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Chapter 14: Third Round Simulation, Starting!
🕑 Added 2025-02-03 12:37:43 +0000 UTCWhile the 'Kessoku Band' discussed Bocchi's predicament, when Minami Shouji returned to his rented apartment, he was actually unaware of the developments.
From the start, he just wanted to have a good conversation with Gotoh Hitori.
In order to prevent her from running away, he pretended to record the video—he planned to delete it right in front of her afterward.
As for the later development of something like 'bullying,' it was something he hadn't expected at all.
The main issue was that Gotoh Hitori, who was long-suffering from social anxiety, self-esteem issues, and self-mutilation, would subconsciously direct conversations toward the topic of bullying whenever discussing anything with him.
Things like handing over her wallet or guitar—these were basically just delusions of persecution created by Gotoh Hitori, a person who felt pressure just by talking to others.
Realizing he could not communicate with Gotoh Hitori, who was so nervous she couldn't even lift her head, Minami Shouji decided to take her guitar, letting her calm down and say they would talk again tomorrow.
The only thing he could feel thankful for was...
Unlike the simulation scenario, this time Minami Shouji had intentionally chosen to meet Gotoh Hitori in the school courtyard after class, where no one else noticed.
Therefore, 'school gossip,' as it happened in the simulation, probably wouldn't occur.
Although the interaction wasn't as smooth as he'd imagined, he still achieved his goal.
He wasn't talking about the guitar, but rather Gotoh Hitori's LINE account.
Gotoh Hitori couldn't refuse, and added his account.
With that thought in mind, Minami Shouji shook his head, deciding it was best to explain a little more to avoid making Gotoh Hitori feel uneasy.
He opened LINE and selected Gotoh Hitori's profile.
Tokyo's Number One Handsome Young Man: "Don't worry, the guitar is just temporarily borrowed. I'll return it to you tomorrow, and I've already deleted the video of your 'black history.'"
He set the phone down.
After about two minutes.
[You received 20 Heart Value from Gotoh Hitori]
At the same time, Gotoh Hitori sent a message.
Probably dead: "Yes, yes, I'm so sorry! I feel terrible for making you uncomfortable. I'll also bring my wedding expenses tomorrow; please accept them."
"?!" Minami Shouji.
He had to explain again.
Tokyo's Number One Handsome Young Man: "That's not what I meant."
Probably dead: "Doesn't my lifetime wedding fee even suffice?"
Tokyo's Number One Handsome Young Man: "What I meant is that you don't have to feel so much pressure. Gotoh-san, don't you play guitar? I'm actually quite interested; could I ask you to teach me sometime?"
Probably dead: "So it's not just money, but even my time...?"
"....." Alright. It is what it is.
Realizing he was making things worse, Minami Shouji decisively ended the conversation.
He probably understood that for someone like Gotoh Hitori, who couldn't speak to others and had self-esteem issues, she always thought the worst.
There were many beautiful things in the sunlight, but she would always subconsciously turn her gaze to the shadows.
This was her way of life, having been alone since childhood.
Expecting her to change immediately was unrealistic.
For someone used to curling up in the shadows, pulling her suddenly into the sunlight would only cause her pain.
Looks like it would have to be a gradual process—ah, women really are complicated creatures.
He set down his phone.
Minami re-examined the system's so-called 'Heart Value' setting.
The Heart Value here probably doesn't just refer to romantic interest, but even if it's something like his previous interaction where the simulation object was nervous or afraid, it still counted as 'Heart Value.'
Shaking his head, Minami Shouji opened Gotoh Hitori's guitar bag.
Inside was the electric guitar Gotoh Hitori commonly used.
Without a pickup and effects pedals, there's no way to practice any songs for now. At most, he can use Gotoh Hitori's guitar to practice finger positions and hand shapes.
According to the guitar knowledge in the system's Music LV1, Minami Shouji practiced for about an hour and a half, until his fingertips were sore from pressing the strings, and his wrists ached before he decided to stop.
