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Chapter 225:“I’m Sorry for Giving You My First Time!”
🕑 Added 2025-03-25 12:53:18 +0000 UTC"Are we really going to end up with the band throwing a party together?"
Sitting at the small round table, Minami Shouji pondered.
It wasn't strange that Nijika Ijichi and Ikuyo Kita had feelings for him.
After all, he had helped Kessoku Band quite a bit.
And according to the course of events in the original simulations, these two girls would have naturally developed feelings for him as he tutored them.
But in reality, due to Ryo Yamada and Hitori Gotoh's proactive confessions, Nijika and Ikuyo's affections had always remained dormant—never surfacing, and they had maintained a strictly friendly relationship with him.
However, the memory transfer from the personal simulation acted like a spark to a fuse—suddenly igniting the already present feelings Nijika and Ikuyo had for him…
"So, by this analysis… it all adds up."
Minami tapped his fingers decisively.
He wasn't one of those clueless idiots from a typical rom-com who couldn't sense people's feelings—he could naturally tell when someone liked him.
And if it truly was turning into a situation where all four Kessoku Band members fell for him, just like in the simulations—
"Then there's no need to hesitate!"
Minami didn't hesitate for even a second. He immediately made up his mind.
Dragging things out for more than a decade like in the simulations—waiting until Nijika, Ikuyo, and Ryo had waited for years before accepting them under pressure from Hitori Gotoh and Seika Ijichi—
That was the epitome of indecisiveness.
And if the real him, knowing exactly what would happen, still chose to repeat that mistake—that would just make him a complete fool.
With that settled, Minami turned his gaze to the window.
In fact, more than Ikuyo or Nijika, his thoughts were focused on that pink-haired girl.
She had spoken surprisingly little today.
Sure, she wasn't usually talkative, but this level of silence was strange. Her mood was unsettled, distracted.
At dinner earlier, it was only when Minami asked her directly about her day that she snapped out of it and gave a quiet answer.
That familiar unease, that sense of inferiority…
The other band members might not have noticed.
But Minami, having spent several simulation cycles with Hitori Gotoh, even using a personal simulation with her, could clearly sense the shift in her emotions.
"She's worrying me…"
Minami stood and looked out at the night sky.
Hitori's social anxiety and self-esteem issues had improved significantly lately.
Even without using the [Data Detector], he could feel it.
But today… Gotoh Hitori's behavior had caught his attention again.
What could that overly sensitive girl—who so often sank into bouts of melancholy or retreated into her own world of self-doubt—be thinking now?
What exactly was going through Gotoh Hitori's mind?
Standing at the edge of the platform, Gotoh Hitori recalled the figures of the girls she had just waved goodbye to as they boarded the train.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the strap of her shoulder bag.
A feeling—called crisis—began to well up inside her, like a looming shadow.
Now, it wasn't just her alone who possessed those memories.
With all the other girls having fragments of those same memories...
Gotoh Hitori finally realized—
How cowardly she had been, constantly avoiding the feelings she harbored in her heart.
She was the first to receive those memories of happiness with Minami Shouji.
And she was also the first to truly recognize her own feelings for him.
Yet even with such a head start, she had never once confessed those feelings to Minami.
She only ever ran away, instinctively hiding behind excuses—social anxiety, low self-esteem—to gain his attention.
But what about Yamada Ryo…?
What about Ijichi Nijika…?
What about Kita Ikuyo…?
They possessed courage many times greater than her own—perhaps even far more than that.
Gotoh Hitori raised her head and stared at the train approaching from afar.
Clang, clang.
The crisp sound echoed, as if hammering directly into her heart.
She never regretted gaining those memories of her time with Minami Shouji.
She was even grateful that someone like Minami had willingly become friends with someone as timid and insecure as her.
But then—how long did she intend to remain a coward?
If she just stood still, refusing to take a step forward, she'd never reach any kind of result.
Gotoh Hitori closed her eyes.
Her mind filled with memories—the fragments of life she had shared with Minami, precious moments etched into her very soul.
For someone like her, who lived in the damp shadows, these were her treasures.
She thought—maybe this time, she shouldn't run away again.
Taking out her phone from her bag.
She made a call.
"Hello? Mom, I'm staying at Nijika's place tonight. I won't be coming home."
