—In a villa in Shimokitazawa—
Our dear Miss Ryo stared at the messages on the simulator with a trace of unease.
Her PTSD was flaring up. In the last simulation, she had watched Toru die in her arms.
This time, Nijika's mental state carried the same ominous weight, maybe even worse...
For the sake of her dream, Nijika was throwing everything aside, even forgetting the person she should treasure most.
Had she known it would turn out like this, Ryo would never have let Kitahara go so easily.
If Toru ended up regretting Nijika for life, and Nijika regretted Toru for life, the thought was too heartbreaking for Ryo to bear.
So…
Better talk to her.
Ryo opened Nijika's character tab and chose to invite her out alone.
[Inviting target character—Nijika Ijichi.]
[Location—Outside Saitama Super Arena.]
[Current time in simulation—After the first concert live, midway through a private celebratory dinner.]
A few seconds later~
[Nijika Ijichi has accepted.]
Soon after, Ryo's consciousness slipped away from reality.
◇
The autumn night wind carried a hint of chill, brushing against Ryo's short blue hair, lifting the bangs that covered half her face.
"What would you like to drink, Ryo?"
Nijika Ijichi stood in front of the vending machine. She first bought a can of Coke for Hitori-chan, who loved it most, then bottles of tea for Kita-chan and Toru. She knew everyone's preferences by heart, like a young little mother.
"Coffee is fine."
Ryo answered softly, watching Nijika bend to retrieve the drinks.
Even before she spoke, Nijika had already bought her usual choice.
Nijika smiled at her, full of cuteness and energy.
"Hehe~ I knew it. Coffee's always your favorite."
Even in university, nearing graduation, she still looked like a high school girl.
If Kita Ikuyo was the "outdoor" type of girl, then Nijika was without a doubt the "indoor" type that was gentle, kind, with a saintly glow around her.
"Here." Nijika carried the coffee over, handing it to her.
"Thanks."
"So, what did you want to talk to me about, asking me out like this?" Nijika asked.
In the simulation, this was probably the first time Ryo had ever reached out for a private chat.
"I…"
Ryo didn't know how to begin.
How could she say it, "For your health, we should disband Kessoku Band for now"?
For a band that had just climbed onto the stage with limitless potential, such words would be too cruel.
"By the way, Ryo, I'm planning to marry Kitahara-kun."
In Ryo's stunned gaze, Nijika suddenly dropped the bombshell.
"M-marriage?"
Ryo's usually blank face cracked.
Marriage? Did you just say marriage?
In the last simulation, Ryo had been rejected ten times in a row by Toru when she proposed, and her stomach ached at the memory.
Marriage... something she had never truly had, but once lost, left only pain.
She understood. Toru hadn't married her because he didn't want to hold her back.
But watching the man you loved die in your arms… for most women, wouldn't that leave a lifelong fear of love?
Oh no... Acid was rising up in her stomach.
It hurt.
"I'm sorry, Ryo."
Before she could react, Nijika struck again.
Yes, Nijika, you really do owe me an apology.
In Kessoku Band, the straight man of comedy was supposed to be Nijika. But Ryo couldn't hold back anymore.
This ambush... who could keep composure after that?
She was worried for Nijika's health, and Nijika countered by nuking her with marriage talk. What kind of trash simulator was this?
Ryo couldn't accept it. She had actually been blindsided by a 2D character. And worse, she'd have to attend Toru and Nijika's wedding.
The thought of it gave her stomach cramps.
Even worse, as Nijika's closest friend, she'd probably be the bridesmaid.
That thought doubled the pain.
"Ryo, why aren't you saying anything?"
"…Congratulations?"
"Pfft, why does that sound like a question?"
Nijika laughed, setting the drinks aside on a bench, then sat down and patted the space next to her.
Ryo followed, sat down, and tilted her head toward the starry sky with a pained expression.
I should never have clicked that invite button.
I was such a fool. Truly.
Tonight's stars were beautiful.. like her shattered love, glimmering as it lay in pieces.
"Sorry, Ryo, Kessoku Band probably won't last much longer." Nijika's voice was tinged with loss. Even though she hadn't been playing in full simulation since high school, she had still watched the band grow step by step. The sense of immersion was strong.
So she suggested—
"Ryo, you should find a new drummer. Don't let my condition be the reason everyone's dreams are cut short."
"No need…"
Ryo shook her head. "It's enough. Our music has always stayed true to its original style. We never chased trends at the cost of identity. I'm satisfied. If it ends here, that's fine."
It was only a simulation anyway. There was no point in pushing on. Back in reality, her skills would never last... her mastery would drop back to level 4.
Ending the story here was as good a conclusion as any.
"Hearing you say that, I don't know how to respond anymore. Hehe. Honestly, when I first formed the band, my reasons were a little selfish."
Seeing Ryo quiet, Nijika chuckled and continued. "Long ago, my mom passed away, and my sister gave up her dream of rock to raise me. I was grateful, but I couldn't help regretting it. She was only a step away from her dream, but stopped for my sake."
Her voice grew more serious...
"Ryo, I'm not fighting just for myself. I'm carrying the dream my sister couldn't achieve. My efforts aren't as pure as everyone else's."
"…But Nijika," Ryo couldn't hold it in, "you know Bocchi's dream too, right? She wants to earn piles of cash, buy a mansion, and sail a luxury yacht."
We're not as pure as you think.
"Ahaha…"
Nijika scratched her head, embarrassed. "That's just Bocchi-chan. But honestly, a dream that's realistic isn't so bad either, right?"
Nijika, how do you switch faces so fast?
Even Bocchi's money-grubbing dream, you managed to make it sound noble.
"I thought, seeing you practice so hard these past years, you'd gone off the deep end, ready to fight your drum kit to the death."
Ryo was terrified.
Last time the simulation killed her boyfriend. If this time it killed her best friend…
What kind of grim reaper simulator was this?
"I really like Kitahara-kun, you know. There's no way I'd give him up for a dream."
As if unburdened after voicing what she'd always hidden, Nijika's tone was lighter. "Anyone who forgets family or lovers for the sake of dreams or profit... should be sentenced to death."
Sentenced to death.
Sentenced to death.
Sentenced…
"…"
The words echoed in Ryo's head. She clutched her stomach.
Nijika looked at her with concern. "Ryo, what's wrong?"
Ryo forced a strained expression.
"My stomach hurts."