Chapter 198: You Both Slept in Late

"Not bad at all."

Watching the simulation unfold, Minami felt a surge of satisfaction.

It seemed like he had made all the right choices.

Their relationship had naturally progressed into romance.

And with Futaba Rio's personality, there was no chance she would ever suggest breaking up.

In other words, this route was secure—stable and almost impossible to lose.

But aside from that…

Minami still had some concerns.

Yes, he had successfully become her boyfriend and fulfilled her desire to be needed.

But… if that was all there was to it—

Something still felt unfinished.

Her "need to be needed" had only been temporarily satisfied.

If Minami were to neglect her for even a short while,

There was a real chance she would relapse into anxiety.

Without a doubt, this was a hidden instability.

But since the choice was already made, there was no point dwelling on it.

The Minami inside the simulation may not have been as perfect as the real him—

But surely, he would find a way to resolve this issue.

Minami continued reading.

[You and Futaba Rio are now lovers.]

[Her gaze gradually lingers only on you.]

[After school, the once-lonely girl now waits for you outside the science prep room, eager to walk home together.]

[Those quiet after-school moments with you, they are the most comforting part of her day.]

[Your feelings for each other deepen.]

[And yet, you are also aware, the seed of anxiety buried deep within her heart has not yet been removed.]

[She still craves the feeling of being relied upon.]

[And in order to satisfy that need, you begin to act more and more 'recklessly.']

[During school breaks, you purposely bring over your worn uniform, asking her to wash it.]

[She carefully washes each piece with unwavering attention, pressing and ironing every crease.]

[After school, you invite her over to cook for you.]

[She's skilled in the kitchen, though she often uses measuring tools, test tubes, and scales. Giving her cooking process a strangely scientific aesthetic.]

[She even takes the time to clean your rented apartment, meticulously scrubbing away the mold creeping up the walls.]

[She is thorough, diligent. Never once showing impatience, never once complaining.]

[If anything, being able to do things for you makes her feel genuinely happy.]

[She treasures the time spent alone with you.]

[Just as you treasure the time spent alone with her.]

Inside the simulation—

Memories played out softly and peacefully.

The setting: Minami's small, rented apartment.

It was early morning.

Wearing her glasses, her long, silky hair falling over her shoulders,

Futaba Rio quietly opened the door.

Stepping inside, she slipped off her small leather shoes and neatly placed them at the entrance.

Her gaze shifted toward his shoes, which were haphazardly kicked aside.

A faint smile touched her lips.

With a quiet sigh, she bent down, gently gathering them and aligning them neatly beside hers.

Only after finishing that small task did she step further into the room.

Soft morning light streamed through the window.

She looked toward the bed and saw him still fast asleep.

Her eyes then drifted to the round table nearby.

An automatic pencil lay beside various college entrance exam booklets.

So… he must have stayed up late studying again.

With that thought, she slowed her steps.

Lowering herself to her knees, she carefully sorted through the books and stationery—

Organizing them one by one.

Only after that did she rise to her feet and quietly move toward the kitchen.

She worked silently, but her actions carried the precision and efficiency of a scientist.

Placing salt, pepper, and other seasonings on a small digital scale,

She measured everything to exact proportions.

She stirred with a glass rod.

She used a graduated cylinder to measure the precise amount of water needed.

And when everything was finished—

A perfectly balanced meal was laid out.

Carefully, she set down his chopsticks.

And then, she turned back. Her golden eyes lingering on the peaceful sight of his sleeping face.

Then, she got up and walked over to Minami.

Just as she approached, Minami happened to wake up.

His deep, obsidian-like eyes gleamed with amusement as they landed on her.

"Breakfast is ready."

Noticing his gaze, Futaba Rio's cool expression tinged with the faintest blush.

She turned her head away, gently smoothing the wrinkles on the bedding,

Trying her best to keep her voice calm.

But—

"Rio."

"Hmm?"

She turned back.

"Where's my good morning kiss?"

Minami propped his face against his palm, tapping his lips lightly,

Blinking those clear, gentle eyes at her.

"..."

Futaba Rio hesitated for a moment.

"Ahh, without it, I don't think I can even get up."

Minami sighed, feigning distress,

His eyelids threatening to close again.

"..."

A small sigh escaped Rio's lips.

Then, with gentle resignation—

She climbed onto his lap.

Lowering her body—softer and more delicate than winter plum blossoms—

She pressed a kiss to his lips.

She lingered like that for a while.

Then, blushing deeply, she slowly pulled away—reluctantly.

Minami was more than satisfied.

But he didn't rush to get out of bed just yet.

Instead, he casually called out to her again.

"Rio."

"Hmm?"

She turned her head.

"My clothes."

"Here."

"Rio."

"Where are my uniform pants?"

"Right here."

She handed him his neatly folded uniform trousers.

Minami looked at her.

His mischievous smile curled at the corners of his lips.

"Rio."

"Hmm?"

Still serving his breakfast, she glanced back.

"If you keep taking care of me like this—"

"If I get too used to it, to the point where I can't live without you—"

"You'll have to take responsibility and marry me, you know?"

"..."

The blush on Rio's face deepened.

She hesitated for a long while, then turned her head away in embarrassment.

"...Mm."

She didn't refuse.

And Minami—standing up—pulled her into a gentle embrace.

Lowering his head, he kissed her again.

It was just a simple morning…

But it felt so intoxicating.

[Under her devoted care, your ability to live independently has deteriorated.]

"...?"

Minami, absorbed in the simulation, paused.

Wait.

Didn't the simulation version of him already say,

"If this continues, I'll become completely useless?"

So it actually happened?!

Minami frowned.

This… this was unacceptable.

