Guess I'll just take a look.
Minami had always been the type to act on whatever ca to mind.
He turned his gaze toward Bocchi and activated the [Data Scanner].
His vision shifted once more.
Ryo's data fra faded into the background, gradually replaced by Bocchi's information.
When Minami focused on her stats, his expression quickly turned into one of surprise and confusion.
Na:Hitori GotohAppearance: 8 Athleticism: 4 Academics: 3 Special Skills:Low Self-Esteem LV3, Social Anxiety LV2, Learning LV1, Guitar LV3
Current Impression of the Host:Deeply Attracted, Notices You, Holds Admiration for You
System Evaluation:She cares about you a lot—every little thing you do catches her attention. Towards you, she seems to harbor a peculiar sense of admiration. However, as soone painfully shy, she will never take the initiative. She will only watch from afar... But if you were to take the first step, perhaps she might just respond in turn.
...Let's put aside the question of why "Low Self-Esteem LV3" and "Social Anxiety LV2" are considered special skills.
Just the "Current Impression of the Host" section alone was enough to leave Minami completely baffled.
Deeply attracted? Notices ? Holds admiration for ?
What the hell?
When had he ever done anything to make Bocchi feel this strongly about him?
The last ti he checked, the simulator had only listed her impression as "Slight Admiration, Distant Acquaintance."
How had just one or two days passed, and yet her feelings toward him had changed so dramatically?
There had to be sothing wrong with this damn [Data Scanner], right?
Unconvinced, Minami pulled up the simulator nu.
And then...
For the first ti in a while, he checked Bocchi's status.
That's when he noticed sothing strange—
At so point, her impression of him had changed from "Slight Admiration, Distant Acquaintance" to "Holds Admiration, Willing to Interact."
...Huh?
Now this was confusing.
Had he done anything in real life that could explain this shift?
Minami carefully combed through his recent mories.
Then, he shook his head.
No.
Definitely not.
At most, he had chatted with Bocchi on LINE for a bit, exchanged a few more words than usual when they t in the courtyard, and let her try so of his homade lunch.
That was it.
Nothing that should have raised her affection toward him this much.
So what's going on?
Minami stole a quick glance at Bocchi.
Maybe it was because of the system's evaluation, but...
This ti, he really got the feeling that Bocchi was secretly watching him.
She was currently teaching Kita so guitar techniques, but every now and then, she would very subtly glance in his direction.
And the mont she realized he had caught her?
She imdiately sat up straight, pretending to be completely focused on teaching Kita.
What the hell is this?
Minami frowned slightly, deep in thought.
But in the end, he wasn't a mind reader.
No matter how much he pondered, he still couldn't understand why her attitude toward him had shifted so drastically.
"Whatever. Overthinking this won't get anywhere."
Shaking his head, Minami decided to let it go.
A teenage girl having a crush wasn't exactly so earth-shattering revelation.
Digging too deep into it wouldn't accomplish anything.
Besides—
The "Low Self-Esteem LV3" and "Social Anxiety LV2" were more concerning than anything else.
Even though Bocchi's Guitar Level was an impressive LV3—already at a professional level—these two severe debuffs were enough to completely overshadow her talent.
On the surface, Minami remained expressionless.
But deep down, he let out a small sigh.
Her insecurities and isolation still shackled her, preventing her from stepping forward.
If possible...
Minami would like to help her break free from those chains.
After all, he had gone through countless love simulations at this point.
There was no way he could simply brush off Bocchi's struggles as soone else's problem.
If he could, he wanted to help her step out of her comfort zone, overco her fears, and shake off the weight of her self-doubt.
Because in the end—
More than anything, he wanted to see Bocchi stand on a real stage, not just a small underground venue, but a stage that would let her music be heard across all of Japan.
Not as part of so simulation.
But in reality.
However—
When Minami looked at her again, he noticed her hands trembling.
Her fingers fumbled over the guitar strings, making repeated mistakes.
All because he had been staring at her.
Minami sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Yeah... Looks like 'Bocchi the Guitar Queen' is still a long way off."
anwhile, on the other side—
Bocchi was completely frozen.
H-He's looking at .
M-Minami-senpai is looking at ?!
W-Why? Why is he suddenly staring at ?!
D-Did he realize I was secretly watching him?!
N-No way! I was so careful! I even hid my gaze under my bangs!
How could he possibly notice?
W-Wait, wait, wait!
Bocchi violently shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
Maybe... it's because it's Minami-senpai?
Then, her mind flashed to the strange mories that had suddenly surfaced in her head.
mories that weren't hers—yet felt so real.
In those fragnts of recollection...
Minami had always been the one to notice her struggles first.
Whenever she needed help, he was always there.
He was the one who reassured her, giving her the strength to play without fear.
Not just for her, but also for Ryo, Nijika, and Kita.
They all trusted him completely.
In that other tiline—
Minami was an irreplaceable mber of Kessoku Band.
And to her—
Minami was the person she loved the most.
But—
That was only in those mories.
Bocchi lowered her head, staring at her hands.
The real her—
Did she even have the courage to stand on that kind of stage and confess her feelings to Minami?
No, let's be honest.
This was nothing more than one-sided wishful thinking.
Minami didn't have those mories.
And in reality, she was nothing but a socially awkward, mumbling ss who couldn't even look him in the eye.
If she were Minami, wouldn't she prefer soone bright and outgoing like Nijika or Kita?
Or maybe even Ryo?
Sure, Ryo was a bit odd, but maybe Minami liked that kind of personality?
...Or maybe even the Manager?
Or PA-san?
Wait... Didn't those two also seem kinda interested in him in that mory?
For a mont, Bocchi felt like questioning her entire existence.
Who even was the version of in that mory? So kind of battle-hardened warrior?!
And more importantly—
How the hell did I manage to fight my way past all these people, win Minami's heart, and even have kids with him?!
---
For Advanced Chapters, 16 ahead on my /Loverice929
Thanks to @Charlie Dalfall, @Ethan Farias, and @Insert Na.
I'll upload more chaps later
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