"Minami-senpai, tomorrow is the school festival! So, do you have ti in the morning?"
"Tomorrow morning?"
Hearing Kita Ikuyo's words, Minami Shouji couldn't help but glance at her.
Another appointnt for tomorrow morning...?
He had already promised to help Shinjo Akane and Takarada Rikka move equipnt in the morning. His schedule was already tight.
Just as he was thinking of a way to refuse—
Kita leaned in closer. Her usual bright energy was in full effect, and her yellow-green eyes seed to sparkle.
"Since Hitori and I are students at our school, we need to move the equipnt from STARRY to the School Festival venue tomorrow morning. We have to be at school by around seven... but there's way too much gear for just the two of us to handle."
"Can't Nijika or Ryo help?"
Minami glanced at Ijichi Nijika and Yamada Ryo—
Nijika looked apologetic, while Ryo just turned her head lazily, clearly not interested.
"Ah... I'm really sorry!"
Nijika, as considerate as always, imdiately lowered her head in guilt when Minami looked at her.
"Ryo and I aren't students at your school, so we can't enter before 8 AM. The School Festival doesn't officially open until then."
The event wasn't open to outsiders until 8 AM, aning even if they wanted to help, they wouldn't be allowed in.
"I see."
Technically, Ryo and Nijika could help bring the equipnt to the school gate.
But that would an making them wander outside the campus for an hour.
Seven o'clock... It should be fine.
The equipnt for Akane's event was already in the activity room. He just needed to move it to the gym later.
Besides, his eting with Akane was set for around eight—
This wouldn't be an issue.
Thinking of this, Minami nodded at Kita.
"Alright, I'll head to STARRY at around 6:30 AM. Then we'll move the effect pedals, speakers, and the rest to school together. Sound good?"
There were carts available, so splitting the load among three people wouldn't be too exhausting.
"Y-Yes! That works!"
Before Kita could even respond—
Hitori suddenly blurted out her agreent.
Then, as if realizing she had just spoken out of turn, she quickly covered her mouth and lowered her head.
Minami glanced at Hitori, a bit surprised.
He was always sensitive to changes in people's emotions, and he could tell—
Hitori had changed a lot recently.
Before, she would barely speak up. Now, she had interrupted a conversation on her own.
Minami found this interesting—
And, honestly, a little satisfying. It felt like watching a daughter finally grow up.
But feelings alone weren't enough proof.
Minami thought for a mont.
Then, he decided to use the Data Scanner he had saved.
The last ti he used it was when Shinjo suddenly started acting hostile toward him, and he was confused about why.
This ability had limited uses—he had about five left—so he had been holding onto them.
Now seed like a good ti.
Minami activated the Data Scanner on Hitori.
A transparent screen appeared before him, displaying her current stats.
Na: Gotoh Hitori
Appearance: 8 (9), Athletics: 4, Academics: 4
Specialties: Self-Doubt LV3 (2), Social Anxiety LV2, Studying LV1, Guitar LV3 (4).
Current Impression of User: Deeply Attracted, Highly Conscious of You, Admiration, Love.
System Analysis: She is utterly captivated by you. Every action you take, she cannot look away. She is completely in love. The normally timid Hitori is slowly changing herself for you. Are you truly going to ignore her feelings?
"Huh?"
Minami let out a small noise of surprise.
This was... unexpected.
Both her base stats and the system's analysis had undergone massive changes.
First—her academics had improved.
She had gone from a 3 to a 4.
Which, honestly, made sense.
After all, Minami had been tutoring her for half a month.
Even if she were a complete idiot, so progress was inevitable.
Her guitar skill was also on the verge of reaching LV4. That wasn't surprising either—Hitori was diligent about practice.
But the other changes...
Her appearance stat was rising?
Her self-doubt level was dropping?
What was going on?
Hitori still looked like Hitori.
She hadn't magically developed bigger curves, longer legs, or a different figure.
And yet—
Her appearance stat was gradually increasing.
Minami could guess the reason.
She had always been pretty.
But her extre lack of confidence had suppressed her natural charm.
Now that her self-esteem was improving, it was starting to reflect outwardly.
People looked more attractive when they carried themselves with confidence.
"Still... 'Self-Doubt LV3 (2)?'"
Minami tilted his head.
His system always increased numbers—it never decreased them.
Yet Hitori had sohow broken that rule.
Then again, self-doubt was a psychological trait. If it was caused by her environnt, it made sense that it could be lowered.
Closing the Data Scanner, Minami shifted his gaze to Hitori—
She was still nervous.
But now, she was actually holding eye contact with him.
Good progress, Hitori.
If Hitori could lower her self-doubt, maybe I could lower my narcissism too?
After all—
If she could do it, surely he could.
Right?
At that mont—
A system notification appeared.
[Your trait "Narcissism" has slightly increased. Current Level: LV4.]
