Chapter 39: Simulation attempts +1

A bag filled with books is a powerful weapon.

The attacker was hit so hard by it, like a meteor hammer, that he was left dazed.

He clutched his face, still processing what had happened, as Minami Yuuki kicked him down, pressed his knee on his back, and locked his wrists with his hands.

With his face against the patterned bricks of the sidewalk, the attacker was baffled. He had ambushed Minami Yuuki, so why had he been the one attacked by the bag and ended up defeated?

He struggled but couldn't escape. Realizing he had lost both in love and war to Minami Yuuki, he was filled with sorrow.

After he calmed down, Minami Yuuki spoke, "I don't know your name, and I don't want to know it. Think about what would happen if I handed you over to the police, and they contacted your parents and school."

The attacker, Oda Yota, shivered. He just saw the confession scene of Chitose Kazumi, and followed Minami Yuuki in a frenzy to teach him a lesson, without considering the consequences at all.

Just thinking about his parents and friends at school finding out made him terrified and want to flee the city.

"It seems you've thought it through," Minami Yuuki released him and lifted his knee from his waist. "Well, goodbye then."

Oda Yota was stunned for a while before he realized that Minami Yuuki had let him go.

Damn it, not only did he lose in emotions and fists, but he also lost in temperament!

He ran away with tears in his eyes.

Watching his retreating figure, Minami Yuuki sighed. How nice it was to act on pure impulse without considering the consequences at that age.

All this happened within a minute, as passersby stretched their necks, ready to help or call the police. Seeing the fight was over, they retracted their necks into their collars.

Among the onlookers, Minami Yuuki noticed a familiar figure.

The girl who had been in a wheelchair two days ago was now wearing the same uniform as him, carrying a canvas bag.

When she was in the wheelchair, Minami Yuuki only thought she was petite. Now, seeing her standing, he could definitely give her the title of dwarf.

If not for her Tsukimori High uniform, Minami Yuuki would have thought she was as young as his sister, Minami Airi.

The girl was still wearing a mask, covering half her face. In manga, it's often said that closing one's eyes makes the ears more sensitive. Minami Yuuki didn't know if that was scientifically true, but he was certain that covering half her face made the girl's eyes more striking, seemingly more lively.

The girl noticed Minami Yuuki's gaze and turned to walk towards the apartment.

Minami Yuuki caught up to her.

"Hey, we meet again," he greeted.

"Hello," she responded.

"I didn't expect us to be at the same school."

"There are many Tsukimori students in the apartment."

"...You were in a wheelchair before. Did you hurt your leg?"

"No."

"Was it for some other reason?"

"Not convenient to answer."

As they walked, Minami Yuuki tried to make conversation. She responded but was clearly not very interested and often killed the conversation.

Apart from learning her name, Minami Yuuki got nothing.

"Ibuki Yuko, huh," Minami Yuuki sighed as he exited the elevator. "What a strange kid."

He opened his love simulator, but Ibuki Yuko's name didn't appear among the potential partners.

He didn't know if it was because he hadn't formed a connection with her or if she didn't meet the simulator's criteria.

Forget it, never mind her.

Today, something more important awaited him!

Minami Yuuki quickly went to his room.

The thousand paper cranes his sister sent had arrived. He had scheduled delivery for this time slot.

Not long after, the doorbell rang. The delivery man stood at the door with the package.

After stamping his seal on the delivery note, Minami Yuuki received the package. He unpacked it to find a large cookie tin.

Opening the metal lid, he saw it filled with neatly folded paper cranes of various colors.

[You received a heartfelt gift from Minami Airi]

[Simulation attempts +1]

It worked!

The simulation attempts increased!

Minami Yuuki picked up a crane and examined it. Paper cranes aren't easy to fold well; aside from practice, they require some talent.

One can tell a person's dexterity from their origami skills.

The crane he held was a perfect example of fine craftsmanship.

Such skillful hands would be good for housework too, but since he already had Asano Nao, he didn't need his sister to take care of him.

He placed the crane back in the box, set the box on his bedside table, took a photo, and sent it to his sister, Minami Airi.

While waiting for her reply, he pondered the efficiency of obtaining simulation attempts from her.

In their previous call, Airi said it took her an entire evening to fold these cranes, estimating conservatively, an evening being four hours.

Four hours for one simulation attempt.

There are 24 hours in a day. Four divided by 24 means his sister could potentially produce six simulation attempts per day!

There are 8,760 hours in a year, so his sister could produce 2,190 simulation attempts annually!

But that was impossible.

Airi needed time to eat, sleep, study, and play.

Damn, why is my sister human? Why not a robot that can fold paper cranes 24/7? Or a ninja who can create multiple clones to fold them?

Minami Yuuki recalculated. If Airi sent him a batch of cranes weekly, that would already be very sisterly of her.

But still too slow.

His sister's efforts were limited. Minami Yuuki had to place his hopes on Asano Nao.

He wondered about Asano Nao's efficiency in producing simulation attempts.

He'd press her for answers during dinner and ask why her gift wasn't ready yet.

As he pondered this, his phone buzzed with a reply from his sister.

Minami Airi: How are they? I folded them really well, right!

Instead of typing, Minami Yuuki called her directly.

"Hello? Why are you calling again? Is there something wrong with the cranes?" Minami Airi asked nervously.

"How long did it take you to fold these?" Minami Yuuki asked about the specific time spent.

"Why the sudden question? Three hours, I folded them for three whole hours!" she boasted.

Minami Yuuki thought, three hours, one hour less than he estimated.

"Fold me some more," he said.

"It's not impossible. Brother, how many do you want? Do you want me to make a thousand paper cranes?"

Minami Airi still didn't grasp the seriousness of the request, her words innocent. Minami Yuuki used cold words to show her the harsh reality.

He said, "Six sets a day will do."

"Eh? You mean another six sets?"

"Six sets every day."

"...That's impossible!"

Minami Airi's calm mood was shattered by her brother's unreasonable demand, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"There are 24 hours in a day. Three hours per set, six sets only take 18 hours. I even left you six hours of free time."

"There's no way I can spend 18 hours a day on this!"

"Can't you? Sigh—"

"Why are you sighing, brother! It's impossible no matter how you look at it!"

"Then how about five sets a day?"

"Still impossible!"

"One set then? One set should be doable, right?"

"Three hours a day can be managed, but—why should I spend three hours every day folding paper cranes for brother!"

"To prove your love for me?"

"I'm going to tell Mom!"

Tch, she's actually threatening me by bringing up our parents!

"Anyway, help me fold some when you have time. Airi folds them beautifully. When I see them, my heart, which is as cold as the air outside the window, warms up." Minami Yuuki changed his previous tough words and said these words in a melancholy tone.

"Huh?"

"I only have Airi to rely on."

"Huh—?"

Minami Airi wanted to ask what he meant by that, but before she could, Minami Yuuki hung up.

She put down her phone, and Minami Yuuki's last words lingered in her mind for a long time. When she was playing with dolls, doing homework, eating dinner, or sleeping, no matter what she was doing, this melancholy sentence would suddenly pop up in her mind.

"I only have Airi to rely on."

What on earth happened! Don't rely on me! I'm only 12 yers old, just started middle school!

In the dark bedroom, lying in bed, Minami Airi suddenly opened her eyes.

She threw off the covers, put on her pajamas, turned on the lamp, and sat at her desk, gritting her teeth.

Isn't it just folding a thousand paper cranes? I'll fold it for you!