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Chapter 264: She from the Future
🕑 Added 2025-04-05 09:01:50 +0000 UTCMinami fell silent.
From the details in Matsuzaka Shio's letter—
He could confirm a few things.
In this particular future route, he had been involved with Matsuzaka Satou.
And they had a child.
But—
If this followed the simulation, Matsuzaka Satou feared motherhood.
She never wanted to have a child, let alone raise one alone.
Which meant—
She must have been terrified. So much so that she ran away while pregnant rather than stay with him.
And afterward—
She struggled to raise their child alone, working herself to death.
Minami exhaled.
This was… unbelievable.
Even Akane and Mirai, standing beside him, wore similarly stunned expressions.
Especially Mirai.
She had never imagined her father had such a past.
And she had never imagined she had an older sister—
Who had grown up without ever knowing a father's love.
Even taking on part-time jobs while attending school…
For Mirai, who had lived a life of luxury since birth, such a thing was completely unimaginable.
She glanced at the letter on the phone screen, then at Minami, who had remained silent all this time.
After hesitating for a while, she finally spoke.
"Dad… this… Shio, she…"
"I know what you're trying to say."
Minami, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
He turned to look at Mirai and said, "It's true—I failed her."
Even if it was his future self—
The fact remained that he had failed in his duty as a father.
"N-no, it's not like that…"
Akane coughed lightly from the side, offering words of comfort in a soft voice.
"Look, the letter clearly says it—Matsuzaka Satou left of her own will after being with Minami-kun… Japan isn't that big, but if someone wants to disappear, it's easy to do so. Minami-kun, you don't have to blame yourself over this."
Her words made sense.
After all, it was Matsuzaka Satou's 'pregnant runaway' act that had led to all of this.
But—
"Blaming everything on my wife wouldn't make me a good husband."
Minami shook his head. "If I had been more attentive… If I had noticed that she wanted to leave, things wouldn't have turned out this way."
He wasn't looking for excuses.
Because the truth was—
He had always known Matsuzaka Satou was emotionally unstable.
And yet, he still let her slip away right under his nose.
That, in itself, was already a failure on his part.
Hearing his words, both Akane and Mirai fell silent.
Clearly—
Neither of them knew how to comfort him.
However—
"Why do you both look like that?"
To their surprise, Minami suddenly lifted his head, glancing at them with a puzzled expression.
"Eh…?"
Both Akane and Mirai blinked, momentarily stunned by his sudden change in demeanor.
After exchanging uncertain looks, it was Akane who carefully spoke up first.
"Uh… Minami-kun, aren't you upset?"
"I mean, after reading that letter… Who wouldn't be upset?"
Minami stated it as if it were obvious.
"Then…"
Akane and Mirai stared at him, confused by how he seemed to have regained his composure so quickly.
"It's not that complicated."
Minami continued, "At the end of the day, this is something that happens in the future. And since it's something that happens in the future…"
He paused for a moment.
Then—
"That means it can be changed."
His expression shifted.
His voice carried nothing but calm determination—an unshakable confidence that had a strangely reassuring effect.
Hearing those words, and the certainty in his voice—
Mirai was stunned.
She instinctively looked at her father.
And in that moment—
She finally began to understand.
She finally understood why her mother—who had been such an exceptional student—had fallen so hopelessly in love with this man.
Because the person before her was someone who had never once run away from his responsibilities.
Minami didn't say anything more.
He simply reached out, gently scrolling through the phone screen with his fingertip.
Eventually, the image on the screen froze—
It was a picture of Matsuzaka Shio, tilting her head upward.
Before, Minami hadn't understood what she had been looking at in that moment.
But now…
He thought he finally did.
Perhaps, hidden beneath her expressionless face—
Was a sense of deep regret. And at the same time, an unspeakable envy.
She was the same age as her sisters standing on that stage for their coming-of-age ceremony—
But all she could do was stand in the audience, looking up at them.
There must have been resentment.
Maybe even bitterness toward him as a father.
After all, she had been right there at the ceremony.
And yet, he—her father—hadn't recognized her at all.
Minami thought back to the words she had written in her letter.
'I will remember my mother's wish and live on.'
She had said that.
But in her heart, what had she truly felt?
She must have hated him, at least a little.
Because as a father—he had been utterly incompetent.
He had never supported her. Never reached out to her. Never given her even the smallest bit of fatherly love.
What had Matsuzaka Shio truly felt?
Minami didn't know.
All he could do—
Was imagine.
To picture it through this single photograph.
To think about it through a letter that had run out of space before she could finish writing everything she wanted to say.
He let out a quiet sigh.
Right now, more than anything—
He wished he could travel through time.
Not to change everything—
But at the very least, to give Matsuzaka Shio the same peaceful, stable life her sisters had.
That was all.
And then—
[Ding— You have obtained the 'Alternative Route Card'— "The Girl from the Future."]
A crisp notification sound suddenly echoed in his ears.
"…Huh?"
Minami's expression shifted in mild surprise.
Lowering Mirai's phone, he looked up at the translucent blue simulator screen that had appeared in front of him.
