Chapter 117: No Need to Hold Back, Hitori

What creates the most breathtaking beauty?

Not the fireworks that light up the sky.

Not the stars scattered across the heavens.

The purest beauty comes from human imagination.

Words—seemingly plain and unremarkable—

Have the power to expand the mind and pull people into a world of poetic beauty.

Imagination is the most exquisite canvas.

And now—

After finishing The Girl Hidden Within the Azalea Fields—

Kikuri finally understood what that meant.

The passionate, yet melancholic Komako.

The hopelessly oblivious protagonist.

Their meeting, their bond, their fleeting moments together—

All of it was wrapped in a delicate, breathtaking beauty.

Even in the final moments—

Where the protagonist, lost in hallucination,

Sees Komako once again—

And speaks to her.

"Why are you here?"

Hidden in the azalea sea, she smiles radiantly,

Just like she always had.

"I came to see you."

Unable to express himself fully,

He can only whisper those simple words to the one he loves.

It was just an illusion—

A conversation that only existed in his deluded heart.

Yet—

It was still so, so beautiful.

The words and phrasing were simple and unembellished.

Yet, it was precisely this stark simplicity—

That tugged at Kikuri's heart in a way she couldn't ignore.

No grand, elaborate reasons.

Just a simple longing to see someone—

And so, they appear at that place.

Perhaps, it was this kind of pure simplicity

That stirred something deep inside her.

Letting out a long exhale, Kikuri set down the manuscript.

No excessive sighs, no dramatic displays of emotion.

As a musician, she had always possessed a sensitive heart.

So, she simply spoke—calm and fulfilled:

"It's beautiful."

And that was all.

Minami had been watching her closely,

Worried she'd lose herself in emotion again after reading his story.

But hearing those words,

He finally relaxed a little.

It seemed that this time,

The effects of Late-stage Minami's Pure & Simple Romantic Writing Technique

Had worn off on Kikuri.

Most likely because she had already been "afflicted" once before,

So the impact wasn't as strong this time.

"It really is beautiful."

Seika spoke next—

Having just finished reading the entire story herself.

She wasn't usually one for literary novels.

But this one—

It was different.

Compared to those "once-in-a-millennium literary geniuses" or "award-winning young novelists"...

Minami's story resonated more deeply.

It wasn't about fancy prose or sophisticated writing techniques.

It was something else entirely.

"Just simple, unadorned words—

And yet, they have this way of truly making you feel something.

Like you're being pulled into the story."

Struggling to find the right words,

Seika offered her most straightforward review.

"Yeah… I feel the same way as the manager.

There were some parts I didn't completely get,

But honestly, I don't think I needed to."

PA chimed in with a light chuckle.

"It's not like those highbrow novels that are impossible to understand—

This one had a kind of pure, simple beauty that just felt right."

She paused for a moment, then added with a grin:

"At the end of the day—

A story that moves people is a good story, right?"

"Of course, I still think it would've been better

if Komako had reappeared at the end,

and she and the protagonist had ended up together.

I mean, c'mon—

It really had that whole first love kind of romance going on!"

Kikuri hiccupped from the alcohol,

Even though she had never even been in love before.

"Yeah, I totally get that."

Seika and PA both nodded in agreement.

Clearly, Kikuri's summary had struck a chord with them.

Minami, on the other hand—

"..."

Just what exactly were these three saying?

They couldn't even solve a basic math problem,

And now they were analyzing his novel like literary critics?

He hadn't even asked for their opinions yet!

But—

Fine.

"Judging by their reactions,

there shouldn't be any major issues with the story."

Watching the three of them chat excitedly,

Minami felt a bit more at ease.

But considering their… limited intellectual capacity…

He decided to get a second opinion.

Turning to Bocchi, he asked:

"Hitori, do you want to read the ending?"

"Eh?! I—I… um… no, no need!"

Bocchi flinched, her face instantly turning red.

Read it?

Again?!

Not a chance!

She wasn't as shameless as the adults here!

Just thinking about what happened last time...

Her face burned even hotter.

She read it once… and ended up kissing him.

If she read it a second time—

Wouldn't she end up waiting outside his school to ambush him?!

No, no, NO.

That's way too fast!

Absolutely not!

Her refusal was firm.

Minami respected her decision.

Given… previous events,

He understood completely.

