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Chapter 72: Bocchi’s Affection Level Increased.
🕑 Added 2025-02-05 15:02:28 +0000 UTC"I'm done for."
"If Minami-senpai bullies me here—"
"I won't even be able to resist…!"
Bocchi's mind went blank.
She could only watch—
As Minami leaned closer… and closer…
And then—
Flick!
"Ow—!!"
Bocchi clutched her forehead,
Squatting down in pain.
"That was a little lesson for you."
"Eh…?"
She looked up, confused.
"What do you mean, 'Eh'?"
Minami lowered his hand,
The one that had just flicked her forehead.
His tone was half amused, half exasperated.
"If you don't want something, say it loud and clear."
"Got it?"
He paused,
Then added—
"You're lucky I'm a perfect gentleman."
"But what if, in the future, you meet some scumbag who enjoys messing with girls?"
"What will you do then?"
Bocchi stayed silent.
She wanted to argue back,
But… she couldn't.
Her head lowered,
Her voice small.
"...Mmm."
"Hitori-san, did you even listen to me?"
"Why are you just saying 'Mmm'?"
"I-I'm not stupid!"
Bocchi puffed up her cheeks.
She muttered, frustrated.
"That trick won't work on me a second time."
Yes!
She wasn't dumb!
She learned from her mistakes!
Minami's previous trick only worked once.
If he tried again, she wouldn't fall for it!
"Is that so?"
Minami's eyes gleamed mischievously.
He leaned in again,
His voice low.
"Then this time, Hitori-san—"
"Will you go out with me?"
"Eh—?!"
Bocchi's jaw dropped.
Her entire body froze.
"Ehhhh—?!"
"What do you mean 'Eh'?"
Minami chuckled.
Her reaction was adorable.
"I like you, Hitori-san."
"I've always liked you."
"Before, I thought it'd be too sudden to say it."
"But now that we share the same memories, it's only natural for me to ask you out, right?"
Bocchi felt her soul leave her body.
"I-Is… Is that how it works?!"
"And after dating, we'll get married."
"Wha—! That's too fast—!!"
Bocchi fell straight to the ground.
Her legs gave out.
But Minami didn't stop.
His expression stayed serious.
"We'll have the wedding at your house, Hitori."
"Do you prefer a Western-style wedding dress or a traditional white kimono?"
"And about our child—"
"We'll name them Minami Nozake, like you suggested."
"I-I-I-I—"
Bocchi short-circuited.
She couldn't think.
She couldn't breathe.
She couldn't process.
"Well? Answer me, Hitori."
Minami leaned even closer.
His voice was firm.
Demanding.
"Hitori, say it."
"Will our child be named Minami Nozake or not?"
Bocchi's soul completely detached from her body.
"...A-Ah… uhh…"
Her mouth moved on its own.
Her brain shut off.
"I-If it pleases you, my lord…"
"...!"
Minami let out a long sigh.
His voice full of disappointment.
"Hitori-san."
"Didn't you say the same trick wouldn't work on you twice?"
"...!"
Bocchi froze.
She finally realized.
She fell for it.
She FELL FOR IT AGAIN.
Her face exploded red.
Under the soft streetlight glow,
Her flustered expression looked especially charming.
She trembled,
Ashamed beyond belief.
Just minutes ago,
She had boldly declared—
"I won't fall for the same trick twice!"
And yet—
When Minami tried it a second time—
She walked right into it like an idiot.
"Ahhhhhh—!!!!"
Bocchi covered her face.
She wanted to disappear.
This was—
THE WORST.
Bocchi, the Ultimate Airhead
A deep blush spread across Bocchi's pale, soft cheeks under the dim streetlight.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Just a moment ago,
She had confidently declared—
She wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.
And yet—
She had stupidly walked right into it again.
This was beyond embarrassing.
She had been caught red-handed—
A certified idiot.
Bocchi fidgeted, unable to find the right words.
Minami, however, had no intention of waiting for her to come up with them.
He smiled and asked directly:
"So, after this little lesson, Hitori-san, what did you learn?"
"I… um… uh…"
Bocchi struggled to find an answer.
After much internal agony,
She finally mumbled out—
"Umm… Don't agree to marriage proposals so easily?"
"..."
Minami facepalmed.
He let out a deep sigh.
Then,
He firmly poked Bocchi's forehead.
"No."
"What you should've learned—"
"Is to stop letting people lead you around so easily."
"Oh…"
Minami squinted at her.
"So… do you actually understand now?"
"Umm… not really."
"..."
Minami turned around without another word.
He was done.
Bocchi watched as he walked away,
Her eyes hidden behind her bangs.
Her fingers twitched,
As if she wanted to reach out and stop him.
She opened her mouth,
But no words came out.
She could only watch.
As Minami walked further and further away.
A strange sense of loss bloomed in her chest.
Then—
"Hurry up, Hitori-san. What are you standing there for?"
Minami turned back,
Waiting for her in the distance.
"Ah… okay… I'm coming."
"…Hah."
Minami let out a small sigh.
She had just been sulking,
But the moment he called out,
Her face turned red,
And she hurried over like a happy little puppy.
He couldn't help but think—
Bocchi was just like in the simulation.
Easy to tease, completely defenseless—
But at the same time,
Impossible not to feel protective of.
They continued walking,
One slightly ahead, the other following closely behind.
Neither spoke.
Minami didn't start a conversation.
Bocchi didn't dare to.
She just watched his shadow,
Carefully stepping within it,
Following his every move.
Then—
Minami suddenly spoke.
"Hitori-san, can you tell me exactly what you remember?"
Bocchi froze for a moment.
Then, in a small voice,
She began explaining the fragmented memories she had.
Minami listened quietly.
