Chapter 184: Stay Up Late Tonight, Hitori

Seriously—

Did this woman even know what she was saying?

Ijichi Nijika shot Yamada Ryo a glare.

But in the end, it was just a glare.

Even at thirty-one, Nijika still found herself powerless against her longtime best friend.

Ryo, however, was completely unfazed by Nijika's piercing stare. She didn't even flinch—if anything, she sounded completely justified as she countered:

"Tell me, Nijika, don't you want to receive a Valentine's Day gift from that guy?"

"Uh—"

Nijika's voice caught in her throat.

Not want a Valentine's gift from Minami?

That was impossible.

She liked Minami—loved Minami.

Without him, there was no way she could have ever achieved her dream of making Kessoku Band successful.

If Minami were to actually give her a Valentine's Day present…

She couldn't even begin to imagine how happy that would make her.

Her toes fidgeted inside her yellow boat socks.

"We've known that guy for so many years now, haven't we?"

Ryo's voice carried a righteous conviction.

"And he still hasn't given us a single Valentine's gift? Don't you think he's the problem here?"

"..."

Nijika opened her mouth slightly, but no words came out.

From an emotional standpoint, she really wanted to agree with Ryo.

But from a logical standpoint—

"Stop talking nonsense."

She shook her head, refusing to let Ryo derail her any further.

After all, this woman was completely lawless, a free spirit in every sense of the word.

Deciding to drop the topic entirely, Nijika bent down, picked up the laundry basket she had left on the floor, and adjusted her grip in a way that made her look refined.

"If Hitori hears you talking like this, you're gonna—"

"Huh? Gonna what?"

A curious voice suddenly came from nearby.

Still sporting the same long hair she had in high school, Shouji Hitori emerged from the side room.

She clearly hadn't heard the conversation between Nijika and Ryo.

Her crystal-clear blue eyes blinked in curiosity.

"Was there something you wanted to say to me?"

"Uh—"

Nijika stiffened.

She hadn't expected Hitori to show up so soon…

"H-Hitori, weren't you out shopping for Valentine's gifts with Minami?"

"Oh… that."

Hitori's voice was soft and delicate as she answered.

"Nami is always more decisive than me. By the time I got there, he'd already bought everything…"

She tilted her head.

"Why? What's wrong, Nijika-chan?"

Even though Hitori was now a mother, she still spoke with that habitual timidness that had always been a part of her.

It wasn't as pronounced as before, but it was something she'd never fully outgrown.

"Ah… um… n-nothing! I was just talking to Ryo about some other things, that's all! Don't worry about it!"

Nijika waved her hand dismissively while frantically shooting a glare at Ryo.

Even little Miyuki, who was just nine, had the common sense to keep her mouth shut about what had just happened.

But—

"Actually, we were discussing something really important just now."

Ryo spoke up.

"Something really important?"

Hitori took a step closer, looking intrigued.

"Yes. Hitori, don't you think it's unfair that you're the only one getting a Valentine's gift from Minami?"

"..."

Nijika's expression turned into one of pure shock.

This damn woman—

This blue-haired menace—

Even Miyuki, a nine-year-old, had enough sense to know what could and couldn't be said.

Yet Ryo—this absolute lunatic—

Nijika quickly turned her head away, too nervous to look at Hitori's reaction.

Unlike Nijika, who was frantically avoiding eye contact, Hitori simply looked surprised—like she hadn't expected Ryo to say something like that.

She hesitated for a moment before quietly muttering:

"Eh…? Um… well… it is kinda unfair…"

"It's not 'kinda'—it is!"

Ryo leaned in, her amber eyes staring at Hitori with dead seriousness.

"We've all known Minami for so long!"

Her expression didn't waver at all as she made her ridiculous demand:

"So, Hitori—I command you to give me Minami's gift!"

"Eh—?!"

At that moment, Hitori and Miyuki were practically identical.

The way they both whined in protest was completely the same.

But Ryo didn't care.

She extended her hand, palm up, her golden eyes staring at Hitori.

"Where is it? The gift Minami gave you?"

"Ah… um… ah… Ryo-san…"

"Here?"

Yamada Ryo's expression was one of deep concentration.

"R-Ryo-san! D-don't touch there! That's my bra clasp!"

"Or maybe here!"

"M-my underwear!"

"Or maybe—"

Just as Ryo's hands continued their questionable exploration all over Shouji Hitori, a strange voice suddenly interrupted:

"...What exactly are you two doing?"

Huh?

At that moment, everyone in the room froze.

The only one who didn't was little Miyuki, who immediately cheered upon recognizing the newcomer:

"Papa! Kita-mama!"

Standing in the doorway was Minami—and right beside him, having just arrived by chance, was Kita Ikuyo.

Both of them had extremely perplexed expressions as they took in the scene before them.

Hitori—clothes slightly disheveled, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Ryo—her face completely serious, hand still buried in a place far too suggestive for comfort.

A place that, frankly, drew far more attention than even the cherry blossoms in spring.

"You do realize she's someone else's wife, right, Ryo?"

Minami reached out and smacked Ryo on the head.

This woman…

No matter what timeline, she's always like this.

So, what—is she just giving up on me now and going after Hitori instead?

