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Chapter 86: Miss Yamada is Truly a Strange Creature
🕑 Added 2025-02-08 16:29:46 +0000 UTCNishikigi Chisato was born with a congenital heart condition.
This was something that everyone at Riko-Riko knew.
According to doctors, this type of congenital heart disease was incurable.
The only thing they could do was prolong her life with medication.
Unlike in TV dramas, these medications, while expensive, weren't unaffordable—
Because no amount of medicine could actually save Chisato's heart.
However—
As she grew older, more active, and full of energy,
Her already fragile heart had begun showing signs of strain.
The doctors had already warned everyone at Riko-Riko:
If anything happened to Chisato's body, it would likely be this year.
They even spoke to Chisato herself, telling her:
"If there's anything you want to do, do it soon. Don't leave behind any regrets."
Everyone had mentally prepared for this outcome long ago.
Even Chisato herself had accepted it.
She continued to live happily, always laughing and joking around with others.
But—
The more at peace and carefree she seemed,
The harder it was for those around her to accept.
For Inoue Takina, who had grown up alongside Chisato and regarded her as a sister,
Every single smile Chisato showed was a silent form of agony.
Takina had even secretly suggested sending Chisato to a high-end hospital in the U.S. for treatment.
At the time, Chisato had simply laughed and replied—
"Don't be silly, Takina. Even if we wanted to go, we don't have the money for that."
Her tone was helpless, yet completely calm.
Yes.
Just keeping Chisato on medication had already given Mika a massive headache,
To the point that he had lost a lot of hair from stress.
As for sending Chisato to an overseas hospital?
That was completely impossible.
Right now, the struggling, cash-strapped Riko-Riko simply didn't have the money for that.
So, all they could do was watch Chisato.
Watch her, and then—
Be completely helpless.
"Do you… have any way to save her?"
Mizuki asked Minami desperately.
She often complained about Chisato, calling her an arrogant, reckless brat who didn't know her limits—
But at the same time, Mizuki had also been infected by Chisato's overwhelming joy for life.
They were companions—
The kind of friends who constantly teased and bickered,
But when it really mattered,
Would cherish and protect each other no matter what.
"There's no such thing as absolute certainty in this world. Even if I tell you I have a solution right now, wouldn't you still doubt me?"
"I..."
Mizuki opened her mouth but didn't deny it.
She wanted to believe him, but—
This was Chisato's life.
She couldn't afford to blindly trust someone.
Minami had expected this.
He understood human nature well enough to know—
With skeptical people like Mizuki,
Pushing too hard wasn't the right move.
While a strong offensive could work,
A carefully planted seed of trust would be even more effective in the long run.
So—
He took a gentler approach.
"However, Miss Nakahara—if you're willing to believe in possibilities… then please accept this."
As he spoke, Minami reached into his pocket—
And handed Mizuki a business card.
"Huh…?"
Seeing the business card being pulled out of Minami's pocket, even Mizuki Nakahara was momentarily stunned.
So professional… he even has business cards?
Minami…? Minami Spiritual Consulting…?
She glanced down at the card in her hand.
It clearly displayed the name of the office, Minami's full name, and his contact number.
But the most puzzling thing was—
"Why doesn't Master Minami's business card have an office address?"
Hearing her question, Minami simply gave a gentle smile.
"This consulting office is built on 'fate.' If we are destined to meet, we will. Even if I print the address on the card, it won't make a difference without fate."
Of course, this was complete nonsense.
In reality, Minami lived in a cheap, poorly insulated rental unit with no soundproofing whatsoever—he didn't have a real office at all.
Even this business card had been printed at a local shop on the way here, since he had predicted that a situation like this might arise.
When it came to scamming people, he really had a talent for it.
"Thank you, Master Minami. I'll humbly accept this, then."
Without thinking, Mizuki unconsciously added honorifics and even bowed in gratitude.
"No need to be so formal. It was just a casual consultation, but if it helped you in any way, then I'm glad, Miss Nakahara."
Minami responded politely.
After a slight pause, he continued—
"Now then, let's discuss a certain someone's issue."
As he spoke, Minami turned to look at Yamada Ryo, who was sitting quietly nearby.
Still smiling, he leaned in slightly toward her.
"Isn't that right, Miss Yamada?"
"Uh—"
Yamada Ryo stared at him expressionlessly, then gave a small shiver.
To her, Minami's smiling face right now looked like the devil himself.
She opened her mouth but then, as if she had suddenly come up with an idea, she quickly grabbed the half-empty coffee cup in front of her and presented it to him with great reverence.
"Please accept this."
"…Haven't you already drunk from this?"
Minami sighed, shaking his head at her behavior.
Offering someone a half-drunk coffee as a form of apology…
How typical of Yamada Ryo.
"Forget it, I'm thirsty anyway."
After having talked so much, Minami couldn't be bothered to nitpick, so he took the cup and drank the rest in one go.
As she watched his throat move while drinking, Yamada Ryo suddenly touched her pink lips absentmindedly, as if she had just realized something.
So this is what an indirect kiss with a guy feels like?
…Interesting.
But before she could dwell on it any longer, Minami spoke again.
"Now then, let's discuss how you're going to repay that 1,500 yen."
"Huh?"
Yamada's normally calm expression momentarily froze.
Then, realizing she had fallen into a trap, she let out a dissatisfied—yet still expressionless—complaint.
"Minami, you already drank my coffee."
"I never said drinking your coffee meant I'd take your side—or pay your bill."
Minami shot her a glance, already having a plan in mind.
Without hesitation, he picked up the brand-new bass guitar that Yamada had just bought and handed it over to Mizuki Nakahara.
