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V5 Chapter 28: The Ever-Blooming Pure White Flower
🕑 Added 2025-06-21 09:45:59 +0000 UTC[The night Gotoh Hitori refused your invitation, you immediately crossed city lines from Shimokitazawa to Yokohama. With swift, decisive action, you showed up at her doorstep, where the Gotoh family helped you get a chance to speak with her face-to-face.]
[You boldly expressed your feelings to her.]
[Even though you didn't say the words "I like you" outright, the sincerity and gravity in your words had a power far greater than a direct confession. To Gotoh Hitori, it was enough to completely steal her heart in an instant.]
[With only you in her eyes, she lost all ability to think. After nodding in response, she fell straight backward in shock. It wasn't until the next day that she woke up but she knew it hadn't been a dream.]
[You and Gotoh Hitori became a couple.]
[Gotoh Hitori 's affection for you skyrocketed.]
"All that rushing across the city wasn't in vain after all…"
Kazami Haru rubbed his temples after exiting the manual simulation. His body might not carry over the physical fatigue, but the mental strain was real—he was seeing spots.
Still, the relief and thrill of victory washed over him. His nerves slowly began to unwind.
No matter how the process had gone, he had finally won over Miss Bocchi.
If he'd played the long game and gone the slow route like the simulation options suggested, who knows how long it would've taken? With her timid and evasive personality, progress might have stalled indefinitely.
Thankfully, he gave her no time to overthink. He rushed straight to her door that night—
When it came to a pink-haired fool like Bocchi, you had to strike hard and fast.
[Even as close lovers now, not much changed in your day-to-day interactions.]
[But thanks to your head-on, no-nonsense romancing, whenever Gotoh Hitori saw you again, she turned beet red. Even when her face was steaming, she didn't try to avoid you anymore. Instead, she shyly and nervously stayed close.]
[She constantly sneaked glances at your profile, but when you looked back, she'd dart her eyes away like a startled bunny. Only once caught red-handed would she look you in the eyes, blushing deeply.]
[Your affirmation was helping her shed the self-doubt embedded deep in her bones.]
[Naturally, your relationship's evolution didn't go unnoticed.]
[The first to realize it was Ijichi Nijika . Sharp as ever, she seemed to have predicted it. She gave Hitori an encouraging, gentle smile but no one knew she sometimes buried her face in her pillow and cried softly at night.]
[The one who seemed calmest was Yamada Ryo. Usually stoic, she'd been chatting with you more lately. Your girlfriend even mentioned Ryo randomly asking to borrow money now and then.]
[Kita Ikuyo was the last to catch on. When she finally heard the news from Nijika, she was stunned. She stayed home sick for three days, and even after recovering, wandered around in a daze for nearly a month.]
[Your relationship caused ripples but none of it could shake your resolve anymore.]
[Time moved on.]
[Early November, on another evening when you walked her home, you sensed something different about Gotoh Hitori.]
Memory fragments began to stir—
…
Soft snowflakes drifted down like willow fluff from the night sky. The girl walking beside you exhaled, her breath turning to mist in the air. Now dressed for winter, Kazami Haru stepped along familiar streets.
Delicate snow settled like feathers on his shoulders. The chill made him squint.
"It's getting cold."
He lifted his gaze toward the snowy sky, speaking casually to the girl at his side.
The pink-haired girl beside him had a thick beige scarf around her neck and a wool hat on her head. She shrank into herself slightly, her pale cheeks turning red. The rising heat from her skin began to melt the snowflakes on her face.
Seeing his neck exposed, even a timid mud snake would find some courage.
"U-um…"
Her voice was barely audible as she unwrapped her scarf, her blue eyes misting with nervous tears.
"If… if you don't mind, please take this!"
She blurted it out so suddenly and loudly that Haru's expression froze.
But his bashful girlfriend looked like her brain was overheating. Haru couldn't help but smirk slightly, leaning in with a teasing glint in his eyes:
"Are you sure I can just take it?"
"Y-yes… go ahead…?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Haru gently lifted her chin and kissed her. When they parted, Hitori looked dazed and stunned.
"It's a little late to say it, but I won't be holding back anymore."
"Ah—"
The flawless girl tilted her head, dreamlike sparkle in her eyes. In just a second, her face lit up like a blazing red star. Her beauty became vivid and entrancing.
She looked like a baby bird, nervously parting her lips.
"C-could… could we do it again?"
