In early May, not much was happening during the Golden Week holidays.
Toru sat on the living room sofa in his home, scrolling through the message logs sent by his phone contacts.
———
Ryo:
"On the last day of Golden Week, you are cordially invited to attend Kessoku Band's first performance. I'll reserve a ticket for you. Location attached: |Senda Hall B1, K2-6-10, Setagaya, Kyoto."
———
After adding Ryo's Line account, she had sent this message a few days ago.
She was just as cold as always, just like in the simulation.
Toru quickly put his phone aside.
He hadn't played the simulator for almost half a month.
———
The main reason was that running a full simulation took a long time and consumed a lot of energy.
And he wasn't talking about real-world time, but the time inside the simulation.
———
Mainly, Toru preferred full-immersion mode and didn't like using text mode.
After reaching Level 5 in any skill, the simulator's default "auto mode" became practically useless.
If he wanted to reach god-tier levels, he had to immerse himself in it, experiencing the essence of different professions.
———
For example...
When he simulated a photographer, he realized that true excellence required being indifferent to fame and fortune.
Or when he simulated a bassist, he hit a master-level wall and couldn't break through.
He only succeeded because he faced death, disregarded life and mortality, and truly understood what it meant to be free.
———
"I wonder what I'll discover in this next simulation."
———
[Welcome to the Life Simulator Game]
[1: Mafia Hitman (Shoot and fight your way through Europe's and America's underworld in a battle for survival.)]
[2: Oboist (A key soloist in a symphony orchestra. Blow that oboe!)]
[3: Pianist (The world's top pianist rankings are still missing one name, guess who? That's right, YOU!)]
[4: Random (Unknown fate. Choosing this option grants a 200% increase in evaluation points.)]
———
Toru scanned through the options.
———
Mafia Hitman…
That sounded way too risky.
The difficulty level was insanely high, even if he had four times the physical strength of a normal person, getting caught in a gunfight was basically a death sentence.
He estimated the mortality rate to be at least 50%.
———
Next, the Oboist.
Toru had always wanted to perform in a symphony orchestra.
He had even considered enrolling in one of Japan's top music schools, like Shimokitazawa Institute of Music.
———
Pianist?
Too easy.
He already had professional-level piano skills.
Even if he just messed around, he could still hit divine-tier.
At this point, with system assistance, he'd reach master level before turning 40.
So he skipped that option.
———
Then, the last option.
This one was interesting.
A double score multiplier for evaluation points.
Toru had always wondered if there was a rank above S+.
This was his chance to find out.
———
[You have chosen Option 4 – Random.]
[This life, your profession has been determined—]
[Ordinary Person (Mediocrity is the norm. You will be lost in the crowd, a mere grain of dust in the vast sea of humanity.)]
———
Seeing the results…
Toru felt that he had definitely made the right choice.
———
He liked challenges.
Climbing up was hard, but for him...
Sinking down to the bottom was just as difficult, if not harder.
———
"Alright... Let's start the simulation!"
———
Meanwhile, somewhere in Shimokitazawa…
Fate was about to intervene in the life of a great angel.
———
[Dear Master, you have loaded the "Ultimate Mom Simulator!"]
A sweet, cute loli voice rang out inside Nijika's head.
———
"Nee-chan, did you hear that weird noise just now?"
In Starry Live House, Nijika glanced around, feeling like she had just heard something strange.
"Nope."
Seika lay on the front counter, enjoying a lazy afternoon break.
———
The venue didn't open for business until 5 PM, so there was a lot of downtime before then.
Only a few bands were rehearsing.
———
Since there were no customers yet, store manager Seika, who had just finished calculating last month's revenue and scheduling the week's performances, was wasting time.
Beside her, PA-san watched her relaxed expression, covered her mouth, and giggled softly.
———
"That's weird. I swear I heard something."
Nijika paused her homework and thought for a moment.
———
Shimokitazawa High School's academic workload was heavy.
And for the two days leading up to Golden Week, she had been busy practicing with the band members.
She hadn't even touched her homework.
Today was the fourth day of Golden Week and the break was almost over.
———
[Excuse me, dear Master, would you like to enable the simulation?]
———
"...."
———
The little angel Nijika blinked in confusion, rubbed her eyes, and suddenly saw...
A floating game-like screen appear before her.
———
"Eh? Eh? Eh? EHHHHH?!?"
———
"What the heck is this?!"
A ghost?
The little angel Nijika wasn't good at dealing with the supernatural, so she was completely lost.
———
[I'm not a ghost!]
[This simulator is designed to create the "Ultimate Mom!" It's the most, most, most amazing simulator ever!]
———
"The Ultimate Mom?"
No matter how she thought about it…
That sounded super weird.
———
"Is it really okay to have that as a dream?"
Nijika was seriously concerned about the mental state of this "Mom Simulator."
———
[You have gained Happiness Points – 100pt.]
———
"Huh?"
———
[Whenever you bring happiness to those around you, the simulator earns Happiness Points! These points can be exchanged for items in the store.]
———
But why did it suddenly increase by 100? Nijika was full of question marks.
[Ahem, these are happiness points generated by the simulator… Wuuu, for trash like me to be bound to such a gentle master, I'm really too happy…]
"…" Nijika.
This weird simulator, why does it feel so much like Bocchi-chan?
That same flavor of self-deprecation plus social anxiety.
[...]
Several seconds later~
[Master, would you like to begin the simulation?]
'Sorry, can I check the store items first?'
Nijika still only half-understood this simulator. She liked taking care of people, sure, but that didn't mean she was interested in playing mom.
[Ah… of course.]
Looking at the text on the screen, Nijika felt the déjà vu getting stronger, it really was giving off Bocchi-chan vibes, especially with that "ah…" habit of speech.
[Shop has been opened for you]
[Item List—]
[Beauty Cream: Long-term use can reduce skin imperfections, whiten and fade spots, remove acne scars. Happiness points: 10,000 pt per bottle (250ml)]
[Talent Boost Card: Increases your innate talent stats, helpful for learning all kinds of skills. Happiness points: 200,000 pt]
[Friendly Aura: Automatically improves first impressions, raising others' attitude toward you to "Friendly." Happiness points: 100,000 pt]
[Study Master Aura: Your textbook-learning speed is tripled. Happiness points: 100,000 pt]
...
The list was so long that even after scrolling for ages, Nijika couldn't see the end.
Forget it.
No matter how much she looked, without points she couldn't buy anything anyway.
It was her first time encountering something this interesting, and with her curiosity brimming, Angel Nijika quickly started her very first simulation under the simulator's guided instructions.
Let's go, let's go, let's go!