Just as he was about to put the manuscript away—

A lazy, elegant voice spoke up:

"Can I take a look, Minami?"

Minami turned—

And found himself meeting the cool, indifferent gaze

Of Yamada Ryo.

"No."

Minami refused immediately.

He was willing to let Bocchi read the ending,

Because she had already been affected once.

By now, the effects of Late-stage Minami's Pure & Simple Romantic Writing Technique

Shouldn't be as extreme on her.

But Ryo was different.

She had just arrived—

Which meant that the skill was still fully effective on her.

Even Bocchi—

A shy, timid, anxiety-ridden wreck—

Had gathered enough courage to kiss him after reading it.

If Ryo—

A woman who was already completely unrestrained by nature—

Got her hands on this novel…

Minami didn't even want to imagine what could happen.

So, he cut her off immediately.

No chances given.

"Eh? Why not?"

Ryo tilted her head cutely, her face as unreadable as ever.

"Because I don't want to."

Minami answered casually.

"Minami, I'm gonna get mad."

"Uh-huh, sure."

"No, really. I'm actually mad, Minami."

Watching how half-heartedly dismissive he was being,

Ryo—despite feeling zero romantic emotions toward him—

Felt mildly annoyed.

She turned her head to the side,

And in the flattest, most monotonous voice, said:

"Starting now, I won't talk to you anymore."

Minami raised an eyebrow.

"...Oh?"

"Yeah."

Ryo nodded, still expressionless.

"...Didn't you just say you weren't going to talk to me anymore, Ryo?"

Minami blinked.

"Mhm. This is your punishment.

I won't talk to you for one full minute."

"..."

Minami exhaled sharply.

Of course.

Of course it had to be you, Ryo.

Watching her sit there, one half-lidded amber eye obscured by her bangs,

Minami felt a strange mix of exhaustion and amusement.

This woman.

You can't hit her.

You can't scold her.

And her skin is somehow thicker than yours.

Completely impossible to deal with.

Fine.

Let her do whatever she wants.

Either way, she wasn't reading the novel.

Not today.

At the same time,

Minami also refused Kita and Nijika's requests to read it.

They had arrived later, just like Ryo.

Which meant the skill could still affect them.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Glancing at the time,

Minami stood up and stretched.

"Alright, that's it for the novel.

Now, about the tutoring—

I'll analyze everyone's weak subjects later,

And then I'll come up with a study plan."

Grabbing his bag, he continued:

"For now, we're done here.

I'm heading home."

Yes.

That was it for today.

For Minami—

This was the natural end of the night.

But for one certain person in the room—

It was anything but over.

Bocchi watched nervously

As Minami began packing up to leave.

Even though he had already told her

That he didn't mind what happened earlier—

That was in front of Nijika.

And besides...

She still had a lot of things…

That she wanted to say to him.

Swallowing hard.

Clenching her fists.

Breathing a little too fast.

Heart pounding.

A wave of social anxiety crashed over her—

But still, she forced her mouth open and spoke:

"Ah… um… Minami-senpai…!"

Minami paused and turned back.

His pure, clear eyes met hers.

Faced with that gaze—

Bocchi felt her heartbeat spike even faster.

But—

I—I've improved…!

She took a deep breath.

She gathered her courage.

And then—

"Th-That… Um…!"

"No need to be so formal, Hitori."

Bocchi blurted out the first half of her sentence—

And mumbled the rest quietly:

"I have something I want to talk about… Can we walk home together? I need to go to the station anyway."

It wasn't a lack of punctuation.

That was exactly how fast and mumbled she had said it.

Like someone who had rehearsed it a thousand times in their head—

And was barely able to force it out.

"..."

Minami froze.

A long silence stretched between them.

Thirty seconds at least.

Then—

"Sorry, Hitori.

Can you say that again?

You spoke so fast, I didn't catch it."

His tone was gentle, genuinely apologetic.

He really hadn't heard her clearly.

He was busy packing up,

And her voice had been so quiet and rushed

That it was hard to make out.

"Uh—?!"

Bocchi's entire expression twitched.

Of—Of course…

It was her fault.

She spoke too fast.

She rushed too much.

And her voice was too low…

Of course he wouldn't have heard…

Heh… Heheheheh…

Her mind spiraled into chaos.

Her expressions flickered wildly.

She was about to mentally collapse again.

