Chapter 147: A Male Succubus?! 

"Shinjo-san? Shinjo-san?"

"Huh…? Mm?"

Slowly waking from her nap, Akane Shinjo blinked her deep crimson eyes in confusion, looking toward the girl sitting beside her.

"The teacher just called on you."

"Ah… huh…? Teacher?"

Still groggy from sleep, Akane's delicate, well-proportioned face looked adorably dazed. "What teacher…? Didn't I already graduate? And I've already changed my last name to Shouji… Don't get it wrong… Where's my husband, Minami Shouji…?"

Muttering in a half-conscious daze, her voice trailed off—only for her to suddenly notice the stunned expressions around her.

…Huh?

…HUH?!?!

Akane froze.

Her drowsiness instantly vanished.

Her face flushed red, and she opened her mouth, stammering before hurriedly whispering, "Sorry!"

She quickly straightened her posture, pretending nothing happened.

But that didn't stop the whispers.

If anything, her reaction only made things worse.

The classmates around her were all staring in shock, unable to hide their intrigue.

Did they just hear that correctly?

What did Shinjo-san just say?

Minami Shouji? Husband? Changed her last name to Shouji?!

This was a major scoop.

Whether it was just nonsense from a half-asleep dream or something far more real, either way—

This was big news.

After all, Akane Shinjo—ranked second in their grade, one of Shuka High's most admired students—was extremely popular.

She was practically the perfect student: excelling in both academics and athletics, almost like a miracle.

And yet, she had just muttered Minami Shouji's name in her sleep?!

This was huge!

The curiosity was unbearable.

One of the girls sitting nearby, someone friendly with Akane, couldn't hold back anymore and leaned over to ask,

"Shinjo-san, are you and Minami-kun dating?"

WHA—?!

Akane visibly flinched.

Her entire body jolted.

Immediately, she vigorously shook her head.

"What?! No!! Of course not! Nothing like that! Don't start spreading rumors!"

Her firm denial was instant and absolute.

The girl who asked simply blinked at her, then nodded, not pushing further.

Seeing the topic drop, Akane finally let out a small sigh of relief.

But still—

Her? Dating Minami?

No way.

No freaking way!

What kind of unfortunate girl would ever fall for that guy—?!

…Wait.

If the memories in her head were right…

That unfortunate girl…

Was very clearly her.

Akane clutched her head, her usual composed expression twisting into an inner struggle.

This was all Minami's fault!

That guy—that guy—

Akane mentally conjured up his face, imagining herself strangling his smug, clueless expression.

Yes! That's right! This was all his fault!

Last night, she had barely gotten any sleep because of him—he just kept writing and writing, obsessed with finishing his script!

Which led to her staying up way too late and crashing in class today.

Thank god she had mumbled in such a low voice just now.

If more people had heard her say, "I've already changed my last name to Shouji… Where's my husband, Minami Shouji?"—

…She would honestly consider fleeing the country.

At the very least, she wouldn't be able to show her face at Shuka High ever again.

Yes! Exactly!

It's all Minami's fault!

It's because of him that she was acting so strangely!

Akane tried to warp his image in her mind—

Tried to twist him into some utterly despicable, irredeemable villain.

But halfway through, she started making excuses for him.

But… but…

"It's not like he actually did anything bad."

Her gaze flickered toward the script hidden in her desk, memories from the simulation surfacing in her mind.

Muttering as if debating with herself, she grumbled,

"He only wrote the script because of me, right?

"How could I blame him for something like that?"

Her expression twisted, caught between happiness and frustration.

The girl sitting beside her was getting seriously concerned.

What was up with Shinjo-san today?

Just a moment ago, she seemed fine.

And now, she was muttering to herself again?!

Was she possessed?!

The girl's expression was worried.

But she didn't dare interrupt, only watching from the side.

Meanwhile—

The more Akane thought about Minami, the redder her delicate, baby-fat-soft face became.

Because—

What the hell was that dream she had?!

Chasing dreams together?!

Cutting ties with the Shinjo family?!

…And doing that with Minami?!

And worse—

She actually enjoyed it?!

—THUD.

Akane slammed her forehead onto her desk.

"Shinjo-san?"

The teacher, who had been lecturing, paused and glanced over.

"N-Nothing! Sorry."

Akane, her forehead now slightly red, hurriedly apologized.

Seeing that the teacher had moved on, Akane let out an internal scream of panic.

Akane Shinjo! Akane Shinjo! Have you no shame?!

Doing that was one thing.

But she even had a child with Minami Shouji?!

The moment those vivid memories from the simulation resurfaced, her face turned an even deeper shade of red.

But…

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to suppress the whirlwind of emotions threatening to take over.

She thought of Minami—of what their future might be like…

That kind of life…

It actually seemed kind of nice.

In that dreamlike future, she had achieved her goals, broken free from the suffocating grip of the Shinjo family, and ended up by Minami's side.

Together, they had built a company, turned their dreams into reality, and eventually… gotten married and had a child.

Everything was peaceful, blissful.

And thinking about it now…

Being with Minami didn't sound so bad, did it?

He was handsome.

Ranked first in the entire country on the national mock exams.

His future was practically limitless.

Calling him a top-tier investment wasn't an exaggeration at all.

If anything, she should be worrying about how to secure him for herself—

Wait, no! NO!

Akane snapped back to reality like she'd been electrocuted.

What the hell was she thinking?!

Minami Shouji was a bully!