"Okay, mm… alright."
A brief exchange.
The pink-haired girl took a deep breath and turned around.
Ignoring the train bound for home.
She retraced her steps—one step at a time, back the way she came.
...
Minami Shouji was a little surprised.
Truly surprised.
Because he had never expected that Gotoh Hitori, who was supposed to have gone home, would turn around and come back to his place.
"You missed the last train?"
Glancing at the time—10:30 PM—Minami looked over at the silent, pink-haired girl.
"Yeah."
She responded softly, nodding.
But if Minami remembered correctly, Tokyo's last trains didn't stop running until around 11:00 PM.
Why would Gotoh Hitori tell such an obvious lie?
Minami shook his head. Her usual obedient demeanor in front of him made him not particularly care about the reason.
There could be any number of explanations.
Maybe she was simply worried about his condition and came back to take care of him.
Or maybe, seeing Nijika and Kita's behavior earlier made this sensitive girl feel anxious, so she sought some comfort by staying over.
He didn't press her about it, just asked, "Did you let your parents know, Hitori?"
"I did."
Her eyes, hidden beneath her pink bangs, trembled slightly as she nodded.
"As long as you told them, that's fine."
Minami nodded in relief—but then a new dilemma arose.
Washing up and pajamas weren't an issue.
Out of habit, he always kept two or three spare toothbrushes and sets of pajamas around.
But sleeping arrangements…
Unlike when Akane Shinjo had stayed over, the weather had turned cold now.
Letting Hitori sleep on the floor clearly wasn't an option...
And he himself was still technically a sick patient. Although the worst of the cold had passed, if he slept on the floor and caught another chill, a relapse wasn't out of the question.
This was... complicated.
Minami furrowed his brow.
Still, not wanting to let Hitori see him struggling with this, he forced a playful smile and teased, "If you're okay with it, Hitori, we could just sleep together in the bed. That way neither of us has to sleep on the floor."
This was his usual teasing routine.
Normally, Hitori would turn beet red and duck her head at such a suggestion.
Minami wasn't too concerned, preparing a set of pajamas for her while thinking of a real solution.
And then—
"Okay."
Her voice was soft, not loud, but in the small apartment, it rang clearly in Minami's ears.
That one word from her caught him off guard.
He turned to look at her pretty face.
Under the light, her fair, delicate face had a slight pinkish hue at the edges, her eyes lowered shyly. There was an unspoken innocent allure to her appearance.
"Hitori, what did you just say?"
Minami paused, just to confirm he hadn't misheard.
"I said, it's okay to sleep in the bed together."
What??
Was there something wrong with him… or with the Bocchi of today?
The same Hitori who used to get flustered just talking to him, who turned red if he so much as stepped closer…
Had just said: "It's okay to sleep in the bed together"?
Minami was still processing it when he saw her—dressed in her pink tracksuit—get up, take the pajamas from his hand, and hurriedly dart into the bathroom.
"..."
Now that behavior was more in line with the Hitori he knew.
But that unusual response earlier…
Minami rubbed his temples, glanced at the bathroom door, and shook his head before preparing other necessities for her.
About 30 minutes later—
The bathroom door opened.
Hitori stepped out.
Her slightly damp hair shimmered under the lights. Her neck, just out of the bath, glowed with a pale pink hue.
She stretched a little, and Minami couldn't help but admire the delicate bloom of her beauty—like springtime cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Truly, the best figure in Kessoku Band.
The men's pajamas Minami gave her were a size too large, with sleeves and pant legs drooping past her limbs.
It looked loose all over—except for two places.
Her chest and hips.
Minami could clearly see the fabric stretched tight across those areas.
"Um… does it fit okay?"
Her delicate white hands, only half exposed from her sleeves, looked especially cute. The pink-haired girl lowered her head slightly and quietly asked Minami Shouji how it felt.
"It fits perfectly."
Minami shifted his gaze away.
It really did fit well—almost unfairly so.
Even someone like him had to exert considerable willpower just to pull his eyes away from Gotoh Hitori.
Today, he could tell Gotoh Hitori was different—bolder than usual.
Such proactive advances, even for the world's number one pretty boy, made it hard to maintain composure.
