Since the tumble on the slope, Ryo Yamada has been avoiding Toru Kitahara's gaze. The feeling only fades a bit by evening.
[Ryo Yamada Affection +3]
Toru checks the simulator's prompt, feeling a bit relieved.
Looks like Ryo's only pretending not to care—she's got plenty of affection for him deep down. Otherwise, tonight's confession might've been doomed.
Back at the rented cabin inn, Toru lights the oil lamp and heater.
"Ryo, you sure it's okay sharing a room? I can book another one if you want," Toru asks, looking at Ryo, who's sitting on a chair, her delicate face turned toward the snowy view outside, Bluetooth earphones on.
No response.
Alright, she's lost in her music ocean again.
Compared to him—a close friend and "trainer" of two years—she loves rock more.
Like a snowflake outside, drifting who-knows-where with the wind…
Ryo Yamada, you're so hard to read.
"I brought some camping gear. We can have hotpot later." Toru talks to himself, pulling out a portable stove, gas canister, and pre-washed ingredients he prepared.
He explains as he sets up dinner, but Ryo doesn't react, still gazing out the window, listening to music.
It's like they're in separate worlds, divided by a vacuum barrier no sound can cross.
Until the hotpot's aroma wafts to Ryo's nose. She takes off her earphones.
"Dinner's ready?"
"Yup." Noticing her expectant look, Toru nods.
Ryo's so cute~
Ryo takes the bowl and chopsticks he hands her, eating slowly alongside him.
Outside, night falls, and soon the only light comes from the orange glow of the stove and heater.
"I'm full." Ryo sets down her chopsticks.
"How's it taste?"
"Really good." A hint of satisfaction appears on her face, still adorably expressionless. Toru passes her some napkins.
Ryo wipes her mouth. "Thanks for the meal."
She didn't expect Toru to have such cooking skills.
After dinner, Toru cleans and puts away the dishes, and they start chatting.
"Ryo, you really love rock, huh? Earlier, I tried talking to you, but you didn't respond…"
"Sorry." Ryo replies with a touch of guilt.
She thinks to herself, apologizing to a virtual character feels kinda weird.
"No worries. That side of you is super charming. I love it." Toru admires people who dive deep into their passions—man or woman, that dedication is cool and impressive.
Ryo doesn't say much.
She's charming? Obviously.
Toru liking her? Also inevitable.
In this world where affection is just numbers, love's success is a line of code, a data point. Affection above 80 guarantees a successful confession—it's like a law…
"You like me?"
"…Yeah, I've liked you the whole two years we've known each other."
"Is that so?"
Ryo gazes into his eyes. His feelings seem genuine, like he really spent two years with her… but Ryo's only known him a few hours. Even with the simulator's random events, their time together barely adds up to days.
Like?
Not really.
"So, wanna go out?"
In the cozy cabin, the girl makes the first move—a confession devoid of emotion, but Toru's thrilled.
He knows Ryo's just bad at expressing feelings, not that she doesn't like him.
"O-Of course."
"Good."
Ryo thinks for a few seconds, smiling faintly. "I like you too, Tetsu-kun."
An obvious lie, but Toru doesn't catch it.
Men turn into fools when they're in love.
Tokyo's Minato Ward.
Inside a high-end apartment.
Toru exits the simulator, checking Ryo's bond page, now marked as a romantic relationship. He's in a great mood.
This time, Ryo was colder than when they were alone, but Toru doesn't mind too much—he just thinks she's shy.
"Phew, too easy to get sucked in." Toru slaps his cheeks.
Compared to Ryo and Hitomi, Toru prefers Full Immersion Mode, so he often dives into his virtual self. It's great for motivation and learning efficiency.
But the downside? It's hard to detach from the virtual world.
These amazing girls only exist in the simulator, not in reality.
He can't get too full of himself.
"Keep going, see if I can break the limit."
Toru sets a new plan.
[Your weekly schedule: 1. Ultimate Bass Practice. 2. Ultimate Bass Practice. 3. Ultimate Bass Practice. 4. Ultimate Bass Practice. 5. Ultimate Bass Practice. 6. Travel. 7. Date with Girlfriend.]
With his bass skill at the mortal limit, there's no more EXP system.
Progress now depends on his own insight.
[Monday…] [Tuesday…] … [Friday…] [Sunday… Stress 30 → 10] [Bass Playing LV.5 has no room for growth. You can practice other skills.]
Toru sighs at the system's prompt.
Last simulation, he thought the same about his limits.
But after breaking up with Bocchi-chan, his photography hit Professional level, so he learned not to fully trust the simulator's messages.
"As a bassist… what should I do to improve?" Toru recalls the career choice prompts.
Smoking, drinking, womanizing?
It's about unrestricted freedom.
Worth a shot?
[Your weekly schedule: 1. Ultimate Bass Practice. 2. Bar. 3. Ultimate Bass Practice. 4. Bar. 5. Ultimate Bass Practice. 6. Sleep. 7. Date with Girlfriend.]
He tweaks the plan and keeps going.
[Monday…] … [Sunday…] [Bass LV.5 has no room for growth. You can practice other skills.]
Not giving up, Toru extends the plan to a month.
Half an hour later, he exits immersion, rubbing his temples.
Nope, totally not working.
Bored, Toru opens his girlfriend Ryo's bond page to chat and relax.
An unexpected opportunity arises— [During a date, you confide in Ryo Yamada about your stalled bass progress.] [Ryo doesn't say much, offering only a few words of comfort. With her exceptional talent, she's already at Professional level, and the gap between you is widening. You think LV.5 might be the mortal limit—your limit.] [Noticing this gap, you're unwilling to accept it, fiercely unwilling! You want to keep up with the one you admire, to stand by her side.] [Prompt: Congratulations, you've unlocked—Bass Playing: Extreme Pressure Training Method.] [Note: This method raises the skill ceiling to Grandmaster level! It has significant side effects: in this simulation, your lifespan will be reduced to 35 years. Proceed with caution.]
"…" Toru Kitahara closes his eyes, lying on the sofa, deep in thought.
He's not perfect, far from mastering every instrument with ease.
"Should I use it?"
Toru doesn't hesitate long. The answer is yes.
Since it's a simulator, he has to push for the highest skill ceiling to boost his final evaluation, even if it costs his lifespan.
As for Ryo Yamada, he can only say sorry. He might not be able to stay with her until the end.
If there's another chance, he'll make it up to her in future runs.