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Chapter 226: Time to Deal with You Little Girls!
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 09:26:38 +0000 UTCWhat exactly was the relationship between her and Minami now?
At this point, Hitori Gotoh was once again spiraling into confusion.
Sure, last night she'd said, "Even if I'm not the first, it's okay."
But honestly, deep down, who wouldn't want to be the first?
I-I already did that kind of thing with Minami...
I-It should count as being first, right?
Hehe… Hehehe…
Thinking that, the pretty face hidden beneath her long bangs broke into a goofy smile.
But, but…
Hitori Gotoh suddenly remembered some of the dramas and anime she often watched.
Didn't they always have scenes like this?
Where after doing "it," a guy would sneer at a girl with a disgusted face and say:
"Huh? You think just because we did it once we're suddenly close? Don't flatter yourself! Stuff like that happens all the time!"
If Minami really said that—shudder—
Her whole body shook.
Come to think of it… that kind of thing could totally happen!
It's already 2025.
A normal high school girl probably has experience by now, right?
Doing it once or twice—maybe it's not even that big of a deal anymore?
Hitori Gotoh's eyes peeked out nervously from behind her overlong bangs, glancing at Minami.
B-But… if Minami did look at me with that disgusted expression, scolding me, telling me not to get cocky...
That… might actually be kind of nice?
She imagined Minami's refined face contorted into one of irritation and disdain.
There was this sharp contrast in her mind—and somehow, grumpy Minami seemed kind of hot too.
Hitori Gotoh had no idea why.
Along with fear, a strange tinge of excitement and anticipation was bubbling up inside her.
Minami, on the other hand, had no idea that Hitori Gotoh was falling down a rabbit hole of wild fantasies.
He looked at his rice bowl and was just about to ask her to pass the salt and pepper: "Hey—"
"I-I'm sorry! Thinking we'd get closer just because we did it once—I was totally out of line! I'm so sorry!"
As if some kind of switch had been flipped.
Hitori Gotoh suddenly sprang up and shouted loudly.
"Huh?"
"...Ah… s-sorry."
Minami looked at her, clearly confused, and only then did Hitori realize—
She'd mixed up fantasy and reality again.
"Sorry?"
Minami gave her a teasing look.
Forget the salt and pepper now—he rested his cheek on his hand, smiling slyly: "So that's what you wanted me to say, huh, Hitori?"
"Eh…?"
Caught red-handed, Hitori Gotoh, still in her pajamas, panicked: "No, I mean... Minami…"
"Shut it, Gotoh!"
A rough voice.
"Yes!!"
"You've been acting pretty cocky lately, haven't you?"
Hitori Gotoh froze as Minami got to his feet, glaring at her with clear displeasure.
"You stay over at my house and even try to seduce me with your body—have you even thought about what you're doing?"
Bang!
His palm slammed against the table.
The loud impact made Hitori Gotoh flinch hard.
"N-No... I mean... Minami…"
"No talking back!"
His tone was downright scary.
"Yes!"
Her body tensed instantly—Hitori Gotoh dared not say another word.
"You know how much I've thought about you? And this is what I get—some cowardly, useless behavior! Ugh! Do you want to die alone?"
"Ughhh—"
The pink-haired girl's eyes welled up with tears, her cry slipping out.
That beautiful, almost naive face had a pure, vulnerable allure.
"No crying! You useless girl! Starting tomorrow, you're gonna play guitar and earn money to support me!"
As Minami said this, he raised his hand, as if about to strike.
It looked so real.
Hitori Gotoh reflexively shut her eyes.
But then—
Flick.
"Ow—!"
A flick to her forehead.
The sting echoed lightly across her skin.
Gotoh Hitori clutched her smooth forehead, staring at Minami with a look of utter confusion.
"What's with that face?"
Minami couldn't help but chuckle.
The rough edge and fierce look from earlier had completely melted away.
"I just thought your reaction was pretty funny, so I decided to tease you a little."
Resting one hand against his cheek, Minami gently scratched at her smooth chin like he was playing with a kitten.
"Eh…? Oh."
Hearing his words, Hitori finally pieced together what had just happened.
Her head lowered, embarrassed, caught between relief and doubt.
On one hand, she was relieved that the boy who, to her, was as radiant as the sun hadn't actually acted like he did in her wild imagination. He was still the same—kind, gentle, and just as he'd always been.
On the other hand, when he said "you're gonna support me starting tomorrow," a part of her had felt an overwhelming urge to say yes.
Hitori let out a tiny sigh.
Minami, catching a glimpse of her expression, assumed she was simply relieved and shook his head with a smile.
The act he'd just pulled rough and over-the-top was something like playful banter between couples, a little performance to spark some fun.
But that's all it was—just teasing.
The idea of actually making Hitori support him with her guitar skills? That was too much.
Even he would feel guilty about that.
After quickly finishing his meal and washing the dishes, Minami looked up and asked, "Got any plans for the rest of the day?"
"Eh...? Umm... aside from band practice... not really."
Caught off guard by his sudden concern, Hitori gently set down her rice bowl and answered sweetly.
"No other plans, huh? Good."
From behind the sink, Minami's voice came: "You should take it easy for now. After all, you are my first girlfriend."
"Oh, okay."
Hitori, still lost in thought, responded absentmindedly.
But then—
Her head shot up.
Her sky-blue eyes widened.