After her bath, Gotoh Hitori dried her hair.
Meanwhile, Minami was still mulling over how to arrange the sleeping situation.
But no matter how much he thought, he couldn't find a good solution.
The space—and circumstances—were what they were.
In the end, he sighed and stood up, ready to pull out extra bedding from the closet and sleep on the floor himself.
However—
"Nami, what are you doing?"
A curious voice called from behind.
"Hm? Oh, I'm sleeping on the floor. You can take the bed, Hitori," Minami replied as he turned around.
"Didn't you say we could sleep together?"
Gotoh Hitori leaned forward slightly, revealing the soft whiteness of her chest right in front of Minami's eyes.
The girl's boldness and the way her delicate collarbone shone made his head spin.
What was going on with this usually shy and self-conscious girl today?
Did she take the wrong medicine or something?
She was testing him with this pose?!
But... he had to admit, it was effective.
Minami forced himself to look away with immense willpower.
And it wasn't just Minami who felt this way.
Gotoh Hitori herself was completely flustered.
She had no idea what she was doing anymore.
It was like her body and mind had split apart. A wave of embarrassment washed over her.
But she had to move forward.
She couldn't back down now.
"Nami just got over his cold. No matter what, you can't sleep on the floor," Gotoh Hitori looked up and insisted.
"..." Minami was silent.
She had a valid point. That dazed, feverish experience earlier? He definitely didn't want a repeat of that.
And now, even Hitori, who'd normally be too shy to speak, was insisting like this.
If he, as the guy, kept retreating… that'd be a bit much, wouldn't it?
"Alright."
Minami stopped hesitating.
He could tell.
Even if he refused, Gotoh Hitori wouldn't back down.
So he might as well go with it.
Turning off the light, Gotoh Hitori, with a heart full of nervousness, climbed into bed.
Soon after, she felt Minami quietly slip under the covers next to her.
What had been cold before became warm with the two of them inside.
In the dark, Gotoh Hitori's face blushed.
Minami had his back turned to her, so she couldn't see his face—but she could clearly hear his breathing and smell his scent.
She had really… ended up sleeping in the same bed with Minami.
Just thinking about that sent another rush of warmth to her cheeks.
But it was a bit cramped with two people in one bed.
Instinctively, she inched closer.
"Hitori?"
His voice came from the front.
He really had no choice but to speak up.
Because at some point, Gotoh Hitori's full chest had pressed tightly against his back.
The sensation was undeniably pleasant, but if things kept going like this, he seriously doubted he could restrain himself.
Minami Shouji took a small breath of the cold air outside the covers before finally speaking.
"Hitori… is something on your mind?"
His words were calm and measured, as he waited for Gotoh Hitori's response.
Today, she was clearly not acting like her usual self.
Far too forward.
So bold that even Yamada Ryo would probably give her a thumbs-up.
He genuinely wanted to know—what had triggered this change?
But after his question, silence followed.
No answer.
Feeling something was off, Minami turned to face her.
Through the dim nightscape outside the window and the glow of tonight's bright moon, Minami saw Hitori's expression.
Her clear eyes shimmered like the moon itself, drawing in his gaze.
Her face held a fragile look, like delicate glass—and just one glance told him that she was burdened by something.
Something clearly tied to the strange behavior of Ijichi Nijika and Kita Ikuyo earlier today.
Minami couldn't help but reach out and gently brush her cheek.
"Is it because of Nijika and Ikuyo?" he asked.
At his words, Hitori's gaze faltered, retreating in quiet timidity.
"You don't need to force yourself like this, you know."
Minami's voice was gentle. "Just take things at your own pace—there's no need to push yourself. I'm right here."
There was no scolding, no judgment in his voice.
Just as always, he embraced all her flaws and uncertainties with warmth.
But…
"Taking things at my own pace… it's not enough."
Her voice broke the silence.
No stammering, no hesitation—firm and unwavering, so much so that Minami fell silent, listening to her words, her heart.
"That idea… of going at my own pace… I've been using your words as an excuse to run away," she said, shaking her head. "I've never blamed Nijika or Kita-san. Actually, I'm grateful to them—they made me realize just how cowardly I've been."
Her feelings had never progressed.
Even when she had asked Kita Ikuyo for help, it hadn't changed much.
