After regrouping with Gotoh Hitori and the others, Minami didn't stop. They imdiately made their way to the second and third rendezvous points.
The second eting spot was right in front of Shuka High's main gates.
This location was mainly chosen because Shinjo Akane, Futaba Rio, and Matsuzaka Satou all lived nearby.
Also, Shuka High was conveniently close to the station.
Minami and the girls only had to walk a couple hundred ters before spotting the three of them—Rio, Akane, and Satou.
Rio Futaba looked just like she always did. A thick-brimd hat, a plain but warm gray coat, and long wavy gray hair—her whole appearance gave off a sophisticated, understated charm.
A quiet elegance radiated from her.
Next to her, Shinjo Akane and Matsuzaka Satou weren't dressed up either.
They just wore seasonal puffer jackets. With their hands sticking out stiffly, they had a kind of clumsy cuteness to them.
As soon as they spotted Minami and the others—
Their energy spiked.
Especially Akane, who started hopping on the spot and waved enthusiastically, looking for all the world like an adorable penguin flapping its wings in her fluffy getup.
Minami responded with a warm wave and a smile, then greeted them properly.
With everyone gathered, they headed to the third eting point—
Which wasn't LycoReco.
After all, LycoReco was in a residential neighborhood.
Heading to the station from there could cost them too much ti and they might miss their train.
So—
After so discussion between Minami, Chisato Nishikigi, and Takina Inoue, they settled on Tokyo Station. It wasn't right next door to LycoReco, but it wasn't too far either.
Plus, Minami and the group had to pick up their tickets at the station's vending machines anyway.
eting the others there would save ti and make the whole trip feel less rushed.
They all wheeled their luggage and headed for Tokyo Station.
Along the way, Minami made sure to call Chisato and Takina—just in case they had a "Miss Yamada oversleeps and turns into a corpse" type situation.
Fortunately, no such disaster happened.
With Takina around, even if Chisato tried to sleep in, she'd be dragged out of bed in no ti.
They walked for about ten minutes before reaching the station, where they spotted Chisato and Takina—one in red, the other in black.
Chisato was munching on a steaming at bun from the convenience store. Wisps of steam drifted from her hand, and the way she scarfed it down with such glee made nearby travelers stop and stare.
The aroma and warmth from the bun filled the air—particularly tantalizing to the hungry commuters who had skipped breakfast.
Next to her, Takina was far more composed.
She quietly nibbled on a cold sandwich, eating in a way that didn't disturb anyone.
"Ah—Minami-kun!"
Seeing them approach, Chisato shoved the last bit of the at bun into her mouth and tossed the oily wrapper into the trash bin with a grin, waving at him happily.
As Minami got closer, she pouted.
"Geez, you're so slow, Minami-kun! I didn't even get to eat breakfast—had to grab sothing quick to fill up. I wanted to eat those instant bentos with everyone on the Shinkansen!"
"..."
Minami couldn't help but glance at her.
He'd actually arrived early thanks to Yamada's father giving them a lift. They were ahead of schedule at Tokyo Station.
And yet here she was, blaming him for her snack attack.
He sighed but didn't argue. Instead, he gently patted her head and turned to Takina.
"Minami-kun."
Having finished her sandwich, Takina gave him a quiet nod.
"Alright, let's go, Chisato, Takina. The train should be arriving soon, we should head in."
"Yup yup! Let's get moving! I heard it's already snowing in Akita, maybe we'll catch a glimpse of the snow from the train!"
At the ntion of snow...
The girls behind them perked up.
They eagerly pulled out their phones and switched to cara mode.
Minami chuckled inwardly at the sight.
As expected, girls just couldn't resist the magic of snow, sunsets, or starry skies.
He shook his head and stepped into Tokyo Station.
Thanks to heating and other anities, the temperature inside was much more bearable than outside.
Following the process, Minami used the machines to print out their tickets.
They waited in the station's lounge for about twenty minutes until the announcent ca to board.
The rest was routine—boarding, storing luggage...
But one thing stood out.
"This is... too quiet."
Minami glanced around the first-class car.
Aside from their group, it was almost empty.
Just a few commuters and what looked like civil servants.
Not that surprising.
They'd set out ahead of the New Year rush.
And with the cold weather, most people didn't want to travel.
That explained the empty seats.
Minami shrugged it off and helped the girls stow their luggage.
Once everyone was seated, he found a spot for himself.
The Shinkansen seats were much like those on China's high-speed rail—fully rotatable by 180°, letting passengers face any direction.
That's why so many romantic ani scenes took place on trains.
And sure enough—
As soone who had also encountered so many simulated relationship paths,
Minami was supposed to have a romantic Shinkansen journey too.
Especially after leaving Tokyo—when the snow-covered roads and distant mountains ca into view.
Shouldn't that be even more romantic?
Unfortunately...
That kind of scene—gazing into the heroine's eyes while the snowy landscape and mountain peaks flowed past the window—wasn't going to happen for Minami.
The reason was simple—
"Minami, hey, co sit here."