W-Wait?! What did Minami just say?
G-Girlfriend?!
First one?!
Happiness hit her like a freight train.
It struck right at her sensitive little heart.
Her soft, pink lips parted slightly, a reflection of the tidal wave of emotions crashing inside her.
"Something wrong?"
Minami's eyes narrowed with amusement as he looked at her blank, stunned face.
"No... I... She... I mean..."
"No need to look so shocked."
He wiped his hands dry, and in the next second—amid Hitori's startled gasp—he pulled her into his arms.
Seeing her blush deeply in his embrace, Minami was reminded of the red-tinted sky at dusk in summer.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, his hand slid to her soft, springy thigh, and he leaned in, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair as he whispered into her ear:
"Too late to back out now. You're mine."
"..." Hitori's cheeks flared red, but she nodded softly. "Mm."
Minami was quite pleased with her response.
Setting her down, he casually changed into his going-out clothes right in front of her flustered, bright-red face.
"I'm meeting Nijika to check out a place. Watch the house for me, okay?"
Hitori clearly wasn't in any condition to go out.
Minami didn't force her.
After sharing a few more words and a smile, he left for the station.
He'd said it before: from Minami's house to Shimokitazawa Station wasn't far.
At his usual pace, he got on the train.
A short ride later, an announcement echoed through the car:
"Shimokitazawa Station, Shimokitazawa Station, now arriving at Shimokitazawa Station."
As he stepped off the train, a gust of cold wind hit him, his breath fogging in the air.
Just like before, Tokyo had fully plunged into winter.
The skies, once bright and blue, now stretched overhead in a vast, pale gray.
After last night's wind and rain, most of the leaves had fallen from the trees lining the street—bare branches now pierced the sky.
The streets of Shimokitazawa bustled with people.
It was a rare Saturday, after all.
Office workers, college students—all had free time to enjoy the day.
Maybe that's why—
In just a short walk to the STARRY venue, Minami had turned down three groups of local college girls trying to hit on him.
Marveling at how bold Japanese students could be, he finally reached STARRY.
But before he could open the door—
"Hey, look who it is! Minami-kun!"
Huh?
That voice sounded familiar.
Minami turned to look.
And immediately, a strong smell of alcohol hit him in the face.
A woman with a deep purple braid launched herself at him.
Without hesitation, Minami reacted:
Sidestep.
Lift leg.
Controlled force.
Kick.
"OW—!"
Kikuri Hiroi was sent flying by Minami's merciless kick, yelping in pain.
"Ah, Kikuri-san. Hello. For a second there, I thought you were some kind of bug. Reflexes. My bad."
Minami apologized with zero sincerity.
"Liar! You knew it was me, didn't you?! Apologize! Right now!"
"Oh. Sorry."
He apologized, still completely deadpan.
"You—!"
Clutching her backside, Kikuri was in disbelief.
What kind of guy reacts to a gorgeous older woman pouncing on him like that?
No way, right?
Just as she was about to speak again, she blinked, looking Minami up and down.
"What now?"
Minami met her stare, confused.
"Hm... hmm..."
Kikuri tilted her head, squinting. "I don't know... you look the same as always, but something feels totally different."
She leaned closer, calling up to Seika Ijichi and PA-san, who were just coming down the stairs.
"Hey, come here! Doesn't Minami-kun feel totally different today?"
"What weird stuff are you spouting now?" Seika grumbled, annoyed, but glanced at Minami anyway.
Just as Minami turned his gaze to her.
"Huh?"
Seika blinked.
She felt it too—something was off about him.
But what exactly, she couldn't say.
Thankfully, PA-san chimed in with a smile: "Hmm... feels like... more mature? Or maybe... more masculine? He's got a whole different vibe today."
"Right?! Like, he was already super attractive to clueless girls before, but now he's gone full-on seductive!"
Kikuri agreed enthusiastically, arms crossed, nodding hard.
This woman, doomed to be single into her forties, was way too excited.
Don't make him sound like some kind of succubus.
The group of women in their twenties gathered around, curiously eyeing Minami.
He just shook his head, unfazed: "I'm heading in. PA-san, manager."
With a nod, he pushed open the door to STARRY.
Inside, Nijika, Ryo Yamada, and Ikuyo Kita were busy cleaning.
They'd arrived early since they hadn't been there yesterday.
As Minami entered, Nijika looked up, smiling, ready to greet him.
But then—
She froze.
"Good afternoon, Nijika."
Minami walked up and greeted her with a smile.
"Eh...? Ah... Good afternoon, Minami-kun..."
Nijika responded, dazed, watching as he walked deeper inside and greeted the equally stunned Kita and Ryo.
"What the heck...?"
Ryo leaned on her mop, tilting her expressionless face—her cheeks tinted pink. "Something's... off about Minami today."
Nijika agreed.
It had only been a night—
Why did it feel like his charm had skyrocketed?
Just that smile and greeting—
Her heart was racing.
Kita blushed too, nodding: "Minami-san talked to me first... he felt totally different."
They whispered about his sudden change.
And then Kikuri, entering just behind, added, "So you guys noticed too?"
They all turned to her.
With a confident expression, she declared:
"It's gotta be that! Minami the incubus, can't hold back anymore—he's about to pounce on you little girls! Tsk tsk, terrifying!"
Comments
I Love Rice
Nickname of Minami.
Astolfo Simp
Who's nami lmao
