The trigger that pulled Gotō Hitori into this "future simulation" was something even she herself hadn't noticed. If this were a text-based game, then after clearing the ending and looking back to see where the story's trajectory could have been changed, this would be one of those specially highlighted key points.
That moment was when she mustered the courage to send a private message to the original author of the short story that inspired her fan song "A Shooting Star Cutting Through the Daylight", expressing her thanks.
Her true identity was none other than the YouTube creator who had uploaded that now-viral track—whose views had already surpassed three hundred thousand—
"Guitar Hero."
Originally, with just a little over thirty thousand subscribers, she used that account—where no one knew her real identity—to upload guitar covers and transcriptions of songs she liked. On a normal day, getting one or two thousand views was already considered a good performance; she had never once dared to hope for overnight fame.
But after seeing the manga adaptation drawn by Kashiwagi Eri, and then tracing it back to read the original short story posted on a writing forum, her creative urge could no longer be suppressed. The song she locked herself in her room for days to write—"A Shooting Star Cutting Through the Daylight"—effortlessly broke fifty thousand views in a single night.
Then came one hundred thousand.
Two hundred thousand.
Three hundred thousand.
Huddled inside her narrow yet reassuring closet, Gotō Hitori rubbed her eyes and double-checked just how many digits were actually following that "3."
No way… did I… blow up, blow up, blow up…?
She was extremely glad that thought hadn't slipped out of her mouth—otherwise, she definitely would have bitten her tongue in embarrassment.
After hesitating and agonizing over it for a long time, Gotō Hitori finally decided to explain the situation and express her gratitude to the original author—of course, via the internet.
After all, my video already has this many views. If the original author sees that I made a derivative work without asking for permission first, they'll definitely come to my channel demanding answers… And if we can't reach an agreement, I might even face legal responsibility and have to pay compensation… Getting saddled with massive debt at such a young age—no way, no way…!
With her inner monologue running wild, Miss Gotō nervously clicked into the forum's featured post.
She spent a long time carefully wording her message, and at last clicked on the thread author's private message button.
And then—something absurd happened.
What had originally read [Private Message] suddenly changed into [Simulation] right as her mouse cursor hovered over it, about to click.
"Eh?"
Before Gotō Hitori could react, her index finger carried out the command her brain had just issued.
Immediately afterward, a strange voice rang out abruptly in her mind.
[Thank you for choosing to play this game. This product is designed to provide you with a novel, engaging, and highly realistic future simulation.]
W-wait… what did I just click? Mom—!
[Please note: once this simulation begins, exiting midway is not permitted—until the simulation ends.]
"W-what is this supposed to be? Am I getting isekai'd? Am I going to become some unlucky hero who sets out to save a princess only to get toyed with by the Demon King…?! At least—"
[We regret to inform you that this simulation contains none of the above scenarios. Please enjoy your experience.]
"At least—let me go to the bathroom first…!"
A flash of white light passed.
Hugging herself as she trembled, Gotō Hitori looked up—only to find herself lying on her bed, greeted by a familiar ceiling the moment she opened her eyes.
If she couldn't be sure she was still in her own room, she might genuinely have suspected she'd been drugged and trafficked somewhere in Southeast Asia.
And that, in short, is how Gotō Hitori ended up in this simulation world.
A "future simulation," in other words, was a simulation of a possible future.
Miss Gotō set her still slightly foggy brain in motion, doing her best to recall everything about herself in this "future."
Appearance—unchanged.
So there was no cliché of turning into a breathtaking Mary Sue princess after crossing worlds. For some reason, Miss Gotō felt a little disappointed.
Family structure—no difference.
She was honestly relieved about that. Whether becoming an only child and receiving all her parents' attention, or suddenly gaining one or two siblings, either scenario would have been overwhelming.
Hobbies—unchanged.
And her creator account under the name "Guitar Hero" was still there, which was a huge relief.
But for some reason, the video of "A Shooting Star Cutting Through the Daylight" had vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed at all.
"Why… is it like this…"
Bocchi-chan collapsed limply onto her desk like a deflated balloon, her vacant gaze resembling that of a salted fish that had just swallowed half a bottle of sleeping pills—peaceful, yet resentful.
Does this future… completely lack any possibility of Guitar Hero ever being seen by anyone…?!
What a cruel simulation.
This was basically just reality, wasn't it?!
Still, after feeling down for a while, Miss Gotō pulled herself together and continued living her life within the simulation. Her ability to accept failure and disappointment was, frankly, a little terrifying.
After living like this for dozens of days—carrying her guitar around school in hopes of catching the attention of someone else who loved music, only to fail—she was resting in a park on her way home when a bright-smiling blonde girl struck up a conversation with her.
And that was the beginning of everything.
At Ijichi Nijika's invitation, the timid Miss Gotō Hitori nervously made her way to the livehouse run by Ijichi Seika, where she met bassist Yamada Ryō. The three of them played together in an instrumental session with no vocalist—
And after that, they were joined by the cheerful, outgoing normie Kita Ikuyo, forming the band Kessoku Band.
Gaining friends.
Becoming a band member.
Performing on stage.
All of it was something Gotō Hitori had never achieved, yet had always dreamed of.
Maybe taking part in this future simulation isn't such a bad thing after all.
Even though she still hid inside a cardboard box on stage, unwilling to make eye contact with the audience—or even her bandmates—Miss Bocchi felt deeply satisfied with the changes she had made so far.
That was, until one time after a performance, backstage, she accidentally collided with a curly-haired boy who had just pushed open the door.
"Uwah…!"
She staggered back several steps, while the boy himself merely paused in place. When Bocchi instinctively looked up and met his eyes—
She realized his gaze was frighteningly serious.
Intimidated by that presence, Gotō Hitori froze on the spot, unable to speak. She didn't even notice when the boy's companions appeared nearby.
"What's wrong, Tōru-kun? Is that someone you know?"
Seeing that she didn't answer, the cold seriousness between the boy's brows seemed to deepen.
"No. I don't know her."
Only after he turned away and walked farther and farther off did Gotō Hitori finally snap back to her senses, still standing there in a daze.
N-no… that person just now—I've seen him before, haven't I?