['Alternative Route Card'— "The Girl from the Future"]
[A soul trembles. A heart filled with words left unsaid. But those days will never return.]
[Everything resets. You and her will be nothing more than strangers. No matter how much regret lingers, it can only remain on a single sheet of paper.]
[In the photograph, she is silent, looking upward.]
[Envy? Happiness? Jealousy? Resentment…?]
[If time were to turn once more—though not all regrets can be erased—what choice will you make this time?]
[One-time item. Cost: 1200 Heartthrob Points. By activating this route card, you will travel to that time… Perhaps, there is still a chance to save her.]
1200 Heartthrob Points?
"The Girl from the Future"?
This simulator screen made it very clear—
If he used this "Alternative Route Card," he would have a chance to fix things between him and Matsuzaka Shio.
But—
1200 points was a lot.
Even with his recent progress in his relationship with Matsuzaka Satou, he had only accumulated around 1890 points.
1200 points could fund four full simulations.
Even a Direct simulation experience would only cost that much.
Was it really worth using such a valuable item to change a future that hadn't even happened yet?
"It's worth it!"
Minami made his decision instantly, without the slightest hesitation.
The moment he had finished reading Matsuzaka Shio's letter, there had been a fire burning inside him—one that had nowhere to go.
And now, with this chance suddenly appearing in front of him—he wasn't going to waste it.
1200 points?
So what?
Even if it was a future that had yet to happen—
If there was even the slightest chance to fix it, he wouldn't hesitate.
He handed Mirai's phone back to her before turning to Akane.
"Akane, I'm feeling a little tired. Can I take a nap here?"
"Eh…? I mean, I don't mind, but…"
Akane gave him a puzzled look.
Just a moment ago, he had been fired up about changing the future—
And now he suddenly wanted to sleep?
Still, she had no reason to refuse.
Besides…
This was his first time sleeping at her house.
Maybe she could sneak a few pictures of his sleeping face while he was out.
With Akane's permission and Mirai's lack of objections—
Minami laid down, finding a comfortable position.
Then, his gaze shifted to the "Alternative Route Card"—
[The Girl from the Future].
Without a moment's hesitation—
Minami clicked.
[Would you like to spend 1200 Heartthrob Points to activate this item? Yes / No?]
The simulator's prompt appeared before his eyes.
Without a hint of hesitation, Minami pressed 'Yes.'
His consciousness began to sink.
At the same time, flashes of images and simulation text flickered before his eyes.
[Time node default set to: Minami Sisters' Coming-of-Age Ceremony.]
["The Girl from the Future" activated.]
The scene before him shifted—
A grand banquet hall.
Lavish decorations.
A bustling crowd.
Tables adorned with extravagant dishes.
In the corners, guests engaged in hushed conversations, their voices brimming with excitement.
The atmosphere was one of pure celebration.
For everyone present, this joy was only natural—
Because today was the coming-of-age ceremony for the daughters of the Minami family.
From afar, he could spot familiar figures—
The Yamada parents, the Gotoh parents, Ijichi Seika—
All gathered together, chatting as relatives of the Minami family.
And at the head of the venue—
There they sat, the wives of Minami—each one beautiful, mature, and radiant.
Shouji Hitori, her soft pink hair cascading down her shoulders, her gentle demeanor exuding fragility and elegance.
Shouji Nijika , now sporting a high ponytail, her eyes still gleaming with her signature bright energy.
Shouji Ryo, cold and expressionless—an untouchable high-class lady.
Shouji Ikuyo, ever the social butterfly, chatting and engaging with the guests with ease.
Shouji Rio, graceful and composed, exuding intellectual charm.
Shouji Akane, her small devilish smirk hinting at her mischievous nature.
Time had left no scars on their faces—
It had only made them more captivating.
And beside them—
A group of younger girls, brimming with youthful vitality, chattered excitedly.
They debated which karaoke bar to visit next, where to go for a yakiniku and drinks.
These six girls were the stars of the evening—
The Shouji sisters.
Tonight was their grand coming-of-age celebration.
A ceremony their family had spared no expense in organizing.
And among the crowd, their friends showered them with congratulations.
But—
"None of this has anything to do with me."
Standing in the corner, Matsuzaka Shio tilted her head, watching everything unfold.
Her gaze was unnervingly calm.
She had thought—
That witnessing this moment would stir something within her.
That her heart would be shaken.
But just like her late mother—
She felt nothing.
Even though she was also a child of the Minami family.
Even though their blood ran through her veins.
She thought to herself—
Since this was a coming-of-age ceremony for the Shouji daughters—
Then, after tonight…
Would she also be considered an adult?
And if she was now an adult—
Then perhaps it was time to let go.
To accept the truth—
That she was neither acknowledged nor loved by anyone.
Matsuzaka Shio remained silent, watching everything unfold before her—
Waiting for it to end.
But then—
"Do you have a moment to talk?"
A voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
Startled, Matsuzaka Shio turned around—
And saw him.
A tall, handsome man, dressed in a refined spring suit, stood before her with a gentle smile.
Minami.
