[During your date, you happened to run into Togawa Sakiko.]
[She, too, had strong feelings for you, and immediately noticed Gotoh Hitori by your side. A hint of sadness flickered across her beautiful face, but in the next moment, she wore her usual warm smile toward you and even took the initiative to greet Hitori politely.]
[Togawa Sakiko was always confident, she approached you openly and sincerely. Strong-willed yet composed, elegant beyond ordinary people. A talented composer who also handled her band's planning on her own, her leadership was something everyone could sense.]
[This might have been Gotoh Hitori's first time seeing such an exceptional girl. Everything about Sakiko's presence exuded grace and poise. The sharp contrast made Hitori feel inferior. She responded to the greeting in a stammer, unable to even meet Sakiko's gaze.]
[Perhaps Sakiko's appearance was meant to be a small interlude but you soon realized it wasn't that simple.]
[After meeting her, Hitori seemed to revert to her old timid self. For the rest of the date, she was visibly anxious and unable to relax. Only as the date ended did she begin to slowly recover from the "failure."]
[Knowing how fragile and meek Hitori can be, you gently comforted her, saying there was nothing to worry about. But she just kept bowing her head and apologizing, lost in her own world.]
[You could clearly see a hint of gloom in her eyes.]
[The failed date inevitably took its toll. You noticed her LINE messages grew less frequent. Even walking home together became quiet and awkward.]
[Feeling you needed to act, you decided—]
[1. Hey! Why not borrow some money from Bocchi and never pay her back?]
[2. Don't get hung up on one girl. Time to pursue the spicy and assertive Ryo instead.]
[3. Invite her on another date and help her break out of this funk.]
[4. Virtual simulation: Manual control.]
In just a blink, the four choices popped up on screen again.
"She's clearly been hurt by this..."
Kazami Haru raised his chin thoughtfully, reading the simulator's text.
Even though forming a band had helped ease some of her social anxiety, Bocchi's deep-rooted self-doubt still clung tightly inside her. Running into someone like Sakiko, who was stunning inside and out, would obviously shake her up.
She was always the one quietly watching from the sidelines. Sensitive, delicate.
The moment she sensed that even Sakiko might have feelings for him, it probably crushed whatever little hope she'd built.
In short, he needed to help her out of this spiral.
"Then—"
Kazami Haru set his thoughts aside and focused on the choices.
Option 1? Obviously abstract and borderline insane. The kind of choice that would create strange "bonds" with Bocchi. While it might have unique effects in certain situations, it didn't fit here at all.
Option 2? Pursuing Ryo? Instantly discarded.
Just one gorgeous and intimidating Sakiko had already made eel-like Bocchi panic. Adding another blue-haired temptress like Ryo, whose power rivaled Sakiko's, would probably send Bocchi fleeing to London overnight.
Option 3 seemed the most reasonable. If he could get her alone again, he was confident he could turn things around.
So—Option 3!
[You believe Gotoh Hitori has her own irreplaceable strengths. So you decided to ask her out again to talk things through and help her out of her self-doubt.]
[Realizing this, you immediately messaged her on LINE to invite her on another date.]
[Gotoh Hitori declined your invitation.]
Kazami Haru: "???"
No way, seriously, girl?
This was Bocchi, the one who couldn't even say no to anyone's requests and now of all times, she turned him down?
[After that encounter, Gotoh Hitori realized Togawa Sakiko had feelings for you. Lacking confidence, she suddenly saw how she was outmatched in every way, not just by Sakiko, but by everyone else around you.]
[She began to feel like she wasn't right for you, and the tiny bit of hope she'd once held disappeared.]
[Her intense self-doubt and timidity were now impossible for her to ignore.]
[You, who had never imagined being rejected by her, were briefly stunned. But the next day, you tried again, only to find her actively avoiding you, as if she knew exactly what you were planning.]
[Togawa Sakiko, also a student at Haneoka High, picked up on the situation. Intelligent and perceptive, she noticed the shift in your mood. So, during a Ave Mujica handoff meeting, she took the initiative to sincerely apologize to you.]
[But you knew very well, this wasn't her fault.]
[Even when you comforted her gently, she couldn't let it go. Stubborn and sweet as she was, she started secretly taking on some of your tasks to lighten your load.]
