[One evening, you saw Ijichi Nijika chatting with your wife. In your memory, your usually quiet and reserved wife rarely talked so much outside specific occasions, but now, she was speaking non-stop.]
[In contrast, Nijika, always cheerful and lively, had taken the role of the quiet listener.]
[Curious about their conversation, you decided—]
[1. Eavesdrop—you're not a cat, so curiosity won't kill you.]
[2. Don't eavesdrop—ask your wife about it later.]
[3. Stand silently on the table and see who cracks first.]
[4. Virtual reality simulation—run it.]
To be honest, standing on the table sounded kind of fun.
It had been a long time since the last simulation choice. Ever since he chose not to comfort Nijika and let things take their natural course, this romance simulation had moved rapidly forward.
It had even progressed all the way to marriage and having a child with Ryo-san.
Kazami Haru thought the simulation would wrap up smoothly, but surprisingly, even after marriage and children, new choices were still being presented.
"So, what should I choose…"
He lowered his head in thought.
It was obvious even to outsiders that Nijika had feelings for him, but he was already married to Ryo, walking firmly down the path of pure love.
Since this was his first playthrough, Kazami Haru wanted to commit to one route and see it through.
He wasn't sure if choosing something involving Nijika now would be considered "off course."
Thankfully, this round of choices was a bit more subtle. After some thought, he chose Option 2.
[You chose not to eavesdrop and decided to ask your wife about it later.]
[But when you asked, Ryo simply looked at you with her usual calm expression, pretending not to know what you were talking about. Then, she found a way to shut you up completely, leaving no room for further questions.]
[You never found out what she and Nijika talked about that day.]
Did I choose wrong?
Since they didn't want him to know, it was probably about him.
Knowing Ryo's personality, she wouldn't normally keep things from him, so it had to be Nijika who asked her to stay quiet.
[Time passed. Once a genius composer, you now reached the twilight of your life. Your strength for front-line work had faded.]
[Fortunately, the money you earned when you were young was more than enough. On your wife's suggestion, you chose to retire early.]
[Your daughter, Kazami Kanade, had grown up. She inherited your perfect sense of rhythm and Ryo's musical talent. She formed her own band and became a vibrant force on stage, something you were deeply proud of.]
[Your aging body grew frail. One autumn, you caught a cold that nearly laid you out. Yet you still had one song left unfinished, and after taking some simple medicine, you chose to finish it.]
—
A winter silence blanketed the world. Frost and snow fell across the earth.
A cozy brick house stood firm, its crimson walls holding warmth inside. Outside the window, white snowflakes leapt like musical notes. The fireplace crackled, casting flickers of orange light.
Kazami Haru slowly opened his eyes. Beside him, Ryo leaned quietly on his shoulder, her eyes closed.
The fire's warmth lit up her face, highlighting every delicate feature in a golden glow.
Hoo…
He exhaled gently, his breath turning to mist in the air.
In that moment, it felt as if they were back to that first night—sharing snacks and watching TV together.
All the fragments of their life replayed in his mind. He couldn't help but smile.
"You really had to finish it so urgently?"
Ryo lazily opened her golden eyes, glancing at the music notes sketched in ink in his hands.
The once slender fingers that played piano now bore the marks of age.
She didn't understand why he was so set on finishing this composition. Even using just a regular pen, he drew each note onto the staff lines with stubborn care.
"I just… suddenly had inspiration."
"…I see."
She didn't stop him. When it came to things like this, she always yielded to him.
Just like decades ago, she nestled against him, gently nuzzling his cheek with her head.
She took in his scent. So uniquely his, something she'd been obsessed with her entire life.
It smelled like sunflowers. Sweet. Uplifting.
—
[You poured everything into this final piece, your life's essence flowing into the notes. As you penned the last symbol, it felt like your soul had slipped away.]
[When it was all over, your body finally relaxed. But it didn't heal your frail, failing frame and you didn't mind.]
[In the warmth of the fire, under the chill of a wintry breeze, you let go peacefully.]
[Few people came to your funeral. Your daughter Kanade, always so mature, sobbed harder than she ever had before. Your usually emotionless wife, as always, stayed calm.]
[But only those who knew her understood, she was the one who couldn't accept it the most.]
[In your youth, she had walked every path with you. No obstacle ever kept her away. After you were gone, no one ever saw her smile the same way again.]
[A month later, she was found quietly sleeping on a park bench, holding the last composition you had written by hand. Autumn leaves drifted down, and a cool breeze stirred her hair, revealing a faint smile.]
[Still single, Ijichi Nijika buried you and Ryo together and took on the responsibility of raising Kazami Kanade. Strong as ever, she vowed to carry the rest alone.]
[And somewhere, in that resting place for you and your wife, blue snowflowers quietly bloomed.]