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Chapter 66: Bocchi Firmly Grasps Your Palm
🕑 Added 2025-02-05 03:01:01 +0000 UTCAside from the first failed simulation with a score of zero—
Strictly speaking, Minami had already interacted with Nijika and Seika for four simulation cycles.
Nijika was warm, outgoing, and considerate, always mindful of others' feelings—a rare, sunny girl full of kindness.
Seika, on the other hand, was a textbook example of a "tsun-tsun-tsun-tsun-dere" woman. Simply put, she was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, always acting dismissive and critical while saying she wouldn't care, yet she was always there to lend Minami a hand when it truly mattered.
These two had helped him a lot in the simulations, and Minami knew clearly that they both possessed angelic personalities.
At the same time, he was also aware that Nijika and Seika's mother had passed away in a sudden car accident long ago.
That was a regret the two sisters had carried deep in their hearts.
They wanted the music from "STARRY" performance hall to reach their mother in heaven.
That had always been Nijika and Seika's dream.
It was for this very reason that they wanted to make "Stardust" famous.
Now that they wished to inquire about their late mother… there must still be lingering sorrow in their hearts.
Minami thought for a moment before nodding.
"I understand. If there's anything, manager, Nijika-san, feel free to ask."
He turned around, switched off the stove, and then, while Nijika and Seika weren't paying attention, opened his inventory and used his character card.
After a while—
Minami turned back to look at them, his expression calm as he spoke:
"Manager, Nijika-san, you want to ask about your late mother, correct?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Nijika and Seika visibly froze.
Truth be told, they had never placed much faith in the words of the ever-eccentric Yamada Ryo.
But the instant Minami spoke, there was an inexplicable force that made them want to believe him.
Especially because—
They hadn't even said anything yet.
How did Minami already know their mother had passed away?
"Don't be surprised."
With narrowed eyes, he raised a finger and murmured in a distant, mystical voice:
"In the realm of theology, anything is possible. Since you've chosen to believe, there's no need to be surprised."
One had to admit, when Minami spoke those words, his solemn demeanor and authoritative tone made him seem like a genuine oracle.
Even Seika—who had always dismissed spiritual and supernatural beliefs—couldn't help but swallow nervously, almost convinced.
In that moment, they truly felt—
Perhaps Minami really could answer their questions.
"Um… Minami-san, do you know what I want to ask?"
Nijika blinked her fiery red eyes and couldn't help but ask.
"Of course I do, Nijika-san. Your thoughts are incredibly strong—I've already received them."
Minami waved a hand and continued speaking:
"Life is full of regrets. The regrets between friends, the regrets of illness, and the sorrow of losing a loved one suddenly—without getting to say a final goodbye, without speaking one last time."
His voice carried a profound weight, as if it could pull at the strings of memory.
Leaning against the chair, Seika let her body sink back.
Minami's words made her think of that day—
A summer day.
Seika, who had been away from home for days, fully immersed in band activities, received a phone call from her mother.
But at the time, she was feeling irritated and thought it was a hassle. She merely glanced at the phone and hung up.
Back then, she believed that her dream and her bandmates were the most important things in the world.
Yet despite being hung up on, her gentle mother did not give up and instead went to find her at her friend's house.
That day, her mother's words were warm.
She still remembered them clearly—
"You're sisters."
"You must always support each other."
"Chasing your dreams is a wonderful thing, but don't forget to cherish your family as well."
"I hope you can keep Nijika happy, always."
"Don't make her cry again."
"And invite her to one of your performances—she's always been looking forward to it."
At the café, her mother had smiled gently, speaking with warmth and patience, without a hint of forcefulness—completely different from Seika's own impatience.
And that request—for her to invite Nijika to watch her perform—
Had been her mother's last wish.
But back then, she had only cared about her own performance, her band, and her bandmates.
Even though part of her cared about her mother's words, she had remained silent in the end.
Why hadn't she agreed back then?