"Ow, Minami."

Expression completely blank, Ryo finally pulled her hand away from Hitori and rubbed the sore spot on her head.

"Oh? So you do feel pain?"

Minami glanced at her with clear disapproval.

"Alright, now—would someone please explain what's going on?"

To say that he hadn't expected this scene after coming home from a one-hour direct simulation would be a massive understatement.

Everyone sat down.

With a deep sigh, Nijika reluctantly explained the situation—

And by the time she was done, her face had turned completely red from secondhand embarrassment.

Because—

This was just too stupid.

A whole argument over wanting Minami's Valentine's Day gift?

And getting caught by Minami himself?

Could there be any scenario more socially humiliating than this?

Sure enough…

Silence.

Everyone fell into an awkward quiet after hearing the explanation.

The only one who seemed completely unbothered was Ryo—

She even had the nerve to ask, "What's wrong?"

"..."

Everyone.

Absolutely everyone at that moment came to the same realization—

This woman is terrifying.

But—

"Whatever."

Breaking the silence, Minami let out a defeated sigh and stood up.

"Hitori, I got it out already."

"Ah… okay, you c-can… take it out… that thing…"

Hitori nodded, her voice shy and hesitant.

That thing?

Hearing those words, Ryo, Nijika, and Kita perked up in curiosity.

Under their eager gazes, Minami reached into a paper bag beside him—

And pulled out three different-sized, neatly wrapped gifts.

He then handed them to Ryo, Nijika, and Kita.

"This is…?"

Nijika blinked in confusion.

Judging by the packaging, these were clearly Valentine's Day gifts.

But…

But…

They had no right to accept a Valentine's gift from Minami, did they?

Even if they had been best friends since high school…

Even if little Miyuki called them all her mama…

That still didn't give them the standing to receive something this special.

Their relationship with Minami wasn't that kind of relationship.

And with Hitori standing right there…

If she misunderstood this—

With mixed feelings of happiness, excitement, and anxiety, Nijika hesitantly glanced toward Hitori.

Kita did the same.

Neither of them had expected something like this today.

Their minds were practically short-circuiting.

"It was actually Hitori's idea."

Noticing their confused expressions, Minami casually explained.

During his direct simulation, he had gone out with Hitori to pick Valentine's gifts.

But halfway through their trip—

His timid wife had suddenly made a request.

Not just for herself—

She wanted him to buy gifts for Ryo, Nijika, and Kita as well.

At the time, Minami had struggled to understand why.

But when he looked at his wife—

And saw her gentle smile—

"I… I just wanted everyone to have a happy Valentine's Day together."

Hitori grinned shyly, her tone lighthearted.

"Otherwise… a Valentine's Day without gifts just feels too lonely, doesn't it?"

"…Hitori…"

Hearing those words, Nijika and Kita felt something stir in their hearts.

She was always thinking about others.

She was always attuned to people's feelings—noticing things they didn't even realize themselves.

Maybe that's why…

Maybe that's exactly why Minami had chosen her.

Carefully holding the gift boxes in their hands, Nijika and Kita whispered their thanks.

And Ryo?

She had already started tearing open her package.

When she saw that it contained the Bluetooth headphones she had been wanting for ages, she let out a satisfied—

"OHHHHH——!"

The way she cheered made everyone laugh and shake their heads.

She really was always like this.

But maybe…

Maybe that was why Kessoku Band never felt stifling.

Maybe that was why their group always felt so alive.

Laughter filled the air.

And the warm, comforting atmosphere of happiness and friendship settled over them all…

7:30 PM – That Night

"Alright, see you tomorrow!"

"Yeah! See you tomorrow!"

Minami and Hitori stood by the door, waving goodbye as Ryo, Nijika, and Kita left.

With the house finally quiet, the couple let out a content sigh.

Glancing at the time, they realized—

It was still early.

As Hitori began tidying up, she turned to her husband and softly asked:

"Nami, do you want some tea?"

She knew his habits well—

Every night, before washing up for bed, Minami always had a cup of tea to warm his stomach.

"No rush."

Minami blinked, watching his wife move around the room—

Then, suddenly, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"Just sit with me for a bit, Hitori."

"Mm…"

Hitori's face flushed pink at the unexpected intimacy.

Timid as always, she didn't dare resist.

Minami lifted a hand to caress her cheek.

Her long pink hair draped softly over her shoulders, no longer covering her face like it did in high school.

Her features were delicate, her lips rosy, her skin pale and smooth.

And her figure—

Well…

That had always been unfairly stunning.

"Nami…"

Hitori's voice was barely a whisper.

"Miyuki's still awake."

She wasn't rejecting him.

Just reminding him to be quiet.

Minami chuckled, leaning close to her ear:

"She was up early this morning composing with Ryo—she already fell asleep."

Pulling her gently toward the sofa, he whispered:

"Hitori, let's stay up a little later tonight."

"Mm—"

Understanding exactly what he meant—

Hitori squeezed his hand back, nodded softly, and whispered:

"…Okay."

Outside, the Tokyo night stretched endlessly.

A car horn sounded in the distance, breaking the stillness of the city.

Above them, the Milky Way spilled across the sky.

Who knows whose heart it will finally fall into...