[Simulation start]
[Remaining simulations: 3]
[Continue previous progress?]
After choosing "yes" once more, the same scene returned before Haru's eyes.
This simulator wasn't just malicious, it was devious. Repeatedly picking "chase after her" had led to a broken ending. If Kazami Haru didn't have enough simulation attempts left, he would've been forced to watch that bad ending unfold helplessly.
Ignoring the other choices entirely, Haru fixed his gaze on the final option: Virtual Reality.
[Use 3 simulation attempts for Virtual Reality?]
Screw it. I'm doing this myself.
...
When he opened his eyes again, a wave of dizziness slammed into his skull.
His vision blurred. His mind was groggy, like he'd just surfaced from the bottom of the ocean. It took several seconds before he shook off the fog. His dark eyes focused forward.
A faint ringing buzzed in his ears.
He glanced down at the wooden floor, lying there was a dropped panda plushie.
"…What the hell are we waiting for?"
Without hesitation, Kazami Haru sprinted toward the door.
If the simulated version of him couldn't fix this, then he himself would shoulder the burden and resolve it.
By now, Nijika had already left the neighborhood. Haru had no idea where she'd gone. It was either the nearby Shimokitazawa Park, or—worse—that cursed bridge he never wanted to go near.
He wasn't going to gamble, not with only three simulation attempts left.
Losing this one meant throwing away everything.
The glaring midsummer sun pierced the cloud veil like a blade. The asphalt beneath felt like a stove. Even as he ran, Haru could feel his skin burning, his lungs aching from the air.
"—Damn it. Why did this ultra-realistic simulation have to include my lousy stamina too?"
He gasped for breath, grumbling between coughs, but he didn't slow down for a second.
Simulations were too limited. In real life, no way in hell would he let Nijika break up with him without a fight.
"Phone number, contact info… should be the same…"
While running toward that cursed bridge, Haru whipped out his phone and speed-dialed Seika first, telling her to check near the park.
He contacted everyone else too, just to be safe.
The more people helping, the better. Nijika had better stamina than him, sure, but she couldn't have gotten far.
The summer sun beat down mercilessly, sweat soaking his black ponytail until it clung to his back. His bangs were damp with heat.
But finally, he caught sight of a familiar golden glow in the distance.
Relief flooded him.
Nijika's eyes were still red from crying. Her cheeks puffed out adorably, and her soft face was pinched in an expression of frustration.
After her impulsive escape from home, she'd cooled off a little. Thinking back, she realized Haru hadn't meant to hurt her, he was only trying to help.
"…But if I go back now, would he be mad at me?"
Hands behind her back, Nijika fidgeted with guilt and regret.
"...Of course I wouldn't be mad."
A breathless voice answered her.
Startled, she turned—only to find Haru, chest heaving, standing nearby with one hand on his hip.
His ponytail had unraveled and now draped loosely over his shoulder. His deep black eyes locked onto her.
Nijika froze, guilt creeping up her spine.
She opened her mouth, about to stammer out an apology—
But Haru beat her to it.
"I love you, Nijika."
"...Eh?"
"Right now, marry me."
His breathing slowly steadied. His words became smoother, more certain.
The sudden declaration left Nijika speechless. She stared at him in stunned silence, her cheeks flaring red like fire. Her fingers clutched at her skirt.
S-She'd already been confessed to once before, but this was—!
This was way too much!
"I'm sorry, Nijika. I should've been clearer earlier."
"One failed live performance means nothing. There will be so many more lives in your future. I've always believed in you, one hundred percent. Just try again next time. No matter how many times it takes, I'll be there to see you shine."
Without warning, Haru stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace, declaring it loud and proud.
This hug was nothing like the ones before.
Usually, when Nijika hugged her little boyfriend, she loved to bury her face in his warm chest, breathing in his unique scent and listening to his strong, steady heartbeat.
It always made her feel safe.
"F-fine! I get it, okay?!"
"I'm sorry! Let's go home now…"
Nijika's voice came out in a soft, embarrassed whisper near his ear. The cloud of gloom that had been hanging over her heart seemed to lift, just a little.
Still, even as she shyly surrendered, Haru didn't let go.
"I never thought of you as a burden."
Those quiet words made her blink.
A memory stirred in her mind, and her expression dimmed again.
But Haru was already speaking—
"I only started taking art seriously because of you. Back then, painting was just a passing interest. But the moment I saw you, I decided to become an artist."
"No matter how many paintings I've finished, every single one was for you."
"If you're thinking of giving up music… or walking away from our future together—"
"Then art doesn't mean anything to me. I'd give it up in a heartbeat."
Nijika froze at his sincerity.
Panicking, she tried to push him away.
"N-no! You can't! You have such incredible talent, how could you even think of throwing that away?"