Her mother's final wave, her warm and cheerful smile—it often surfaced in Seika's mind.
She could never forget it.
It was an eternal regret buried deep in her heart.
And also, Nijika's lifelong regret.
They never got to see her one last time.
Never heard her last words.
Could never hear her soft, nagging voice again.
At home, there was no longer her presence.
The washing machine, the kitchen—everything was missing the person who once bustled there.
Everything was gone.
Only regret remained.
"Manager."
"Ah…"
Leaning against the bench, Seika was pulled from her memories by Minami's sudden voice.
"Here." He handed her a tissue.
"Hm?"
Seika gave him a puzzled look, not understanding why he was giving her a tissue.
But the moment her fingers touched it, she realized—
Unknowingly, tears had already streamed down her face.
Beside her, Nijika looked at her with a worried expression.
"Sorry… I lost my composure," Seika murmured, wiping away her tears.
Minami's expression remained unchanged as he calmly said:
"Manager, I won't say things like 'Don't dwell on it' or 'Just try to live well.' But—
The dead cannot return."
"I know that," Seika replied with a nod.
But then she shook her head.
She just…
"You still have regrets, don't you?"
Minami's voice was always just the right tone at the right time, piercing straight into the heart.
"Yeah… I do."
Seika spoke, and even the ever-cheerful Nijika's face darkened.
Not seeing her one last time.
Not hearing her last words.
How could they not feel regret?
"I'm sorry," Minami said softly, watching them.
"My abilities are limited—I can't let you see your mother again."
So it's impossible after all…
Hearing Minami's words, for the first time, Nijika and Seika felt a sense of disappointment.
"Sigh... Well, I guess that's just how it is."
After all, when it comes to spirit mediums…
Ijichi Seika and Ijichi Nijika took a deep breath,
Preparing to thank Minami Shouji.
But then—
"The person you've always been thinking about…
has always been by your side, quietly watching over you."
Minami spoke.
"…Is that so?"
His words came suddenly,
without any prior build-up.
Both Seika and Nijika hesitated—
Their expressions filled with doubt.
"Yes."
Minami's expression remained unchanged,
Even as the two of them looked at him with skepticism.
"It's not an illusion.
Even now, she is whispering beside you.
She is speaking."
He closed his eyes,
And, in a slow, measured voice,
He spoke aloud the gentle words he could "hear" in his mind.
"Seika, you always do such a good job tying Nijika's hair so neatly."
"The two of you have supported each other all this time— that's truly amazing."
"Seika, you've taken your role as an older sister so seriously."
"Never forget to cherish your family."
And finally—
"I have always loved you both."
There was no resentment in these words.
No blame.
Only the unwavering love of a mother.
For a long moment,
Neither Seika nor Nijika said anything.
Then—
They silently embraced each other.
And soft sobs escaped from their throats.
This time,
They did not doubt Minami's words.
Because—
The hairstyle.
The mutual support.
The importance of family.
These were all things that only she would have known.
Things she would have said.
It was undeniable.
She was here.
Even if they could not see her.
Even if they could not touch her.
Their crying was soft.
But its meaning was clear to anyone who heard it.
"I'm sorry we never got to see you one last time."
"I'm sorry we were so selfish back then."
"I'm sorry… We love you too."
"We miss you. We wish we could see you again."
But none of that was possible anymore.
As their quiet sobs filled the room,
Minami did not say anything else.
Speaking now would only disturb them.
So he stood up,
And silently left the room,
Leaning against the wall outside.
He could still hear their crying from the kitchen.
He tilted his head up,
Staring at the white fluorescent light above.
And let out a deep breath.
But then—
"W-Why… why did Minami-san have to lie?"
A timid, hesitant voice whispered beside him.
Minami turned, surprised—
And saw a pink-haired girl standing in the shadows behind the door.
Dressed in a pink tracksuit,
Hiding in the dark corner of the room,
With a nervous, uneasy look in her eyes.
