I_LOVE_RICE+
patreon
Chapter 149: The Clumsy Miss Ryo and Miss Hitori
🕑 Added 2025-02-22 15:40:30 +0000 UTC"So, what's up with Bocchi-chan?"
Ijichi Nijika couldn't help but voice her thoughts as she glanced at Bocchi, who was hugging her head with both hands.
It was no surprise she asked such a question.
Because Gotoh Hitori was currently lying on the desk, shaking uncontrollably.
Though her expression couldn't be seen, Nijika could almost imagine it: Hitori probably looked completely disoriented.
"Ah... well... I don't think it's anything..."
Kita, who had been caught answering, cleared her throat.
The main thing was, what Hitori did earlier with Minami-san... how should she explain it...
As a considerate person, Kita didn't feel this was something to boast about.
After all, even if she told them, no one would believe it.
That Gotoh Hitori, who had always been gloomy, socially anxious, and unable to look anyone in the eye...
Had actually gotten carried away and initiated something with Minami.
Just holding his arm wasn't enough.
She even kissed...
Kita Ikuyo couldn't even think about it anymore.
She could only keep glancing over at Minami Shouji and Gotoh Hitori as they tidied up the dishes.
Compared to Hitori, Minami looked much more natural.
He was still going about his usual business in STARRY, acting normally.
But it wasn't quite as normal as before.
After all, being suddenly attacked by Gotoh Hitori wasn't a first.
The last time, she had kissed him, even sticking her tongue in.
This time, it seemed like he was partially to blame for triggering the effect of his skill, leading to this situation.
But...
How should he put it...
Gotoh Hitori's lips were really soft.
Minami Shouji touched his cheek.
He then pulled out his phone and took a look at himself in the screen.
After experimenting with Shinjou Akane and Gotoh Hitori, he had figured out the trigger for [Shouji Akane's Perfect Enchanting Smile].
The skill had to be deliberately activated for it to work.
If he just smiled normally, it wouldn't trigger the effect.
It was clear that, although this simulator was a little creepy, it was actually quite considerate in this regard.
At least this new skill wasn't a passive skill, so it didn't affect his everyday life.
Otherwise, Minami would never dare to smile casually again.
He put his phone down.
And at this moment, the door to the "STARRY" opened, and a blue-haired girl carrying a guitar case walked in.
She immediately spotted Bocchi, trembling at her desk, and with a glance at Minami asked:
"What's wrong with Bocchi?"
"Instead of asking about Gotoh-san, maybe you should start worrying about yourself."
Minami looked up at Yamada Ryo. "You're the last one."
"Eh?"
Ryo didn't quite understand what he meant.
"The band tutoring sessions are coming to an end," Minami explained.
"Eh…? That was still a thing?"
Now seated, Ryo looked dumbfounded.
Over the past couple of days, since Minami hadn't taken any action, her not-so-spacious memory had long since discarded any recollection of the tutoring.
It was only when Minami brought it up today that she suddenly remembered that this was, indeed, still a thing.
"What do you mean, 'that was still a thing'?"
Minami felt utterly speechless.
He didn't even know how to describe Ryo anymore.
She was a second-year student just like him, someone who should be preparing for university entrance exams.
And yet, Miss Yamada still showed not the slightest hint of urgency.
"Miss Yamada, are you aware of how serious your situation is? Your grades are the worst among us, and you're already in your second year. If you keep going like this, you might not even get into college. Sure, you play bass really well, but before that, shouldn't you at least think about your future?"
Minami tapped his fingers on the desk.
"Eh…? Geez, Minami-san, that's so embarrassing. Why are you suddenly complimenting me?"
Miss Yamada cupped her refined, androgynous face, her expression as blank as ever, yet somehow showing a look of 'bashful delight.'
"…? When did I compliment you?"
"Didn't you just say I play bass really well?"
"Apart from your bass playing, did you not hear anything else I just said?"
"Huh?"
Ryo looked up in confusion, her refined eyes blinking.
She's hopeless… in every sense of the word.
Minami was at a loss for words.
It seemed like, in Yamada Ryo's mind, the word "bass" was the only thing that registered.
Sigh. Forget it.
Minami shook his head, wisely deciding not to dwell on this any longer. Instead, he reached out, signaling everyone to gather around him.
At the same time, he began explaining his tutoring plan.
"After my research over the past two days, I've concluded that Nijika-san and Kita-san have the best grades among the members of Kessoku Band."
That's right.
Apart from writing scripts and novels, Minami hadn't been slacking off these past few days.
He specifically investigated the academic performance of Kita Ikuyo and Ijichi Nijika.
As expected, they truly lived up to their roles as the bright and lively members of the band.
Judging by their exam results and overall academic standing,
Nijika and Kita held a crushing advantage over Ryo and Bocchi.
"In other words, if Kita-san and Nijika-san focus on improving their weaker subjects, they should have no major issues in the upcoming exams."
Minami stated matter-of-factly.
Kita Ikuyo was still a first-year, so she wasn't at the stage where she needed to stress over exams.
But Ijichi Nijika, like Yamada Ryo, was in her second year. She definitely needed to be prioritized…
With that thought in mind, Minami took out a set of test papers from his school bag and handed them to Nijika and Kita.
"This is…?"
"As you can see, test papers."
Minami's tone was flat.
"Well, yeah, we can tell they're test papers… but… Minami-senpai, these questions…?"
Kita and Nijika exchanged glances before looking down at the papers in their hands.