An hour and a half, and his fingering was barely at an entry level.
For this speed, Minami Shouji wasn't very satisfied.
Although he didn't use the Rock Queen's learning card, he did have the Music LV1 skill as a support.
It was only at this point that he understood what Gotoh Hitori had been through in the simulation after he left her.
The guitar skills of the "Guitar Hero" with 30,000 subscribers were undoubtedly superb.
But wanting to go beyond being a "Guitar Hero" and reach the pinnacle level of a national rock queen in a short time...
It was no wonder that in the simulation, Gotoh Hitori was tormented by mental stress, to the point where she needed to rely on stimulating medication just to keep going.
In the Kessoku Band, she passed away due to illness...
This woman, in a certain sense, was really foolish and endearing...
Minami Shouji turned his attention back to the dating simulator and fell into thought.
In the second round, although he became a couple with Gotoh Hitori and eventually married her, the process wasn't smooth. Gotoh Hitori overworked herself practicing guitar to the point of damaging her health, and he also chose an ordinary university, graduating and working at an ordinary company. For both of them, it wasn't a good outcome. On top of that, Gotoh Hitori's social anxiety didn't improve even as she grew older.
The only people she could interact with normally were the band members and family. Even when facing the media, it was only Nijika and Kita Ikuyo who took interviews. Occasionally, when Gotoh Hitori had to be the one to appear, she cleverly used her excellent guitar solos to cover up, rarely speaking directly during interviews.
In the Kessoku Band, Gotoh Hitori died due to her health problems, and he, unable to bear his wife's death, tragically committed suicide by drowning.
In the Kessoku Band, nothing was solved. It would definitely be classified as a BAD END in some narrative games.
No wonder the score was just a low 67, barely passing.
Minami Shouji pondered, sliding his finger through a few options.
In the second round, he had paid too much attention to Gotoh Hitori and ignored the rumors at school, which led to the subsequent tragedy.
So this time, he would change his strategy.
He decided to temporarily shift his focus away from Gotoh Hitori, change his mindset, and extinguish the source of the rumors. What would happen then?
[Do you wish to start the previous simulation process again?]
[Yes!]
[Remaining simulation attempts: 1]
The memories from the simulation began flashing back in his mind.
[A year later, you contacted Gotoh Hitori from Class 2, Year 1. You shamelessly used learning guitar as an excuse to reach out to her and became friKessoku Bands. Over time, she was influenced by your humorous words and optimistic attitude toward life, and her once gloomy expression became less frequent. She smiled more, and under your encouragement, she focused on extracurricular guitar activities, but she never forgot the promise she made to you.]
[Everything seemed to be developing in a good direction.]
[You decide—]
[1. You still can't let go of Gotoh Hitori's situation, continue to keep an eye on her.]
[2. Occasionally focus on other things, temporarily take your gaze off Gotoh Hitori.]
[3. Being in a relationship all the time is boring, might as well study.]
[4. Simulate it yourself.]
This time, the system page was a bit different.
The first option dimmed, indicating that this simulation route had already been taken and couldn't be selected again.
But Minami Shouji didn't mind.
His finger slid to the second option, waiting for the change in this simulation.
[You think Gotoh Hitori's situation has stabilized. Although there are still things that make you worry about her, if you keep interfering, it will only deepen her dependence on you. You shift your focus away from Gotoh Hitori and turn your attention to other matters.]
[With your keen observation, you notice that because you've spent so much time in the music room with Bocchi, laughing and talking, rumors about you and her have started to spread around campus.]
[Faced with the rumors starting to spread, you decide—]
[1. Oh, great! The rumors of me and Hitori dating are already spreading! I should fan the flames, spread the rumors, and look for an opportunity to confess.]
[2. It's just some campus rumors that every school has. If left alone, they should die down on their own.]
[3. Stop the rumors from spreading.]
[4. Simulate it yourself.]
A new set of options appeared, which caught Minami Shouji's attention.
Sure enough, after choosing this path, new options appeared that weren't available in the second round.