Most of the time, it was Minami who took the initiative, giving her the courage to take the next step.
But love doesn't move forward with one person alone.
The way Nijika and Kita acted today made that painfully clear.
No—she had never blamed them.
She had hated herself, for being the one who always stood still, just waiting.
Her pink hair swayed, as did her turbulent heart.
Moonlight poured through the window, not blinding her, but making her thoughts ever clearer.
She whispered, "It's okay if I'm not the first."
Her world had never known sunlight.
From kindergarten to middle school, she walked in loneliness, until high school—until she met Nijika, and then Minami.
Only then did her dark sky brighten, her world take on color.
She didn't want to lose the sunlight she had finally found.
So—
"Even if I'm not first, I don't care."
Gotoh Hitori held Minami tightly, murmuring softly.
"I just want to stay by your side."
Even if he wasn't hers alone, even if others basked in the same sunlight, the fact that she could feel that warmth, just once, was enough.
That was enough.
Her voice, gentle and calm, poured from her self-doubt.
Minami didn't respond immediately.
He felt her love, deep and unwavering.
He simply stroked her face, her soft pink lips, with tenderness.
"Being by my side… that's enough?" he asked.
"Mm." Gotoh Hitori nodded, not letting go, instead holding Minami even tighter.
Minami tilted his head back slightly.
From his angle, he could see the moon hanging silently in the sky.
Gloomy yet gentle.
A pure moon that appears only in the night sky…
Just like Hitori.
"I think… Hitori, you could be a little more greedy."
Minami Shouji gently took her hand. "Not just being by my side, but… being with me."
"This is enough."
In response, the timid pink-haired girl only shook her head softly.
Just being able to stay close to Minami Shouji was already a happiness too great to ask for…
She was too timid to desire anything more.
This left Minami feeling somewhat helpless.
Her sensitive and delicate heart made her stop here—but Minami didn't want that.
He didn't want her to just stay at this distance.
It would take time to correct that self-deprecating mindset, wouldn't it?
The thought made Minami inexplicably frustrated.
He had been giving her courage all along, but she had only taken a small piece of it, felt content, and refused to reach for more.
That made him feel an urge to tease her mercilessly.
And as if she had sensed his thoughts—
The pink-haired girl buried half her face under the covers, then softly murmured:
"Umm… the… protection… it's in my shoulder bag."
"..." Minami Shouji.
He stared at her.
Stared at her gentle, water-like face sinking into the blanket. Only her eyes peeked out, stealing secret glances at him. Then he asked:
"Hitori, are you sure?"
"Mm."
She replied gently.
She had already made up her mind before coming over.
Buying that kind of thing at a convenience store for the first time…
It had taken all the courage she could muster.
And now, having this kind of conversation with Minami Shouji—
It had nearly drained her completely.
But even so, she had no intention of backing down.
Even if she couldn't be the first in his heart,
She wanted to be his first…
She loved Minami Shouji.
Just that was enough for her.
She turned her head, looking out the window.
Tonight, Tokyo's night sky was beautiful.
Stars glittered like diamonds.
It was like a flowing galaxy.
And along with it, the tides of her heart rose and fell.
…
The next morning.
Early winter mornings were cold.
Even the sky outside was a pale gray.
Minami Shouji stared at the ceiling, eyes a bit unfocused.
He seemed to still be processing the events of the previous night.
"Mm—mm—"
That fuzzy sound came from Gotoh Hitori, whose hand was still draped over his waist.
The pink-haired girl was tightly pressed against him.
It was clear she wasn't fully awake yet.
With immense willpower, Minami pulled his hand away from her soft, fair skin, recalling the night before, and feeling a deep sense of tenderness and affection for Gotoh Hitori.
Her gentleness and acceptance moved him.
Which only made him want to treasure her more, this girl who was so easily plagued by insecurity…
But before that—
"Good thing today's Saturday."
Glancing at the time, Minami sighed with relief.
There was no way Gotoh Hitori could go to school in this condition.
What she needed now was rest.
---
He climbed out of bed quietly, careful not to make a sound.
The sickness from yesterday had vanished completely, as though it had never existed.
It seemed a body with an 8 in physical stats still had its unique advantages.
