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V3 Chapter 20: The Great Saint Nijika
🕑 Added 2025-05-19 06:54:51 +0000 UTC"So, what are you two even doing here?"
Ijichi Seika stood with one hand propping her chin, her expression tired and annoyed. Dressed in a loose black-and-white hoodie, her shoulder-length blonde hair was unkempt, clearly not given much care. She looked at Kazami Haru and little Nijika with barely concealed frustration.
"Because you haven't come home in over a month! Mom and Dad are worried sick!"
Little Nijika puffed up her cheeks like a dumpling, raising her tiny fists in protest.
Seika, long fed up with her clingy little sister, found her even more annoying now. She cared more about her band and spending time at the LiveHouse than about going home or seeing family. Dealing with Nijika's whining was a hassle, and she'd often relied on Kazami to handle her, but this time, they'd come to her directly.
Irritated, Seika didn't want to argue with two kids. She casually ordered some pudding and sweets, then waved a hand dismissively.
"If that's all, then I've got nothing to say."
"I've got important practice later. Finish your snacks and get going."
She even pulled out her phone, clearly intending to call their mom to come pick them up.
But seeing her sister still acting this way, Nijika's eyes brimmed with tears.
"...Onee-chan is a dummy," she mumbled, lips trembling.
"Ugh, enough already. Go home," Seika said firmly, ignoring her sister's sobs.
As she reached for the bill, Kazami, who had been silent until now—suddenly spoke up.
"Seika-san, playing rock must be really fun, right?"
His unexpected question made Seika raise an eyebrow.
Unlike his clingy little sister, Kazami Haru didn't act like a child, and Seika actually saw him a bit differently.
"What's your point?" she said, narrowing her eyes.
"I think standing on stage, playing rock, must feel electrifying. Music is like painting, it's a form of art that speaks to the soul through sound."
"It must feel amazing to show off all your hard work."
He gently patted Nijika's head, calming her sobs, and gave Seika a bright, sincere smile.
"Anyone who pours themselves into chasing their dreams… is the coolest."
To have bandmates you trust, to overcome hardships together, to practice until your fingers are numb, and then finally feel the roar of the crowd beneath the lights, that's the kind of overwhelming joy that Kazami understood.
"I get why you love your band, Seika-san."
"You little brat…"
Seika blushed, flustered by the unexpectedly mature praise.
"But even if you're chasing a dream… family is irreplaceable."
Kazami's voice turned somber.
"Nijika says she hates you and your band, but really, she just wants to spend time with you. That's all."
"Even if I keep her company… it's not the same as having her sister."
Seika glanced at her sister. Nijika, still sniffling, stared back with watery but stubborn eyes. She didn't look away. Something in that gaze made Seika's heart ache. Her tightly furrowed brows loosened.
"She really wants to see your live show."
"I-I don't! Haru's an idiot!" Nijika pouted, turning away, but the tears at the corners of her eyes betrayed her bluff.
"…Fine, whatever."
"Just go home already. If Mom finds out, she's gonna scold me."
Irritated, Seika scratched her head. She didn't like being lectured, especially not by a kid twelve years younger than her.
Still, remembering Kazami's words, she sighed and crossed her arms.
"…Tell Mom she doesn't have to worry."
"…I'll try to come home sometime soon."
[You chose to speak earnestly with Ijichi Seika about Nijika. Though she didn't completely change, your words seemed to leave an impression. Her mind is still consumed by dreams and her band, but maybe this is the start of something better.]
[As you were walking Nijika home, Ijichi's mother popped out from behind a corner, giving you a thumbs-up with a smile. Turns out she'd secretly followed you out of worry.]
[Moved by what she heard, she praised you nonstop on the way home, saying she felt even more comfortable leaving Nijika in your care.]
[Nijika blushed and ran off to playfully wrestle her mom, but couldn't meet your eyes afterward.]
[Ijichi Nijika's affection for you increased.]
[Later that day, you learned that a rear-end accident had happened near your home, right around the time you were out. It sent chills through both your mother and the Ijichi family.]
[Fortunately, it was just a small incident and didn't affect anyone close to you.]
"Got it—!"
Kazami let out a deep breath, feeling a surge of relief.
His intervention had worked.
Ijichi's mom had survived. The tragedy had been averted. Even Seika had begun to change, if only slightly. The simulation's greatest crisis had been cleared, smoothly and without casualty.
"I was prepared for the worst… maybe even getting hit by a car myself on the way back…"
Turned out, all his worrying had been for nothing. This felt more like a bonus stage.
[At age ten, your artwork Moon wins the Youth Art Gold Award. The piece is leagues ahead of your earlier work, silencing many of the critics.]
[Online media divides into two camps, some praising you as a genius child prodigy, others claiming you must have a professional team behind you.]
[You ignore the noise and immerse yourself in your world of painting.]
[The criticism only makes your inner resolve stronger.]
Apparently, the simulation version of Kazami had god-tier art talent, far beyond what even he imagined.
To win gold at age ten? Even for a youth competition, that made him a "genius among geniuses."
[Recently, Seika returned home for a visit. After a heart-to-heart with her mom, she reluctantly agrees to let you and Nijika attend one of her Live performances, on the condition that you keep Nijika from causing trouble.]
[Though she still grumbled, Nijika obediently followed you to the venue. When Seika spotted the two of you in the crowd, she performed with renewed fire, giving her all on stage.]
[Bathed in lights and music, Seika shone like a star.]
[Nijika, who had once hated the band, finally felt the spark of admiration for her sister, and for the idea of having a dream. She waved her little fists and cheered with all her heart.]
