Where's my VR simulation?
Kazami Haru frowned instantly, he had never encountered this before. With over thirteen simulation attempts under his belt, he thought he could use "VR simulation" freely. So even in a situation like this, he remained calm. But now, something unprecedented had occurred.
The option was gone...
[Because you didn't make a choice in time, the simulator has automatically advanced.]
[As if the two people before you know you too well. Just as you understand them, they too understand your hesitation.]
[Like trying to walk with both feet at once, you'll lose your balance. No matter whom you choose, the other will be hurt deeply.]
[They seem to have sensed what you were thinking.]
["Um… I'll head back first..."]
[Kita Ikuyo was the first to react, forcing a smile more painful than crying. Holding her half-eaten bento, she let out a sigh. Her voice lacked its usual sweet cheer. As if to avoid showing her embarrassment, she quickly ran off.]
[Chihaya Anon, who also realized what was happening, made no attempt to hide her tears. Like a child throwing a tantrum, she clung to you, crying until your shirt was soaked with tears and snot. Only after wiping her face with trembling hands did she whisper something faintly and walk away.]
[Even though they had prepared for the worst, their sorrow couldn't be hidden.]
[You failed to accept either confession.]
"..."
Kazami Haru silently stared at the text on the simulator. His slightly raised black eyes briefly scanned the panel.
After all these simulations, he understood the simulator's temperament well. He had prepared for any number of issues before starting.
But what he hadn't anticipated was the simulator deliberately forcing him onto a "pure love" path and doing so by completely disabling the "VR simulation."
It had banned his trump card.
Even though Haru had more than ten simulations remaining and could have handled the situation himself, the simulator didn't even bother using traps or tricks this time. It just flat-out denied him a choice.
"Blyat~ So this is where you've been waiting for me, huh?"
Haru let out a cynical chuckle, mocking this simulator that was just as all-in as he was.
A forced two-choice scenario?
Should've known, it is the [The Ultimate Romance Simulator], after all.
At that moment, Haru understood what the simulator had been hiding.
No matter who the target was, the simulator would eventually steer things toward a solo ending, just like in the current Bocchi run.
"To stop me from going into a 'special route,' it actually banned 'VR simulation'?"
Unlucky for the simulator, Haru wasn't having it.
If the simulator went this far, maybe VR simulation really could lead to something unexpected.
If something like this, two girls confessing at once, ever happened in real life, Haru believed he could handle it differently.
Only one choice?
His feelings for both Anon and Kita were sincere. No matter which one he picked, the other would be hurt and if he chose neither, he'd hurt them both.
"If I can't reject either of them…"
Then the three options on the [Simulator] had become clear...
Now, only one option remained.
Take them both—
I choose everything!
"..."
Haru exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. Once he thought of that possibility, he knew what consequences might follow.
But if he was aware of his thoughts, then it was time to face them head-on.
Worst case? He ends up like disappointing the chadtarou fans.
When it comes to heavy burdens… better women than raising horse girls in uma musume.
With his thoughts spinning wildly, Haru decided to rein himself in. He'd figure out what to do in reality later. For now, the simulation was only halfway through.
So he turned his focus back to the current mission.
[You failed to accept either confession.]
[Kita Ikuyo and Chihaya Anon's emotional states have dropped significantly.]
[Their confessions didn't drastically impact your daily lives. Even Chihaya Anon, who had said she'd run away if rejected, still remained in the band. But you noticed her gazes growing softer, and she sometimes smiled to herself as if lost in daydreams.]
[Kita Ikuyo seemed just as energetic as ever. But you noticed she poured herself into guitar practice more than ever before.]
[These changes didn't go unnoticed by the sharp-eyed Gotoh Hitori , who now seemed more timid and rabbit-like than before.]
[Maybe it was because you hurt their feelings. Sensitive as you are, you started becoming more cautious with how you interacted with those around you. Love, it seemed, had become a burden.]
[The band became your safe haven, your whole heart rooted in the dream of music.]
[You cared deeply for your friends, and the future of "playing in a band for life" meant everything to you.]
