Chapter 7: You Understand Hitori Gotoh Even More

"I'm sorry."

"This has nothing to do with you, Hitori."

Minami gently stroked her hair, feeling her trembling body.

"I'm sorry… If only I were a little better..."

She sobbed quietly.

"You're already amazing. You have 30,000 people watching you online."

In the cold alley, Minami's warm words gave her a sliver of comfort.

But the more he was kind to her, the more she hated herself.

She hated how powerless she was.

She hated how cowardly she was.

She hated how she couldn't even look others in the eye.

Her online persona, "Guitar Hero," simply wanted to be like a real hero.

But in the end... she was still so helpless.

She couldn't even speak up against those spreading rumors.

"It's all my fault."

"Minami-senpai has spent so much time with me, but I still haven't changed at all. Even though you've tried so hard, if only I had a little more courage…"

"I don't care about what people at school say."

Hitori Gotohh didn't respond.

She simply raised her head and looked at Minami.

The same bright, cheerful smile as always.

His kindness made her heart ache even more.

She lowered her head again, hugging her knees in silence.

A long pause.

Then, she finally spoke.

"…Please, stop caring about me."

Just saying those words made her feel like she was falling into endless darkness.

Everything was black.

Like an abandoned graveyard with no moonlight.

Her strength was stripped away.

The ground felt soft and unsteady.

Even the air seemed thin.

She looked at Minami.

Minami looked at her.

Then—

He smiled.

The same warm, bright smile as always.

"I refuse."

He said.

"…Why?"

She pulled her hands away from his and spoke softly.

Being with someone as awkward and gloomy as her—it must be exhausting.

"Because that's not what you really want to say."

"It is."

She insisted.

"Is that so?"

He leaned in, gazing into her eyes.

"Then why is your heart saying otherwise?"

Then, he gently placed his hand over her chest.

Even through her thick sweatshirt, her rapid heartbeat was unmistakable.

He said, "That's not how it's said here either."

Minami Shouji's gaze was drawn to the face that was approaching him.

"Besides, I still want to learn guitar with you, Hitori."

"You can learn with other girls too."

"I think that's fine too."

Minami Shouji's face, which had leaned in, pulled away.

Hearing his words, Gotoh Hitori felt a tugging pain in her heart, as if something was being wrenched. Her throat was unexpectedly dry, making it difficult to say anything.

"I only want you. I don't want anyone else."

Minami Shouji spoke slowly, once again grasping Gotoh Hitori's restless hand.

His sincere tone made Gotoh Hitori realize that hidden behind his words was an unmasked, undeniable affection.

"What's so good about someone like me?"

She had no strength left. This was her final, insignificant resistance.

"I should be the one saying that."

Minami Shouji tightened his grip on her hand, and with his left hand, he gently caressed her face.

"What part of you isn't good?"

[If she denies herself a hundred times, you should affirm her a thousand, ten thousand times.]

At the entrance of a dimly lit alley—

Her fair hand was intertwined with Minami Shouji's fingers, holding tightly together.

Was it because of the murky air?

She wondered.

Why...

Why is my heart beating so fast?

[You comforted her and told her that you never cared about anything else. From the very beginning, you only wanted her. Your world was so small, so narrow, that it never had room for any other woman.]

[You and Gotoh Hitori became lovers.]

In the real world, Minami Shouji temporarily withdrew from the memory simulation, rubbing his forehead.

Things had developed somewhat beyond his expectations.

But overall, this time, he had successfully built a romantic relationship with Gotoh Hitori.

Although confessing in a secluded alley might not have been the most romantic setting, the outcome was still a success.

Yet, despite this success, Minami Shouji did not show much joy.

Because he vaguely felt that things wouldn't be so simple.

Behind this seemingly peaceful and smooth confession, an unavoidable fact still lurked—Gotoh Hitori's social anxiety.

During this simulation, he and Gotoh Hitori had met, gotten to know each other, and fallen in love. There were some bumps along the way, but overall, things had gone smoothly.

However, the core issue—Gotoh Hitori's severe social anxiety—had not been fully resolved.

Still, putting that aside—

Aside from her extreme social phobia, Gotoh Hitori was indeed a wonderful woman.

Thinking about this, Minami Shouji shook his head and immersed himself back into the simulation.

He wanted to continue observing what would happen next.

[You and Gotoh Hitori became a couple, but nothing changed. The rumors at school persisted. Perhaps suppressing them from the start would have been the better choice.]

[Faced with this situation, as if she had made some kind of resolution, she told you one day that she had decided to quit the band.]

[You disagreed with her decision, but deep down, she had a surprisingly stubborn side. For the first time, you failed to persuade your girlfriend.]

[After leaving the band, Gotoh Hitori had much more free time. She put down the guitar she loved so much and began studying social interactions—both online and through real-world magazines. She also learned about fashion and makeup.]

[Under these influences, her already stunning appearance drew even more attention.]

[To keep up with your pace, she worked hard at her studies, but her grades had never been great. Despite her best efforts, she saw little improvement. You never minded, and you patiently tutored her.]

[At the same time, you gradually realized that the drastic changes she made might have been largely because of you.]

At school, the rumors had largely faded.

With her striking appearance, her willingness to engage with others, her sincere effort to befriend everyone, and her ever-present gentle smile, Gotoh Hitori gained the recognition of all.

She clung to Minami Shouji's arm, her adorable face drawing many gazes.

People admired Minami Shouji for having such a beautiful and charming girlfriend.

Even Minami Shouji himself felt that his girlfriend, who had changed so much for his sake, was absolutely dazzling.

[Perhaps because everything seemed to be going so smoothly, you never considered how difficult it was for one person to change so drastically in such a short time.]

Time passed quickly.

[On the night of your high school graduation, Gotoh Hitori asked to meet you.]

[That night, the shy and reserved girl made you understand the pleasures of a mature woman in eighteen different ways.]

[Your relationship with Gotoh Hitori deepened.]

[You understood her better than ever before.]