[163] Minami Can’t Resist

Chapter 123: Minami Can't Resist

It's Friday, the open campus day for Otonokizaka Academy, and the day Honoka Kosaka and her friends hold their first live performance as muse.

Shunsuke, asking Eriri for help to take Mashiro home, arrived alone at the gates of Otonokizaka.

He didn't bring Mashiro along due to a bit of selfishness.

After all, on this memorable day—the first live performance of muse, a precious three-person concert—the audience attendance was actually zero…

In simple terms, apart from future members and a handful of close supporters, there wasn't a single outsider who came to see Honoka and her friends perform.

This was a truly internal performance.

As for the trio of Shuko, Yuko, and Mika, who might seem like exceptions, they're the invaluable behind-the-scenes assistants for muse. Practically speaking, they're the "12th members" of the nine-person group. Would you say they aren't insiders?

In any case, for muse debut performance, the only fan present on-site was himself—their number one supporter. In that case, shouldn't Honoka, Umi, and Kotori at least be moved enough to pledge their eternal gratitude to him?

What's that? I'm their manager, so I'm also an insider?

That's not important—he could just resign later.

With these thoughts in mind, Shunsuke walked toward the gates of Otonokizaka Academy, only to be stopped by the older female security guard stationed there.

"Excuse me, young man. This is a girls' school."

"I know. That's why—" Shunsuke was prepared for this and nodded toward the school's director, who was walking briskly toward them. "I have special permission from the director."

The woman fell silent and stepped aside.

"Thank you." Shunsuke smiled at her and stepped into the century-old girls' school.

"Mrs. Minami, there's no need to rush. I'm happy to wait." He approached the slightly out-of-breath Minami with a friendly demeanor.

After all, she was Kotori's mother—now a widow—and naturally fond of her daughter. This goodwill extended to her daughter's close acquaintances, including the young man before her.

Minami regarded Shunsuke with a complex expression. While she didn't have the status to even step into a side hall of a Four Heavenly Families' banquet, she still had access to her own sources of information and a seasoned perspective as the director of a century-old girls' school.

Their first encounter was when she saw him helping Kotori make costumes. Back then, Minami had only considered Shunsuke a typical boy interested in her daughter and even found him rather agreeable.

But when Shunsuke approached her again, this time as the supposed boyfriend of Kirari Momobami, requesting her cooperation, her feelings shifted drastically.

She wanted to keep her daughter away from someone like that, yet at the same time, she knew she couldn't refuse him.

Smoothing her hair, Minami forced a polite smile and warmly greeted Shunsuke.

The two walked together through the relatively quiet campus. Although it was an open day, there weren't many visitors, and male visitors were especially rare—at least, Shunsuke hadn't seen any others.

Though he had used special permission to get in through the back door, it was still an open day. If a prospective student's parent came along, even a father could theoretically enter. In theory, that is.

For a school on the verge of closure, it seemed unlikely that many parents would want their daughters to enroll.

As for the current students' parents… well, this school was rather peculiar. A staggering 90% of its students were from single-parent households, living with their mothers alone.

The sample size? Yes, that's correct—it was based on the nine members of muse. Among them, the only living father was Honoka's dad. Quite terrifying.

There must be something wrong with the Otonokizaka Academy.

As Minami continued walking silently ahead of him, Shunsuke decided to start a conversation. "It's so quiet. It feels like I'm the only man here."

Minami offered a strained smile. "Otonokizaka is a girls' school after all—a school with a century of tradition. We take these things quite seriously."

Shunsuke frowned slightly. Is this woman throwing shade at me?

But seeing as she was Kotori's mother, Shunsuke chose to let it slide. He responded with a light-hearted laugh, "That's exactly why I'm supporting Kotori and her friends. It would be such a shame for a school with a hundred years of history to be abandoned just like that."

Minami paused mid-step, summoned her courage, then turned to face him seriously. "Fujii-kun, I know you mean well, but isn't this approach a bit too whimsical? Saving the school by becoming idols—this is something that, as the director, I should be the one to consider. It's not worth you going to such lengths and arranging resources."

She clearly wanted to put some distance between them, speaking in a way that bordered on a parental scolding. But Shunsuke just gave her an exasperated look. Do you have any idea what you're saying right now?

This century-old institution is crumbling under your leadership, and yet you're pushing back against my efforts to fix it? If you had even a shred of competence, the school wouldn't be in this position in the first place!

What's more, I've already invested resources, and now you're telling me you don't need them? Aren't you worried I might get upset?

In truth, out of the nine "ladies" Shunsuke dealt with, Minami was the easiest.

Second would be Nishikino's mother—her status and position were high, but not overly so, making her hesitant when dealing with him.

The most challenging was undoubtedly Mrs. Kosaka, since she was the only one who wasn't widowed.

However, compared to Nishikino's mother, who ran a thriving private hospital, Minami's status was lower, her connections weaker, and, most importantly, her judgment was often questionable.

If not for the fear of hurting Kotori's feelings, Shunsuke would have taken control of her situation long ago.

Now, though, Shunsuke was rethinking his approach. Keeping someone nearby who resented him was proving increasingly irksome.

After all, it wasn't Minami's personality or heart he cherished—just her role and her body. With that in mind, he resolved to go through with his plan.

No matter how clueless she might be, the fact remains that Minami is the legitimate director of Otonokizaka Academy. That means she can arrange for me to have some convenient titles—like an assistant school nurse, head of student life counseling, lead supervisor of the idol research club, or even a one-day transfer student.

The idea of being the only male student in an all-girls' school is a setting I've always found appealing. And once I have "Heaven's Door" at my disposal, I can seamlessly transition into a government-appointed special advisor.

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