Chapter 2: Hyuga Hinata's Life Simulator
It took some time, but Hyuga Kiyonari finally figured out the functions of his System.
First was the core feature: he could write scripts and then designate actors to perform them.
When reality developed in accordance with the script's plot, he would receive corresponding "Revision Points." The more detailed the script, the more points he would gain upon a successful performance. These Revision Points could then be used to fix any "BUGs" that appeared in the script.
However, fewer BUGs in a script weren't necessarily better; in fact, the BUGs were crucial.
For example, if the script stated that Hyuga Kiyonari's true identity was Otsutsuki Kiyonari, but the reality was that Hyuga Kiyonari was merely an ordinary member of the Hyuga Branch House, a BUG would occur.
At this point, by consuming points to fix the BUG, he could modify the reality of "Hyuga Kiyonari" into "Otsutsuki Kiyonari," allowing the script to proceed smoothly.
However, the magnitude of the revision was directly proportional to the points consumed.
In other words, the more outrageous the script, the more points required to fix it. If he had an unlimited supply of points, Kiyonari could essentially make any wish come true.
So, the problem now was: how could he persuade Hyuga Hinata, the Heiress of the Main House, to act in his script?
Kiyonari rubbed his chin, deep in thought for a long time, before suddenly asking, "As a director, I have the responsibility and obligation to guide actors who lack acting skills. So... am I allowed to send parts of the script or character demos to the actors?"
[Yes.]
"Reality is full of variables. I need to adjust my guidance based on the actor's performance at any time. So... does the content already sent support real-time editing?"
[Yes.]
"Then I know what to do." A sharp glint flashed in Kiyonari's eyes, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward.
The script... no, it should be called "Hyuga Hinata's Life Simulator."
Launch!
Meanwhile, in a side hall of the Hyuga Clan Head's estate.
Hyuga Hinata held the red bean cake with both hands, taking small nibbles. The sweet, glutinous filling melted on the tip of her tongue, causing her to narrow her eyes in satisfaction. When she picked up the last few crumbs with her fingertips and ate them, she finally picked up the black notebook and opened it.
"Hyuga... Kiyonari..."
She softly read the scrawled signature on the title page. Suddenly, the ink faded away as if washed by clear water, and two lines of text appeared out of thin air on the blank page.
[Life Simulator]
[Start Simulation]
"Eh? What is this?"
She timidly extended her index finger. The moment she touched the words, the entire notebook suddenly flipped to the first page on its own, without any wind.
Immediately after, a line of small text popped up out of nowhere, just like before.
[I am Hyuga Hinata. The time is currently Konoha Year 54.]
?
A big question mark popped up over Hinata's small head. "Konoha Year 54? Isn't that... next year?"
Today was December 27th. To be precise, Konoha Year 54 was only four days away.
[I heard from Father that Kumogakure and Konohagakure have signed a truce. The diplomatic mission will arrive in Konoha soon. The war is ending, and Father is very happy.]
[I am also very happy because it snowed heavily today. I want to go out and see it, but I haven't finished the homework Father assigned me.]
[I have two options:]
[1. I choose to sneak out and play.]
[2. I choose to stay and finish my homework.]
The text stopped there.
Hinata realized that this seemed to be a game.
It was like the ninja games the village children played—assuming the role of a certain ninja, receiving a mission, and deciding what to do next... it seemed to be something like that.
So, do I need to make a choice now?
"Snow..." Hinata murmured, then answered, "I choose the first one."
But even though she had made her choice verbally, the notebook didn't react.
Hinata suddenly remembered a small detail and reached out her index finger to gently tap the first option.
The text on the notebook immediately began to move again.
[Because the pressure of Father's homework was too great, I decided to sneak out and play.]
[While the maids weren't looking, I secretly climbed the tree by the courtyard and flipped over the wall. Outside, thick snow had piled up. Everyone was building snowmen and having snowball fights.]
[I wanted to play with them too, so I summoned my courage, walked over, and asked if I could join.]
[But the moment they saw my eyes, they shouted that I was a White-Eyed Monster and threw snowballs at me.]
[I have two options:]
[1. I choose to fight back and knock them to the ground.]
[2. I choose to swallow my anger and run away to avoid them.]
"Ah!" Hinata let out a small gasp, her expression turning panicked. "Why did it turn out like this?"
Without hesitation, Hinata immediately selected the second option.
[Because Father said I cannot attack my comrades in the village, I chose to run away.]
[But they didn't plan to let me go. They picked up snowballs from the ground and chased after me. It seems I did join the snowball fight, but... the situation feels wrong.]
[I ran blindly into a dead end. With nowhere left to run, I could only close my eyes. Suddenly, a stone flew over and hit one of the boys on the head.]
["Hey, what are you guys doing!"]
["Ah, another White-Eyed Monster! You dare throw rocks at me?!"]
[I heard the commotion gradually fade away. Summoning my courage, I opened my eyes. A boy about my age was standing in front of me.]
[He chased those people away, helped me build a snowman, took me to eat ramen, and walked me home.]
[At the very end, I asked for his name. He answered: "Hyuga Kiyonari."]
Hyuga Hinata suddenly snapped the notebook shut and hugged it tightly against her chest, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "It's him again... Really, I don't even know you yet."
She quietly cracked the notebook open a slit to peek at the final line of text. After the name, another line of small print had appeared.
[Simulation suspended. Entering cooldown. Next simulation time: ...Tomorrow afternoon?]
"Hinata-sama! Hinata-sama! Where are you?" A maid's voice suddenly called out from the corridor.
Startled, Hinata immediately stuffed the notebook inside her kimono, tightening her sash to secure it. Only then did she flusteredly shout back.
"I'm here!"
Footsteps approached outside the paper sliding door. As the sound got closer, the notebook hidden under her clothes felt hotter and hotter, as if she were carrying a piece of burning charcoal.
Swish!
The paper door was slid open. The maid breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing Hinata safe and sound. Her gaze then swept across the room, noticing several opened gift boxes.
"Hinata-sama, what are you doing in here?"
"Umm... nothing."
The maid revealed a gentle smile. "Mistress, the Clan Head is looking for you. Please go to him immediately."
"I'm going right now!"
Hinata nodded her small head vigorously, then took off in a trot toward the main hall.
Watching the young mistress's retreating figure, the maid wondered if it was just her imagination, but the girl seemed a little nervous.
Just then, the maid spotted a piece of oil paper on the tatami mats that had been hastily hidden. Upon picking it up, she smelled the sweet scent of red beans.
"So she was sneaking snacks."