And as she spoke,
He gradually pieced together the truth.
So that's how it works.
When I clear a 90+ score happy ending…
The simulation actually transfers fragments of that memory to the person involved.
It wasn't the full experience—
Just bits and pieces.
But—
That explained why Bocchi's feelings toward him had changed so quickly.
Minami had never expected the dating simulator to have such a feature.
From one perspective—
It was amazing.
Think about it.
A smooth life.
A game-like reality.
Surrounded by beautiful girls, all above a 7/10.
What was not to love?
But—
Minami suddenly stopped walking.
"Hitori-san."
Bocchi, still lost in thought, looked up at him.
Under the dim streetlight,
Minami's posture was straight,
His eyes were calm,
His voice was steady—
But there was a weight in his words.
"I know now that we share these memories."
"However—"
Bocchi blinked.
She could feel something serious coming.
"I want you to really think for yourself, Hitori-san."
"Not just rely on scattered memories."
"Not just act on impulse."
"Not just assume you have feelings for me—"
"Because of some vague recollection."
Minami tilted his head slightly.
His voice gentle, but firm.
"I want you to take your time."
"To consider, to understand, to truly decide for yourself."
"Not because of some shallow, incomplete memories."
"Those aren't real feelings."
"That's not love."
"That's just a passing illusion."
Bocchi fell silent.
His words sank into her heart.
And deep down—
She knew he was right.
If this had been any other guy—
Someone shallow and manipulative—
He would have taken advantage of her confusion.
He would have exploited her lack of certainty.
But Minami…
He wasn't doing that.
He was giving her a choice.
And that alone—
Made her heart flutter even more.
Minami might have treated anyone else lightheartedly.
But with Bocchi…
That wasn't possible.
Because he knew.
He knew how hard she tried.
He knew how much effort she put in—
To change herself.
To overcome her social anxiety.
To chase her dreams alongside her friends.
She was insecure, yet resilient.
She was timid, yet endlessly kind to others.
And to trick someone like her…
To use the simulation's shared memories
To manipulate her into being his girlfriend…
That would be far too easy.
After all, Bocchi didn't even know how to properly say no.
But…
That kind of thing—
Wouldn't just be cheap.
It would be downright pathetic.
And completely irresponsible toward her feelings.
Minami couldn't do that.
And he wouldn't.
As for Bocchi's appeal?
If anyone understood it—
Minami did.
He had seen the Bocchi from the simulation.
The stunning Bocchi, whose beauty had reached a solid 9/10.
The Bocchi who was soft, timid, and obedient—
So much so that even his simulated self had been hopelessly captivated.
But—
It was because he respected her—
That he refused to reduce his feelings to something so shallow.
Liking someone wasn't just about physical attraction.
And Minami wasn't some scumbag
Who would take advantage of a girl's momentary confusion
Just to score an easy relationship.
Bocchi didn't say anything at first.
She simply looked up at him, wide-eyed.
But in Minami's words—
She sensed something genuine.
Just like how she always treated others with kindness,
Minami, too, had taken her feelings seriously.
He hadn't belittled them.
He hadn't brushed them aside.
He had faced them head-on.
"I... I understand, Minami-senpai."
All the uncertainty in her heart faded away.
Bocchi bowed deeply to him.
"Good."
"Come on, I'll walk you to the station."
Minami smiled, sensing her mindset shift.
There was no need to say more.
Some things only needed to be mentioned once—
Say too much, and people would just think you were nagging.
Bocchi didn't say anything else.
But this time—
She didn't lag behind.
Instead, she took a small step forward.
Closing the distance between them.
The streetlights flickered above them.
And under their glow—
Two figures walked side by side.
Drifting further and further away.
…Wait, Did That Actually Work?!
Bocchi's house was nowhere near Minami's.
So after escorting her to the station,
She bowed again and waved goodbye.
"T-Thank you so much for taking care of me today, Minami-senpai!"
Her voice was still soft—
But clearer than any she had spoken all day.
"It's nothing. See you tomorrow."
Minami waved back.
And as he watched her figure disappear into the station—
He sighed.
His little speech probably lowered her affection points, huh?
Ah well…
It couldn't be helped.
It was a bit of a shame,
But at least he had stuck to his principles.
But…
Even so…
Just as Bocchi was about to disappear from sight—
Minami gave in to curiosity.
He activated his [Data Scanner].
His vision changed.
And Bocchi's stats appeared before him.
[Name: Gotoh Hitori]
Appearance: 8 Athletics: 4 Academics: 3 Skills: Low Self-Esteem (LV3) Social Anxiety (LV2) Learning (LV1) Guitar (LV3)
[Current Impression of Host:]
Deep Attraction
Great Interest
Admiration
Holding Romantic Feelings
…Wait, What?!
Minami rubbed his eyes.
Was he seeing things?
Originally, Bocchi's status had only said:
Deep Attraction, Great Interest, Admiration
But now—
There was a new line.
[Holding Romantic Feelings.]
"Huh?"
Minami froze.
Then rubbed his eyes again.
Wasn't her affection supposed to go down?!
How did it… go up instead?!
And then he saw the system's evaluation.
[System Analysis:]
She is extremely conscious of you. She can no longer take her eyes off you. She seems to harbor strong romantic feelings toward you. Despite her shyness, she has made up her mind to change for your sake. As long as you take initiative, she is very likely to respond positively.
Minami blinked.
And read it again.
Then again.
And again.
"..."
He slowly turned his head toward the station.
There—
Under the glow of the platform lights—
Bocchi was stepping onto the train.
Her pink hair swayed as she walked.
Her footsteps seemed… unusually light.
As if she were floating.
Minami stared at her.
And muttered to himself.
"…Gotoh-san."
"Are you… for real?"
