Chapter 194
Cocoro stared at Mineo with a face full of curiosity, while Nico spoke up.
"Cocoro-chan... this person is a good friend of mine!"
"You can just call him Mineo-onichan!"
Faced with her little sister, Nico radiated a gentleness that was hard to put into words. She knelt down and softly smoothed Cocoro's hair.
Then, she picked out a pair of guest slippers for Mineo.
"Mineo-kun, please come in."
"Is that Nico back?"
Hearing the movement outside, a very soft feminine voice drifted from the kitchen. A moment later, a woman who looked like an adult version of Nico stepped out.
"Oh? We have a guest visiting?"
"Nico, is this boy your friend?"
Seeing her mother looking at Mineo with curiosity, Nico's face flushed red. She turned her head away and said in a quiet voice.
"Mama... he... he's my friend."
"Just call him Mineo."
"Mineo? That sounds very nice. Does Nico know a boy from China too?"
Nico's mother smiled, then turned to Mineo.
"Hello, Mineo-kun! I am Nico's mother, Yazawa Nanako... and this is my second daughter, Cocoro."
"Nico has never brought a friend home to visit before. Having Mineo-kun over really makes us happy. Please don't be too formal, have a seat while I go get some tea..."
"Mama... I—I'll get the tea. Mineo-kun actually came here specifically to see you..."
"Please talk to him for a bit!"
After Nico blurted that out, she hurriedly ran into the kitchen in embarrassment. Before she disappeared, she made sure to pull away the curious-looking Cocoro as well.
Once both daughters had left, Yazawa Nanako sat down on the sofa, tucking her legs together neatly as she looked at him inquisitively.
"Mineo-kun came here specifically to see me?"
"Is there something you'd like to say to me?"
"Hello, Ma'am. Actually, the reason I came here with Nico is that I have something I'd like to consult with you about."
Mineo looked at Yazawa Nanako and began the explanation he had prepared earlier.
"Ma'am, Nico and I are good friends; we've known each other for three years. A few days ago, for certain reasons, I came to Tokyo with the intention of developing a business in the retail sector. I've opened a few shop units here in Tokyo, not far from your home, over in the Akihabara area."
"Among the shops I manage, one of them is a supermarket. To be honest, I don't understand the first thing about supermarket operations, so the business is in a bit of a sorry state... plus, I usually have other business to attend to and don't have time to oversee the supermarket personally. I happened to hear from Nico that you were once chosen as the top employee at a supermarket, so I figured you must have a very deep understanding of supermarket management."
"Therefore, my goal in visiting today is to ask for your help—to ask you to take on the position of manager at the supermarket I'm running."
Hearing Mineo's words, Yazawa Nanako was stunned. A few seconds later, she gave a helpless smile.
"I thought Mineo-kun was just like Nico, still a student. I didn't expect that at such a young age, you'd already be doing business in society."
"You really are an accomplished young man."
"Regarding supermarket management, I do understand it quite well. If there's ever anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me anytime."
"But as for becoming a manager or anything like that... I don't think I can. As Mineo-kun can see, I still have two little daughters at home to look after. My husband was also recently injured at work, and I have to cook for him every afternoon."
"If it weren't for Nico being such a thoughtful and caring child, I might not have been able to hold things together this long. So, I simply don't have the time to serve as a manager."
In response to Yazawa Nanako's concerns, Mineo spoke up.
"I've heard about the situation from Nico as well."
"Perhaps the management habits here in Japan are different from back home in China. I prefer a management model that is more... human-centric."
"If you come to work at my shop, you can bring Cocoro and her little sister along with you. As long as the daily work is finished, I don't mind if you have the kids with you or if you need to head home early."
"My shop truly needs the help of a professional like you. Please, don't turn down my request."
Hearing this, Yazawa Nanako realized something.
It seemed her daughter's friend already knew about her family's struggles and had chosen this indirect way to help Nico?
Just as Yazawa Nanako was about to say a few more words to Mineo, Nico emerged from the kitchen carrying tea.
"Mom, please say yes to Mineo-kun!"
"I saw his shop earlier—this idiot is actually doing a terrible job running it. If things stay the way they are, the shop will probably go bankrupt in a few months. Since this guy is my best friend... I can't just watch him go broke."
Yazawa Nanako: "..."
After listening to her daughter's outburst, Yazawa Nanako fell silent.
After a few seconds, she finally raised her head and spoke to Mineo.
"I understand what Mineo-kun is saying. How about this... could you give me one night to think it over?"
"Once I've made a decision, I'll have Nico give you a call. Would that be alright?"
"Of course, that's no problem at all."
"If you have good news, please let me know as soon as possible. In that case, I still have other business to attend to, so I won't disturb you any longer!"
"Eh? Mineo-kun is leaving already? At least stay for a bite to eat? I happen to be cooking right now!"
"Thank you for the invitation, Ma'am, but it's really not necessary. I truly have something I need to take care of right away!"
Nico also spoke to her mother then.
"Mama, this guy really does have something important to do. Next time he visits, we can treat him properly then!"
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