After a quick wash, Minami headed to the kitchen, prepared a simple breakfast, and placed it on the table.
"Time to wake up, Hitori," he called softly, leaning close to gently pat Gotou Hitori's delicate cheek.
According to his simulated memories, it should've been Hitori making breakfast and waiting for him to rise each morning. But today was an exception. He'd let it slide for now.
His voice seemed to work.
The pink-haired girl in bed furrowed her delicate brows in her sleep, then slowly opened her dazed blue eyes.
"A… M-Minami…?"
She tilted her head, yawned adorably, and stared blankly at her surroundings like a newborn taking in the world. The freshly awakened Miss Gotou was clearly still groggy.
But soon, realization struck. With a startled gasp, she burrowed under the blankets.
"M-M-Minami?! Wh-what?! Huh?!"
A voice brimming with shock and embarrassment erupted. The girl had clearly moved past last night's bold, impulsive phase and reverted to her usual timid self. Her blue eyes widened comically—her brain seemed to short-circuit instantly.
What did I do?!
Sure, she'd acted on impulse and courage, but… she'd actively asked Minami to do that? And even used that shameless position?!
"Hitori?"
Minami called again, but she couldn't hear him anymore. Her thoughts spiraled chaotically. Just recalling last night's events made her face twitch uncontrollably.
First, lying to her parents about staying at Hio's place. Then lying to Minami about missing the last train. And then… seducing him?
Me… someone like me… tried to seduce M-Minami?!
"What have I done?!" Her entire body began trembling unnaturally.
It's over. Completely over!
How could she have done such things? She'd even gone to the convenience store specifically for… protection!
What do I do?
Would Minami think she was some kind of loose woman now? A mere garden snake trying to monopolize the sun? How delusional!
Last night's me—what were you thinking?!
Panicked. Flustered. Utterly lost. Hitori curled into a quivering ball under the covers.
Just then, Minami—having finished preparing breakfast—lifted a corner of the blanket, revealing the girl's terrified face:
"Hitori, what are you—"
He froze mid-sentence.
Hitori suddenly flipped over and prostrated herself in a perfect dogeza bow, her voice trembling and stammering:
"I-I'm s-so sorry s-someone like m-me took M-Minami's… f-first time…!"
"..." Minami rubbed his temples.
He'd seen this state of hers too many times. Hitori was the type to get oddly passionate and bold in emotional moments, only to later cringe at her own actions.
Also, wasn't that line of hers backward?
What did she mean by his first time being given to "a woman like her"?
Amused, he replied, "There's no need to apologize. No matter how you look at it, I was the one who took advantage last night, right? You should hurry up and get out of bed and eat."
"N-no… um… N-Nami… I…"
Her face burned crimson, but after stammering "I" repeatedly without progress, Minami chuckled.
"All right, come on out and eat."
After saying this, he simply returned to his seat as if nothing had happened, his calm and elegant demeanor completely unshaken by last night's events.
This helped soothe Bocchi's anxious heart a bit, yet at the same time, it stirred other emotions in her.
Last night hadn't been a dream(simulation). It had happened. She'd truly… with Minami…
Stealing glances at him while fetching bowls, her gaze traveled from his lips to his arms, then his lean, toned torso…
Clatter!
The bowl slipped from her hands, spilling soup across the table.
Disaster!
How could she be so clumsy? What would Minami think?
She instinctively reached to wipe the mess, but Minami stopped her.
"I'll handle it. Did you burn yourself?" His calm voice accompanied him taking her hand.
"Gah?!"
The sudden contact made her emit a duck-like squawk of surprise.
"Hmm… seems fine." After confirming no burns on her smooth skin, he nodded in relief. Noticing her frozen panic, he teased: "After everything last night, you're shy about holding hands now?"
"I…"
Flushing crimson at his blunt remark, Hitori retreated while Minami cleaned up. When she tried helping with a towel, he refused.
"Avoid strenuous movements these days. Tell me immediately if anything feels off, understand?"
His caring instructions soothed her anxiety. M-Minami's still as gentle as ever…
But—
Peeking at his profile, Hitori felt conflicted.
At this moment, a new sense of hesitation welled up in her heart.
Because she wasn't sure…
What was the relationship between her and Minami now?