[Because you still carried guilt, you didn't want to hurt anyone else.]
[You chose to walk alone.]
[Simulation ended.]
[Score: 9 – Poor]
[Evaluation: Maybe the chains binding you became too heavy. But when you finally tore them off, the shattered iron still cut you deeply. Perhaps your hesitation is why you lost your way. Even if you're destined for success, you'll never escape the weight of that guilt.]
[You received a Poor rating. No simulation rewards.]
Kazami Haru: "...?"
"This is the first time I've encountered something like this, despite so many simulations before."
And seriously, a score of 9? That's just plain cruel. The system could actually go into single digits?
Blyat, the simulator didn't even give a reward this time.
Kazami Haru squinted at the panel, surprised. So if a special option isn't chosen in time, it just fast-forwards straight to the end? Yet last time, in the simulation with Anon, he'd ended up happily with the adorable Saki-sensei.
And now he gets hit with a "single ending"?
He had still underestimated just how unhinged this simulator could be.
But every simulation was based on real-world decisions and after this one, his outlook had clearly changed. So the simulated self's decisions would likely follow suit and the next run might unfold very differently.
"Anyway, let's just keep going."
No matter what, he needed to properly finish the Bocchi route first.
[Simulation Start]
[Remaining simulations — 1-$22]
[Continue from previous progress?]
No hesitation—yes, of course!
[With the end of summer break, your life gets back on track. As a rock band member, your social life is textbook-level chaos, especially since you're bouncing between three different bands.]
[You're now walking a tightrope. One wrong step could bring unimaginable consequences.]
[Thankfully, you've started being more mindful of your interactions.]
[Band activities have kicked back into high gear post-break. Whether it's "composing" or "training," you feel it's time to plan the next steps carefully.]
[So, you decide—]
[1. Training is the foundation of performance. Raise the band's baseline first.]
[2. Composing is the peak of performance. Raise the band's ceiling first.]
[3. Forget the band. Time to go smoke, drink, and party with women.]
[4. Virtual simulation: Manual control.]
The new choices floated into view, making Kazami Haru pause to think.
The third option? Instantly tossed. That was clearly the start of a womanizing route. And knowing how the simulator worked, it would likely spiral into a "forced two-choice," or something even more extreme.
He had zero desire to become an Itou Makoto.
"So it's between training and composing, huh?"
At first glance, the two seemed similar, but there could be traps hidden beneath.
Haru was here to win over little Bocchi, after all.
If he chose "composing," the simulation might drift toward Ryo or Sakiko, both blue-haired succubi with terrifying battle power. If either of them deepened their bond with him and made a move, it could send timid little Bocchi running for cover.
So, option one it is.
[You decided boosting the baseline is more important.]
[Both Kessoku Band and MyGO have guitarists whose skills are a bit lacking. You made it a priority to improve daily practice and who better to lead than Gotoh Hitori , the Guitar Hero herself.]
[That girl who once lacked all confidence in herself is now slowly opening up.]
[You know well, that's her own hard-earned progress.]
[Maybe it's all the extra training, but after every group session at Anon's place, you make a habit of walking both Kita Ikuyo and Gotoh Hitori home.]
[Since Hitori lives far away, you get plenty of time to talk along the way. She's come to look forward to those moments and sometimes you notice her slowing her pace on purpose.]
[Time passes—]
[Now in your second year of high school, Kessoku Band has evolved after nearly a year of activity. Thanks to your leadership, everyone takes practice seriously and continues to perform on the streets to grow their fanbase.]
[In just a few months, the band's official account surpasses 100,000 followers.]
[Maybe because you're moving forward so confidently, the other members feel motivated not to be left behind.]
[Well-known record labels start reaching out, including some offering full pro-debut contracts for the entire band. But no one gets carried away.]
[Thanks to your management and planning skills, band leader Nijika feels confident entrusting you with everything.]
[You know Kessoku Band has a strong identity. Signing with a major label could boost promotion, but it also means handing over control of your individuality.]
[Knowing what the band really needs, you politely reject the offers. No one objects to your decision.]
