I_LOVE_RICE+
patreon
Chapter 233 – Yoyoko Ohtsuki Is Very Conflicted
🕑 Added 2025-03-29 09:26:05 +0000 UTC"Mm... And also, Minami is my boyfriend."
The moment Ryo Yamada said those words, the atmosphere changed in an instant.
Minami Shouji couldn't help but glance at her—still piggybacked on his back.
From any angle, Ryo was clearly one of those people who couldn't read the room at all.
As if sensing his gaze, Ryo lowered her voice and leaned close, whispering, "It's fine, Minami. My dad actually has a pretty good impression of you."
"...…" Minami.
Thanks for the reassuring reminder, Ryo…
But honestly, there was no need to panic.
Like she said, she's his girlfriend—and he's her boyfriend.
As for meeting her parents… that was something bound to happen eventually.
Ryo just happened to drop that bombshell unexpectedly, catching him off guard.
Still, Minami was used to staying composed. He took a moment to reset, then looked up and addressed Ryo's father again.
"Just as Ryo said—I'm her boyfriend."
"Hello, Minami-kun. Is it alright if I call you that?" Ryo's father, just as she claimed, didn't seem angry at all. He smiled warmly and nodded at Minami.
"Of course. Please call me whatever's comfortable."
"I understand the situation now. But before we continue chatting—could you set my daughter down first?"
Ryo was still stubbornly clinging to Minami's back, which clearly wasn't appropriate.
Minami nodded. "Of course."
He turned to Ryo.
Ryo pretended not to hear, turning her head away, as if she hadn't noticed the conversation.
But under Minami's firm, silent gaze, she reluctantly slid off his back, face unreadable.
"…Really now…"
Seeing his rebellious daughter so meekly obey Minami, Ryo's father couldn't help but sigh.
His once unruly daughter… had clearly met someone she truly liked.
Once Ryo adjusted her skirt, her father continued, "I believe this is our first time meeting, Minami-kun?"
"Yes, sir."
Other than in simulations, this was indeed their first real meeting.
Her father was a man of status, running a private hospital—always busy.
"I want to thank you, Minami-kun."
He bowed slightly. "For your warning."
"…My warning? Oh—that."
Minami looked puzzled, then quickly realized.
Right—he'd warned Ryo, under the guise of being a "medium," about her father's hidden lung condition.
In the simulation, the man had passed away from it.
Thanks to Minami's warning in real life, he'd gone for tests early and received treatment before things got serious.
His treatment must be over now.
No wonder Ryo said her dad had a good impression of him...
"It was just a simple heads-up, Mr. Yamada. You don't need to dwell on it."
"Perhaps for you—but if I hadn't caught it in time, it could've been life-threatening. I'm grateful."
"In that case, I also owe you thanks for helping me with the orphanage. I haven't forgotten."
They shook hands, both men smiling.
Ryo's father was clearly well-educated, polite, refined—nothing like a typical "daughter-con".
But Minami knew better. The "calm gentleman" act was a facade.
Through the simulations, he knew just how much Ryo's parents doted on her.
He was ready for the real test to come.
Sure enough, after just a few minutes of small talk, Ryo's father turned to her.
"Ryo-chan, go on home first. Your mother's worried—you've been out so long."
"...But, Minami..."
"Don't worry, I just want to have a quick word with Minami-kun."
"No." At her father's words, Ryo Yamada frowned. "I'm staying here."
"...Ryo-chan..." Mr. Yamada sighed.
Because of how he and his wife had spoiled their daughter, Ryo had always been this way—stubborn and headstrong, often leaving them at a loss.
Just as the situation became tense, Minami Shouji finally spoke:
"Ryo, it's alright. Go on ahead. I'll chat with your father for a bit."
"..." Ryo Yamada.
Standing under the streetlight, head tilted in thought, she finally nodded.
"If Minami says so, fine."
Without further fuss, she picked up her bass case and walked toward her family's mansion.
Watching her retreating back, Mr. Yamada let out a sigh.
"Seems like Ryo-chan really is quite fond of you, Minami-kun."
Minami didn't respond.
Because aside from the emotion of melancholy in Mr. Yamada's tone, he could also detect a hint of jealousy.
"You probably don't know this..."
Mr. Yamada turned back toward Minami.
"Ryo-chan doesn't listen to just anyone. The fact that she listened to you... it's really something."
Even he couldn't get her to listen at home.
In fact, as a self-proclaimed doting father, he was the one often getting bossed around.
Just thinking about this—and seeing how differently Ryo treated Minami compared to him—Mr. Yamada felt like he'd bitten into a lemon. Sour, yet unable to say anything.
Still, this wasn't the time for that.
He steadied himself and asked,
"Minami-kun, could you tell me about how you came to Tokyo?"
"It's nothing special," Minami replied with a smile, briefly recounting his journey from the countryside and how he met Ryo and the others.