"Unlike me, your paintings are—"
Her eyes widened.
Softness brushed her lips.
Her thoughts turned to mush. Time seemed to stop. All that remained was the overwhelming tide of emotion crashing over her.
Behind Haru, sunlight spilled over his ear and Nijika's blushing face, glowed in that light.
...
After a while, Haru finally let go of the dazed Nijika.
Then, seeing her still stunned expression, he spoke flatly:
"Alright then. Let's go home and get married."
"Wait! I haven't agreed yet?!"
"And we're just starting high school! You can't just spring marriage on me out of nowhere! You idiot, Haru!"
Too late. He wasn't letting her go.
Not now.
"You're right… I'm just useless. I keep messing up even in practice. I was the one who screwed up our debut live. I've always relied on you… and now, I just want to run away…"
"A girl like me… what right do I have to be with you—"
Flick!
"Ow!"
Nijika held her forehead, pouting up at the "culprit."
"Then run all you want."
"I'll always be here with you, so go ahead and run."
Haru's black eyes were calm.
"Marry me, have thirteen kids, and let our daughter fulfill Seika's dream."
"That's too many! Are you building a soccer team?!"
She huffed, trying to scold him, but her heart was racing. Her blush deepened. Just hearing those words sent her mind spinning again.
He wasn't joking.
Even if this wasn't a simulation, he still meant it.
Even if Nijika wasn't the strong, radiant "Saint Nijika," even if she was a timid, fragile "Weak Nijika", that was fine.
Haru would face every problem for her.
He'd spoil her for the rest of her life.
So what if she was soft?
"L-let's… go home?"
"Go home and… make kids?"
"…"
This time, she didn't say anything.
Just blushed.
Haru finally let out a long breath, tension melting from his chest.
It was rough, but…
He'd stabilized things. Barely.
He looked up at the blue sky. The blinding sunlight made him squint.
What the hell? It's actually kind of warm today.
Nijika's heart, completely soothed, overflowed with joy. She was too flustered to look at Haru now, her whole body radiated with bashful happiness.
They'd been dating for nearly a year already—
They'd held hands, hugged, kissed plenty of times before.
So why did today feel even more embarrassing than the first time?
Because this idiot confessed right in public!!
"Hmm?"
Haru's gaze suddenly sharpened.
WHAM!!
A red convertible slammed into the car ahead, which then bounced sideways, straight toward Haru.
His pupils contracted.
Without hesitation, he shoved Nijika toward the bushes.
He knew it!!
He'd predicted a "curse" would hit here.
Reacting in time, the redirected car only clipped his left arm. It didn't slam into him directly.
Pain exploded up his side, but his mind was crystal clear.
This had to be a curse.
...
[Thanks to your quick reaction, the crash didn't result in a serious injury. While your left arm suffered a fracture and your ribs were damaged, your life wasn't in danger.]
[Terrified, Nijika burst into tears and rushed you to the hospital. Though you were drenched in sweat from the pain, you still teased her, making her puff her cheeks and pinch your face in frustration.]
[Thanks to your efforts, her future was back on track.]
[Time passed. Due to ligament damage, your dominant hand became unreliable. This could affect your future as an artist, but you didn't care. You were focused on the present.]
[Nijika, with your support, led Kessoku Band to a second live. Fueled by your encouragement, she took the stage with double the confidence. She was ready to try again and again until she succeeded.]
[This time, her performance was a huge success.]
[Your arm injury forced you to rely on her for many tasks. Though flustered, Nijika blushed and helped with everything, your relationship growing even stronger.]
"God, that really hurt…"
The pain was unreal, even after leaving the simulation, Haru could still feel ghost pains in his arm.
But those three simulation points?
Totally worth it.
He'd turned the whole situation around.
…Still, that kiss.
That felt way too real.
Sure, the simulation was hyper-realistic, but the feeling of kissing Nijika, it felt like the real her.
Just thinking about it made the pain disappear.
[That summer at 16, you remembered your promise to reward Nijika after her successful live. So you gifted her a brand new drum kit. She was surprised and thrilled, but didn't seem fully satisfied.]
[Just as you were wondering why, she fidgeted beside you, hands cupped like a megaphone. Blushing from head to toe, she leaned in close and whispered with trembling courage—]
"…I—I brought protection, so…"
Author's Note – Chapter 23 & Update Notice
Due to feedback and reader discussion, I quickly revised Chapter 22 that same night. I originally intended to explore the consequences of Haru being too gentle, which made Nijika too self-doubting, but I admit I screwed it up.
I sincerely apologize for the earlier misstep.
I understand if this made some readers drop the series, but to those of you who are still here, thank you so much.
I'll continue doing my best to improve the story. If anything feels off, please don't hesitate to tell me, I'll fix it immediately. Thank you again!
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