Chapter 6: Everything Seems to Be Moving in a Good Direction

[Your relationship with Hitori Gotoh has deepened, and your importance in her heart has increased.]

[Through your conversations, you've come to understand that the girl in front of you is as delicate as a strand of silk—so fragile that a slight pull might snap her. She faces the world with fear and anxiety, treading carefully and speaking timidly. Her submissive attitude is the only means she has to protect herself.]

[Spending most of her time practicing guitar, Hitori Gotoh's academic performance is poor. She has never had friends, never initiated a conversation with anyone, and has even considered dropping out multiple times. You, as someone willing to be her friend, are the only bright spot in her school life. And in return, you have gained a deeper understanding of this girl.]

[Online, she is a YouTube guitarist with 30,000 followers, her skills honed to perfection. But in real life, she is completely powerless. Just having you to talk to is enough to make her happy.]

[During one casual conversation, she mentioned that she had joined a rock band outside of school. However, she has no confidence in her playing and is worried that joining the band might reduce the time she can spend talking with you. The thought of quitting has already crossed her mind.]

[For the first time, Hitori Gotoh confides in you about her troubles. You decide—]

1. Since she thinks quitting is for the best, support her decision.

2. Give a half-hearted response.

3. See this as a rare opportunity and encourage her to give it a try.

4. Run a personal Simulation.

"Hmm..."

Staring at the choices, Minami fell into thought.

The second option was out of the question—a dead-end choice.

That left only the first and third options.

Should he go along with Hitori Gotoh's hesitation and persuade her to quit?

Or should he encourage her to keep pushing forward?

There was no doubt that siding with her would increase her affection for him. If she withdrew from the band, she would become even more dependent on him—the only person willing to listen to her worries.

But…

Was it really okay for Hitori Gotoh's world to revolve around just one person?

Through the simulation, Minami could clearly feel just how much she longed to escape her social anxiety.

She had worried about it, sighed over it, and even curled up alone in a closet, crying in frustration at her own weakness.

Minami chose the third option.

[You seriously analyzed the current situation and encouraged Hitori Gotoh. You understood that if she only interacted with you, it would only make her more dependent on you.]

[Interacting with others is like planting seeds in her heart. You sincerely hoped that these seeds would take root and grow, allowing her to step out of the shadows and walk freely in the sunlight.]

[Thanks to your encouragement, Hitori Gotoh decided to continue her band activities. However, no matter how busy she was, she never forgot her promise to teach you guitar every day.]

[You continued chatting with her in the music room. In front of your cheerful and humorous presence, her once timid and fearful attitude towards school gradually softened. She began to smile more.]

[Her school life, which once seemed unbearable, had changed because of you. You gave her the courage to face everything head-on.]

Memories surfaced.

"Minami-senpai, um... you played the chord wrong."

With a faint blush on her face, Hitori Gotoh quietly pointed out his mistake.

"Ah... thanks, Hitori."

Instead of showing any displeasure, the boy smiled brightly, repositioning his slender fingers on the guitar strings.

Hitori Gotoh remained seated quietly, saying nothing.

Her hesitant gaze peeked out from beneath her soft pink bangs, like sunlight filtering through a window, secretly falling upon the boy's handsome face.

She didn't dare to speak.

Just staring at him, absentmindedly, had already drained all her strength.

The afternoon sunlight was just right.

Looking at him, she thought—maybe one day, she too could step back into the sunlight.

As the memory faded, a new set of choices appeared.

[Everything seems to be moving in a good direction.]

[You decide—]

1. You're still worried about Hitori Gotoh's situation, so you continue to keep an eye on her.

2. It's good to focus on other things occasionally. You shift your attention away from her for now.

3. Just focusing on romance is boring. Time to hit the books.

4.Run a personal Simulation.

Another four choices.

If this were real life, Minami would probably pick the third one.

After all, sometimes it's important to enrich oneself and satisfy the thirst for knowledge.

But this was a simulation.

And Hitori Gotoh's social anxiety was still concerning.

Minami selected the first option.

[Everything still seems to be heading in a good direction.]

[You continue to focus on Hitori Gotoh, spending joyful days together. But without you realizing it, the atmosphere within the school starts to change.]

[Because someone as popular as you spends so much time alone with Hitori Gotoh in the music room, rumors start spreading among the girls who admire you.]

[You don't care about the gossip at school. Your only concern is Hitori Gotoh.]

[But one day, you notice that her usual bright smile is fading. That's when you realize something is wrong.]

[After guitar practice, you quietly follow Hitori Gotoh outside the school.]

[There, for the first time, you see her curled up in a back alley, tears streaming down her pale, delicate face.]

Minami immersed himself in the memory.

The alley was dark, damp, and cold.

Soft sobs, barely audible.

Minami took a step forward.

[You sat down beside Hitori Gotoh, breathing in the damp, musty air she was so used to in her closet.]

[She was startled at first, then lowered her head before finally throwing herself into your arms, letting out a stifled, guilty sob.]

[She tearfully admitted that it was her fault—because of her, rumors had spread, and your reputation had suffered.]

[You reassured her, telling her that you didn't care.]

Memories surfaced once again.