Chapter 130: Besides You 

TL Note: I recommend listening to this: Inuyasha OST - Futari no Kimochi (Extended)

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Minami fell silent.

Lying on his small rental apartment bed, he returned from the depths of the simulation, his mind still processing everything he had seen.

He glanced at the simulation log—then at Akane, who was still asleep on the futon.

For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Miss Akane… So this is the kind of thing you're into?

"Hmm?"

Lying on her futon, mostly wrapped up in the blanket, Akane seemed to sense something.

Her crimson eyes turned toward Minami with mild curiosity.

"Something wrong?"

She asked without hesitation.

"I'm thirsty. Get me some water."

Minami pointed toward the sink.

"Hah? Can't you just get it yourself?"

Akane grumbled, her delicate and pretty face filled with reluctance.

But Minami didn't answer. He simply stared at her in silence.

"…Fine, fine."

Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Akane mumbled something under her breath, filled a glass with water, and handed it to him.

Minami took the glass and gulped it down, then looked at her again just as she was about to lie back down.

"…What now?"

"Since you brought the glass, you should put it back."

Minami stated pointing at the cup.

"..."

Akane shot him a murderous glare before snatching the cup from his hand and slamming it down onto the kitchen rack.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, she turned back to Minami, ready to say something—

But then—

"Akane."

Minami called her name again.

"What. Do. You. Want. Now?!"

Akane ground her teeth, ready to explode.

This guy—he was really pushing his luck, wasn't he?!

She had made up her mind.

No matter what Minami said or did next, she was going to ignore him completely.

Then—

"Thanks."

Minami suddenly said, his expression completely serious.

"…Huh?!"

Akane's mouth fell slightly open, her previous frustration suddenly freezing mid-motion.

For a brief moment, her cheeks turned pink.

Then, a little embarrassed, she turned her face away, mumbling under her breath—

"At least you know how to say 'thank you'…"

"Of course."

Minami nodded as if it were obvious. "So, Akane, could you go ahead and wash that cup too?"

"…You're impossible, Minami."

Despite pouting, Akane didn't complain this time.

She stood up, washed the glass, and placed it back in the dish rack.

Watching her roll herself back into her blanket, Minami couldn't help but think—

She's so easy to handle… Miss Akane.

Given how she was acting now, it was no wonder that in the simulation, she tolerated him so much.

Minami shook his head, pushing the thought aside.

He refocused on the simulation screen and continued reading.

[Akane is strong-willed when dealing with others, but when it comes to you, she is far too lenient.]

[Slowly, you begin to understand the reason why.]

[Despite being constantly surrounded by people, adored and admired by everyone—deep down, she is incredibly lonely.]

[The "friends" around her, the praise she receives—it's all because of the perfect, sunny persona she presents on the outside. None of it is real.]

[None of her "friends" have ever tried to truly understand her. Likewise, she has never shown them her true self.]

[But you… you are different.]

[You scold her when she makes mistakes. You ignore her when she throws unreasonable tantrums.]

[Most importantly—you have never treated her with false sincerity.]

[Every word you speak, every action you take, comes from your true self.]

[And for someone like her, who has spent her entire life hiding behind a mask, this strikes her deeply.]

[She has never been able to be as direct and unreserved as you.]

[And because she lacks that quality—she craves it.]

[At first, she had no interest in you, but the more time she spends with you, the more she yearns for your presence.]

[Akane starts visiting your place more often.]

[Sometimes, she comes over to cook. Sometimes, she brings her favorite tokusatsu shows to watch together. Sometimes, she just wants to chat.]

[On some days, when you're out at STARRY or Riko-Riko, she stands outside your door, sending you dozens of LINE messages about how she's "really mad" at you.]

[But before long, after just a few words from you, her mood brightens instantly.]

[Since she's just a high school girl, and it's inconvenient for her to visit late at night, you decide to give her a spare key to your apartment.]

[That day… happens to be her birthday.]

Memories from the simulation painted vivid images in Minami's mind.

The rental apartment.

Mid-winter, sometime in January, around 5 or 6 PM.

Neither of them were wearing school uniforms; instead, both were dressed in thick winter coats.

"What are we eating tonight?"

Lying on Minami's bed, flipping through a trendy fashion magazine while snacking on potato chips, Akane lazily asked.

"Whatever you feel like making. There are ingredients in the fridge."

"Huh? Again? Cooking in your tiny kitchen is such a hassle, you know?"

She grumbled from her spot.

But when she noticed Minami ignoring her, as usual, she let out a dramatic sigh, clapped the crumbs off her hands, and got up.

Checking the pantry, she frowned.

"Ugh… You're out of cooking oil."

Akane blinked in slight surprise, not expecting this development.

"There's a convenience store nearby."

Minami looked up slightly. "I was planning to head out anyway. Let's go together."

"Go out together?"

Akane's steps suddenly felt lighter.

A bright grin appeared on her face as she eagerly latched onto Minami's arm.

"Come on, come on~"

"Don't rush me. Let me finish this chapter first. Oh, right—since I'm low on cash… Akane?"

Minami casually glanced at his book as he spoke.

"Ugh, fine—I'll pay, okay? And I remember your phone bill is overdue, right? I'll just cover that too. Now hurry up and get ready! Let's go!"

With a bright, mischievous smile, Akane tugged at Minami's arm.

Minami sighed, shaking his head.

