Chapter 32: This Choice Has Life-Changing Consequences

Though Ryo remained as consistent as ever, and a 29-year-old soon-to-be-30 single older sister, Ijichi Seika, had also unexpectedly entered the fray, the overall situation in the simulation was still well within Minami's control.

However, what particularly caught Minami's attention this time was that the main setting of the simulation was no longer Shuka High School but Starry live house instead.

Looking at the second and third playthroughs, the romantic progression with Bocchi had primarily taken place in Shuka High, not at Starry.

It seemed this was another effect of the increased initial affection level—only after reaching a certain level of closeness with Bocchi could Starry be unlocked as a primary setting.

Minami continued reading.

[Your rapid improvement also ignited the competitive spirit within the members of Kessoku Band.]

[Nijika, Ryo, Bocchi, and Kita's instrumental skills improved, but due to their intense focus on practicing and band synergy, their academic performance declined.]

[You, as always, continued practicing the guitar with dedication, deepening your understanding of it. Meanwhile, due to your fulfilling lifestyle, your academic performance improved.]

What is wrong with these people?

Minami furrowed his brows. They were just practicing their instruments, so how did their grades end up worse?

He couldn't understand it—wasn't balancing both studies and music easy? His own grades weren't just stable; they were improving.

Minami continued scrolling.

[As time passed, the members of Kessoku Band became accustomed to seeing your silhouette in the practice room. Your passion for guitar inspired them, and they resolved to practice even harder.]

[Nijika, Kita, Ryo, and Bocchi's instrumental skills improved.]

[Nijika, Kita, Ryo, and Bocchi's academic performance dropped.]

[Your understanding of the guitar deepened, and the sense of achievement from improving further boosted your mental state, causing your academic performance to improve.]

…Huh?

Something wasn't right.

Minami looked at the steadily declining grades of the Kessoku Band members, then back at his own attribute panel, where everything was improving.

Of course, better instrumental skills were great, but wouldn't it be perfect if they could balance it with their studies?

Not to mention, their grades just kept plummeting.

At this rate, forget Tokyo University—they wouldn't even get into any university.

Minami continued reading.

[Your communication and problem-solving abilities remained exceptional. During your time practicing at Starry, you resolved several management issues. Similarly, during regular band practice, your keen observational skills helped resolve numerous conflicts within Kessoku Band, further strengthening your bond with them.]

[Nijika, Kita, Ryo, and Bocchi's affection for you increased. They became more reliant on you.]

[One day, Nijika approached you and invited you to officially join Kessoku Band.]

Choice:

1. Politely refuse—Kessoku Band is already complete without you.

2. Decline, and mention that following that bass-playing, beer-loving, chaotic older sister next door might be a better path.

3. Accept—your presence might make Kessoku Band even better.

4. Personally Simulate it yourself.

The sudden pop-up choice didn't surprise Minami in the slightest.

After all, this had already happened in the third playthrough.

Since his primary activity in this run was centered around Starry, it was only natural that Nijika, as the leader, would extend an invitation.

Though he was mildly curious about the "beer-loving, bass-playing chaotic older sister next door" mentioned in the second option, his choice remained unchanged.

He once again chose to refuse joining Kessoku Band.

The reason was the same as before—a small, traditional band didn't need three guitarists.

Having three guitarists in Kessoku Band would only be a burden.

Besides, Minami hadn't forgotten the ending he got in the third playthrough—the one called "A Future Full of Regret."

It was precisely because of his excessive interference that Kessoku Band had ended up disbanding.

The simulation continued.

[You politely declined Nijika's invitation and explained that Kessoku Band already had two guitarists, which was more than enough. Adding a third would just be redundant. Rather than joining and becoming a burden, you preferred to watch over them from afar.]

(TL Notes: Ryo is bass, so Bocchi and Kita are on guitar.)

[Nijika was disappointed by your refusal but understood your reasoning. She assured you that she wouldn't let you down.]

[Kessoku Band members trained even harder.]

[Kessoku Band members' instrumental skills improved across the board.]

[Kessoku Band members' academic performance continued to decline.]

"Do you guys even open a book?"

Minami twitched.

C'mon, at least study a little.

Well, whatever.

Minami shook his head.

It seemed like he'd have to add two more students to his Minami Papa's After-School Tutoring Class this playthrough.

On the bright side, with such rigorous practice, their first live performance should go smoothly.

As if responding to his thoughts, the simulation progressed.

[After countless hours of practice and rehearsals, the day of Kessoku Band's first live performance finally arrived.]

[Just as you predicted, their rigorous training paid off. Neither the bad weather nor the heavy atmosphere affected them in the slightest. Even though it was their first performance, they nailed it! The audience, too, was immediately captivated by this promising new band.]

[At the afterparty, you met Bocchi's new friend, Hiroi Kikuri—a squinty-eyed woman who loved drinking and playing bass.]

Picture here:

[Everyone excitedly discussed the details of their performance, except for Bocchi, whose expression was filled with anxiety.]

[With your keen observation skills, you quickly noticed her unease and asked her what was wrong.]

[Under your skillful persuasion, Bocchi hesitated for a moment but eventually revealed the truth.]

[It turned out that she had been so absorbed in guitar practice that her already-poor grades had plummeted even further. At this rate, she was at risk of repeating a grade.]

[Her words caused the lively atmosphere at the table to suddenly freeze—because the other members were in the exact same situation.]

[The consequences of excessive practice had begun to show.]

[The next choice will have Life-Changing consequences—]