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Chapter 141: You Are my Special
🕑 Added 2025-02-18 11:35:42 +0000 UTCIn the end, Minami decided to accept the invitation.
In his mind—
It was just a meal.
There was no way a simple dinner could increase Akane's feelings that much.
Besides, cooking at home was a hassle.
She had already used up all the groceries yesterday.
If he wanted to cook, he'd have to go shopping first.
With all these factors combined, Minami made his decision.
Of course, the meal itself wasn't really the main point.
He turned his attention back to the simulation.
[After that day, it was as if Akane had suddenly figured something out.]
[She no longer tried to hide her intentions.]
[She frequently invited you out for meals, took you to her favorite clothing stores, and even her friends—Rikka Takarada, Yuta Hibiki, and Sho Utsumi—noticed that your relationship was far closer than a normal friendship.]
[Rikka Takarada, in particular, kept a close eye on this change.]
[She felt both happy and uneasy about the changes in her closest friend.]
[She was happy because she had been Akane's neighbor since childhood. Back then, they spent a lot of time together, often watching tokusatsu shows at the Shinjo household. She had always been aware of Akane's tendency to shut herself off emotionally, but now, under your influence, that emotional wall seemed to be melting away. Without a doubt, this was a sign that things were slowly improving.]
[However, she was also uneasy because she frequently heard Akane talk about where she took you, what she bought you to eat, and how—more often than not—it was always Akane who was paying.]
[From the perspective of a romantic relationship, your dynamic with Akane was clearly not as balanced as one would expect. Rikka Takarada worried that her friend was being strung along, blindly spending money on you. But at the same time, she also knew that Akane's emotional growth depended on you. Without your support, she might never fully step out of her shell.]
[This put her in a difficult position.]
[While you didn't particularly care about Rikka Takarada's concerns, you still took the time to explain the situation to her—because, after all, she was Akane's friend.]
[You clarified that while Akane often treated you to meals, it was mostly to express her gratitude for your dedication to the script. It wasn't like a cliché romance drama where she was "keeping" you. Likewise, you had never asked her for money outright—at most, you occasionally borrowed small amounts, which you always repaid later.]
[Rikka Takarada wasn't entirely convinced by your explanation.]
[But when she saw how completely and unconditionally Akane trusted you, she eventually relented.]
[After all, if even Akane herself was already so attached to you, there was nothing she could say that would change that.]
[At the same time, Rikka also told you seriously that this was the first time she had ever seen Akane take a boy so seriously.]
[She warned you—do not toy with Akane's feelings. And more importantly, do not hurt her already wounded heart.]
"This is the first time I've seen Akane care about a guy this much. It's the first time now, and it will probably be the only time."
In the simulation, Rikka looked at Minami and spoke these words.
For Akane, who had never believed in emotional connections due to her family circumstances—
If this time ended in disappointment,
Then perhaps from that moment onward, she would never open her heart to anyone ever again.
[You took Rikka's warning to heart.]
[Perhaps because you responded with complete sincerity, Rikka chose not to push the topic any further.]
[With that matter settled, under your and Akane's leadership, the rehearsals for The Monster of the Human Heart proceeded smoothly.]
[During rehearsals, you introduced various creative and intriguing ideas. At the same time, your beautifully written script, crafted with delicate and expressive prose, left Rikka, Yuta Hibiki, and Sho Utsumi thoroughly impressed.]
[In your planned casting arrangement:
Rikka, who exuded a sharp and valiant aura when she tied up her black hair, was cast as the male protagonist.
The more delicate-looking Yuta Hibiki was assigned to manage the LCD screen effects.
Sho Utsumi took on the role of Thanasis, the kaiju.
Akane was in charge of lighting and special effects, while you handled narration and background storytelling.]
[Through constant collaboration, your relationship with Rikka Takarada, Yuta Hibiki, and Sho Utsumi deepened.]
[Sho Utsumi, in particular, who had always been passionate about tokusatsu, kaiju, and giant heroes, was especially excited to discuss the script's details with you.]
[You weren't particularly interested in men in general, so you only answered the necessary questions in response to Sho Utsumi's enthusiasm.]
[But even so, Sho Utsumi developed a deep admiration for your ideas.]
[Your relationship with Sho Utsumi has deepened.]
"...???"
Excuse me, what?!
Why the hell was his relationship with Sho Utsumi getting deeper?!
Staring at the simulated memory of Sho Utsumi, the glasses-wearing guy clinging to him, bombarding him with questions about the script, Shouji Minami made a silent decision—
If he ever met Sho Utsumi in real life…
He would absolutely avoid him.
[Time continued to move forward.]
[Thanks to everyone's efforts, the rehearsals for The Monster of the Human Heart progressed smoothly. Afterward, Akane successfully secured the gymnasium stage slot from the student council.]
[Everything was moving in a positive direction.]
Minami closed his eyes.
Within his memory—
The kaiju roars he had carefully crafted using his guitar and various instruments.
The intricately handmade props and suits that Akane had meticulously worked on.
The sweat-drenched rehearsals, where everyone pushed themselves to bring the performance to life.
One scene after another flashed through his mind.
And within those memories—
Sitting slightly closer to Minami than the others, at the center of the group—
For the first time, Akane smiled so brightly.
Not the usual fake, practiced smile she often wore.
But a genuine, heartfelt one.
Minami nodded to himself.
In the previous timeline, Akane had also shown him her true smile—
But back then, it was only when she was alone with him that she allowed herself to be genuine.
Whenever she faced others, she still hid behind a carefully crafted facade.
