I_LOVE_RICE+
patreon
Chapter 88: "Your Lips… Taste Like His?"
🕑 Added 2025-02-08 16:31:06 +0000 UTCIf there was one thing Bocchi couldn't handle in this world,
It was—
Going to work at Starry.
The mere thought of interacting with strangers again,
Of talking to people,
Made the timid, pink-haired girl's tiny, anxiety-ridden heart race uncontrollably.
But not working wasn't an option.
Her band, Kessoku Band, needed money for their activities,
And her allowance alone wasn't enough to cover the costs.
I wonder how Minami-senpai is doing…
Bocchi walked into Starry, slightly hunched over, carrying her guitar case on her back, lost in thought.
Even though her memories were fragmented,
She clearly remembered—
Minami's family situation had always been quite difficult.
"I wonder how he's doing these days..."
Hitori let out a small sigh,
Then sneakily glanced at her Kessoku Band members,
Who were currently gathered together, discussing their next live performance.
Taking advantage of their distraction,
She quietly sat down beside Kita Ikuyo.
How should I put this…?
Watching her bandmates discuss their upcoming show,
Hitori felt an odd emotion stir within her.
She still had memories from before.
In those memories—
It wasn't just her who had feelings for Minami.
Even Nijika, who was kind and caring toward everyone,
Also liked him a lot.
And not just Nijika.
Hitori sneaked a glance at Kita Ikuyo beside her—
Smiling brightly, chatting cheerfully, radiating her usual infectious energy.
With her carefully styled appearance and outgoing personality,
She always stood out in a crowd.
But despite all that—
In Hitori's memories, Kita also liked Minami-senpai.
"Hmm..."
Whether it was Nijika or Kita,
Hitori realized she needed to keep an eye on them.
And then, she subtly shifted her gaze toward another person.
A girl with short blue hair, resting her chin on her hands, lost in thought.
A cold, elegant, yet lazy young lady—
Yamada Ryo.
Ryo...
In Hitori's memories,
Ryo also had strong feelings for Minami.
However—
Unlike the others, she had never directly confessed her love.
But beneath her calm, aloof exterior,
Her passionate emotions were undeniable.
"I can't let my guard down around Ryo either..."
After analyzing the situation,
Hitori suddenly realized something terrifying—
She was completely surrounded by rivals.
Every one of her friends could potentially become a competitor.
A sudden sense of crisis welled up in her chest.
But—
Hitori simply let out a small breath, clenched her fists,
And cheered herself on.
"N-No problem! Hitori, you got this!"
Under normal circumstances… I wouldn't stand a chance against them.
But this time—
The situation was different.
None of them remember anything!
I'm the only one who still retains my memories.
From a certain perspective, I'm already way ahead of everyone else!
Plus—
Two days ago, Minami-senpai even walked me to the train station.
That progress...
Surely, I'm ahead of the others, right?
Hitori began to feel more confident.
"Hehe… as long as I keep up this advantage, I'll be able to win over Senpai!"
"Hm? Bocchi-chan? What's up?"
"Ah... uh... N-Nothing."
Hearing Nijika's concerned voice,
Hitori snapped out of her thoughts,
Quickly wiping the drool off the corner of her mouth with her sleeve.
"Really...? Actually, we were just talking about Minami-san."
"Eh? Senpai?"
Hitori blinked in confusion.
Why were they suddenly bringing him up?
But then again…
It doesn't really matter.
Hitori straightened her posture,
Feeling an odd sense of confidence.
When it came to Minami-senpai, she was the most qualified to speak.
Out of everyone here—
None of them knew him better than she did.
"Ahhh, this is why information is so important."
They were all too behind.
Just one misstep, and they'd fall behind even further.
"After all—Senpai even walked me to the station!"
"Just the two of us!"
Do you all know what that means?!
As she lowered her head,
Hitori actually felt a tiny bit smug.
And then—
"Speaking of which, Minami invited me to his place for dinner today."
"Eh?"
Hitori's eyes widened in shock,
Her head snapping up to look at—
Yamada Ryo.
Ryo was resting her chin on her hand,
Expression calm and indifferent,
As she casually dropped that bombshell.
"What's wrong, Bocchi?"
Ryo's expression remained neutral as she glanced at her.
"N-Nothing..."
Hitori immediately looked away,
But inside, her mind was already in complete chaos.
"Senpai invited her over?! Just Ryo?! Just the two of them?!*
But I'VE never even been to his place!!"*
Her previous smugness vanished instantly.
