Chapter 190: "Love" or "Admiration" 

Azusagawa Sakuta and Kunimi Yuuma really did exist in this world.

Minami's suspicions were confirmed.

But—

That has absolutely nothing to do with me.

Minami thought to himself.

To avoid unnecessary complications, he had already removed Futaba Rio from his simulation target list.

So what he needed to do next…

Was to treat this situation normally.

With that in mind, Minami spoke.

"Since Futaba-san already has friends, why not talk to Azusagawa Sakuta or Kunimi Yuuma instead? Coming to someone like me, who's not at all popular, won't get you anywhere."

As he spoke, he lifted his gaze toward her.

"There's no point discussing this with Sakuta."

Futaba Rio shook her head. "Talking to someone who's unpopular isn't going to change anything."

"..." Minami Shouji.

Damn, that was blunt.

He had to admit, Futaba Rio's logic was painfully accurate.

But still—

"You only mentioned Sakuta. What about Kunimi?"

Minami had heard her opinion about Azusagawa Sakuta.

But she hadn't said a word about Kunimi Yuuma.

So, naturally, Minami pressed the issue.

And as expected—

For the first time, the calm, expressionless Futaba Rio hesitated.

"Kunimi… there's no point troubling him with this. Besides, he has a girlfriend."

Her tone was as indifferent as ever.

But Minami noticed the slight pause in her voice.

Hmm…

So I was right.

Ever since Kunimi Yuuma gave her that anpan (red bean bun) at the start of the school year, Futaba Rio had harbored a faint sense of admiration for him…

Now the question was—

Would that admiration develop into genuine feelings?

Or would it fade away over time?

"Well, that's none of my business."

Minami thought to himself.

Since he had already removed her from the simulation, whatever happened with her feelings wasn't his concern.

But after listening this far, he had learned quite a bit from her.

If he just got up and left now…

Well…

Even someone as unconcerned with others' opinions as him would feel a little guilty about it.

Because if this world followed the original story,

Futaba Rio would stay single all the way until university…

Minami briefly recalled how the girls from Kessoku Band had waited for him for over a decade in the simulation.

With a shake of his head, he made up his mind.

"Futaba-san."

"Mm?"

"To be honest, you do have feelings for Kunimi Yuuma, don't you?"

"Either admiration… or maybe something more?"

He didn't beat around the bush.

He went straight for the kill.

"PFFFFFT!!!!"

Futaba Rio spit out her coffee all over the table.

For someone like her, that was a rare loss of composure.

But she didn't care about that now.

She rushed toward Minami, her slender fingers gripping his collar, her usual calm and flat voice shaking as she nearly shouted:

"Wh-What the hell are you talking about?! Are you an idiot?! ARE YOU AN IDIOT, MINAMI?!"

"From my perspective, that's just how it looks."

In contrast to her panic, Minami remained completely calm.

He pried her fingers off his shirt, took a sip of water to clear his throat, then casually continued:

"And honestly…

Isn't that the real reason you came to me?"

He tapped the table with his fingers.

"You didn't come here because you actually want to be popular."

"You came here because you wanted my opinion on Kunimi Yuuma."

"..."

Futaba Rio was speechless.

She could only stare at him, dumbfounded.

For the first time, she was genuinely shocked.

Because she had only been talking to Minami Shouji for ten minutes.

Just ten minutes.

And yet—

In those ten minutes, he had completely figured her out.

His ability to read people was beyond anything she had expected.

No wonder so many girls liked him.

Still—

Minami let out a small sigh.

Ahh… The confusion of teenage admiration.

Wanting to express your feelings, but too scared to take that step forward.

Terrified of rejection, but never realizing that if you never take a step, you'll never get anywhere.

Compared to Futaba Rio, Minami felt like a seasoned veteran in this game.

Even without knowing the full plot of Bunny girl senpai,

He could see right through her.

Because, honestly, she was that easy to read.

"Alright then."

Minami paused, leaning back slightly.

He had zero intention of being some romantic counselor for girls.

But now that he had already boarded this ship, he figured he might as well ask:

"Why do you care about Kunimi Yuuma so much?"

His eyes were calm, clear, and steady as he looked at her.

Futaba Rio found herself momentarily stunned.

Then—

She fell silent.

A full minute passed before she finally spoke.

"...Back in our first year, I forgot my lunch."

"And the school canteen was packed during lunch break…"

"That was when Kunimi… bought me a red bean bun."

"...And?"

Minami waited.

A few seconds passed.

Then a few more.

Nothing.

"...That's it?"

"...That's it."

"...Wait, that's seriously it?"

Minami was speechless.

He had been expecting some grand, deeply emotional story that would explain everything.

But in the end—

It was just a damn anpan?!

"Can I ask… how much does a red bean bun cost?"

"130 yen."

"...I have 1,300 yen right here, Futaba-san."

"How about we go get some anpan together? My treat."

"..." Futaba Rio.

She didn't bother responding to Minami Shouji's obvious teasing, merely shooting him a glare with her striking golden eyes.