Even in that dreamlike future, he never stopped teasing her!

How could she ever fall for someone like that?!

Besides, hadn't she just said earlier—

"Who would ever like a guy like him?!"

Once again, Akane fell into an intense internal struggle.

And that struggle lasted…

Until the final bell rang.

By the time she finally snapped out of it, most of her classmates had already left.

It wasn't surprising that no one had tried talking to her.

After all—

Her expressions throughout the afternoon had been downright terrifying.

One moment, she looked ecstatic.

The next, completely defeated.

Then, she'd stare blankly into space like she was seeing something that wasn't there…

Only to suddenly fall silent, as if she were lost in another world.

Not a single one of her friends dared to interrupt whatever the hell was going on with her.

"Ahh—this is ridiculous!"

Grabbing her head, Akane forcefully shook out all the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

Why the hell was he the only thing she could think about?!

"Damn it! That bastard! How dare he mess with my head like this?!"

With an irritated huff, she checked the time and glanced out the window at the sunset-drenched sky.

Next time she saw Minami, she was definitely going to tear into him—no hesitation, no mercy!

Clenching her fists, she made up her mind.

For now, though, she just needed to go home.

Stuffing her belongings into her bag, she slung it over her shoulder, adjusted her black stockings, and strode toward the classroom door.

Then—

"Ah, perfect timing, Shinjo-san."

"…Huh? Minami-kun?"

The moment she pulled the door open—

The very person who had thrown her entire day into chaos was standing right there.

Minami Shouji, his school bag slung over one shoulder, looking as relaxed as ever.

Akane, who had just spent the last several minutes fantasizing about how she was going to roast him alive,

—completely blanked out.

She took two instinctive steps back.

Her gaze darted everywhere but at him, and in the most awkward, hesitant voice, she mumbled,

"M-M-Minami-kun…? Y-You haven't gone home yet?"

—WHY THE HELL AM I STUTTERING?!

Screaming at herself internally, her face flared up in embarrassment.

"I'm just about to."

Minami replied casually.

"O-Oh! I-I see! Well, um… I should get going too!"

Desperate to escape, Akane cut the conversation short and immediately tried to make a run for it.

She had no idea why, but just looking at him made her unreasonably nervous.

The memories from the simulation kept flashing in her mind.

All the words she normally had no trouble saying—

were completely gone.

She just wanted to get away.

But—

Minami stepped directly in front of her, blocking her path.

"Wait a second, Shinjo-san. I actually needed to talk to you about something."

"…W-What do you want?! I'm very busy, you know!"

Her heartbeat spiked.

But outwardly, she refused to back down, putting on a thoroughly annoyed expression.

"Don't block my way! I have to—"

"Enough. Stand right there. Don't move."

"…Ah… Okay."

Her feigned irritation vanished instantly.

Obediently, she came to a stop—muttering under her breath,

"…What's this about?"

"You'll see in a second."

Minami answered nonchalantly.

A second…?

Akane couldn't help but glance up at him.

And under her gaze—

Minami Shouji smiled.

A perfectly structured, impossibly aesthetic face.

Every angle flawless.

His serene expression, the subtle upward curve of his lips, the faintly narrowed gaze—

It was beyond description.

And Akane…

Was completely spellbound.

At that moment, the sun dipped below the horizon.

The contrast between the fading golden light and the dimly lit classroom—

It turned his smile into something otherworldly.

An oil painting frozen in time.

A masterpiece beyond mortal comprehension.

It was a smile of pure magic.

Just one look—

And she felt like she was falling in love.

Akane's scarlet eyes widened, unable to look away.

Then—

Minami's voice, gentle and ridiculously charming, reached her ears.

"Hey, Shinjo-san… Could you lend me some money for a bit?"

"…Huh? Sure…"

If this had been any other day, she would have mocked him first.

Would've made him beg for it.

But looking at that smile—

She simply pulled out her wallet without a second thought.

Counted a few 10,000 yen bills.

Handed them over.

Minami, still smiling, tilted his head slightly.

"Is that all?"

His slight frown sent a sharp pang through her heart.

It was like watching someone defile a sacred piece of art.

Overwhelmed by guilt, she panicked.

"W-Wait! Hold on!"

She hurriedly pulled out even more cash, thrusting it toward him with an anxious look.

"T-This! Is this enough?!"

"Hmm… Yeah, this should do."

Minami hummed, satisfied.

Then, he tilted his head again and mused,

"Actually, Shinjo-san, could I borrow your wallet and phone too?"

"…Huh?"

Her wallet?

Her phone?

Even in her dazed state, alarm bells started ringing.

Her phone had way too much personal stuff in it.

Giving it to him would be way too reckless, right?

But then—

"Please, Shinjo-san?"

Minami leaned in, eyes filled with sincerity.

"H-Here! Take them!"

Zero hesitation.

She shoved her phone and wallet into his hands without a second thought.

But—

Minami just chuckled.

"I was kidding, Shinjo-san. Who asks a classmate for their wallet and phone?"

"…Huh?"

It was like a spell had been lifted.

Realizing what she had just done, Akane's entire face burned with humiliation.

She snatched her stuff back and shot him a murderous glare.

But thanks to her flushed cheeks, even her glare looked endearingly cute.

And then—

She fled.

Leaving Minami standing there, casually counting his several ten-thousand-yen bills.

…He honestly wasn't expecting it to work this well.

Uh... 

In the end, it was just an experiment. 

I should return this money to Miss Shinjo tomorrow.