Minami completely ignored it.
Stretching his arms, he turned toward Yamada Ryo.
Hitori had changed a lot recently, and mostly in a positive way.
But what about Ryo?
Just the other night, she had randomly shown up at his apartnt.
Minami was curious.
So—
He activated Data Scanner again.
A new screen appeared.
Na: Yamada Ryo
Appearance: 8, Athletics: 5, Academics: 6
Specialties: Narcissism LV4, Studying LV2 (3), Bass LV2 (3).
Current Impression of User: Deep Curiosity, Strong Attraction, Possessiveness.
System Analysis: She is utterly fascinated by you. Everything about you interests her. You have captivated her so much that she wants to keep you for herself. In the past, she would have needed you to chase after her... but things have changed. Without realizing it, you have beco the prey.
"...Hah?"
Minami blinked.
He reread the last sentence.
"You have beco the prey."
What do you an, 'prey'?!
Excuse , system?
I'm a guy. She's a girl.
How am I the one being hunted?!
Do I not get a say in this?!
Minami turned to look at Ryo.
She was nodding off, half-asleep, head bobbing like she was fishing in a dream.
He stared at her blankly.
There was no way in hell this person was a hunter.
Clearly, the system was broken.
Shaking his head, Minami moved past the weird analysis and checked her stats.
Her academics hadn't changed much.
Her bass skill was nearing LV3, aning she had been practicing.
She was catching up to Hitori.
Minami had considered checking Nijika's stats too.
But—
He had wasted enough Data Scanner charges already.
Ever since the Personal Simulation, he had been broke.
His interactions with the girls had only given him 300-400 points over the past few days.
Not even enough for a single simulation.
The simulation was a scam.
Minami sighed.
Why had he wasted points on that again?
Too late to regret it now.
Just as he was about to put it out of his mind—
The door suddenly swung open.
A mature, elegant face peeked inside.
"Nee-san?"
Nijika stood up and greeted the person at the door.
"Ah... so everyone's here, huh?"
Ijichi Seika scanned the room before locking eyes on Minami Shouji.
"Minami, I need to talk to you. Also, this one... and PA."
As she spoke, she dragged out Hiroi Kikuri from behind her—completely wasted, reeking of alcohol, and muttering nonsense no one could understand.
Minami couldn't help but glance at her before instinctively asking—
"...What is it this ti, manager?"
"This ti...?"
Ijichi Seika raised an eyebrow at him. "You're acting like you've been busy these past few days with the school festival or sothing."
"Strictly speaking... yeah, pretty busy."
Minami nodded without hesitation.
His morning schedule alone was already packed.
From 6:30 AM to noon, then the entire afternoon—he had a strong feeling...
Tomorrow was going to be a nonstop day.
"That so? Well, if you're really that busy, then never mind."
Seika didn't press him further. Seeing his reluctant expression, she simply explained—
", this one, and PA are planning to visit the festival tomorrow, so we figured it'd be nice if soone could show us around."
After all, Kessoku Band was performing at the festival. As their seniors from STARRY, of course, they couldn't miss it.
"If it's just showing you around, that's no problem."
Minami thought for a mont before nodding.
Everyone was busy with preparations for the festival tomorrow.
As long as he could guide the STARRY group to the gym, his job was done.
Not a big deal at all.
But—
"Before heading to our school, manager, you might want to keep an eye on her first."
Minami pointed at Hiroi Kikuri, who was sprawled out like a puddle of human sludge.
The Shuka High School was a well-known school in Tokyo.
If she showed up wasted like this, the teachers would probably kick her out before the festival even started.
"I'll make sure to keep an eye on her."
PA chuckled, politely covering her mouth with her hand. "Then we'll just call you tomorrow, Minami-kun."
"Sounds good."
Minami nodded without hesitation.
That settled it. He was already busy enough—one more task wouldn't change much.
After confirming the eting details with Seika and the others, and finalizing the 6:30 AM etup with Kita and the rest,
Minami finally dragged his exhausted body ho.
At this point, all he could do was hope...
That tomorrow's festival would go smoothly without any unexpected chaos.
However—
Sowhere in Tokyo, unbeknownst to Minami...
A certain conversation was taking place.
"Yuko, are you sure it's okay for us to co a day early...?"
A soft, hesitant voice.
"Of course it's fine! We even rember where that brat's apartnt is! Don't forget our real reason for coming here, Naomi!"
A more direct, energetic voice.
"Ah... One, to bring Minami so warm clothes for winter. And two, to check up on how he's been doing, right?"
"Not just that! We also need to keep a close eye on his private life!"
The voice suddenly took on a mischievous tone.
"For example—whether or not he has a girlfriend... Heh heh... Let's stay out of sight tomorrow. Who knows? That brat might just surprise us!"
"...I hope so."
Naomi Shouji's voice carried a trace of worry.
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