Because even she knew just how ridiculous her reasoning must have sounded to anyone else.

Falling for someone just because of a 130-yen anpan?

Honestly, Minami's reaction was already pretty mild.

If she told this story to her classmates, she'd probably become a laughingstock by the next day.

Meanwhile, Minami—though a bit surprised—was also curious.

Who exactly was this Kunimi Yuuma?

Was he that good-looking?

Could he actually be better-looking than him?

…No.

That's impossible.

Minami shook his head.

His appearance stat was a 9—a number borderline unnatural.

Even if Kunimi Yuuma was handsome and athletic, he'd be at best around a 7 or an 8.

There was no way he could match him.

Yet Futaba Rio fell for him.

Over an anpan.

But—

Was that really love?

Even now, Minami doubted it.

Because all Kunimi did was hand her a red bean bun when she forgot her lunch.

Compared to the long and grueling journey of actual romance,

This felt more like gratitude.

A fleeting admiration for someone who helped her when she felt lost.

For teens going through their first love, this sort of thing happened all the time.

Especially for someone like Futaba Rio…

Minami glanced at her.

Despite her strong, logical exterior, deep down she was reserved, introverted, and deeply insecure about how others saw her.

She felt self-conscious about her mature body, leading her to develop a hesitant, conflicted personality—longing to step into the light, but afraid of getting burned.

In that kind of mental state…

Anyone who showed her kindness—regardless of whether it was Kunimi Yuuma or someone else—

She would probably "fall for" them just the same.

But was that really love?

Or was it just… misplaced admiration?

If love could be that cheap, that fragile—

Then Minami could already see the problem.

Damn…

He sighed.

It's like this damn simulation always picks the most complicated girls.

Kessoku Band? A decade-long waiting game.

Now Futaba Rio? A girl who doesn't even understand her own feelings.

What a pain.

Well—

Whatever.

All he could do was point it out to her.

That's it.

With that thought, Minami lifted his gaze and spoke.

"Futaba-san."

"Mm?"

"I have only one question for you."

"...What is it?"

"Do you truly love Kunimi Yuuma?"

His voice was calm, but when he said "love," he emphasized it.

"...What are you trying to say?"

Futaba frowned slightly, sensing something off.

But Minami continued, unfazed.

"I'm not trying to stir up trouble—doing that wouldn't benefit me at all."

His voice remained steady as he continued, without a shred of hesitation:

"I just want you to think carefully.

Don't confuse 'admiration' with 'love'."

"..."

Futaba Rio.

Confusing admiration with love?

Who?

Her?

That's impossible.

She thought back to the moment Kunimi handed her the anpan.

How she felt in that moment…

She wanted to deny Minami's words.

But for some reason—

She couldn't.

A strange hesitation crept into her mind.

"This sort of thing happens a lot,"

Minami continued, his dark eyes seeming to see right through her.

"..."

Futaba lowered her head, unsure how to respond.

Did she not even understand her own feelings?

Minami rested his chin on his hand and sighed.

This kinda feels like I'm stealing someone's girl…

But—

It needed to be said.

As an outsider, he could see things far more clearly than she could.

And so, he maintained his steady tone.

"I get it. When you were feeling lost, Kunimi was there to lend a hand.

It's only natural that you'd feel grateful… even fond of him."

"But have you ever thought about this?"

"Admiring someone and loving them—"

"These two emotions feel similar…"

"But they're completely different."

He held up two fingers.

Much like how love at first sight exists, but isn't as common as people think,

Admiration can easily be mistaken for romantic feelings.

"That's all I wanted to say."

Minami concluded, standing up.

"Whether you really like him, whether you decide to pursue him—

That's none of my business."

"But before you take action, I just wanted to warn you—

Don't mix up admiration and love."

"If you still want my advice on how to be more 'popular'…

Well, I don't mind. Add me on LINE."

Minami's tone was light, as if he had simply wrapped up a conversation.

Yet at the same time, he had also laid out a next step for her.

This level of decisiveness—this straightforward confidence—

Even Futaba Rio couldn't help but nod along with his pace.

She saved his LINE contact into her phone.

"Tokyo's #1 Pretty Boy."

Staring at the newest contact on her list,

The only ones besides Azusagawa Sakuta and Kunimi Yuuma…

Futaba fell into silence.

Minami's LINE name was just as ridiculously confident as his attitude.

"Well, that's that."

Minami glanced at the time.

"I still need to clean up the gym, so I'll be going now."

"...Alright."

Futaba Rio watched him leave, her messy silver hair swaying slightly.

Then—

She turned toward the beaker in front of her.

The alcohol burner still flickered beneath it.

"...Admiration and love, huh…?"

She murmured to herself.

Their conversation had strayed far from her original reason for calling him here.

And yet—

His words stuck with her.

Her feelings toward Kunimi…

Was that really love?

Or just… admiration?

Futaba closed her eyes.

And for some reason, a strange thought crossed her mind—

If it's really just admiration…

Then what am I supposed to do next?

She glanced at her phone screen again.

At Minami's LINE name.

If it were him…

What would he do?