[Even without going "pro," your group continues to grow steadily.]
[At the same time, your relationships deepen, not just within the band, but with other girls too. Sometimes you feel the faint intensity of lingering gazes from Kessoku Band members.]
[Their feelings are growing stronger, almost tangible.]
[And of course, Gotoh Hitori notices. Her expression carries a subtle sadness.]
[So, you decide—]
[1. Perfect time to ask her for cash and hit the pachinko slots.]
[2. Croak! Ask Bocchi out on a proper date.]
[3. Something seems off about Saki-Sensei lately. Go ask what's wrong.]
[4. Virtual simulation: Manual control.]
"It's been a while since I've seen a normal option."
Kazami Haru paused, slightly surprised, but he didn't let his guard down.
First off, the "Saki-Sensei" option was instantly eliminated, he couldn't even touch that one.
Gotoh Hitori's battle power was maybe one-tenth of Nagasaki Soyo's.
Even if she just brushed up against Soyo's presence during a simulation, she'd collapse instantly. Bocchi's timidity meant she'd probably raise the white flag and surrender to Soyo on the spot, not even dreaming of fighting back.
"Should I bully Bocchi by borrowing money to play pachinko?"
Option one was... a little too wild. Just borrowing money and not paying it back was already peak scumbag behavior. Spending that money on pachinko made it even worse.
He couldn't even imagine the horror on Bocchi's face if she found out.
That said, a tiny part of him still wanted to try it.
But after thinking it over, Kazami Haru wisely decided to steer clear of weird routes. Restarting due to bad endings was a pain. So he picked the safest and most wholesome-looking option: just inviting Bocchi on a date.
It seemed the most stable—
So, option two.
[You decided to invite Gotoh Hitori on a date.]
[Since this wasn't your first time asking her, even someone as shy as Hitori had improved a little. Though trembling, she nodded in agreement. Nervous and easily spooked as ever, she still couldn't help smiling in dazed happiness.]
[When word got around that you'd invited her on a solo date, the atmosphere in Kessoku Band subtly shifted.]
[Yamada Ryo, usually dead silent and lazy, somehow stayed conscious enough to clean the LiveHouse thoroughly that day.]
[Kita Ikuyo, always bright and cheerful, had a strange dead look in her eyes recently. Every now and then, she'd sulk over to Hitori and squish her soft, pale cheeks, muttering things like "You wicked little Bocchi…" under her breath.]
[Only Ijichi Nijika seemed unchanged. She still ran lively band meetings with a sunny smile and gently patted Hitori's head while whispering kind words like an angel.]
[At last, the day of the date arrived.]
…
Gulp
The sound of someone swallowing nervously reached Kazami Haru's ears. Curious, he turned toward the delicate, timid girl beside him.
Today, Bocchi had clearly styled her hair more carefully, pinning back her bangs to show off her dazzling idol-tier face. Her skin, pale from years spent hiding in closets, glowed against the pretty Western-style dress she wore, drawing all eyes effortlessly.
Too bad she had no idea.
"M-M-M-M-Mr. Haru, everyone's staring… Am I getting in the way by standing here?"
Bonk
A light chop landed on her smooth forehead. Haru sighed with mock frustration.
"Dummy, they're looking at you."
"Wha—Wha—Wha—Do I have something on my face?? 6д9"
Even after getting playfully smacked, Hitori only blushed deeper and hunched her shoulders shyly.
She stood obediently beside Haru, her blue eyes drifting to his free right hand. Raising her gaze nervously, her heart raced.
Nijika-chan had told her to just grab his hand.
But she couldn't.
She was already grateful someone like Haru cared for her, she didn't dare hope he actually liked her.
Still, even this trembling, scared girl managed to muster a sliver of courage. As she glanced up, she reached out her left hand, hesitating.
"H-Haru?"
Just then, a voice came from beside her and shattered her courage completely.
A blue-haired girl had appeared out of nowhere, walking toward them with a radiant smile. Her breathtaking beauty made Hitori's breath catch in her throat.
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