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Chapter 248: Yandere Simulation Begins!
🕑 Added 2025-03-31 16:52:32 +0000 UTCSatou Matsuzaka seemed different from your typical yandere girl.
That was Minami's first impression, his first real impression after properly speaking with Satou Matsuzaka for the first time (since yesterday at the clinic didn't count, as they barely exchanged words).
Minami could clearly sense it, this pink-haired girl, when facing him, carried emotions that were a strange mix of confusion, uncertainty, and curiosity, almost like she was trying to figure something out.
It was as if she were a blank page.
A pure, unblemished sheet suddenly struck by something she had never experienced before, leaving her baffled by her own emotions...
Yeah, it felt exactly like that.
Someone whose mind was still a complete blank slate.
You could say she'd be easy to handle or incredibly hard.
Easy, in the sense that if someone guided her correctly, led her in the right direction, she'd follow that path without resistance.
Hard, because if things went wrong, if you mishandled her, even just once.
She'd spiral straight down an extreme path.
A true binary switch, one or the other.
Destroy herself, or destroy someone else and until he fully figured out her personality—
"I should keep my distance."
Minami made his decision.
Keep away from Satou Matsuzaka, no unnecessary closeness.
Of course, If she happened to lose interest and take her eyes off him... that would be ideal. The perfect outcome.
But if she wouldn't, Minami had countermeasures ready.
"At the core, whether it's a yandere or a blank-slate girl, it all comes down to mental instability."
He lightly tapped his desk, his gaze steady.
After a moment, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.
As the call connected, a mischievous, energetic voice answered on the other end:
"Hi hi! This is Daddy's favorite daughter, Shouji Mirai! Need a cuddle? Text 1. Need a snuggle? Text 2. Need a kiss, just Text 3. Need—"
"I'm hanging up."
Minami's face didn't change as he cut her off.
"Eh? W-Wait, wait!" came a flustered response.
Then came the predictable whining: "I was just joking! Come on, Dad! Can't you take a little joke from your daughter? If you keep this up, your daughter will be the only woman who ever likes you!"
"I don't think it's funny when my twenty-one-year-old daughter jokes about wanting physical affection from her father."
Minami shook his head, exasperated.
His daughter, Mirai, was undeniably a beauty, no question there.
But anyone who really knew her...
Would realize that aside from her looks and above-average intelligence, she had basically no other redeeming qualities.
Still... whatever.
Minami let her usual "daddy complex" antics slide and got to the point.
"By the way, Mirai, back in your time... do you know anyone named Satou Matsuzaka?"
That's right.
He figured he might as well ask Mirai.
Maybe she knew something, maybe Satou Matsuzaka existed in her timeline.
But—
"Hm? Satou Matsuzaka? That a girl's name?"
Minami's hope was dashed.
Mirai didn't show even a flicker of recognition at the name. In fact, she seemed confused.
Not surprising.
Minami rubbed his forehead, slightly disappointed.
Meeting Satou Matsuzaka in the first place had required him to visit Tokyo's General Medical Hospital to resolve Karasawa Yuka's health issue...
On the way back, he'd run into that pink-haired girl.
But in Minami Mirai's worldline, without her pointing it out, Minami wouldn't have known that Karasawa Yuka was hospitalized at Tokyo General Medical Hospital.
Since he never went to the hospital to solve Karasawa Yuka's health issue, the chance meeting with Satou Matsuzaka on the way home would never have happened.
"If you don't know, forget it. I'm in class. Hanging up."
Minami hadn't gotten any intel from Mirai, and he wasn't about to dwell on it. His tone was flat.
"Ah… okay…"
Mirai seemed to pick up on the change in his mood. For once, she didn't say much—just replied gently, "Got it, Dad. Talk later."
Call ended.
Minami slid his phone back into his pocket.
Now he needed to figure out another way to get information on Satou Matsuzaka.
But the more he thought about it, the harder it seemed.
Honestly—
Trying to understand someone's personality without interacting with them at all… was already tough.
But…
"There is one way."
Minami rested his chin on his hand, reached out, and opened the simulator page.
Exactly.
For most people, it was practically impossible to understand someone without contact.
But for Minami, who had the simulator, It wasn't so hard.
If he didn't want to interact in reality, then he'd just have to understand her thoughts, emotions, and mental state through simulation.
"Current Heartthrob Points…"
He swiped open the simulator list.
He currently had 1,750 points.
His brief interaction with Satou Matsuzaka earlier had bumped the total up again.
"Well, this is…"
Minami couldn't help but marvel a bit.
In a way, that pink-haired girl was a Heartthrob Point generator.