"I wasn't asking about that," Mr. Yamada interrupted.
"I'm curious about your academics. Ryo mentioned your grades—you ranked first in the national mock exams?"
"Yeah, that's true."
"...Impressive."
Mr. Yamada nodded, visibly satisfied.
Ranking first nationwide—even if Minami came from a modest background, he had nothing to worry about. With those skills, getting into Tokyo University would be a breeze.
Once Minami graduated, Mr. Yamada figured he could leverage his network to get him a good position, guide his career, and later hand over his private hospital to Minami when he and his wife retired.
Minami could then settle down with Ryo, have kids, and Mr. Yamada would live leisurely as a grandfather.
Perfect life plan.
Even at first meeting, Minami's social finesse and attentiveness had left a positive impression.
But this was still just Mr. Yamada's preliminary assessment.
Whether Minami and Ryo would truly end up together was yet to be determined.
He smiled, choosing his words carefully:
"I understand the situation now. You're excellent, Minami-kun. I can see why Ryo chose you. As her father, I don't intend to interfere."
"I just have one request—please don't hurt Ryo-chan, or make her cry."
He held up a finger—a universal request from every parent.
Minami nodded firmly. "I understand."
"Good."
Mr. Yamada eyed him up and down, clearly satisfied with his handsome and dependable appearance. He gave Minami a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Come by earlier next time—Ryo's mother should meet you too."
"I will, if I get the chance."
Minami smiled.
Looks like his earlier health warning had indeed left a great impression.
In the simulations, Mr. Yamada only approved of Minami dating Ryo after he entered Tokyo University.
After a few more exchanges, Minami finally took his leave.
Reflecting on the day's twists and turns, Minami could only sigh.
"...At least I got through it."
Declining Mr. Yamada's offer of a ride, he strolled through Shimokitazawa's night streets, stretching.
The simulation with Rio Futaba had ended.
Next...
"It's about the 10th Generation Music Festival and preparing for senior year university entrance exams, right?"
Minami felt no pressure about entering his final year of high school.
In his simulation memories, he had taken Tokyo University entrance exams countless times.
He practically had the exam questions memorized.
If Hitori Gotoh, Ryo Yamada, or any of the other girls ended up struggling to get into a top university,
Minami figured he'd just hand them the answer keys to the Tokyo University tests.
Since he'd cheated via simulation, there was no reason not to share the wealth.
Unfortunately, his simulation memories were limited to personal experiences.
Stuff like sports betting or lottery numbers—no dice.
He didn't gamble or buy lottery tickets, so he couldn't remember such things.
Otherwise, he'd already be living the good life.
"Enough daydreaming."
Minami shook his head, focusing on the 10th Generation Music Festival.
That was what truly deserved his attention right now.
If he could, he would have liked to be like those protagonists who knew the future,
guiding the girls of Kessoku Band to an unbeatable victory.
But—
"This music festival is yet another butterfly effect event."
Minami sighed.
In the simulation, Kessoku Band had participated in a music festival.
But that was not this 10th Generation Music Festival.
He remembered very clearly that it was a different event.
In other words, he had no recollection of this current 10-20 year-old exclusive music competition.
"I'll have to trust them on this one."
Minami shook his head again, dismissing his unease.
He would do everything he could to help Kessoku Band.
And he fully trusted the girls.
"So the music festival's set... next is..."
He murmured, raising a finger to pull up the simulation interface.
Under his gaze—
His previously meager affection points had risen to...
"1,660 points, huh?"
Staring at the astonishingly high affection score, Minami remained surprisingly calm.
In fact, he thought it was a bit low.
After all, he had slept with Gotoh.
And just recently, he'd had a romantic moment with Ryo Yamada.
He regularly teased science girl Rio Futaba, and rich girl Akane Shinjo hadn't been neglected either.
He still stopped by to cook part-time for Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue too.
1,660 points?
Honestly, not great—but not terrible either.
He realized that as his relationships deepened, it took more intimate interactions to raise affection.
Hand-holding used to suffice. Now, he probably needed kisses and more.
Minami felt conflicted.
On the one hand, getting closer to the girls was great.
But on the other, slow affection growth was frustrating.
"Let's just take it one step at a time."
Despite the dilemma, Minami didn't dwell on it.
He closed the simulation window and walked back to the "STARRY" livehouse.
Meanwhile, in Shinjuku, at a venue called Shinjuku Folt,
someone was more conflicted than Minami—
"Hiroi-senpai has been acting so weird lately!"
Yoyoko Ohtsuki threw her hands up in torment.
"She keeps going to this place called Stardust to see some no-name band called Kessoku Band. Does she... not love me anymore?!"
"This is serious! We need to investigate thoroughly! Start with Twitter, YouTube, anything!"
Declaring her mission, Yoyoko Ohtsuki turned to her bandmates, ready to dig up the truth.
