confusion. And because of that lie, their first meeting this playthrough has way more interaction than last time.

Wait. Now that he thinks about it, Miki’s the one stirring all this up. Process aside, the result is that Miki, as his wingman for romancing girls, has indeed created more chances to talk with the neighbor lady…

“Well, it’s your first day of school, so I won’t keep you. Study hard, bye-bye!” Reluctantly parting with the charming neighbor, Shangguan He and Miki walk side by side. He suddenly speaks, deadly serious. “Miki, I’ll treat you to lunch at school.”

“Huh? What’s your scheme?” Miki’s not buying it. She eyes the tissue he’s still clutching, unimpressed. “And how long are you keeping that sweaty rag? Is a college girl’s tissue some lucky charm for virgins?”

“I just wiped my sweat! And what’s wrong with being a virgin? Did I eat your rice or something?” He gives the tissue one last wipe before reluctantly tossing it.

“Wait up, Miki! What’s with the tantrum? Sorry, okay? No idea why I’m apologizing, but sorry! I said I’d treat you to lunch!”

“Hah?! Shangguan-kun, you think a single meal can win over a JK?!”

“Huh? Fine, what then? Add a cupcake?”

“At least two meals.”

“…You eat a ton. Not afraid of getting fat?”

“That’s the ultimate taboo topic for a JK! Prepare yourself—I’m sentencing you for saying the unsayable!”

It’s early, so the residential street is quiet. As their voices fade, silence returns— “Woof!” Broken by an excited bark.

“Blackie, slow down, don’t disturb others, okay?” Rika, holding the leash, gently scolds with a smile. The Doberman quiets instantly. The leash taut, the dog’s nose glues to the ground, eagerly pulling her forward. Used to this, Rika keeps smiling, strolling casually. Dog goes straight, she goes straight. Dog turns, she turns. Dog stops, she stops.

“Woof!” The Doberman wags its tail furiously, pawing at a dusty tissue on the ground.

“Good job, Blackie. Such a good dog.” Rika smiles, patting its head, and tosses a handful of treats from her waist bag. The dog’s tail nearly snaps off in excitement, gobbling the reward.

Looping the leash around her wrist, Rika pulls tweezers and a clear plastic bag from her bag. She seals the tissue inside, pinching it through the plastic. Feeling the tissue’s texture, her pretty face maintains its calm smile. “Heh… collection plus one…”

The murmur doesn’t last. Two or three seconds later, she tucks the bag into a hidden pocket in her waist bag and stands. “Blackie, full yet?”

“Woof!”

“Let’s keep walking then.”

“Woof!”

Leash in hand, Rika strolls down the street, as if nothing happened.