[For the first time, Seika felt truly recognized by her family.]
[She began returning home more often. Instead of pushing Nijika away, she even started sharing her feelings and thoughts with her.]
[The Ijichi family's discord… was mended thanks to you.]
[Ijichi Nijika's affection and trust increased.]
"…Wait a minute. Isn't this going a little too well?"
After countless simulations and lessons learned, Kazami Haru had finally grown a little cautious.
He couldn't be sure whether this simulation was truly a "bonus stage," but nothing had gone wrong so far. The smooth progress felt almost suspicious, he was starting to wonder if the damn simulator had been switched out for something else.
Was this the power of a childhood friend?
Suspicious, Haru kept reading.
[Age 13 – You and Nijika Ijichi entered Shimokitazawa Middle School together.]
[Your skill in landscape painting and color theory continued to refine with experience. Coupled with a strong foundation built from childhood, your piece "Laguna Sunset" earned the prestigious Impressionist Gold Medal this year, tearing away the fig leaf of online media skepticism.]
[You became the youngest genius in the Impressionist art world during middle school. This time, no one doubted your talent or called it marketing hype. The media proudly hailed you as a prodigy.]
[As a celebrity, your popularity at school soared. With your already outstanding looks, you quickly captured the hearts of countless girls. Confessions after class became a regular occurrence, forcing Nijika to constantly stay by your side.]
Seeing that, Haru couldn't help but laugh.
To think that the great Saint Nijika could actually get jealous, it was almost too cute.
[For some reason, after one final live performance, Seika Ijichi's band announced its breakup.]
[Seika's personality had changed drastically from a few years ago, she had started to resemble Mrs. Ijichi, always nagging. Seeing her older sister give up on her dream, Nijika resolved to work even harder on drums, determined to carry that dream to Budokan.]
So that's how it is.
Seika's band eventually disbanded after all.
Maybe it was just the limits that came with age. Her band never managed to break through to the professional level.
Honestly, more than 80% of bands never make it. Less than 1% ever reach a venue like Budokan. If it ended like this, it only meant Seika had done her best.
Still, it was clear Nijika's talent was limited too. Among ordinary people, she might be considered gifted, but compared to true prodigies, the gap was obvious. Reaching Budokan would demand extraordinary effort.
[As Nijika Ijichi's childhood friend, you've long become an irreplaceable part of her daily life.]
[Your bond grew deeper with time. You even started to notice that now, as she entered puberty, Nijika's gaze toward you had grown more shy and evasive.]
[Ever since starting middle school, she'd prepare handmade chocolates for you every Valentine's Day. She never outright said whether they were "romantic" or just "obligatory," but the meaning was clear to everyone.]
[Secretly pleased, you began to wonder if it was time to confess to your little childhood friend—]
[1. It's still too early. Wait until high school.]
[2. Strike while the iron's hot—confess now!]
[3. Let things happen naturally. Nijika might confess first?]
[4. Enter Virtual Reality and simulate it yourself.]
For the first time in a while, new simulation choices appeared.
It had been a long time since the last options appeared, and the first one after such a break was about confession, just how important could this moment be?
"So... which one should I pick?"
Haru began to hesitate.
To be honest, just seeing the word confess gave him a headache.
The shadows of Kita and the small light switch girl's confessions still lingered in his memory. Even in his one "perfect" ending with the tsundere pinkhead, it hadn't been his confession.
In that simulation with Chihaya Anon, all he did was tell someone she was his girlfriend—and Anon immediately responded. Technically, he never confessed at all.
So facing this option again, it was only natural to feel unsure.
"But this time, it's Nijika's pure romance route. Maybe—"
Thinking of the cheerful, radiant Shimokitazawa angel, Saint Nijika, Haru suddenly found a bit of courage.
Screw it. Let's go for it one more time!
Third time's the charm, right? No way it could go wrong with this big of an advantage.
If even Saint Nijika turned him down, he might as well jump off a building.
[You decide to strike early, so you ask Seika Ijichi for help.]
[As childhood friends, you two share a bond no one else can match.]
[You've become irreplaceable parts of each other's lives. Your confession didn't come as a surprise to Seika. In fact, she wondered why it took you this long.]
[Without hesitation, she agreed to help. She promised to create a private moment for you during the summer fireworks festival.]
[You happily agreed, and started preparing everything for the big day.]
[The day of the festival finally arrived. You came along with your doting mom and the Ijichi family. Fifteen-year-old Nijika was nothing like usual, wearing a finely patterned yukata in yellow and white, she looked like an angel descended to earth. Dressed up by Mrs. Ijichi herself, she captured your heart in an instant.]
[She looked bashful, often hiding her face and stealing glances at your reaction.]
As the simulation played out, memories of Nijika filled Haru's mind—
...
He could almost smell summer. Laughter and cheerful chatter echoed around. Though the sky was dim, it glowed orange-red from countless lanterns. Stalls lined the path, dazzling the senses.
"…Um, Haru."
A soft voice reached Haru's ears. He turned and met her eyes.
Nijika Ijichi, now nearly a full-fledged high school beauty, stood before him in a stunning yellow-and-white yukata embroidered with delicate maple leaves. Her golden hair was styled into a traditional updo with a side ponytail.
She held a dainty paper umbrella in her hands. Her fair, blushing face tilted slightly downward, and her jewel-like crimson eyes stared up at him with quiet anticipation.
"H-how do I look?"
Don't even mention whether it's good or not. Now I just want to form a basketball team with Nijika.