He had only been trying to fulfill Futaba Rio's desire to be needed.

How did that somehow result in him becoming completely dependent on her?!

"Minami, Minami—how could you let yourself become so lazy?"

He shook his head, dissatisfied.

Letting a girl dress him?

Feed him?

Even demand a morning kiss just to get up?!

This… This was pure degradation!

Corruption!

Minami sighed.

But after a moment, he thought it over again.

Well, it makes sense.

The simulation version of himself was far from the real him—

Not even one-tenth as perfect.

Naturally, that meant he lacked his real self's superior self-discipline.

Falling into a pampered lifestyle… It was inevitable.

And honestly, a life of having everything done for you,

With a beautiful girl doting on you like this…

It was too indulgent…

Too envious—

No, wait.

Too shameful.

Minami swore to himself:

"I will never become like that."

Then, he continued reading.

[There are no more secrets between you.]

[She fully understands the hardships you've endured coming to Tokyo alone.]

[Given how poor the conditions of your rented apartment are…] [One evening after school, in a rare display of initiative—] [Futaba Rio makes her first request of you.]

[She asks you to move in with her.]

[Until now, you were always the one making requests.]

[But this time, she is the one asking.]

[Faced with her request, you decide—]

[1. Accept immediately! An opportunity like this will never come twice—turn her home into your love nest!]

[2. The apartment's conditions aren't great, and moving in with her might not be a bad idea.]

[3. Flat-out refuse! I must not become this weak!]

[4. Simulate it yourself.]

Minami blinked.

Looking at the neatly arranged choices,

He couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his lips.

"Are all rich girls like this?"

He still remembered.

The last person to suggest living together was Shinjo Akane.

Just like Futaba Rio, she was also a wealthy girl.

And also, just like Futaba Rio, she lived alone in a massive mansion.

Was it some kind of rich girl tendency

To always invite someone to live with them?

Did they not worry about things getting out of hand?

But…

"Living together might not be bad."

Minami thought it over.

Futaba Rio's condition required close observation.

Not just at school,

Not just in the morning or the afternoon—

If they were together 24/7…

Her anxiety would likely diminish drastically.

So—

"I'll go with option two."

Option one outright calls it a 'love nest'—

That was basically an invitation for chaos.

If he chose that, he would probably be drowning in temptation every day.

And option three—flat-out rejecting her—was also out of the question.

After all, this was the first request she had ever made.

If he rejected it so decisively,

It would undoubtedly hurt her feelings.

With that in mind, Minami selected option two.

Yes, they would be living together.

And yes, it was just the two of them.

Which meant there was always the risk of things escalating.

But with his self-control—

Surely, he could hold out for a while before things got out of hand.

The simulation continued to unfold.

[You agree to live with her.]

[The apartment's conditions aren't great, and moving in with her does seem like a good solution.]

[Besides, your neighborhood isn't exactly safe.]

[Having a girl as beautiful as Futaba Rio frequently visit such an area poses its own risks.]

[So, you accept.]

[But what you didn't expect was that Futaba Rio wasn't just inviting you to live together.]

[She had already given everything to you.]

[And now... she wanted to entrust you with the most precious thing she had left.]

Minami let out a breath.

"I knew it."

There was no way she just wanted to live together for the sake of it.

After all, they were already a couple.

This was bound to happen.

But still—

"You underestimate my self-control."

Minami remained confident.

Yes, the simulation version of himself was inferior to the real him.

But still—

Even he wouldn't succumb so easily.

He kept reading.

[In truth, you had long anticipated her actions, and you were confident in your ability to resist her temptations.]

[But clearly, you overestimated your self-control—or rather, underestimated the sheer vitality of your seventeen-year-old body.]

"Huh???"

Wait, what?!

Staring at this line of text, Minami almost lost it.

Excuse me, simulated me?

What the hell is wrong with you?!

Didn't I just say those words a moment ago?

And now you've already succumbed?

Where's your discipline?!

How can you give in so easily to lust?!

Do you not understand the saying—

"A man consumed by desire is the most pathetic of all"?

"I refuse to accept this."

Minami stood up and took a sip of water.

For something like this to happen…

It only proves that the simulation version of himself is far inferior.

If he were personally in that situation…

Would he have fallen as well?

Impossible!

Setting his water cup down, Minami remained as confident as ever.

But there was no use dwelling on it.

So he continued reading the simulation.

[At first, you showed some resistance to her advances.]

[But in the end, faced with her quiet obedience and gentleness, you couldn't bear to reject her.]

[It happened on a night of heavy rain.]

[The downpour drowned out everything... every sight, every sound.]

[And on that night, you finally understood…]

[…what it meant to be as towering as Mount Fuji, …and deep into Lake Tazawa.]

Minami: "..."

Minami: "Wait a damn second."

What kind of poetic nonsense was this?

Simulation, can you stop being so roundabout and just say it straight?

[She obeyed your every demand, yielding completely to you.] [No matter what you asked of her, she answered. No hesitation, no resistance.]

[On that night, you fully realized... that this seemingly cool, detached science girl —was, in truth, burning hot with passion.]

[And your affection finally put her heart at ease.]

[For as long as she could remember, she had resented her own body, resented the way it developed too early, too prominently, drawing unwanted stares from others.]

[But when she saw your reaction, for the first time in her life, she felt truly happy with her own body.]

[The next morning, thanks to last night's events, you both ended up sleeping in.]

[And knowing she needed to recover, you, who had woken up first, did something rare. You stepped into the kitchen yourself, carefully selecting nutritious ingredients to replenish her strength.]

[Your bond with Futaba Rio deepened.]

[You became the one irreplaceable person in her life.]

[Everything seemed to be heading in a good direction.]