[Of course, her sneaky efforts didn't fool you. But you knew you couldn't stop someone like her, so you let her be for the moment.]
[However, overburdened with work, Togawa Sakiko nearly collapsed during practice. When you learned this from Wakaba Mutsumi, you felt both angry and helpless. All you could do was take this 'stubborn woman' to the hospital and give her a serious scolding.]
[In response, she only puffed out her cheeks in frustration.]
[Knowing you couldn't allow her to keep this up, you started staying by her side, watching over and taking care of her and maybe because of that, you began to notice, Togawa Sakiko had grown deeply attached to you.]
[Your bond with Togawa Sakiko deepened.]
[With your help, Ave Mujica's top-tier skills and flawless management propelled them to Budokan-level popularity in less than six months. As you spent more time together, your trust in one another only grew stronger.]
[When the Budokan performance finally ended, you confessed your feelings to her.]
[You and Togawa Sakiko became a couple.]
[Without even realizing it, you'd become each other's everything. There was no awkwardness in your relationship, when you looked up and shared your honest feelings, she was already ready to give you half her world.]
[Simulation Ended]
[Score: 25 – Poor]
[Evaluation: It was because of you that the timid, melancholic girl dared to reach for the shining stage. Yet she still couldn't find the courage to face you. Her inferiority complex locked her down, making her give up before taking the first step. Perhaps in your upward gaze, you saw a reflection of your past self. If only you had tried harder to change things, what would the outcome have been?]
[You received a "Poor" rating.]
[Simulation reward: "Wife's Payroll Card – 2,000,000 yen."]
Seeing the words "Simulation Ended" on the panel, Kazami Haru silently got up and looked at the ceiling.
His black eyes stared calmly at the swirling grain of the wooden panels above him. He exhaled deeply, like resetting himself, and began pacing back and forth in the room to calm his mind.
After a long silence, he couldn't help but speak.
"Since when did you become a Banri Tada?"
Kazami felt like his entire being had gone red-hot from the outcome. That Bocchi would refuse a date, that was already unexpected.
But for her to turn him down, then immediately start pulling a hamster-style avoidance behavior?
He could understand backing off if things got too intense.
But running before anything even started? That was beyond frustrating.
"And here I was thinking I could slowly build up trust and confess later... Clearly, that strategy doesn't work on Bocchi."
When it came to someone as timid and insecure as Gotoh Hitori , the only answer was a magnetic punch to the soul, a heavy hit that made her head spin.
If he didn't take bold action, waiting for Bocchi to muster courage on her own was just wishful thinking.
[Simulation Start]
[Remaining Simulation Attempts – 1-$21]
[Continue from last progress?]
[Your sincere date invitation was unexpectedly rejected. Perceptive as always, you realized Gotoh Hitori was trying to avoid you. Faced with this, you decided—]
[1. Threaten to reveal her identity as 'Guitar Hero' unless she agrees to go out with you.]
[2. Corner her during band practice and have a proper talk.]
[3. Since it's all pink anyway, why not ask Anon-san out instead?]
[4. Virtual Reality simulation: Manual control.]
Sure enough, the wind had shifted.
But none of these new options looked quite right. Option 2 might be the most "stable," but after past experience, Kazami already knew: "stability" doesn't work on Bocchi.
When it came to Gotoh Hitori , the only way to deal was with a decisive blow!
[Use 3 simulation attempts to activate [VR Simulation]?]
Of course, no hesitation.
As his vision blurred and fell into a haze, Kazami felt his mind stall momentarily. When he reopened his eyes, he was back in his chair in front of the computer, calmly watching the sky outside sink into night.
If not for the wrong time displayed on his phone, he might've thought the manual simulation failed.
"Hmm?"
Lifting his phone, his eyes scanned the flood of LINE messages—most notably, Bocchi's awkward excuse for rejecting his invitation.
He raised an eyebrow, then casually grabbed his jacket and walked out the door.
A cool autumn breeze carried the faint scent of dry leaves, and falling foliage traced a quiet silhouette across the starlit Tokyo night. Pale moonlight spread like silver across the concrete road.
This was near Shimokitazawa. Bocchi lived in Yokohama.
At this hour, most trains had already stopped running. But Kazami Haru didn't think twice as he stepped onto the road, he was going to get there no matter what. Whether he had to pay for a ridiculously expensive cab or ride without a license for the night, he would.