Kazami Haru: "???"
Staring at this beet-red girl holding up a trembling finger, he couldn't believe how far she'd come. Usually so shy she could barely speak, now she was actually mustering up courage, her watery blue eyes filled with bashful hope.
[You stole Gotoh Hitori's first kiss.]
[Your bold move completely scrambled her thoughts and plans. What she experienced in that moment was something she never could've imagined before and now that it had happened, it flipped a strange switch inside her.]
[In December, you threw a pre-Christmas party with friends.]
[Having prepared for two months, Hitori seriously gave you a lover's Christmas gift, a piggy bank. Her determined eyes behind it were so cute you almost burst out laughing.]
[Naturally, your now very public affection drew plenty of eyes.]
[Especially from Kita Ikuyo, who had always been close with Bocchi. Today, her eyes were like murky cement. Her smile as she clapped looked more like a grimace. After the party, she dragged Nijika and Ryo off to karaoke all night.]
[On your way back from STARRY, while holding hands, Hitori leaned close to whisper in your ear. Blushing furiously, she admitted her family hadn't left the door unlocked tonight, she had nowhere to go.]
[You could guess what she meant.]
[So, you decided—]
[1. "If you come near, I'll make sure you regret it!"]
[2. It's too early for this. Maybe spend more time together first.]
[3. VR simulation: Manual control.]
"If this keeps up, I'm gonna start leaving good reviews for Sangokushi!..."
This sudden "special option" glared off the screen. Kazami Haru raised an eyebrow.
He'd figured it would come to this eventually but even so, Bocchi's boldness now left him both surprised and impressed. He thought if he didn't push things, they might not progress until marriage. Yet here she was, growing into someone entirely unexpected.
He didn't know how much courage simulation-Bocchi had mustered to say those words but the weight of this choice was obvious. It would shape the simulation's ending completely.
Given how shy and self-doubting she was, rejecting her now would be unthinkable. Haru already knew what his answer would be the moment the options appeared.
"Any who threaten Kessoku Band's peace… I, Haru, will destroy them."
[You knew exactly how much courage Gotoh Hitori had summoned, so when you saw her nervous, hopeful expression—you naturally accepted her proposal. At that moment, the already flustered girl completely shut down.]
[Head down, her face burning hot, she followed you back to your apartment. But before that, she made a quick stop at a nearby convenience store, fuzzy-headed and giddy, to prepare for something she'd never even dreamed she'd dare attempt.]
[Soft and light like a fluffy cloud, she felt like a warm, oversized marshmallow in your arms. That supposedly "innocent" tracksuit she wore finally unleashed a deep-sea-level explosion. In that moment, she was completely different from her usual timid self.]
[You never imagined that your shy and reclusive girlfriend could show such intense emotion. Gotoh Hitori seemed to possess a natural talent for music, she could easily master any form of performance. Her brilliance stirred your own competitive spirit, making you want to push yourself harder.]
[A fierce battle between the two of you, like a clash that could shake the very heavens.]
I thought Soyo was already unbeatable, who's commanding this unit?!
Kazami Haru, thinking he'd easily dominate Bocchi, was shaken. The seemingly fragile, rabbit-like Bocchi actually possessed such power? She could go toe-to-toe with a battle-hardened warrior like him?
When the simulation text appeared, Haru honestly couldn't believe it.
That's really Bocchi?
[Your relationship with Gotoh Hitori deepened significantly.]
[Perhaps from this moment, your lives became truly intertwined. You swore an oath on Christmas and entered a full-blown romantic phase. Even the once-timid and withdrawn Hitori grew more confident through your relationship.]
[You noticed she had begun to rely on you deeply, though you weren't sure if that was a good thing.]
[On New Year's Eve, you held her hand and attended the Kessoku Band's New Year's party. After the festivities, she blushed and tugged your sleeve. You, who knew her well, instantly understood what she meant.]
[Your increasingly affectionate interactions caused a stir among the band. Yamada Ryo was borrowing money from Bocchi more often than ever.]
[By March, as spring approached, Kessoku Band signed a contract with a music agency. Thanks to your strategic choices, the deal ensured complete creative independence while boosting promotion and reigniting fan excitement.]
[After releasing your original track "The Ever-Blooming Pure White Flower," the band's popularity soared. The music video aired in Akihabara, and the debut CD instantly topped the charts.]