But this time…
Even in front of Sho Utsumi and Yuta Hibiki, she instinctively let her true emotions shine through.
It seemed that, in this timeline, she had started to find the courage to step out of her past shadows much earlier—
Even as early as high school.
That was undoubtedly a good sign.
In other words—
If he truly wanted Akane to move past her emotional barriers…
Encouraging her to open up to others and build genuine friendships might actually be the best approach.
In the previous timeline, the reason for failure—
Was because Shouji Minami had unconditionally accepted and tolerated everything about her.
She didn't want to interact with others?
Then he simply handled everything himself.
That unquestioning acceptance and tolerance was precisely what led to failure last time.
Minami continued reading.
[Through her continuous efforts with the others, Akane gradually found the courage to step out of her childhood trauma.]
[To the outside world, she still maintained the same bright and cheerful expression, but those who knew her well could sense that something had changed.]
[The old Akane, despite her seemingly lively personality, had always felt like she was missing something.]
[But now, there was a new touch of playfulness and charm, making her seem even more captivating to those around her.]
[As time continued to pass, the day of the Shuka Festival finally arrived.]
[That day, you canceled multiple other invitations and set aside time to explore the festival with her.]
[She spent what she considered to be one of the happiest days of her life with you.]
[And just before the performance, she finally confessed what had been hidden in her heart all along.]
"Minami."
"Hmm?"
"How's the food?"
"It's average."
Chewing on his takoyaki, Minami casually responded.
After all, all the food at the festival was student-made—
Of course, the taste was nothing special.
And to be honest—
In an effort to cut costs, the takoyaki didn't even have real octopus tentacles—
Just some tiny scattered bits of octopus.
So naturally, Minami thought it was just okay.
"Is that so?"
Beside him, Akane went quiet for a moment.
Then, looking toward the student council members setting up the stage for The Monster of the Human Heart, she let out a small sigh.
"It's finally happening."
Yes.
It was finally happening.
Her first step toward pursuing her dream of making tokusatsu—
Her very first step.
At that thought—
Akane instinctively looked at Minami.
He was the first person to accompany her on this journey.
And in the future…
She wanted to keep walking with him.
That thought lingered in her mind.
She hesitated for a moment before looking up and quietly asking,
"Minami, after this performance… do you have any plans?"
"Hmm?"
Her question made Shouji Minami glance at her.
"What else? Keep studying. Stay at the top of the class."
"Idiot, I wasn't asking about your life plans."
Akane's crimson eyes flickered slightly.
In a soft, almost whisper-like voice, she said—
"I meant… if this performance is a success…"
"If it succeeds?"
Shouji Minami looked at her.
Under his gaze, Akane averted her eyes.
"If it succeeds… I want you to keep walking this path with me."
As she spoke, her face flushed faintly in the dim backstage lighting.
Today wasn't just the first step toward her dream.
It was also the first time she truly wanted to entrust her feelings to someone.
The word "accompany" in Japanese could also mean "dating."
With Shouji Minami's intelligence, there was no way he didn't understand.
But—
"Then what if it fails?"
"Huh—?"
Akane stared at him in shock.
She had not expected that response at all.
Her once shy expression froze, immediately replaced with indignation and embarrassment.
"Minami, you bastard!"
She was going to lose her mind because of him.
This guy—
Even at a moment like this, he was still deliberately messing with her!
But what she didn't expect—
Was that Minami, completely serious, added—
"If success comes with a reward, then failure should come with a punishment, right?"
"And what kind of punishment are you talking about?!"
She gritted her teeth, glaring at him.
This guy…
He hadn't even succeeded yet, and he was already planning for failure?
And he even thought of a punishment?!
Fine.
She'd humor him.
She wanted to see just what kind of nonsense he would come up with.
She crossed her arms, giving him an annoyed glare.
And then—
"If we fail, Shinjo-san… your punishment will be to become my girlfriend."
"Huh—?"
The fury in her expression vanished instantly.
And along with it—
All of her frustration and indignation evaporated.
She blinked in stunned disbelief.
It took several seconds before she finally processed what he had just said.
Then, pouting slightly, she turned away and grumbled under her breath—
"Minami, sometimes you really are such a jerk… Are you doing this on purpose to tease me?"
Yes.
She had mentally prepared herself for a serious answer.
And at the very last moment, he purposely threw her off.
That was just pure bullying!
"Shinjo-san, do you dislike the idea?"
In the dim backstage corner, Minami reached out, gently turning her back to face him.
"…"
Akane didn't answer.
Her body faced him, but her head turned stubbornly to the side.
"Shinjo-san, do you really dislike it?"
Shouji Minami cupped her face in his hands, gazing into her eyes.
"…"
Her already calmed heart began pounding again.
The blush on her face said everything.
Avoiding his intense gaze, after a long pause, she finally muttered—
"Jerk."
This guy is so mean.
He already knows the answer, yet he still teases her like this.
But—
"I want to hear you say it out loud."
"…"
Akane sighed in her heart.
Sigh…
Forget it, forget it.
Maybe for the rest of her life, she was doomed to be in Shouji Minami's hands.
Whenever she was with him, she had zero resistance—
All she could do was let him have his way with her.
And the worst part was…
She didn't even mind it.
That thought settled in her mind—
And then, she buried her face against his chest, speaking softly:
"I like you."
Yes…
If she had to put it into words—
From the moment Shouji Minami forced her to be honest with herself, even when he was constantly bullying her—
All the way until now—
She had always liked him.
In the dark backstage corner, far from the audience's sight—
Akane reached out and tightly embraced Shouji Minami.
As if she were holding onto her most precious treasure.
One she never wanted to let go.
