[After the holiday.]
[A transfer student arrives in your class.]
[The familiar face makes you lift your head slightly. Just when you had lost hope for school life, a spark of joy wells up inside you.]
[But unexpectedly, after Toru introduces himself, he doesn't say much more and quietly sits down beside you.]
[After the first period, you don't talk.]
[By noon, not a single word has been exchanged.]
[When school ends in the afternoon, still no conversation.]
Huh?
This isn't going the way I imagined.
Hitori blinked. She had assumed that with affection already at the "fondness" level, Toru would take the initiative to talk to her.
But middle school Toru was even more aloof than she had thought.
[Perhaps because he transferred suddenly, the class's established friend groups didn't immediately welcome Toru.]
[He didn't seem to care. Over the next few days, he went about his own business, writing strange things during lessons that looked like some kind of coded language you couldn't understand.]
What on earth is Kitahara-kun doing?
So curious.
[You consider asking Toru what he's working on, but since you aren't friends yet…]
[You keep quiet, remaining alone at school and going straight home every day.]
Come on, the other me, hang in there.
Hitori silently cheered on the version of herself inside the simulator.
She didn't have the courage to step into that world herself, so this was the only way she could root for herself.
[Once home, you begin your usual six hours of guitar practice.]
[You firmly believe that as long as you keep playing, everything will get better. You'll find like-minded friends, the perfect partner. If your guitar skills are strong enough, your future will surely be bright.]
"…Bright…"
Hitori murmured the word, the ache in her chest something only she could feel.
Her three years of middle school hadn't been bright at all—not even a glimmer.
[And so, months pass, and the first semester draws to an end.]
[Toru successfully integrates into the once unfamiliar class. During this time, he often chats with you kindly and keeps you company.]
[After spending so much time together, your adolescent heart naturally falls for this charming boy who always looks after you at school. Yet, unable to express your feelings well, you can't even convey your affection properly.]
[You want to change your timid, unnoticed self, but you don't know how.]
[Will you really keep living like this?]
[After careful thought, you decide: ]
[1. Learn about fashion and beauty, starting with your appearance, and make Toru fall for your looks.] (Requires Charm > 140)
[2. Study interpersonal skills and take the initiative. You realize that waiting passively won't work.] (Requires Courage > 210)
[3. You notice Toru has been talking about games with the boys lately. Maybe you could learn about games to join the conversation.] (Requires Knowledge > 70)
[4. Do all three simultaneously.] (Note: Requires all attribute conditions. Currently met.)
[5. Give up on changing yourself.]
Hitori paused at the fourth option.
Hard work never betrays.
She had failed four simulations already, grinding her stats up, especially courage, just for this moment.
If her attributes weren't high enough, she would have been forced to give up.
Yes, choose 4!
[The next day, you give up the guitar.]
[Your father is surprised by this sudden change, but after recalling how often Toru has been visiting recently, he quickly understands. His daughter, entering the bloom of youth, has started developing feelings for the excellent boy next door.]
[Probably just a passing phase, he thinks, and doesn't take it too seriously.]
That's not true.
Hitori might not dare to take action in reality, but the simulated version of her could.
[Your father isn't entirely wrong, though. Just a few days later, you start feeling discouraged, because....]
Because what?
Don't tell me she's already giving up?
[Because you're already pretty and cute enough.]
Huh?
[In fact, by ordinary standards, your looks are above average. But because you're poor at conversation, keep your head down, avoid eye contact, and have dark circles from staying up too late, no one ever wants to approach you.]
Really?
This was the first time Hitori had ever heard that she was actually in the "pretty" category.
Heh, in that case, wouldn't capturing Kitahara-kun be super easy?
[Unfortunately, Toru's criteria for friends don't include appearance.]
Huh?
Then what do I do?
Can't even be friends now?
[But think about it carefully, are you really not friends?]
[One day, while studying materials on social interaction, you begin to ponder this question.]
[With your mother's help, Toru has been coming over for dinner every week lately. He plays with your younger sister and chats comfortably with your father.]
That… that sounds like friendship, right?
No, wait... it feels more like…
[That's right. Toru is gradually becoming part of the Gotoh family.]
[You watch as this once unfamiliar boy blends naturally into your household. Over time, your sister grows a bit distant from you; she doesn't cling to you anymore.]
Hitori thought of one idiom.
A cuckoo taking over another bird's nest.
Ugh, I'm going to get kicked out by Mom and Dad.
A scene formed vividly in her mind~
Years later.
"Sorry, we already have a new child. We don't need you anymore, Hitori. Forgive us," her mother said apologetically.
Her father sighed quietly, said nothing, and handed her his old guitar as a farewell gift.
"Bye-bye, big sis," said her little sister, Futari, waving.
"No, I don't want that kind of future!" Hitori cried, covering her face.
This strange outburst drew a sideways glance from Nijika beside her.
What's wrong with Bocchi-chan now?
She looked like someone who'd just been abandoned by a bad man.
"Bocchi-chan, what's wrong?"
"Hic… Nijika-chan, if I ever end up homeless, will you take care of me?"
Hitori looked up at her angelic friend with tearful eyes.
"You're imagining bad futures again, huh?"
Nijika gave a small laugh. "Alright, get back to your work. Stop daydreaming."
Honestly, Bocchi-chan always overthinks everything.
"…"
Hitori calmed down and returned to the simulation.
As expected, Nijika-chan really was the best.
[One day, you overhear your little sister, Futari, saying that when she grows up, she's going to marry Big Brother Kitahara.]
Wait, what did my dear little sister just say?
[You silently repeat the words "children's talk." She's only three years old; she can barely string sentences together. Of course it's nonsense.]
Yes, yes, that's right.
Hitori reassured herself, her simulated little sister was still a baby. How could she possibly steal her man?