[The flood of attention led to sold-out CDs, and the band received sizable shares and bonuses from the agency, introducing the girls to the power of money.]
[But they didn't let it go to their heads. Led by Ijichi Nijika , everyone practiced harder than ever. Especially Bocchi, who devoted herself entirely to the band when not with you.]
[At eighteen, after graduating high school, you entered the same university as your girlfriend. Her grades, however, were at risk due to her music obsession but under your careful tutoring and 'support system,' she passed the entrance exams.]
[Naturally, there was a reward after the exams. You took Gotoh Hitori on a week-long trip, seven days and nights.]
[When you returned, Kita Ikuyo was baffled that there were only two photos from the entire trip. When Nijika asked what places you visited, Hitori blushed and couldn't speak.]
[Only Yamada Ryo silently stared at you. You could faintly detect something meaningful in her gaze.]
[Using your salary and bonus, you rented a spacious, beautiful apartment. During university, you and Hitori began living together. With your capable hands managing all housework and meals, she didn't have to worry about a thing.]
[But your overindulgent love began to make her a little uneasy.]
…
Filtered morning light poured through paper-thin white curtains, the fragrance of aromatherapy lingering in the air. The glowing rays fell upon Gotoh Hitori 's silky cherry-pink hair, reflecting a soft brilliance.
Her fair cheeks shimmered with a slight blush. Just admiring her adorable sleeping face was enough to bring joy.
Kazami Haru, long awake, rested his chin on his hand as he gazed at her peaceful expression. Her steady breaths made the comforter rise and fall gently, outlining her graceful curves.
Maybe he moved a little too obviously, because Bocchi stirred and blinked her beautiful eyes open.
"Did I wake you?"
"You can sleep a little longer. I'll start breakfast."
Just as Haru was about to get up, Hitori suddenly threw her arms around his neck, speaking in a small, flustered voice:
"Um… why don't you sleep a bit more, Haru? I'll make breakfast today."
"Hm? What's with the sudden offer?"
Smiling, he pinched her little nose and brushed the messy pink strands from her face. Her sudden initiative was unusual, and he sensed something behind it.
"I… I just want to help you."
Her voice dropped, and Haru, well acquainted with her personality, instantly understood. He chuckled.
"Do you feel bad that I do everything and you just enjoy it?"
"Whether it's cooking, cleaning, or even band stuff and schoolwork. You handle it all. And I can't do anything right… I'm only good at guitar…"
"That's not a bad thing though."
"If it is okay like this, then I…"
Seeing his girlfriend troubled by such matters, Kazami Haru couldn't help but chuckle. He lightly chopped Gotoh Hitori on the forehead with his hand and looked at her with a serious expression as he spoke.
"Leave everything to me. You just focus on your chords."
"I want to raise you into the kind of 'dummy' who can't do anything without me."
With a hint of smugness on his face, Kazami Haru left Gotoh Hitori momentarily stunned. Then she gave a silly little smile, lifted her gaze, and after a brief pause, as if recalling something, blushed and earnestly declared:
"I want to help too!"
With determination in her voice, Bocchi burrowed into the blanket, prompting Haru to raise a curious brow.
[Consoled by your words, Gotoh Hitori seems to accept the reality that she's a 'dummy'. She realizes she's already long since become someone who can't leave your side. She keeps practicing relentlessly, hoping to become a guitarist worthy of you.]
[At twenty-two, with more and more live shows under your belt, the band "Kessoku Band" has surged ahead in both skill and fame. Now recognized nationwide, each tour brings in an even larger wave of popularity.]
[You sense this is your moment. With both strength and popularity on your side, "Kessoku Band" has finally earned the chance to take one step closer to your dream.]
[After negotiations with your management, it's decided, Kessoku Band will perform on the grandest stage yet: Tokyo Dome. With 55,000 seats, this performance marks your ascent to the very top.]
[As expected, the concert was a massive success. Kessoku Band, in peak form, brought it to a close with "The Ever-Blooming Pure White Flower." The performance, along with the MV and footage, made the front page of Asahi News.]
[And right at the peak of your fame, the most special moment arrives.]
[You decide to marry Gotoh Hitori.]
What a journey...
Even Kazami Haru let out a long breath upon seeing the word "marriage" on the simulation screen. Though Bocchi only ran the simulation once herself, the emotional toll it took wasn't any lighter than Soyo's.
Thankfully, things went smoothly enough to reach marriage with Bocchi.
