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Chapter 56: She Knew She Couldn’t Escape Anymore
🕑 Added 2025-02-04 13:56:38 +0000 UTCAfter four simulation loops, Minami was confident that he understood Ryo Yamada's personality.
She was free-spirited, loved solitude, and had a lazy, laid-back nature.
Not that any of those were bad traits.
But because of this personality, even if she felt troubled or upset, she would never show it on her face—let alone talk about it. Instead, she would simply shoulder everything alone, keeping her worries to herself.
That's why Minami chose the second option.
For someone like Ryo Yamada, sometimes a stronger push was necessary.
[Simulation Continues.]
[Ryo Yamada's unusual behavior has caught your attention.]
[Having spent so much time with her, you know that while showing up at her house might be too forward for other girls, for someone as carefree, lazy, and indifferent to social norms as Ryo, direct confrontation might actually be the best way to share her burdens.]
[You ask Ijichi Nijika for Ryo Yamada's home address.]
[Meanwhile, you hear Kita Ikuyo's concerns from the side.]
[As someone who had always admired Ryo, she seems particularly upset. She's worried that Ryo might be dating another guy, which is why she hasn't been coming to work.]
[Of course, she hopes that Ryo doesn't have a boyfriend. But if she does, she wants you to find out who the guy is and report back to her.]
[Although you think it's unlikely that Ryo Yamada would date anyone other than, well, you, you still nod in agreement—reassuring Kita that if Ryo does have a boyfriend, you'll let her know immediately.]
[With your promise, Kita is able to relax.]
[After temporarily leaving Starry, you quickly track down the location of the Yamada family's home with your inhuman level of efficiency.]
[And then—you see it.]
[Ryo Yamada, curled up inside a sleeping bag, camping in the backyard of her own mansion.]
Rich People Are… Different.
Minami had long known that Ryo Yamada was a rich young lady.
But camping in her own backyard instead of sleeping in a perfectly good mansion?
That was something only Ryo Yamada, with her carefree and unconventional ways, would do.
[Memories Begin to Surface.]
"Why are you here?"
"Why are you camping in your own backyard instead of sleeping inside your mansion?"
Faced with Ryo Yamada's questioning, Minami didn't answer. Instead, he countered with a question of his own—before taking a longer look at her.
For the first time, the ever-unbothered Ryo Yamada felt a bit self-conscious.
She had showered in her home's bathroom, so there was no strange smell.
But after sleeping in a sleeping bag, her usually neat and tidy short hair had become a little messy.
If it were Nijika or Kita who showed up, she wouldn't have cared. She probably would've just stayed in the sleeping bag and casually greeted them.
But with Minami standing before her…
For some reason, she couldn't let him see her like this.
Flustered, she hurriedly tried to climb out of the sleeping bag.
But because she moved too quickly—
The zipper got stuck, and she ended up tripping over her own feet.
Thud—
Ryo's eyes shut tight, bracing for impact.
But…
The expected pain never came.
Instead, she found herself landing on something soft.
"I guess buying an expensive sleeping bag was worth it."
With an expressionless face, Ryo sighed in relief—grateful for the sleeping bag's cushioning.
And then—
"What kind of sleeping bag are you talking about? Hurry up and get off me."
"Huh…?"
Ryo slowly turned her body—only to realize something horrifying.
At some point, she had fallen directly onto Minami.
The "cushioning" and "warmth" she had felt wasn't from the sleeping bag.
It was from him.
The moment she realized this—
Even though her face remained calm and composed, her ears started burning with embarrassment.
But that feeling didn't last long.
Because she suddenly remembered her terrible mock exam results.
Escape Attempt #1: Denied.
Not wanting to dwell on the situation, she quickly turned away and spoke in a cold tone.
"Minami, if you're not hurt, then you should just go home."
"What do you mean 'not hurt'? I'm in pain."
Lying on the ground, Minami gritted his teeth in "pain" and reached out his hand to her.
"Help me up, Ryo."
"Does it really hurt? Did you get injured somewhere?"
Hearing the hint of pain in his voice, the coldness in Ryo's expression softened.
Despite herself, she couldn't just leave him there.
So she grabbed his hand—
And then—
"Thud—"
Her short blue hair fluttered in the air.
Just as she tried to pull Minami up—
He suddenly tightened his grip, pulling her down with him.
Now, she found herself back in his arms once again.
Completely stunned, she lifted her head—only to see Minami grinning down at her.
In that moment—
She knew.
She had been completely tricked.
Yet, despite that—
She couldn't put on a cold expression anymore.
Her body remained pressed against his, but her head turned stubbornly to the side, refusing to let him see her face.
At the same time, she tried to pull her hand free.
"Let go."
She said it seriously.
"Nope. I'm still in pain. But maybe if Ryo-san hugged me on her own, I'd feel better."
Minami chuckled, his grip tightening just slightly to prevent her escape.
"...Minami, you're so childish."
Her voice was still calm and cold, but her elegant and expressionless face was clearly flushed.
"Call it whatever you want."
Finding her reactions amusing, Minami playfully poked her cheek.
And this time—
The cool, aloof bassist, usually so composed and untouchable—
Was completely frozen, caught like a rabbit in a trap.
The Moment She Gave Up
After a while—
"Why did you come looking for me?"
Her voice was as cold as ever.
"I missed you."
His tone was teasing.
"Minami, I'm being serious."
Forcing herself to sit up, she looked at him with her sharp amber eyes.
Minami didn't answer.
He simply stared back at her.
Time passed.
And eventually—
Her cold gaze couldn't withstand his burning stare any longer.
Her face turned even redder as she averted her eyes.
She was the one who had been watching him all this time—
And yet, in the end, she was also the first to look away.
"Ryo is as interesting as ever."
Minami finally burst out laughing.
Ryo, realizing there was no escaping him, simply leaned her face against her palm with a sigh.
Then, the cold, elegant girl—
Finally, gave up.
She closed her eyes—
And let herself rest against Minami's chest once again.
She had come to terms with it.
If she couldn't escape, then she might as well enjoy it.
And deep down—
She knew.
This time, she wouldn't be able to run away from him anymore.
[Your Relationship with Ryo Yamada Has Deepened.]
