Tokyo: Simulation Begins with the Big Sister Next Door

"Xiaoxing, how's things at home lately? If you need any help, be sure to tell Grandpa."

"Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, Grandpa Watanabe."

"..."

Looking at the kind-looking old man, Anze Liang turned to Nakano Aoi and asked, "Is he a relative of Tamamo-kun?"

"No."

Nakano Aoi shook her head and replied, "Grandpa Watanabe was a kind-hearted reporter who had been tracking down the serial killer who murdered Tamamo's parents and had spent his whole life helping the police gather information."

"Grandpa Watanabe also provided a lot of assistance to Tamamo's family when they lost their parents. Grandpa was a very, very good person."

"I'm not as kind as you say. It's just that when I encounter people in need... if I'm able, I feel I should offer them some help," the old man said with a smile.

"Grandpa Watanabe, you're too modest. You're really kind."

"Yes, without Grandpa Watanabe's help, Grandma might have left me many years ago due to the torment of illness."

Under the compliments of Tamamo Yuki and Nakano Aoi, the old man shook his head and sighed deeply, "I'm ashamed to say that I'm almost retired, but I still haven't been able to find the murderer."

"The biggest regret of my career is that I failed to catch that serial killer and find evidence against him."

“That man was really unlike many of the murderers I’ve reported on. He was too smart; he’s been outsmarting us and the police for years.”

The old man sighed.

His tone was filled with deep resentment.

Tamamo Yuki bit her lip, her eyes filled with defiance.

She was determined to find the murderer and clear her parents' name.

As everyone chatted, the old man left after helping with the grave sweeping. Before leaving, he was still talking to poor little Tamamo Yuki, saying, "Be sure to tell Grandpa if you need any help."

She was truly a very kind old woman.

Watching her grandfather leave, Tamamo Yuki looked at Anze Ryo and the other two and sincerely thanked them, saying, "Thank you so much for your help today."

"Um, if everyone doesn't mind, could I invite you all to my house for a meal? I'd like to thank you all for your help today."

Chapter 61, Section 60: Wife: She's my type.

The group rode in a car, driving along the road, heading to Tamamo's house.

None of them had ever been to Yuzao's house before; this was their first visit.

So having dinner at Tamamo's house is also part of today's club activity.

After driving for an unknown amount of time, we arrived at a relatively remote area, at the doorstep of Tamamo's house.

This place is clearly in the suburbs. The houses nearby are all rows of neat detached houses, which look to be only about 34 square meters in size.

The same applies to Tamamo's family.

Everyone took off their shoes in the entryway and went inside. The room was rather small and simply furnished, but it had a warm and cozy feel.

"President, Nakano-kun, please have a seat. I'll change my school uniform and then go buy groceries," Tamamo Yuki said before walking into the bedroom.

"It's so small."

An Zeliang looked up and surveyed the cramped living room.

Yuzao's house is so small, it's not even as big as his living room.

However, due to its clever spatial design and the presence of upper and lower levels, it can perfectly accommodate five or six people from three generations.

Such detached houses are also the dwellings of many ordinary poor people in Japan.

However, although Tamamo's room was small, it was very clean. The books on the table were neatly arranged, the floor was spotless, and there was no dirt or grime on the walls.

An Zeliang's gaze shifted, then suddenly settled on a photograph hanging on the wall. It was a picture of a young couple, their faces beaming with happiness, posing with their daughter.

"Little Tamamo looked so sunny and cheerful," Anze Liang said, looking at the little girl in the photo. Her face had an innocent smile, a smile that was pure, happy, and infectious.

That's a smile that can only appear at a carefree age.

Based on this, the young couple in the photo are most likely Tamamo's parents.

"Hmm, Tamamo-san has changed a lot." Nakano Aoi commented, looking at the photo of Tamamo Yuki.

This was also the first time she had seen photos of Tamamo Yuki as a child.

The little girl in the photo was sunny and cheerful, with an infectious smile that made her irresistibly likable. But now, Tamamo-san is lifeless, with a gloomy style. She speaks very little and rarely smiles, and even when she does, it's a forced smile.

It's hard to imagine that this is the same girl as in the photo.

but.

Considering what Tamamo went through, most people wouldn't have fared any better than her.

"Tamamo-san's home is in Kanagawa? No wonder it felt like we'd been on a long car ride." Yasuzawa Ryo looked at the map information on his phone, somewhat surprised.

"You live so far away, how do you usually get to school?"

“As for student number two, he often rides his bicycle to school,” Hoshimiya Rin replied.

"bike?"

An Zeliang was somewhat speechless.

According to the map, it takes more than forty minutes to get to school from here by car. By bicycle, it would take at least an hour, wouldn't it?