"Miss Nakahara, since Miss Yamada is currently unable to pay for her coffee and meal, let's have her temporarily pawn this as collateral."
"Huh…? Wait, but—"
Mizuki hesitated, looking at the bass case in front of her.
To be honest, after everything Minami had said, she was already debating whether or not she should even charge Yamada.
After all—
Minami had just given her an entire consultation for free.
At this point, if she still insisted on collecting his friend's debt, she herself would start feeling guilty.
"No need to feel bad, Miss Nakahara. It's only natural to pay back what you owe. If you don't mind, you can temporarily hold onto this bass as collateral."
Even though Yamada Ryo was too free-spirited, Minami had ways to deal with her excessive freedom.
After all, in every simulation, he had encountered Yamada countless times.
Without hesitation, he lifted Yamada by the back of her collar and continued calmly—
"If she doesn't come back within three days to settle the bill, you can pawn the bass. I estimate it'll sell for around 200,000–300,000 yen."
"What do you mean 200,000–300,000 yen?! That's an Ibanez black headless electric bass—and it's personally used by a Bass Beauty like me! Even as a second-hand item, it's worth at least 400,000 yen!"
For someone usually quiet and reserved, Yamada Ryo suddenly became extremely vocal when it came to musical instruments.
Even in this situation, the moment she heard Minami devaluing her bass, she immediately launched into a passionate protest.
"Oh? Well, that makes things even better."
Casually tucking Yamada under his arm as if she were an object, Minami turned to Mizuki.
"So if she doesn't pay within three days, you can pawn the bass for 400,000 yen instead."
"Uh… are you sure this is okay?"
Unlike Minami's calm demeanor, Mizuki Nakahara hesitated as she stared at the bass in front of her.
A 400,000-yen bass—just left here as collateral... was this really okay?
"This is nothing at all."
Still tucked under Minami's arm, Yamada Ryo's thought process was truly unique.
It was her first time being this close to a guy, and she actually found the position quite amusing, so she didn't struggle. Instead, she spoke in an indifferent yet almost bragging tone:
"I have even better basses at home—"
"Is that so?"
Although Mizuki wasn't sure why Yamada suddenly started showing off her bass collection, she hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Then I'll hold onto it for now."
"Mm, sure."
Under the watchful eyes of both Minami and Mizuki, Yamada nodded.
Then, without a care, she casually added—
"In that case, I'll have another coffee… and a sirloin steak."
Then she turned around—
"Minami, what do you want to eat?"
"Huh?"
Mizuki blinked in disbelief.
"What do you mean 'huh'? I just left a 400,000-yen bass as collateral, so it's only fair that I order more food, right? Or are you saying that's how you treat customers—Minami, don't hit me. That hurts."
Yamada Ryo's tone was completely matter-of-fact, but before she could finish her sentence, she rubbed her head, looking expressionless as she calmly protested against Minami's head flick.
There really was something strange about 'beautiful girls.'
Normally, when someone patted their own head after a cranium punch in anime, it would just look silly.
But when Miss Yamada did it with her delicate white hands,
All Minami saw was an adorably blank expression.
"Are you still hungry?"
For a brief moment, Minami's heart wavered.
But then he saw this blue-haired woman turn to Mizuki with sparkling eyes,
And immediately smacked her head again to shut her up.
"Yes."
Yamada Ryo nodded calmly, even rubbing her stomach as a faint grumbling sound echoed.
For some reason, she didn't mind Minami patting her head.
It almost felt like…
They had known each other for a long time,
To the point where words were unnecessary.
"…Once this is settled, come to my place. I'll cook for you. You never got to try my hamburger steak last time, right?"
As always, Miss Yamada was brutally honest.
Minami didn't push back this time, instead thinking for a moment before agreeing.
Although he didn't want to get too close to Yamada like in the simulation,
Keeping too much distance wasn't good either.
As friends, having her over for a meal wasn't a big deal.
"Alright then, that's settled, Miss Nakahara."
Ignoring Yamada now, Minami turned back to Mizuki.
"If she doesn't come back for her bass within three days, just pawn it."
"...Alright."
Mizuki nodded instinctively and watched as Minami dragged Yamada out of the café.
As the two left, their voices still carried inside.
"Let's go, Miss Yamada."
Minami's slightly annoyed voice.
"Ryo. I told you to call me Ryo."
Yamada's calm but insistent correction.
"..."
Mizuki Nakahara.
She rubbed her temples.
"What the hell was all that…?"
The situation had escalated so quickly that Mizuki still hadn't fully processed it.
She turned her gaze toward the bass case now sitting on the counter,
And began sorting through everything that had just happened.
Minami had accurately guessed her habits,
And even knew Chisato's medical condition…
If someone investigated her personal habits, it wouldn't be impossible to uncover them.
But Chisato's heart condition…
That was not something that could be easily found out.
Chisato's medical records were highly confidential,
And all the doctors treating her had signed NDAs.
There was no way outsiders could know.
"So… that means…"
"That guy, Minami, might really have some kind of ability…"
As Mizuki considered this possibility,
She made up her mind.
Doing nothing wasn't an option.
If Chisato's condition continued to deteriorate,
Then waiting around wouldn't help at all.
If there was even the slightest chance—
She might as well go all in and try to believe him.
Just as Mizuki was reaching this conclusion,
The doorbell of Riko-Riko suddenly chimed.
And in walked—
A beaming Nishikigi Chisato,
Alongside the serious-looking Inoue Takina.
"Ta-da~! The cutest server in Riko-Riko—Chisato-sama—has arrived!"
Perfect timing.
Mizuki took a deep breath and immediately called out—
"Chisato, Takina, come here. I have something to tell you."