Her thoughts spiraled out of control.
Meanwhile, Ryo simply tilted her head slightly at Hitori's reaction,
Then continued speaking.
"Honestly, I wasn't expecting it. Turns out, Minami's living conditions aren't great. He's in a really rundown apartment."
"Eh...? Really?"
Now, Nijika and Kita were interested.
"Yeah, I went inside. The walls are so thin you can hear people talking outside. It's a tiny one-room apartment, and there's mold in the corners."
A one-room apartment.
"So the kitchen, living room, and bedroom are all in the same space?"
"That's amazing… How can he even study properly in a place like that?"
Kita Ikuyo's eyes sparkled as she blinked in admiration.
If it were her, there was no way she could focus on studying in a place like that.
After all, when she read, she couldn't tolerate any noise at all.
Even the slightest sound would completely distract her.
"R-Ryo… why did you go to Minami-senpai's house?"
Gotoh Hitori, who had been quiet this whole time,
Finally mustered the courage to speak, raising her hand slightly.
"I was hungry. Minami said he'd make me food, so I went."
"Minami… Ryo… you call him so casually…"
Hitori's voice wavered with envy as she heard Ryo casually drop Minami's name over and over.
She had thought she was the furthest ahead.
She had thought she had already secured victory.
"Close? Is it? It feels pretty normal to me."
Ryo rested her chin on her hand, replying indifferently.
She was so matter-of-fact about it,
Hitori couldn't even find the words to argue back.
"Just running to Minami-san whenever you're hungry… Ryo, you really need to work on that habit."
Nijika leaned forward, poking Ryo's cheek.
"Eh?"
"No 'Eh'! I also think this isn't good! That's just the two of you, alone! Even though I really trust Minami-senpai's character, there's always the risk of something happening! Especially since Ryo-senpai is so cute!"
Kita Ikuyo suddenly stood up, unable to contain herself.
Alone with Ryo-senpai…
So jealous—
Wait! No! That's inappropriate!
"Is that so? I really don't think anything would happen."
Ryo's tone remained calm and unshaken.
"T-That's not necessarily true! I mean… b-boys are dangerous creatures! If you're alone with one, something could totally happen!"
"Hmm…?"
Ryo glanced at Hitori, who was now standing up nervously.
She tilted her head slightly.
Was Bocchi always this scared of guys?
After thinking about it for a moment,
Ryo shook her head and answered.
"I really don't think so. Minami would never do anything to me."
"D-Do you have proof?! If you don't have proof, then… maybe you should stop getting so close to Minami-senpai!"
Hitori mumbled hesitantly, her words stumbling over themselves.
"Why would I need proof just to be near him?"
Ryo was genuinely confused.
Was Minami really that scary in Bocchi's eyes?
She didn't understand Hitori's logic at all,
But she still answered the question anyway.
"He drank from my coffee cup without even hesitating."
"I-I-Indirect kiss…?!"
The moment those words landed,
Hitori's mouth fell open.
Then—
As if she had lost all her strength,
She collapsed back into her seat with a thud.
Not only had Ryo surpassed her progress…
She had even achieved an indirect kiss—
Something Hitori never thought would be possible?!
"This isn't right…!"
Hitori had been with Minami-senpai first.
"..."
She covered her face with her hands.
It's over… Everything is over…
She had such a strong hand—
Yet somehow, she had already lost.
Meanwhile, sitting beside her—
Kita Ikuyo's mouth was hanging open,
Her bright, cheerful face completely frozen in disbelief.
What did Ryo-senpai just say?!
Indirect kiss?!
With a guy?!
Kita's mind couldn't process it.
She instinctively jumped up, rushed to the vending machine outside,
Bought a random drink,
And then ran straight back to Ryo.
"Hm?"
Yamada Ryo tilted her head slightly.
"Here, drink this!"
"…Oh."
Ryo took a sip.
Then, Kita Ikuyo took the can back and gulped down a few large swigs herself.
After finishing her drink, Kita let out a satisfied sigh.
"There! Now Ryo-senpai and I have shared an indirect kiss too!"
"What kind of competition logic is that…?"
Nijika muttered in disbelief, watching her bandmates' absurd thought process unfold.
"T-That's… nice..."
Bocchi sneaked a glance at the drink can.
Her social anxiety immediately kicked in,
And she began spiraling into her usual train of overthinking.