"Yes, because student number two said that riding a bicycle can save a lot of money." Hoshimiya Rin said calmly, with a thoughtful look in her eyes.

I knew Tamamo was hardworking before, but I never imagined she was this hardworking.

I have to walk this long way to school every day.

In addition, he also had to work part-time during this period.

That means she gets home very late every day. Then she has to get up an hour or two earlier the next day to go to school, otherwise she'll be late.

No wonder Tamamo always looks so sleepy... There's a reason for her gloomy art style.

A look of sympathy crossed Nakano Aoi's eyes. Just as she was about to say something, the bedroom door opened, and Tamamo-san, who had changed her clothes, came out.

It's a very simple piece of clothing.

Seeing this, the three of them kept quiet about the previous topic, so as not to hurt Tamamo's self-esteem.

"Um, everyone, please sit down for a while. I'll go buy some groceries and start cooking when I get back," said Tamamo Yuki.

"Tamamo-san, let's go together. I'm strong, so I can help you carry the groceries and stuff," An Zeliang said, standing up.

"This... isn't a good idea."

Tamamo Yuki felt a little embarrassed, after all, the other party was a guest. There was no reason to ask a guest for help.

“If Tamamo-kun really considers me a friend, then there’s no need to be so polite. There’s no need for such formality between friends.” Anze Liang smiled.

Hearing this, Tamamo Yuki nodded gratefully.

The word "friend" had a great impact on her.

Afterwards, the two put on their shoes and went out together.

Nakano Aoi had originally volunteered to help, but since it wasn't appropriate to leave the president alone at home, she had no choice but to stay as well.

the other side.

Led by Tamamo Yuki, the two walked for a few minutes and arrived at a vegetable shop.

As soon as Tamamo Yuki entered the vegetable shop, she was noticed by the auntie selling vegetables.

"Xiaoxing, did you get out of school so early today? There aren't many people buying vegetables today, so we haven't sold any yet. Auntie will give you a discount on these vegetables, half price. You can take them home and eat them."

As the auntie spoke with a smile, she subconsciously picked up the vegetables that didn't look very appealing and put them into a bag.

A little embarrassed, Tamamo Yuki quickly declined, saying, "Auntie, I'm treating my friends to dinner today and need to buy some fresh and good-looking vegetables. Could you please help me pick some out?"

"And meat, we need to buy some beef too."

"Are you treating your friends to dinner? Sure, Auntie will pick out some good stuff for you."

The aunt looked at An Zeliang, seemingly lost in thought. Then she selected some visually appealing vegetables and took two portions of frozen meat.

Then he put the vegetables on the scale and weighed them, saying, "It's two thousand six hundred and fifty in total. I'll give you two thousand six hundred."

"Only two thousand six?"

Anze Liang silently did the math in his mind... At normal prices, one serving of beef would cost 1,900 yen, and two servings would cost at least 4,000 yen. Adding vegetables and other ingredients, it would far exceed 4,000 yen. But the auntie only charged him 2,600 yen. This was a discount of almost half the price, done without Tamamo's knowledge.

Thinking of this, An Zeliang took out several large Japanese yen bills from his pocket and said, "Auntie, let me pay."

"No way! Anze! I promised to treat you to dinner today, how can I let you pay?"

Tamamo Yuki refused very seriously, then took out her wallet and looked for money inside.

An Zeliang glanced at the girl's wallet; it was a patched-up, worn-out cloth wallet, and there didn't seem to be much money inside. Half of it would be spent just on groceries.

"Auntie, here's your money. Thank you, Auntie!" Tamamo Yuki handed the money to the auntie and politely said thank you.

The aunt smiled and took the money, asking, "Xiao Xing, do you have many friends today? Why are you buying so many groceries?"

"Yes, I have three friends." Tamamo Yuki smiled happily, showing no bad mood despite having spent half the money in her wallet.

"Auntie, I'm going back now."

"Xiao Xing, be careful on the road."

After exchanging greetings, the two left the vegetable stall.

On his way home, An Zeliang was a little curious about what his aunt meant by the discounted dishes.

"Tamamo-kun, what were those discounted dishes that Auntie packed for you before?"

Hearing this, Tamamo Yuki felt a little embarrassed and whispered, "Those are the dishes that don't look very appealing."

"Usually, the vegetables that are left over by the customers are discounted when the stall closes for the last time. But the auntie here is very kind. She used to see that I always came to buy vegetables very late, so she started selling me the flawed vegetables earlier so that I could cook and eat sooner and not have to wait until the stall closes for the discounts when I was hungry."

"So that's it..."

Anze Liang has high emotional intelligence and understood that Tamamo-san didn't not want to eat pretty dishes, but was trying to save money.