The cold wind lashed his face like blades. His cheap apartment didn't have a nearby train station, and even taxis rarely passed through.
Just as he was about to hop on his bike—
A massive transport truck came rumbling toward him, out of nowhere.
His heart began to race, for no clear reason. But Kazami Haru slowly raised a thumb.
The truck, sensing his urgency, hesitated for a moment before pulling up beside him. Haru didn't waste a second, he swung the door open and jumped into the passenger seat.
"Thanks, boss! Please take me to the Yokohama station area!"
"My girlfriend's flying abroad tomorrow, and I'll make sure to pay you well!"
The truck driver looked stunned for a moment. But seeing Haru's earnest expression stirred something inside, like the fire of his long-lost youth had been reignited.
"…Good lad."
The middle-aged man slapped the steering wheel with passion, then slammed on the gas, roaring down the road. Haru, riding a long-haul truck for the first time, fastened his seatbelt with solemn precision.
In no time, they reached the nearest station. As Haru turned to offer payment, the trucker just waved and gave him an encouraging smile before driving off.
"…Phew."
Haru offered a silent thanks in his heart, but his feet never stopped, he kept pushing forward toward his destination.
The sound of the wind still whispered in his ears.
Warm, yellow lights cast shadows that danced at his feet. The soft glow lit his sweat-covered face as he kept his head low and pressed on along the endless road. He didn't stop until he stood before the plate that read "Gotoh."
The shadow beneath him stretched long under the porch light. Thick drops of sweat trailed down his cheek as his burning lungs forced him to reach out and ring the doorbell.
"Ara? Kazami-kun?"
Opening the door was Gotoh Michiyo, Bocchi's mother. She gasped at the disheveled and exhausted boy. Even Hitori peeked out from behind her mother, eyes wide with shock at the sight.
"…Ma'am, could you please call Hitori for me?"
Haru exhaled, trying to straighten his hunched posture.
Wait until later? No way.
Tonight, Kazami Jotaro's heavy fist was coming down hard on Bocchi Brando!
Good thing his stamina skill had kicked in—otherwise, he might not have survived the trip.
"To see Hitori?!"
Michiyo turned and gave her daughter a meaningful look. Instantly understanding her mission, this temporary enforcer sprinted upstairs with her dog, Jimihen, determined to apprehend the runaway Gotoh Hitori!
Even a timid, escape-prone Bocchi froze at this point.
Dragged outside before she could even react, Hitori was gently but firmly pushed out by her loving mother. The door slammed shut behind her, and she stood there, dazed.
Haru was waiting just beyond the threshold, the night sky casting its dim weight around him.
But under the golden porch light, she stood there, clad in pink and white athletic wear.
They locked eyes for a few seconds. Hitori, clutching her sleeves nervously, looked up. Her gaze evasive but trying to be brave. Her sight blurred as she recognized his messy black hair.
"Why won't you go on a date with me?"
Now calm from the run, Haru spoke evenly but with a weight behind each word. His tone was serious. It made the already-anxious Hitori instinctively want to bolt.
But with the door shut behind her, there was nowhere to hide.
"Um… I didn't mean I didn't want to date Haru… It's just, it's like…"
Her voice was barely a whisper. Haru sighed, her hesitance poking at his heart. Realizing he might be disappointed, she felt her chest tighten painfully.
She lowered her head, unable to speak.
"Just say it. Is it because you hate me, Hitori?"
This time, he didn't call her "Bocchi" like he always did, he looked straight at her and used her name. Knowing she couldn't run, Hitori clutched her sleeves tighter in desperation.
"No! Of course not!"
Her sudden shout rang in his ears.
"It's just… there are so many other people who'd be a better match for Haru. Like… Sakiko-san, or… Kita-chan, or Anon-chan… If Haru dated any of them, I'm sure the memories would be beautiful…"
"Everyone is better suited than me…"
It was like the strength was draining out of her. The courage she had scraped together deflated like a leaky balloon.
But before she could spiral deeper, Haru took a step forward and gently grabbed her left hand. His handsome face looked at her like she was a hopeless case but then he took a deep breath and said,
"I don't care who's more 'suitable.' Don't make that decision for me."
"What I want is my one and only Guitar Hero."
Bocchi.jpg.
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