Hitori Gotoh, Bocchi.
Her presence had been so unnoticeable
That Minami hadn't even realized she was there.
But now—
Minami narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Why do you say I was lying?"
He asked, his tone calm and steady.
"Ah… um…"
Hitori's eyes darted around nervously,
unable to meet his gaze.
She took a deep breath,
Then let it out slowly.
And, in a tiny voice, she finally answered—
"Just… a feeling."
Minami raised an eyebrow.
"A feeling?"
It was unexpected.
His words, his tone, his expressions—
Everything had been perfectly convincing.
There should have been no way for her to notice anything strange.
"Was… was my feeling wrong?"
Hitori's voice was soft, trembling slightly.
She fidgeted nervously,
her fingers twisting together.
Minami fell silent.
Then—
He let out another deep breath.
"Haa…"
Minami exhaled slowly.
Then, he shook his head and smiled, answering,
"No, your feeling was absolutely right."
After saying this, he turned his head slightly, glancing at the system screen beside him.
Hitori Gotoh was right.
Everything he had just said was nothing more than a lie.
The conversation he had with the Ijichi sisters was built entirely upon his knowledge from the simulation—
He had simply used clever words and careful phrasing to craft a fabricated story based on Nijika's regrets and Seika's emotions.
Perhaps because the "Spirit Medium" LV2 skill was too supernatural,
the system hadn't actually granted him that ability—
"But… why did Minami-san lie?"
Hitori's small voice broke the silence.
"Even if you just told the truth to the manager and Nijika,
they wouldn't have forced you to do something impossible."
That was true.
Seika and Nijika were both kind and understanding people.
They wouldn't have blamed him over something so unrealistic.
So then, why did he lie?
"Because sometimes, even a well-intended lie…
is enough to bring warmth to someone's heart."
Under Hitori's quiet gaze,
Minami, always so calm and gentle, smiled slightly.
"I don't have any real spirit medium abilities.
That's all there is to it."
"But…"
Hitori hesitated,
Her face still hidden beneath her bangs.
Then, before Minami could react—
She took a step forward.
And in his surprised gaze,
She reached out and grasped his hand.
Her grip trembled slightly,
But she did not let go.
"Kind lies can warm others' hearts,
but what about the person telling the lie?"
Her voice was quiet, but her words were heavy.
She lowered her head,
her nervous grip tightening,
her words slipping out with difficulty—
"M-Minami-san… doesn't it hurt?"
"Knowing that every word you say is a lie…
and yet still forcing yourself to go against your real feelings?"
She could sense it.
Even though Minami didn't show it,
Even though he didn't say it aloud—
She knew.
He genuinely cared about the Ijichi sisters.
He wanted to tell them the truth.
But that truth was too cruel.
Giving them hope, only to tear it away again—
Wouldn't that be even more painful?
So instead, Minami chose to bear that pain alone.
He gave the Ijichi sisters comfort,
But at the same time, he silently swallowed the cruel reality.
It wasn't just Seika and Nijika who were hurting.
Minami must have felt it too.
For a long time, Minami did not answer.
Instead, he slowly lifted his gaze,
Staring up at the fluorescent light above.
After a while, he let out a deep sigh,
Then gently reached out—
And patted Hitori's head.
"Thank you, Gotoh-san."
Even though her social anxiety made her tremble,
Even though she struggled to speak,
Even though she was timid and unsure—
She still tightly held his hand,
Trying her best to reach out to him.
A girl who feared others,
yet still worried about them.
A girl who was trying to change,
Even if it was slow, even if it was difficult—
She was trying.
At this moment, Minami finally understood.
Why the Love Simulation System had chosen Hitori Gotoh as his first simulation partner.
She was fragile,
Yet she had a heart so incredibly kind.
She was afraid,
Yet she was always watching out for others.
She was timid,
Yet she still stepped forward for someone else's sake.
And that…
Was something truly precious.
