Chapter 66: Crystal of Dreams, and Letting Fate Take Its Course? What Kind of Bullshit Is That!
"What is this?"
[Crystal of Dreams]
[Effect: ???]
[Special Item. A miraculous condensation formed between you and your cherished one after piercing through the illusions of the world within a Fate Anchored Perfect Ending. Possesses special mystical effects.]
"So, that's it?"
Haruka read the description and felt slightly dissatisfied.
It looked informative, yet somehow explained nothing at all.
The Simulator did not respond.
He sighed.
There wasn't much he could do about it.
'Nevermind. The harvest this time was incredibly rich. No need to dwell on the unpleasant stuff.'
Haruka glanced at the time. It was already 2:30 AM. He had to go to school later; he should sleep.
Even so, he wasn't sleepy at all.
Who could sleep after such an emotional rollercoaster?
[Host, please sleep. The Simulator will now undergo an update.]
"..."
"Fine, fine."
Haruka closed his eyes and drifted into a light sleep.
He wanted to use this time to think about how to face Shoko Nishimiya tomorrow...
As Haruka entered a sleep state, deep within his consciousness:
[Love Simulator... Error... True Happiness Simulator beginning first update.]
[Following Primary Core Directive... The Promised One has been successfully guided... Initial realization of true self achieved...]
[Updating... Adding Special Simulation Module... Modifying simulation count... Adding Talent Module...]
[Update in progress... Estimated completion in three days.]
...
The next day.
After waking up, Haruka suddenly realized he had forgotten to make breakfast.
'Crap!'
'There's still a little time. Enough to make instant noodles with an egg.'
He hurried downstairs.
Only to see...
Huff... huff...
A petite figure stood in the kitchen, locked in a small but intense battle with a fried egg on the stove.
The occasional splatter of oil made Sora wince in pain, her pink lips puffing as she desperately blew on her fingers
Beside her were two steaming bowls of a simple dashi-based soup, with fish cakes and pieces of fried tofu floating gently in the broth.
Seeming to sense something, Sora turned her head and immediately spotted Haruka frozen in the kitchen doorway.
The expression on her small face was instantly priceless.
Perhaps she hadn't expected her idiot brother, who had inexplicably overslept, to wake up at such a convenient time.
!!!
"Ahem!!"
Sora lifted her chin slightly and walked out carrying a bowl. "I'll leave the fried egg to you. Also, you're doing the dishes this time. Don't forget!"
Haruka watched with a subtle expression as she carried the bowl of soup to the living room and started drinking it.
'Since when... did Sora know how to cook?'
'Isn't that usually my job?'
Normally, Sora didn't cook. Of course, she was responsible for washing the dishes.
It wasn't that Sora couldn't cook, but her experience was very limited. The only things she had made were flashy omurice or simple miso soup.
"...Alright."
He quickly finished the fried egg.
The two of them ate together.
To his surprise, the soup was actually really good. The gentle warmth of the broth spread through his stomach, leaving him feeling comfortable and at ease.
***
On the way to school, students in the same uniform walked in small groups, chatting and laughing.
Haruka walked alone, looking somewhat lonely.
"What is the point of me going to school now?"
Haruka pondered the meaning of continuing his education.
That's right. He now possessed powerful medical abilities, and academically, he was an undeniable top student.
So why stay in school?
'No.'
'Staying in school is a pure waste of time.'
'But...'
'If I'm not in school, my parents probably won't agree. And what would I do?'
'Use my abilities to amass wealth right now?'
Haruka slowly shook his head.
He didn't need to do that right now. Besides, he wanted to wait for a suitable opportunity to reveal his skills.
Otherwise, it would be too abnormal.
So, going to school was necessary, but attending class wasn't.
'When I have time, I'll go chat with that Principal who has connections with various conglomerates and academic cliques.'
Just as Haruka was thinking this, at the corner of the school gate, a familiar figure walked out slowly.
Head lowered, sakura colored long hair, red hearing aids...
Haruka's body stiffened.
Trouble had arrived.
Opposite him, Shoko Nishimiya didn't seem to notice him. She just kept her head down and continued walking forward.
Haruka resumed his pace.
He walked forward.
He tapped Shoko Nishimiya on the shoulder.
"Nishimiya-san?"
?
Shoko was startled. She looked over, and when she saw Haruka, she visibly relaxed.
"How was your weekend after you went back?"
Shoko signed: It was good. And you?
"It was alright. Sora, that girl..."
"..."
The two conversed normally, like friends.
This was his choice.
Blindly hiding was probably useless.
According to the Simulator's description, Fate was a cheater.
If he really tried to hide, all sorts of accidents would probably happen to force them together.
So, he decided to go with the flow and act entirely according to his own thoughts. There was no need to deliberately avoid her.
Since they were friends, he would treat her as a friend.
Don't cross the line. Don't break the rules.
The current him was different from the him in the simulation.
If feelings truly developed, then he would accept it. After all, he didn't dislike Shoko Nishimiya. There was no need to transfer his frustration with the Simulator onto her. Besides, if feelings developed, that would definitely be a choice made by his current self, which was fine.
And if, before feelings developed, he changed again through the Simulator, creating a new Anchor and interfering with Fate, then naturally he wouldn't fall in love. Even better.
'I stand in an invincible position!'
That was his conclusion.
Giving up? Letting Fate take the wheel?
What kind of bullshit is that!
This is called defense as offense, the Way of Controlling Change!
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