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Chapter 203. Stay with Me After School
🕑 Added 2025-03-17 14:23:14 +0000 UTCNo reply.
Just a soft "Eh?"—and that alone was enough to show how shaken Rio Futaba's heart was at this moment.
She truly hadn't expected it.
The pressure she'd been keeping buried deep inside... had suddenly been brought to light by Minami Shouji in such a direct way.
She really had been constantly demanding perfection from herself, unable to accept her flaws.
But these were things she had never spoken of to anyone.
Not to Sakuta Azusagawa, not to Yuuma Kunimi.
She'd always maintained her silence, never wanting to worry others.
So how did Minami Shouji figure out what was in her heart?
Could it be that just from those couple of heart-to-heart talks she'd had with him... he had figured everything out?
It was hard to say.
After all, Minami's ability to read others was frighteningly sharp.
Twice already, with only slight emotional fluctuations from her, he had seen right through her.
This dark-haired youth was truly unlike any other boy his age.
As she thought this, Rio opened her mouth to say something: "You..."
But before she could finish—
"By the way, Rio, are you free after school today?"
Minami glanced at the time.
"Eh...? After school?"
"Yeah. I want you to come with me somewhere. They're short on help."
"No, wait... what about earlier—"
Rio looked up at Minami.
Was he doing this on purpose?
Bringing up something that stirred her heart, only to suddenly change the subject?
Facing her confusion, Minami just shrugged casually, saying, "We can talk about that later. For now, clear your schedule and come with me."
"..."
Seeing the mischievous smile on Minami's face, Rio took a deep breath.
This guy—
He's the one who stirred her emotions, and now that she wanted to follow up, he just blinked innocently, looking completely blameless with that elegant face.
He was just like those chaotic online group members she'd heard of—posting half of a spicy image and then acting all innocent when you ask for the rest.
Absolutely infuriating.
And most importantly—
"Why should I take time out of my day just to go with you?"
As if resisting his teasing, Rio shot back.
It was bad enough he was keeping her in suspense, but now he wanted her to spend her precious free time with him? On what basis?
She made up her mind.
Unless Minami circled back to that earlier topic, she wouldn't give in and go with him...
She vowed this internally, only to hear Minami's voice again.
"Let me ask you this instead, Rio—do you have any reason to say no?"
"What kind of question is that... I don't want to go—"
"We've had two serious talks about your feelings."
Minami held up one finger.
Ugh—
Rio opened her mouth but couldn't respond.
Those two talks really had helped her a lot, in a way.
At the very least, they'd helped her sort out how she felt about Yuuma Kunimi.
"But..."
"I also dealt with that Saki Kamisato situation for you."
Minami calmly raised a second finger.
"I get it! I get it already!"
Rio shut her eyes, finally out of steam to argue.
She just now realized—she'd long lost the ground to refuse him.
Minami had helped her so much.
To turn him down over something this simple... she'd feel like an ungrateful person.
"As long as you understand."
Minami nodded. "I'll contact you when it's time, Rio."
"...That way you call me—'Rio'... What's with that, exactly...?"
Rio murmured, "I don't think we're close enough for that, Minami..."
It was just her talking to herself—not even a complaint, just a muttered observation.
But in response, Minami suddenly stepped forward.
The unexpected move completely caught Rio off guard.
So close! So close! So close!
Rio Futaba had never been this close to a boy before—her mind was screaming.
It was way too close!
From her view, she could see Minami's gently curled, beautiful eyelashes, and his slightly messy, lazy bangs falling across his forehead.
He lowered his gaze, his clear, pure eyes meeting hers...
For some reason, her heart began to race, and she grew flustered.
It was just like the legends she'd read—about demons who could charm people with their beauty.
Rio swallowed hard.
And just as she did, this 'Incubus of charm' spoke.
"'Futaba' is too clunky to say. Getting closer to you and calling you Rio—it's not bad, right? Unless... you really hate it?"
That gentle voice.
Combined with those questioning black pearl-like eyes, looking at her with youthful curiosity.
Rio glanced away, flustered. "It's... it's not that I hate it."
As soon as the words left her lips, she wanted to cover her face.
No—what had she just said?!
Why was she panicking over a guy's looks like this?!
Stay cool, stay cool!
Calm down!
As a science girl, Rio Futaba had something other simulation targets didn't—rationality. She forced herself to calm down.
Just as her mind was settling...
Minami smiled. "Is that so? Then it's settled—Rio."
Buzz—
Seeing that smile, Rio felt her brain hum loudly.
All those thoughts of staying calm...
Gone.
Her mind blanked out, her heart pounding so hard she could practically hear it.
Stay calm?
How could anyone stay calm in front of Minami's smile? Was that even possible?
The rest was a blur.
Rio's brain was basically offline.
Whatever Minami said...
She nodded automatically with a soft "mm."
Only after he'd finished explaining everything and walked away...
Did Rio slump against the wall, clutching her chest, her face bright red, breathing shallowly.
Too dangerous.
She thought.
Talking to Minami... was seriously bad for her heart.
Was his charm really that high?