Her thoughts were filling with static:

I probably left a terrible impression…

Talking too fast like that is annoying, right?

Maybe he's getting tired of me—?

And then…

Execution?!

Her face twitched again.

But—

"Hitori, don't rush.

Just take your time and say it again."

A calm, steady voice.

It reached her ears like a lifeline.

Bocchi snapped back to reality.

She looked up instinctively.

And there he was.

Minami—

Standing right in front of her.

And the expression she had feared the most—

Annoyance.

Impatience.

Disgust.

None of it was there.

His eyes—

Those clear, unwavering eyes—

Were as warm and steady as ever.

It was always like this.

No matter how much she panicked—

No matter how much she made a mess of things—

Minami never once looked at her with frustration or negativity.

His serene presence…

Calm, unshaken, patient—

It miraculously steadied her heart.

Deep breath.

Clench fists.

Summon courage.

She tried again.

"U-Um… That…

Can I walk with you to the station, Minami-senpai?

I have something I want to talk about."

This time—

She tilted her head up slightly.

Her deep blue eyes, normally hidden beneath her bangs,

Looked straight into his.

Her voice was clear.

"Alright.

Let's go.

Hitori, grab your stuff too."

Minami nodded and smiled.

"Mm!"

Bocchi responded loudly and firmly.

For the first time in her life—

She felt the thrill of inviting someone out…

And having them happily accept.

She nodded quickly.

And turned to pack up her things.

It wasn't much.

Her guitar, her school bag—

Everything was already ready to go.

Only Minami needed a bit more time

To reorganize his novel manuscript

That had been messed up earlier.

Leaving STARRY studio—

The cool Tokyo night breeze swept over them.

Bringing with it—

The distinct scent of the city.

And also—

The subtle scent of Minami himself.

It wasn't—

"Sweet" or "fragrant."

It was—

The faint aroma of spices and pizza.

Which made sense.

Tonight, Minami had cooked a simple Italian-style pizza at STARRY.

He walked with a straight, confident stride.

And the neon lights of Tokyo reflected off his back—

Making the world around them feel strangely dreamlike.

Bocchi didn't do well in these environments.

The bustling city.

The chaotic noise.

It put her on edge.

Made her feel restless.

She shifted uncomfortably…

Then looked forward.

And there—

Minami had paused.

Slightly crouching, looking through the window of a small street food stall.

Inside, freshly fried pork cutlets sizzled.

It seemed like he was thinking about whether to cook it next time.

Seeing him there…

Bocchi's uneasy heart settled.

She quietly followed behind him.

Matching her steps to his pace.

After about a hundred meters of silent walking…

Minami suddenly spoke up:

"Hitori, what did you want to talk about?"

"Uh… Ah… That…"

Bocchi's voice hitched.

She was the one who asked for this—

But now that it was time to actually say it…

How could she possibly just—

Casually say—

"Sorry for assaulting you."

She froze.

But before she could implode again—

Minami chuckled knowingly.

Like he had already figured it out.

"You're still trying to apologize for earlier, aren't you?"

"Uh… Um… Yeah…"

Bocchi nodded hesitantly.

Minami smiled.

"Rather than apologizing—

I'd rather hear you say 'thank you.'"

"Huh?"

"'Thank you' sounds a lot nicer than 'I'm sorry,' doesn't it?"

"I—It does…?"

Bocchi blinked blankly.

And then…

She realized.

This wasn't the first time.

Minami always—

Always did this.

Every time she was about to feel bad—

He would gently steer the conversation away.

Every time she felt embarrassed—

He would casually reframe it.

He was always accommodating her.

Always looking out for her.

She stared at him.

Minami was currently peering into a bookstore window,

Glancing at the titles.

Watching him,

Bocchi found herself thinking.

Even when she couldn't talk properly—

Even when her topics were dull—

Even when her awkwardness ruined the mood—

Minami never once acted like he didn't want to be there.

He always listened.

He always responded.

She pressed a hand against her chest.

Slowly—

She lifted her gaze.

"...Minami."

He turned back.

For a long time,

She hesitated.

Then, finally—

With her face tilted slightly up,

She softly said—

"Thank you, Minami."

Her voice was quiet.

But her words were heavy.

They meant—

Everything.

Minami's eyes widened slightly.

Then,

He gave her a gentle smile.

"No need to be so formal."

"Hitori."