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Chapter 53: How Did I End Up Marrying Minami?
🕑 Added 2025-02-04 07:11:28 +0000 UTCGuess I'll just take a look.
Minami had always been the type to act on whatever came to mind.
He turned his gaze toward Bocchi and activated the [Data Scanner].
His vision shifted once more.
Ryo's data frame faded into the background, gradually replaced by Bocchi's information.
When Minami focused on her stats, his expression quickly turned into one of surprise and confusion.
Name: Hitori Gotoh Appearance: 8 Athleticism: 4 Academics: 3 Special Skills: Low Self-Esteem LV3, Social Anxiety LV2, Learning LV1, Guitar LV3
Current Impression of the Host: Deeply Attracted, Notices You, Holds Admiration for You
System Evaluation: She cares about you a lot—every little thing you do catches her attention. Towards you, she seems to harbor a peculiar sense of admiration. However, as someone painfully shy, she will never take the initiative. She will only watch from afar… But if you were to take the first step, perhaps she might just respond in turn.
…Let's put aside the question of why "Low Self-Esteem LV3" and "Social Anxiety LV2" are considered special skills.
Just the "Current Impression of the Host" section alone was enough to leave Minami completely baffled.
Deeply attracted? Notices me? Holds admiration for me?
What the hell?
When had he ever done anything to make Bocchi feel this strongly about him?
The last time he checked, the simulator had only listed her impression as "Slight Admiration, Distant Acquaintance."
How had just one or two days passed, and yet her feelings toward him had changed so dramatically?
There had to be something wrong with this damn [Data Scanner], right?
Unconvinced, Minami pulled up the simulator menu.
And then…
For the first time in a while, he checked Bocchi's status.
That's when he noticed something strange—
At some point, her impression of him had changed from "Slight Admiration, Distant Acquaintance" to "Holds Admiration, Willing to Interact."
…Huh?
Now this was confusing.
Had he done anything in real life that could explain this shift?
Minami carefully combed through his recent memories.
Then, he shook his head.
No.
Definitely not.
At most, he had chatted with Bocchi on LINE for a bit, exchanged a few more words than usual when they met in the courtyard, and let her try some of his homemade lunch.
That was it.
Nothing that should have raised her affection toward him this much.
So what's going on?
Minami stole a quick glance at Bocchi.
Maybe it was because of the system's evaluation, but…
This time, he really got the feeling that Bocchi was secretly watching him.
She was currently teaching Kita some guitar techniques, but every now and then, she would very subtly glance in his direction.
And the moment she realized he had caught her?
She immediately sat up straight, pretending to be completely focused on teaching Kita.
What the hell is this?
Minami frowned slightly, deep in thought.
But in the end, he wasn't a mind reader.
No matter how much he pondered, he still couldn't understand why her attitude toward him had shifted so drastically.
"Whatever. Overthinking this won't get me anywhere."
Shaking his head, Minami decided to let it go.
A teenage girl having a crush wasn't exactly some earth-shattering revelation.
Digging too deep into it wouldn't accomplish anything.
Besides—
The "Low Self-Esteem LV3" and "Social Anxiety LV2" were more concerning than anything else.
Even though Bocchi's Guitar Level was an impressive LV3—already at a professional level—these two severe debuffs were enough to completely overshadow her talent.
On the surface, Minami remained expressionless.
But deep down, he let out a small sigh.
Her insecurities and isolation still shackled her, preventing her from stepping forward.
If possible…
Minami would like to help her break free from those chains.
After all, he had gone through countless love simulations at this point.
There was no way he could simply brush off Bocchi's struggles as someone else's problem.
If he could, he wanted to help her step out of her comfort zone, overcome her fears, and shake off the weight of her self-doubt.
Because in the end—
More than anything, he wanted to see Bocchi stand on a real stage, not just a small underground venue, but a stage that would let her music be heard across all of Japan.
Not as part of some simulation.
But in reality.
However—
When Minami looked at her again, he noticed her hands trembling.
Her fingers fumbled over the guitar strings, making repeated mistakes.
All because he had been staring at her.
Minami sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Yeah… Looks like 'Bocchi the Guitar Queen' is still a long way off."
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Bocchi was completely frozen.
H-He's looking at me.
M-Minami-senpai is looking at me?!
W-Why? Why is he suddenly staring at me?!
D-Did he realize I was secretly watching him?!
N-No way! I was so careful! I even hid my gaze under my bangs!
How could he possibly notice?
W-Wait, wait, wait!
Bocchi violently shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
Maybe… it's because it's Minami-senpai?
Then, her mind flashed to the strange memories that had suddenly surfaced in her head.
Memories that weren't hers—yet felt so real.
In those fragments of recollection…
Minami had always been the one to notice her struggles first.
Whenever she needed help, he was always there.
He was the one who reassured her, giving her the strength to play without fear.
Not just for her, but also for Ryo, Nijika, and Kita.
They all trusted him completely.
In that other timeline—
Minami was an irreplaceable member of Kessoku Band.
And to her—
Minami was the person she loved the most.
But—
That was only in those memories.
Bocchi lowered her head, staring at her hands.
The real her—
Did she even have the courage to stand on that kind of stage and confess her feelings to Minami?
No, let's be honest.
This was nothing more than one-sided wishful thinking.
Minami didn't have those memories.
And in reality, she was nothing but a socially awkward, mumbling mess who couldn't even look him in the eye.
If she were Minami, wouldn't she prefer someone bright and outgoing like Nijika or Kita?
Or maybe even Ryo?
Sure, Ryo was a bit odd, but maybe Minami liked that kind of personality?
…Or maybe even the Manager?
Or PA-san?
Wait… Didn't those two also seem kinda interested in him in that memory?
For a moment, Bocchi felt like questioning her entire existence.
Who even was the version of me in that memory? Some kind of battle-hardened warrior?!
And more importantly—
How the hell did I manage to fight my way past all these people, win Minami's heart, and even have kids with him?!