Or was she just a girl in her springtime, defenseless around boys?
Rio Futaba had no idea.
But—
"I don't dislike it…"
Murmuring softly, Rio Futaba recalled the details of her earlier conversation with Minami Shouji.
Yeah… she didn't really dislike it.
On the contrary, having Minami take the lead and arrange things gave her a strange sense of ease.
Being called "Rio"...
"That was the first time… not bad."
Unconsciously, Rio looked ahead of her.
That spot—where Minami had just been standing.
Her slender, pale hand pressed against her chest again.
There… where her heart had finally begun to calm—
It now began to race once more…
Meanwhile, on the other side—
"This Affection Point increase is insane."
Minami couldn't help but comment as he watched the simulator's point tally rise.
He hadn't even been trying to farm points from Rio this time.
And yet, the Affection Points he gained from her had already far surpassed those from other simulation targets like Akane Shinjo.
In just that short encounter...
The total had surged to 480 points.
Although it still didn't match Gotoh Hitori's total, this growth rate? Even Miss Gotoh herself would have to bow down to it.
"Probably because she hasn't had much contact with guys."
As a science-loving homebody, Rio Futaba's only male acquaintances were Yuuma Kunimi and Sakuta Azusagawa.
Beyond them—from elementary to middle school and now high school—she'd likely never interacted closely with any other boys.
For someone so pure, facing Minami Shouji—who was practically the peak of male beauty among their peers—it was only natural for such a chemical reaction.
As for her actual affection level...
"I'll use the [Data Scanner] when we meet this afternoon and check her current status."
Minami figured Rio's affection toward him was probably just a bit above average—more than a casual friend, but not quite "like" or "love."
After all, they'd only known each other for two days.
From any rational perspective...
She couldn't possibly feel "attracted" or "moved" by him yet.
But—
"That's just the logical way of thinking."
Minami let out a small sigh. "Someone as exceptional and flawless as me... maybe she is feeling some kind of affection or excitement?"
It is me we're talking about!
Tokyo's top-tier handsome guy, only becoming more perfect by the day! Naturally, no ordinary guy could compare.
[Your trait 'Narcissism' has slightly increased. Current Level: LV4.]
As usual, Minami ignored the simulator's cheeky notification.
His eyes returned to the Affection Points display.
"480 points... I'll save the next simulation for later."
Unlike his urgency in the first three loops, this time he decided to hold onto the points for now and see how things developed.
After all, these points weren't blowing in from the wind.
In a sense, you could even say he sold his charm to earn them.
Of course, he needed to use them wisely.
...
Standing before the science prep room.
"Bow tie… good."
"Uniform… neat."
"Hair… a bit messy?"
Rio Futaba checked her reflection in the glass and reached out to tidy her slightly disheveled hair.
For some reason, she felt a little nervous.
As a science-loving girl who rarely interacted with boys, she'd never spent time with a male friend after school.
This was a first in every sense.
And the one she was meeting—was Minami Shouji…
She couldn't allow herself to be led around like at lunch.
Steeling her nerves, she adjusted her mindset to the best possible state.
She was ready.
Now that she was calm, even if Minami suddenly appeared, he couldn't possibly shake her composure…
And then—
"You all set?"
Minami's voice called out.
"Eh?!"
Startled like a frightened hamster, Rio jumped and widened her eyes.
The calm state she had hypnotized herself into…
Collapsed instantly.
Even she didn't understand—
Why was it that the usually cool and collected her, who could maintain distance from anyone, was so thrown off by Minami?
It was like some predator-prey hierarchy that could never be reversed...
Unable to comprehend her own emotional swings, she forced her voice to stay steady as she greeted him.
"Minami."
"Mm."
Minami nodded, glanced over Rio, and smiled. "Looks like you're ready. In that case, let's head out."
"Head out...?"
Minami had mentioned at lunch that he needed her help somewhere.
But he hadn't explained the details.
"I actually forgot to tell you."
As they walked, Minami explained, "I want to take you to a café where I work from time to time."
"A café where you work?"
"Yeah. Don't worry—I've got everything handled."
Rio opened her mouth.
Honestly, she wanted to ask why he was taking her to a place like that.
But for some reason...
Hearing Minami's calm voice saying, "I've got everything handled"—it put her at ease.
That phrase was like a stabilizer.
Besides… she had already agreed at lunch.
Asking about it now wouldn't change much.
With that thought, she grabbed her school bag and quietly followed behind Minami, step by step.
She found the peaceful atmosphere rather enjoyable.
While she walked, Minami used the [Data Scanner] on Rio Futaba.
The system interface flickered before his eyes.
Name: Rio Futaba
Appearance: 8
Athletics: 4
Academics: 8
Specialties: Need to Be Needed LV3, Self-Loathing LV3, Studying LV3, Physics LV3
Current Impression of Host: Longing to be saved, confused, feeling heart flutter.
System Evaluation: She's been captivated by your devilish smile and is completely flustered by your repeated touching of her innermost secrets. She doesn't know how to handle you but holds no resistance or dislike—if anything, she feels attracted. At your current pace, a deeper relationship is practically guaranteed.