From just a short exchange, the message [You gained 30 Heartthrob Points from Satou Matsuzaka] had popped up again and again.
"1,750 points, huh…"
Minami nodded, thoughtful.
In that case… time to run the first simulation.
He adjusted his posture for comfort, then reached out again.
[Simulation Subject: Satou Matsuzaka]
[Start simulation? Yes/No?]
'Yes!'
No hesitation. He chose Yes.
In front of Minami, the deep-blue simulation screen lit up.
[After resolving Karasawa Yuka's illness and introducing your daughter to Akane Shinjo to settle some chaos, you encountered heavy rain on your way home.]
[It was sudden, torrential rain.]
[Winter's cold rain swept in with a biting wind, icy droplets falling like a black curtain from the sky.]
[A week after recovering from your own illness, you wisely bought an umbrella—and in that downpour, you met her… the pink-haired woman named Satou Matsuzaka.]
[It was likely fate. In the rain, the pink-haired girl collapsed. Feeling uncharacteristically soft-hearted, you took her to a clinic. After she fully recovered, you left without a word.]
[Because you had a gut feeling—this girl was completely different. Without even a conversation, she was already bewitched by your natural charm, hopelessly drawn in.]
[This was not normal.]
[When she invited you to eat with her, you refused without hesitation. You had no desire to get involved.]
[But even just sitting at your desk, you couldn't help but be curious because of her extraordinary trait.]
[Still, you didn't feel uneasy. Your confidence told you, you could handle her.]
[Your after-school plan: Choose—]
1. Go to LycoReco Café.
2. Go to STARRY performance hall.
3. Flirt with Akane Shinjo or science-nerd girl Rio Futaba.
4. Simulate it Yourself!
"So it starts with choices, huh?"
Three sudden options flashed across the screen, making Minami's eyebrows twitch.
At first glance, these options seemed totally random—just choices about where to go after school. They didn't appear to hold any particular significance.
But Minami instinctively sensed something was off.
Satou Matsuzaka had just invited him to eat with her, hoping he'd accompany her that afternoon.
"And now, right after I rejected her… I'm getting options about where to go later today. Could this mean… Satou Matsuzaka, after being turned down, might follow me to one of these locations?"
It seemed highly possible.
Judging from what he'd seen of Satou's personality today—
She might very well do something stalker-like.
In that case…
"Normally, I'd pick Option 1."
Minami glanced at the first choice.
Yes, if this simulation were about building a happy ending with Satou Matsuzaka, no doubt he'd pick LycoReco Café.
After all, neither Chisato Nishikigi nor Takina Inoue—regardless of how yandere Satou might be—could be bested by her. Their quick reflexes and sharp instincts put her at a clear disadvantage.
But this time, the goal wasn't to romance Satou Matsuzaka—it was to understand her.
Minami thought for a moment, then selected Option 2—go to STARRY.
Not only did this match the simulation choice—it also aligned with his actual afternoon plans.
After all, Kessoku Band had been busy these past two days with demo recordings and music video editing for the music festival.
Minami had picked up some editing skills from simulations, and could lend a hand.
So, going to STARRY after school made sense.
Since the goal was to gauge Satou Matsuzaka's intent, following his real-life plans in the simulation seemed safest.
Even if something went wrong in the simulation, it wouldn't matter.
But in real life? That would be a disaster.
Minami focused, sinking fully into the simulation.
[Kessoku Band has been busy working on demo recordings and MV editing. As a tenant living at STARRY and a partner of the band, you naturally want to contribute.]
[You decide to head to STARRY.]
[The atmosphere at STARRY is as lively as ever.]
[The girls of Kessoku Band rely on you heavily. Occasionally, Ryo Yamada and the others engage in casual physical contact—nothing unusual for you.]
[You think nothing of it, it's become part of your everyday routine.]
[In no time, you and two fans of Hitori Gotoh finish editing the MV.]
[Your attention to detail and perfect work on the MV leaves a deep impression. The two fans eagerly exchange Line contacts with you.]
[Then, it's time for Kessoku Band's performance.]
[You're at the well-lit front counter, flipping through a novel while occasionally glancing at Gotoh and the others on stage.]
[To you, it seemed like an ordinary, peaceful day, just like always.]
"Hmm?"
Minami blinked.
Wait…
Did that text just say 'seemed' like?
"..."
That one word seemed ominous.
He tensed, watching how the simulation unfolded.
[You watch the band finish their performance, setting your book down as they step off stage.]
[Everything feels routine.]
[That is, if you hadn't seen that fleeting glimpse, a flash of pink hair in the crowd.]
[The figure looked familiar.]