Every word, symbol, and character on the test papers had been handwritten by Minami himself.
His handwriting was beautiful, distinct from standard printed fonts, carrying an elegance that was hard to describe.
However…
"Minami-senpai… um…"
Nijika hesitated.
"Hmm?"
"Actually… you don't need to go this far."
Nijika's striking red eyes looked at Minami with concern. "Writing out every single test paper by hand… isn't that way too time-consuming?"
Indeed.
Although high school tests in Japan weren't particularly lengthy—each subject's exam lasted around forty-five minutes—
Over time, the effort and energy required were still significant.
Kita agreed wholeheartedly and scooted a bit closer. "I think Ijichi-senpai is right. If you keep doing this, it might end up affecting your own grades."
Her thought process was simple—writing out every test by hand was far too inefficient. It would be much easier to just buy some targeted study materials.
Minami was also a student preparing for exams. If he went this far for them and ended up hurting his own grades…
However, Minami's response to their concerns was quite straightforward.
He merely cast a sidelong glance at Nijika and Kita before continuing to rummage through his school bag.
As he searched, he replied in a casual tone, "Not to brag, but my grades aren't going to suffer just because of a little tutoring."
A little tutoring…?
Hearing his completely unconcerned words and sensing his overwhelming ease,
Nijika and Kita glanced at each other.
Minami's confidence was something they had never experienced before—the confidence of a top student.
So this was the mindset of someone ranked first in the national mock exams?
"And if you don't want to trouble me, then hurry up and overcome your weak subjects—that's the most effective way to help."
Minami added.
"Well… that's true."
Nijika and Kita nodded.
Yes.
Instead of worrying about dragging Minami down,
It was better to focus on improving themselves so they wouldn't drag him down in the first place.
"So, the tutoring plan is simple: just overcome your weaker subjects. That's settled."
Minami concluded decisively and was about to continue—
"Um…"
Kita hesitantly raised her hand.
"Something else?"
"Uh… well… Minami-senpai, you haven't mentioned Ryo-senpai and Gotoh-san's tutoring plans yet."
Kita Ikuyo cleared her throat lightly as she brought up the topic.
"Their tutoring plan?"
"Yes… Ryo-senpai and Gotoh-san were supposed to be part of this, too, right?"
Kita Ikuyo asked.
But to her surprise, Minami shook his head.
"Their tutoring is different from yours."
Kita Ikuyo blinked in confusion. "Different…?"
"Yes. Completely different."
"…Eh? Why?"
Kita was puzzled. "Isn't tutoring just about fixing weak subjects? How could it be any different?"
"Weak subjects?"
Hearing this, Minami Shouji gave her a deep look.
"They don't have weak subjects."
"Or rather… all of their subjects are weak."
"..."
Kita Ikuyo fell silent.
Especially when Minami Shouji said, "all of their subjects are weak," she swore she could hear him take a deep breath—
Clearly, even the nation's top-ranking student had never seen anything like this.
Yes.
Minami truly hadn't seen anything like this.
He glanced at Yamada Ryo, who was munching on snacks.
She had failed every subject.
At this rate, forget about getting into college—whether she could even graduate high school was a serious concern.
And yet, despite his brutally honest assessment, she remained completely unfazed, stuffing her face with snacks that Kita Ikuyo had bought.
Noticing his gaze, she even gave him a look that seemed to ask, "Want some?"
Just looking at her made Minami feel like he'd lose years off his life tutoring her.
And then there was Gotoh Hitori.
Minami sighed as he gently patted the trembling, speechless girl's head.
She was even worse off.
Yamada Ryo at least had a few subjects where she barely scraped by.
But Gotoh Hitori?
Several of her scores were in the single digits. One subject even had a big fat zero.
Honestly, at this rate, Minami Shouji worried that she might drop out before even finishing her first year.
Trying to encourage her, he said, "It's okay, Hitori. It's fine to be a little dumb. Don't worry—there's a saying in Japan: 'The clumsy child is the most endearing.'"
"..."
Gotoh Hitori stared at him blankly.
Minami was comforting her, but… why didn't it make her feel any better?
"…Minami, the way you treat me and Bocchi is way too different."
Mouth full of snacks, Yamada Ryo commented blankly.
"Instead of worrying about that, if you can pass all your subjects next time, I'll grant you one request, Ryo."
Minami cast a sidelong glance at Miss Yamada, who was clearly displeased.
"Any request?" Yamada Ryo's interest was piqued immediately.
Her lazily elegant face lifted as she looked at Minami.
"That's right. Any request."
Minami casually agreed.
He honestly didn't believe Yamada Ryo could achieve passing grades in all subjects.
After all, whether in simulations or real life,
Her grades were always frustratingly bad.
Forget passing—she probably wouldn't even come close.
With scores like hers, expecting any drastic change in a short time…
To be honest, even Minami thought it was impossible.
He paid no mind to whatever Yamada Ryo was thinking about and stood up, wrapping up the tutoring plan:
"In any case, this is the general plan—Nijika-san and Kita-san, you two will complete test papers to strengthen your weaker subjects."
"As for Ryo and Hitori…"
Minami Shouji paused for a moment before continuing,
"I'll personally supervise their studies."
After all, they were both his simulation targets, and he had gained quite a few items and skills from simulating them.
Looking at it that way, Minami figured the least he could do was help the clumsy Miss Ryo and Miss Hitori get into college.
Comments
BurglarOfTurds
I'm confused, at first bocchi is shaking on the desk but when ryo comes in she's doing the dishes with minami
