[You have become friends with Kita Ikuyo.]
[Your bond with Kita Ikuyo has deepened.]
It seems...
Nothing's wrong?
Hitori had thought that, just like in the last simulation, Kita-chan would end up becoming friends with Toru.
Then, somewhere out of her sight, their feelings would grow closer, and in the end, they would leave her behind, flying off together.
[Since you have become friends, it's only natural that Kita and Toru have also become friends.]
...Huh?
The process was all wrong, yet the result turned out the same.
[You don't believe that Kita would come between you and Toru's relationship.]
[But as you watch the two of them grow closer, talking about everything under the sun, jealousy begins to stir within you.]
[Kita feels like your superior replacement—]
[She's better at socializing than you, more popular, like a born heroine who quickly becomes the school's star.]
[By contrast, you, trying hard to change your timid nature and overcome your weaknesses, seem more like a dispensable supporting character.]
[It feels as though...]
[Everything has returned to two years ago, when you could only watch Toru shine on stage with other girls, powerless to do anything.]
[The only small comfort is that Toru hasn't joined any clubs, and still walks home with you every day.]
[During lunch breaks, the three of you often eat together.]
Why.
Even though she took stomach medicine, her stomach began to ache faintly again.
Hitori seemed to understand Ryo's feelings a little now.
[Most of the time, it's the two of them who start the conversation, while you merely respond, like an outsider.]
Ugh, the smell of defeat is too strong.
Hitori didn't want to accept this development.
[It was the rainy season, and the sky was always a dull gray.]
[Monday.]
[You looked toward Toru's seat in the classroom. He didn't come to school today.]
[In the morning, you waited in front of his house for a long time, but he never came out. You sent him a message on your phone, yet he didn't reply.]
[Now that you think about it, Toru's health hasn't seemed well lately. You often saw him covering his mouth to cough. Perhaps... he doesn't have much time left.]
Wait.
This development isn't right either, absolutely not!
Isn't dying three times already enough? Do we really need to do it again?
Hitori had wanted to say this for a long time.
Why is it that every time a simulation reaches the peak of Toru's romance with some girl, a strange "accident" always happens?
[During lunch break, Kita asked you about it.]
[You told her the truth, but then...]
[Kita Ikuyo's face turned pale with panic, as if the sky were falling.]
[You were puzzled. Toru had only missed one day of school, probably caught a cold or something. Nothing serious could happen.]
No, no, no. People can die from colds.
Nijika-chan once died from a cold, never underestimate a cold.
[Kita didn't take your answer lightly.]
[She even suggested that she could pay for Toru to get a full medical checkup at a hospital.]
[No need, no need... you waved your hand.]
[A full checkup isn't cheap.]
[Kita then said she knew a senior whose family ran a private hospital, and she could get a free checkup.]
Hitori had a bad feeling.
Free checkup!?
It's already chaotic enough, Ryo-san, please don't...
Unfortunately, she couldn't precisely control the progress of the simulation.
[Through Kita's connection, you obtained Yamada Ryo's contact information. After you explained the situation, Ryo agreed to help without hesitation.]
Why?
Hitori really wanted to ask why.
In this simulation, she hadn't even joined Kessoku Band, right?
Kitahara-kun also had nothing to do with Kessoku Band.
Then why was Ryo-san acting so strangely?
Could it be because she and Kita were on good terms?
But Ryo-san, who never spends a coin she can keep, would she really take a loss?
The word "free" doesn't belong anywhere near Ryo-san.
[After school.]
[You and Kita Ikuyo arrived at Toru's house.]
[You rang the doorbell.]
[After several minutes, there was still no response.]
[Kita's face showed a trace of anxiety. She picked up her phone and called Toru.]
[After a long while, there was no answer.]
[You didn't have his house key, so you couldn't enter.]
[Kita pressed her finger to her chin, suspecting that Toru might be so sick with a fever that he was too weak to come to the door, and if this continued, he might die from it.]
No, no, no, people aren't that fragile.
...Probably.
[What should you do?]
[Break the glass and trespass?]
[Just as you were thinking that, the front door opened.]
[At the entrance, Toru appeared looking exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes. He yawned and asked why you two were there.]
Wait.
What are you doing?
[After hearing your guesses, Toru said he wasn't sick. He had just stayed up too many nights over the weekend writing code.]
[Kita Ikuyo sighed in relief and scolded him, telling him to take better care of himself, or he'd die young.]
Exactly.
Hitori had no desire to be a widow.
Even though she wasn't married to Toru yet.
[Toru thought that barring accidents, he could live a long life, and all their worry was unnecessary.]
[Outwardly, he agreed with Kita, promising not to stay up late again.]
[Kita was reassured and urged him to rest early.]
Hitori watched their interaction.
The more she watched, the stranger it felt.
It was clearly a three-person scene, yet she didn't seem to deserve a name.
[After that, you entered Toru's home to take care of him. Kita cleaned the house, while you prepared dinner for him.]
[At the dinner table, the warm atmosphere made you feel at ease.]
[The three of you together, it didn't seem so bad.]
Hitori: "6д9"
What happened to pure love?
How did it turn into a love triangle story?
[Even though you've changed, you're still too timid to confess your feelings...]
[So, until you win the "I love you" game, this peaceful time can probably continue like this, right?]
[You have a good friend, and someone you love.]
[Two happy things overlapping, surely this will bring you days as sweet as a dream.]
[A few days later.]
[Under your and Kita's persistence, Toru finally went to Ryo's private hospital.]
[After a thorough examination...]
Is there something wrong?
Is he going to die?
[There was nothing serious. In fact, he was healthier than most people who live in a sub-healthy state.]
[Kita let out a sigh of relief, and Ryo's tense, expressionless face softened. Seeing their over-the-top reactions, you didn't quite understand.]
[After all, everything was perfectly normal. You would probably marry Toru, have two children, and live a perfect life.]
[Accidents?]
[Sorry, not happening this time.]