[But in the chaos of the flashing lights, you couldn't be sure.]
[On one hand, Kessoku Band had just finished their show. On the other, that brief glimpse, a familiar pink-haired figure.]
[Your next move will shape the future... You decide—]
1. No doubt it's just your imagination. Satou's just a girl, there's no way she's following you. Focus on the band.
2. Forget it—go after her.
3. Oh, Yamada-san just texted, wants cuddles and kisses. Better tend to her first.
4. Simulate directly.
Another three options.
Minami's brow twitched.
Just as he suspected, exactly as he thought.
Satou Matsuzaka… this pink-haired girl who had only met him for a single day… no, not even met, they'd barely exchanged a couple of sentences.
And yet, on just their first day of contact, she had the nerve to follow him...
That level of boldness…
Minami took a deep breath, eyes scanning the three options.
Their meanings were clear.
Option One: Stay at STARRY and help out the girls of Kessoku Band.
Option Two: Say nothing, follow Satou Matsuzaka.
Option Three… well, the ever-present Yamada Ryo goddess once again asserting her dominance, pick it and he'd probably end up on Yamada Ryo's route.
If this were real life, Minami might have hesitated between One and Two.
Following Satou Matsuzaka...
That was risky, no matter how you looked at it.
But this was a simulation—
No real danger.
Without a second glance, Minami selected Option Two.
[Whether or not that was Satou Matsuzaka's figure, you have a duty to find out.]
[On one hand, you're wary of her developing dangerous thoughts toward the World's No.1 Pretty Boy that is you.]
[On the other hand, you worry she might secretly tail the girls of Kessoku Band when you're not around.]
[Either way, you have to find out who it is.]
[Without hesitation, relying on your skills and well-honed physical ability, you quickly catch up to the girl who left STARRY.]
[Under Tokyo's neon glow, you clearly see her face.]
[It's Satou Matsuzaka, the very girl who invited you out today.]
[You stride forward and call out to her.]
[She seems a bit surprised at the sound of your voice but doesn't flee. Instead, she stops, standing still, waiting for you to approach.]
In reality, Minami closed his eyes.
The simulation's memories played vividly in his mind.
Tokyo streets alive with people, cars streaming by.
Distant traffic lights blinking in the haze.
"Didn't expect that in such dim light, Minami-senpai would still recognize me."
Beneath the streetlights, the pink-haired girl smiled sweetly, her pink eyes sparkling like a galaxy.
"Just caught a glimpse, thought it might be you, so I followed," Minami answered calmly, then tilted his head. "Didn't think you'd be into rock music, Satou-san."
His tone held mild surprise, steady and unshaken.
Minami didn't outright ask her why she was following him, too foolish. No one in their right mind would admit to being a stalker, right?
Instead, he took a different approach, subtle probing.
"Ah… I've always listened to rock music."
Satou's serene, gentle smile never wavered.
Her doll-like face remained flawless—no trace of deceit.
Minami raised a brow.
Just as he thought.
She wasn't the type to reveal her true intentions easily.
As he prepared to continue—
"But, even though I've always listened to it, today was my first time hearing rock live, in an underground venue."
Satou walked forward, elegant and composed, her expression soft and clear. She didn't look at all like someone who should be wandering Tokyo streets at this hour.
"Is that so?"
Minami glanced at her. "Just wanted a change of pace? So you stopped by to catch a show?"
"Nope—"
Satou stopped walking, her smile calm and peaceful as she said:
"I followed Minami-senpai here."
"…Huh?"
Minami halted as well.
He turned to face her.
For some reason—
In that moment—
It felt like Satou Matsuzaka's entire aura shifted.
Beneath that calm, smiling mask—
He could sense something raging underneath, like a tidal wave of emotion.
The more serene and gentle her face appeared—
The more clearly he felt it: that dangerous, obsessive drive hiding beneath the surface, willing to throw everything away for something.
Minami didn't panic.
But his brow furrowed slightly, his sharp features darkening.
"Minami-senpai."
"What is it?"
His tone remained calm, as always.
"May I ask… what exactly is your relationship with those girls from the band just now?"
Her lips pulled into a smile.
The pink-haired girl stepped closer, tilting her head up as she asked.
[The girl standing before you is, without a doubt, abnormal.]
[Compared to most people, she's clearly missing something… 'normal.']
[You know this all too well.]
[She's asked you a question. Your response—]
1. Tell her everything straight up. "They're my harem members!"
2. "Why should I report my relationships to you? Woman, you're meddling too much."
3. "Don't speak. Kiss me, honeybuns."
4. Simulate it Yourself!
The options, suddenly appeared, neatly arranged before him!
