Chapter 195
Hearing Nico speak like that, Yazawa Nanako could only turn to Mineo with a helpless expression.
"Since things have turned out this way, I suppose there is no other choice."
"Mineo-kun, the next time you visit, please make sure to let us host you properly."
...
After Mineo took his leave, Yazawa Nanako called Nico into the living room.
Once mother and daughter were seated together, Yazawa Nanako looked at Nico and offered a gentle smile.
"Time really flies. Nico has already started to grow up so much."
At her mother's words, Nico's face flushed bright red. Feeling a wave of self-consciousness, she averted her gaze, not daring to look her mother in the eye.
"Mom... Mom, what... what is that supposed to mean? Why... why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
"It's nothing, really. I just suddenly felt a bit sentimental."
Watching her daughter's cute profile with deep affection, Yazawa Nanako thought for a moment before continuing.
"What kind of boy do you think Mineo-kun is, Nico?"
"Wh-What's with that question, Mom? Why... why are we talking about Mineo all of a sudden?"
"Because I feel that Mineo-kun is a very gentle, handsome, and considerate young man. Being friends with him must make you very happy."
Hearing her mother's praise, Nico grew even more flustered. She bit her lip softly, her voice trembling slightly.
"Mom... You... you shouldn't be fooled by that guy's outward appearance."
"He... he's actually a huge jerk who bullies me every single day. A few days ago, he even pretended to be a bad guy just to scare me!"
"Nico... Nico hates him the most!"
"Oh? You hate him the most?"
Yazawa Nanako wore a faint, knowing smile.
"Mineo-kun seems to be the very first close friend Nico has brought home since you were little."
"Talking about a friend behind their back like that is quite rude, you know."
Seeing the deep meaning behind her mother's smile, Nico began to panic.
"Mom, don't... don't talk about that guy anymore."
"Let's... let's talk about something else."
"Like, about Mineo-kun's request for you to work at his shop. What do you think, Mom?"
"Even though I pretty much hate... hate that guy, it would be a shame to let his shop just go bankrupt like that..."
"Is Nico really hoping that I go and help Mineo-kun with his work?"
"You should be able to feel it, Nico. That boy, Mineo, knows our family's current situation isn't great, so he intentionally came up with an excuse to help us."
"Mom, that's not the main point, is it?"
"Even... even if that jerk is always bullying me, I... I still consider him a good friend. If I had to watch his shop go under with my own eyes, I... I'd feel bad."
"And didn't that guy say it himself? When you're working, you can bring my little sisters along."
"Cocoro and the others are very well-behaved. They definitely won't cause any trouble for you."
"Mom, just agree to Mineo-kun's request, okay?"
Gazing into her daughter's hopeful eyes, Yazawa Nanako fell silent. Truth be told, she was a sharp woman. At this moment, she could fully sense just how thoughtful a boy Mineo was.
Her daughter, Nico, was a girl with immense pride. Even in the face of hardship, she wouldn't show her weak side to others.
Therefore, to ensure her daughter could accept help with a clear conscience, Mineo had chosen a method that framed it as a win-win situation—one where they would both lose out if they declined—making it impossible for Nico to refuse.
It was evident from the conversation between Mineo and her daughter. He didn't seem to care much about the supermarket he had opened. If the shop went bankrupt, it likely wouldn't be a big deal for him.
However, if she went to help him, it could make the supermarket thrive. Even if the profit margins were small, it was still a good thing.
Finally, Yazawa Nanako said to Nico:
"It's been a long time since we all went out together."
"Go call Cocoro and the others. I'll take you all out for a walk."
"Really? Mom, I'll go get them right away!"
Nico stood up happily and immediately called her two cute younger sisters out from their room.
Yazawa Nanako led her three daughters out of the house. The group arrived in Akihabara, and under Nico's guidance, they entered the supermarket Mineo had opened.
The scale of the supermarket was quite large and the location was excellent. However, ever since Mineo took over the shop, his hands-off policy had caused the place to look rather unpopular in just a matter of days.
There was no other way around it; if the owner didn't care, the employees could do little more than doze off.
Yazawa Nanako looked around, feeling a bit helpless in her heart.
Just how wealthy was this boy named Mineo?
To let a shop this good go to waste like this.
If this shop were managed properly, she was certain the revenue could increase by at least five to ten times.
While her mother was surveying the premises, Nico spoke up cautiously.
"See, Mom? You can see it for yourself. Look at how lazy that guy is. If this keeps up, he's really going to waste this shop until it goes belly up."
"Please help him!"
"I can even come and help out every day after school."
"And Mineo-kun said that once Dad's leg is better, Dad can also come here to be in charge of procurement and deliveries..."
Before Yazawa Nanako could respond, Nico's younger sister, Yazawa Cocoro, spoke up with an excited face.
"Mom, are you planning to work at this supermarket?"
"This place is huge! It feels like it's going to be so much fun!"
Hearing her little sister's words, Nico knelt down and pinched Yazawa Cocoro's soft cheek.
"If Mom comes to work here, she'll be bringing you and Cocoa along."
"When that happens, you two better not make a mess for Mom to clean up."
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