If something had gone wrong after personally simulating it, Haru would've been in real trouble.
[News of your sudden marriage sends shockwaves through the music world. Reporters scramble to cover the story, but your agency blocks them at the gate. Now celebrities, the two of you opt for a simple wedding banquet.]
[Dressed in a white wedding gown, she looks like a goddess stepping out of a poem. As her dress trails behind her, so does her cherry-pink hair. Her beautiful face offers just a shy little smile, and yet it's enough to make you completely lose yourself in the moment.]
[This "ordinary" banquet isn't crowded, just your friends and Gotoh Hitori's family, including the other Kessoku Band members. Even so, she beams with uncontainable joy.]
[You and your new bride move into the home you had long prepared. It may not be the cozy apartment from your dating days, but it marks the beginning of new memories and a shared future. That's what Haru believes with all his heart.]
[Within days, Gotoh Hitori is pregnant.]
[Both of you had a good idea this might happen. But bashful as ever, she plans to tell friends and family later. You can't help but tease her for being shy after all these years.]
[Having fulfilled her dream, Gotoh Hitori announces her retirement from the band. The moment she shares the news, the rest of Kessoku Band nods knowingly, they'd all seen this day coming.]
[With several performances at Budokan already under your belt, everyone had achieved their goals. Tokyo Dome was the final stage for Kessoku Band. That unforgettable "The Ever-Blooming Pure White Flower" became an eternal classic.]
[To take care of your wife, you resign from your position in the management company. Along with the Gotoh family, you now dedicate your time to caring for her. Already spoiled beyond belief, she starts clinging to you even more.]
[Time passes—]
[Your daughter with Gotoh Hitori is finally born. You name her Kazami Nao.]
[Perhaps the Gotoh genes are just too strong. Even Nao inherits her mother's pink hair and delicate looks. Though unlike her long-haired mom, she prefers shoulder-length hair. She's practically a miniature Bocchi.]
[But on the inside, she's all you—mischievous and brilliant. Even at a young age, she's topping her class with genius-level grades, sometimes even outpacing you.]
[However, when it comes to physical stamina, she's even weaker than you.]
[As your daughter, she's adored by the entire family. Even the three remaining Kessoku Band members treat her like their own, eager to pass on their musical talents. But the little rascal has zero interest in music.]
[Kazami Nao falls in love with photography early on. She's a natural, needing no teacher. One day, you catch her secretly snapping pictures of you from all angles and carefully storing them in a scrapbook titled "My Beloved Father."]
[Due to their similar temperaments, she often spends time with her godmother, Ryo Yamada. Eventually, Nao even picks up some of her godmother's… morally questionable habits—like lending her pocket money to the fully grown Yamada.]
[You scold them both, but Ryo defends herself, saying, "I've already made so many sacrifices over the years. What's wrong with letting little Nao give me a bit of spending money?"]
[Thankfully, she's immediately dealt with by Nijika's iron fist of justice, though she never learns her lesson.]
[Even as a married woman, Gotoh Hitori remains as shy as ever. She sneaks chances to cuddle up to you, cheeks red. But sometimes, little Nao walks in at the worst possible moment, causing Gotoh to faint on the spot.]
[Time flows on.]
[Kazami Nao grows even more clever and commanding, earning respect and awe at school. As a mom, Gotoh Hitori is often left dizzy trying to keep up with her. Yet when Nao's with you, she becomes a perfect angel.]
[You've heard her say more than once, "The law is wrong. I'm going to fix this world."]
[Now a skilled photographer, her work often wins awards. Yet she couldn't care less about those prizes. The only photos she treasures are the ones of you and her mother.]
[Time rushes forward—]
[Now grown up, Kazami Nao travels the world as a cinematographer. With your daughter off chasing her dreams, you finally get to enjoy quiet days with your wife. Surrounded by love, you both feel deeply fulfilled.]
[Time has etched its marks on you and your wife. Yet, Gotoh Hitori remains unchanged. In your eyes, she is still the girl who clings to and adores you, and you are still the boy who cherishes her.]
[Even in your seventies, your body remains strong, but no one can outrun time. In the end, your wife rests gently against your shoulder, and as the final moment comes, your hands remain tightly held.]
[In the haze of your fading vision, you see the jasmine you and your wife once planted. The snow-white petals fall into your hands, blooming gently among green leaves, pure and unblemished.]
[Simulation complete.]