Without a shred of expression, Miss Yamada rested her cheek on her palm and casually patted the empty seat beside her.
She looked so matter-of-fact about it.
Like she was telling all the other girls, loud and clear, that Minami was already claid by the band's closing act.
And her overconfident attitude—
Naturally triggered discontent from the rest of the girls.
Most notably, it was the duo representing "LycoReco" — Chisato Nishikigi — and the trio from "Shuka High" led by Shinjo Akane, who reacted the strongest.
"Speaking of which, didn't you oversleep today, Yamada-san? We've finally made it on the Shinkansen, and it's a four-hour ride—you should probably just take a nap. Don't worry, I'll look after Minami-kun for you."
Shinjo Akane struck first.
But before her attack even got halfway—
Chisato Nishikigi cut in with a raised hand.
"Yamada-san does need rest, but Akane-san, don't you need to eat sothing too? I heard from Seika-senpai that you skipped breakfast just to catch the train."
"We'll manage just fine without your concern, Nishikigi-san. We're not that hungry anyway. And besides, Minami-kun hasn't eaten either. Wouldn't it be better if he sat with us? That way, we can all eat together without disturbing anyone."
Not willing to let Chisato's interference slide,
Akane shot back with perfect poise.
While their mini-squabble was heating up—
Yamada-san, on the other hand, was unnervingly calm.
She simply turned her eyes to Minami.
Then—
"Minami, ignore them. Co sit here."
And with those words dropped like a stone—
Another verbal storm broke out.
The exchange grew fiercer and more impassioned.
Eventually, they were arguing so intently, they practically forgot Minami was even there.
And as their bickering escalated—
Minami could only sigh and shake his head, getting to his feet.
Under the surprised gaze of PA-san, Seika Ijichi, and Kikuri Hiroi—
He took the seat next to PA-san, right by the window.
"Um... Minami-kun?"
"Hm?"
Minami glanced curiously at PA-san.
"You're... not going to do anything about them?"
She gestured toward the still-arguing girls.
PA-san couldn't help but ask.
"No need."
Minami waved a hand dismissively. "They won't actually fight."
Truthfully, he'd seen this scene countless tis in simulations.
After all, with nine people living together—
No matter how close or harmonious things seed, there were always going to be little clashes in daily life.
For example, Ryo Yamada's love of sleeping in—
That kind of laid-back, lazy vibe never shed well with Chisato's boundless energy.
Which is why—
In the simulations, Miss Yamada and Miss Nishikigi often had tiny spats and playful argunts.
But in the end, they always made up.
Because their personalities, Yamada's carefree independence and Chisato's warm, sociable nature—didn't really clash.
If anything, their back-and-forth helped them grow closer.
Besides, these girls were masters of verbal sparring.
No matter how often they argued.
But usually, after a bit of back-and-forth, their moods would settle, and no one ever took it to heart.
Otherwise, the nine of them wouldn't have grown so close by the end of the simulation.
As for stepping in to break things up, Minami rubbed his temples.
There's an old saying: three won make a drama.
And that? That wasn't just three won—it was a whole group of girls arguing.
Trying to stop them...?
Even thinking about it made it clear that it was hopeless.
Worse, if he stepped in and showed any bias, it could escalate things—what was just a light spat might turn into a full-blown quarrel.
So, after quietly exchanging a few words with Seika Ijichi, PA-san, and Kikuri Hiroi—asking the more level-headed adults to keep an eye on the "underage team"—
Minami leaned back in his seat, turned toward the window, and let his gaze drift.
Not because he wanted to admire the winter scenery outside the train.
But simply because he was trying to bring up the ever-present simulation screen hovering just out of view.
In his blurred vision, the usually calm interface now shimred slightly with ripples.
And within those ripples,
A line of floating text appeared, sharp and unmistakable:
"System Notification: Presence of all 'Hearts of Love' detected. Activate the Heart of Love?"
[Yes] / [No]
The simple choices hovered in the air.
Minami raised an eyebrow, unable to hide his reaction.
Looks like his theory had been right all along—
The "Heart of Love" could only be activated when all nine holders were present.
Gazing at the words floating before him,
Minami tilted his head slightly, glancing over at the girls now locked in a spirited match of UNO.
Even Hitori Gotoh, the girl with social anxiety, was actively playing and smiling—finally letting herself enjoy the trip.
And in that mont, Minami hesitated.
Because he still had no idea what activating the "Heart of Love" would actually do.
What effect would this mysterious item have?
Could it even be dangerous...?
But—
"If I don't activate it here... if I leave the 'Heart of Love' sitting in the inventory... could it pose a risk to them later?"
No one could say for sure.
After all... just because nothing bad had happened so far didn't an it never would.
And so—
The decision he had to make now... was already obvious.
Looking up,
He fixed his gaze on the [Yes] / [No] options floating in midair.
Then slowly reached out his hand.
Just like that first mont six months ago, when he first bonded with the love simulation and started his path with Hitori Gotoh—
He pressed [Yes].
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