Ryo-senpai and Minami-senpai had an indirect kiss today.
That means…
If I drink from that same can,
Wouldn't that count as an indirect kiss with Senpai too?!
While Hitori was lost in thought,
A voice suddenly snapped her back to reality.
"Bocchi?"
"Eek?!"
"Are you okay? You look a little pale."
"I-I'm fine!"
What the heck was I just thinking?!
After hurriedly giving a short reply,
Hitori clutched her head in shame.
What kind of ridiculous logic was that?!
"If I drink from the same can, it counts as an indirect kiss too"?
That's not how it works at all!!!
She had already made up her mind before.
She was going to win Senpai over properly,
Through hard work and effort.
Yet here she was,
Caught up in pointless fantasies again…
"No! No more distractions!"
Hitori shook herself out of it.
"I have to work hard! I need to change this about myself!"
Next time I see Senpai—
I'll greet him first!
And for his name…
U-Uh…
I'll call him "Minami-kun"!
Yes!
That's what I used to call him in my memories,
So it shouldn't sound weird!
Yes…!
I can do this!
Hitori clenched her small fists,
Her determined gaze hidden beneath her bangs.
And then—
"Good afternoon, Gotoh-san."
A familiar voice greeted her.
Hitori froze.
And then—
"Guh—!"
A strange, meaningless sound escaped her mouth.
Minami was standing right there,
Looking at her with a gentle smile.
Say something!
Hitori, say something!!!
Look at him!
Use a louder, more affectionate voice!
Call him Minami-kuni!
You got this!
You can do this!
And then—
"A-Ah… H-Hello… Minami-senpai…"
Hitori lowered her head,
Her voice small and timid.
At that moment,
The little version of her inside her head completely exploded.
"YOU IDIOT! YOU REALLY ARE AN IDIOT, HITORI GOTOH!!!"
"YOU MORON! YOU ABSOLUTE FOOL! YOU'RE NOT EVEN WORTHY OF BEING A PARASITE!!!"
Senpai had greeted her first!
She had a golden opportunity!
Her inner world collapsed into chaos.
Meanwhile,
In the real world,
Time continued to move forward.
Minami greeted each of her bandmates one by one,
Smiling as he always did.
And then—
Under Hitori's defeated gaze,
She saw him approach Ijichi Seika,
Asking her for today's meal budget.
Why does Seika-senpai cover his meal expenses again…?
Oh, right—
Hitori remembered.
As part of the deal for renting effects pedals and amplifiers,
Minami was responsible for making lunch for Starry's staff.
And Seika was the one paying for the ingredients.
But none of that mattered right now!
Hitori let out a deep sigh and mentally berated herself.
The opportunity was right there.
And she completely wasted it.
"At this rate… can I really compete with Ryo-senpai…?"
No, no, no!
She wasn't even sure if she could become friends with Minami-kuni in the first place!
The more she thought about it,
The more hopeless everything seemed.
Like she was destined to lose.
But then—
"Speaking of which, we're out of ingredients in the café. I need to go grocery shopping."
Minami suddenly spoke up while organizing his things.
"Out of ingredients? I thought the fridge was still well-stocked?"
Seika looked up from her phone, looking puzzled.
"That's only enough for one meal. You just gave me the budget, so of course, I need to buy better ingredients."
Then, Minami turned his gaze—
And looked directly at Hitori.
"Gotou-san, can you come with me? I might need help carrying things."
"Eh…?"
Gotou Hitori, who had just been drowning in disappointment, lifted her head in surprise.
She never expected…
That the opportunity she had just missed would suddenly come back to her.
Not only that—
She had this strange feeling…
That the reason Minami suddenly asked her to go shopping with him—
Was because he had noticed her feelings and was considering her emotions.
Realizing this—
Hitori took a deep breath.
She buried all of her fears and hesitations,
And, without a moment of doubt, stepped forward.
Then, lightly nodding, she spoke:
"I-I understand… um…"
She bit her cherry-colored lips and lifted her face—
A face that had always been hidden behind her long bangs,
A face that was just as beautiful and delicate as any of her Kessoku Band bandmates.
Then, in a voice so soft that only the two of them could hear,
She timidly, yet actively, whispered—
"Thank you… Minami-kun..."
Hearing this—
Minami froze for a moment.
Then, as he saw her blushing face,
He blinked, smiled gently, and waved his hand dismissively.
"You're welcome."
Then—
He returned the gesture.
"Hitori."