Still, he wrapped his scarf around his neck, put on his gloves, and stood up.

The two of them headed out together.

Beside him, Akane huffed warm air onto her cold fingers, still smiling.

"By the way, what's so important that you suddenly wanted to go out today?"

Normally, Minami rarely went out unless it was to STARRY or Riko-Riko.

Had it not been for his morning jogging routine, Akane would've assumed he was a full-blown shut-in.

For him to willingly step out with her today…

Her pace grew lighter.

But Minami's response remained as indifferent as ever.

"I have something to do."

"Oh? What is it?"

Akane asked curiously, rubbing her cold fingers together.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Pulling his scarf up to block the chilly wind, Minami said nothing more.

Winter in Tokyo was bitterly cold.

Just stepping outside, the cold wind was enough to sting their faces.

Since Minami was wearing a scarf and gloves, he was slightly better off.

But as for Akane—

She had never been the type to pay much attention to small lifestyle details. Naturally, she didn't have a scarf or gloves either.

So, from the moment they stepped out, she had been rubbing her pale hands together, occasionally using the lingering warmth of her palms to warm her already reddened ears.

"I'll know soon enough…? Ahh, don't be like that. You're making me really curious."

Akane tried to press him for an answer.

"We're here."

Minami suddenly spoke.

Huh?

They had arrived?

Akane looked around in confusion.

It wasn't the convenience store near Minami's apartment—but a well-decorated gift shop.

Ah—

So that's how it is.

Akane glanced at the store and couldn't help but shake her head.

Minami often bought small gifts for his female friends—this, she was well aware of.

After all, he always borrowed money from her, and he never made any effort to hide the existence of those girls.

This time was probably the same.

The excitement she had been feeling moments ago suddenly dulled for no apparent reason.

Who was he buying a gift for this time?

That pink-haired girl?

Or the blonde one?

Maybe the black-haired or blue-haired one?

No wonder he said he was short on money for transportation.

The stuff in this store looked expensive.

Akane's mood took a dip.

Though, honestly, she wasn't even sure why.

After all, her relationship with Minami was, at best, that of friends.

They weren't dating—he was free to buy gifts for whomever he wanted.

And yet—

She couldn't help but let her mind wander with these unnecessary thoughts.

Before she could think too deeply about it, Minami suddenly waved her over and spoke to the store clerk.

"Excuse me, she's paying. Please wrap it up nicely."

…Of course.

Akane silently pulled out the exact amount from her bag and paid the clerk.

On a normal day, she might have at least thrown some sarcastic remarks his way.

But after all the random thoughts she'd just had, she didn't even have the energy to tease him.

After paying, they stepped out of the store and continued walking down the street.

And the most frustrating part—

Minami didn't even carry the bag himself.

He made her carry it.

She had just spent her own money to buy a gift for another girl—

And now she had to carry it too?

At that moment, Akane had the sudden urge to just drop the bag on the ground and leave it there.

But in the end…

She didn't dare show her dissatisfaction in front of Minami.

What if he ended up hating her for it?

Just the thought made Akane instinctively tighten her grip on the bag.

Then, forcing a smile, she turned to Minami.

"S-Minami, since we still have time, how about I go pay your phone bill for you now?"

"Sure."

Half of Minami's face was hidden beneath his scarf as he nodded.

"But before that—"

"Before that?"

"Why aren't you wearing a scarf or gloves? Aren't you cold?"

Minami turned to her, his gaze filled with confusion.

"Huh…?"

Akane blinked.

Scarf?

Gloves?

She stood there blankly.

Then, she watched as Minami furrowed his brows slightly, reached into the shopping bag, and pulled something out.

Under the glow of the streetlights—

She saw it.

A neatly folded, dark brown plaid scarf and a pair of thick, knitted gloves.

"Huh…?"

Akane's expression froze.

She stared at them, her brain unable to process the situation.

"Wait… Isn't that the gift for one of your female friends…?"

"What are you talking about?"

Minami gave her a look.

"This is the birthday present I picked out for you. You don't have a scarf or gloves, do you?"

"Birthday…?"

"Don't tell me you forgot your own birthday, Akane?"

"..."

Akane fell silent.

Right—

She remembered now.

Today was January 2nd.

It was her birthday.

She stood there in a daze.

Minami frowned slightly as he stepped closer.

"Has no one ever celebrated your birthday before, Akane?"

"I…"

Akane opened her mouth.

But the words got stuck in her throat.

Like before—

She had never truly opened her heart to anyone, so naturally, she never made a big deal out of her birthday.

When was the last time someone had celebrated it for her?

She could barely remember.

So when she heard Minami's casual question—

For a moment, she was stunned.

Then, without realizing it, she hugged the scarf and gloves tightly to her chest.

Stealing a glance at Minami—

He still looked confused, waiting for an answer.

No friends…?

Akane repeated those words in her mind.

Then, in a whisper so quiet that even she wasn't sure she had said it aloud—

"But… I have you, don't I?"

"What?"

Minami turned to her, not quite catching her words.

"Nothing."

Akane quickly composed herself, adjusting her expression before putting on the gloves and wrapping the scarf around her neck.

Under the neon glow of the streetlights—

She lifted her gloved hands, smiling brightly like a child.

"How does it look, Minami?"

Under the soft glow—

Her smile was radiant.

A smile so genuine, so unguarded—

A smile that no one but Minami had ever seen before.