Chapter 43: "Love, But Never Yours" - Yamada Ryo IF Route Card

[Happiness envelops you and her, and time with her continues to flow within that happiness.]

[Miyuki quickly grew up, inheriting your excellent academic abilities and the musical talents of the former band members. Without much effort, she was accepted into Tokyo University of the Arts.]

[The former band members, as well as you and your wife, were all proud and happy for her achievements.]

[After graduating, with the introductions from the former band members, Miyuki specialized in piano. She wanted to take a completely different path from you.]

[As soon as she released her piano compositions, they took the Japanese music scene by storm. She became the most popular young pianist of her time.]

[You witnessed it all and felt happy for her.]

[Gradually, she no longer followed in your shadow but stepped onto the stage, supporting you as you once supported her.]

[You and Bocchi had aged, gradually needing others to take care of you.]

[Ijichi Nijika, Yamada Ryo, and Kita Ikuyo were your neighbors, and your houses were connected, allowing Miyuki to better take care of both you and the former band members.]

[Once, you held her small hands and guided her forward. Now, she pulls you toward the future.]

[Time moves silently, and no one can escape its changes.]

[You had a strong constitution, no major illnesses—only old age slowly took your health away with the passing years.]

[When you were about to pass away, it was Bocchi who held your hand, leaned close to your ear, and softly sang the band's song that only you knew. Before time took you away, you were still surrounded by the former band members.]

[They made death no longer frightening.]

[After your passing, Bocchi, the band members, and your daughter were deeply saddened, but they supported each other and continued to live strong.]

[After you left, they commemorated you in various ways. In their free time, they would glance at the thick work records you left behind, exchange knowing smiles, and reminisce about your stories.]

[In their memories, you were always serious, as if nothing could trouble you.]

[In their memories, you remained forever young.]

[Simulation Ended.]

Exiting the Simulation

Minami let out a long sigh.

For some reason, even though this ending was outstanding, it left him feeling a bit melancholic.

It was a strange feeling, but still something he could put into words.

It was like finishing a good book.

Like listening to a beautiful piece of music.

Like completing a long-awaited anime series...

After everything ended, there was a fleeting sense of satisfaction, followed by a lingering emptiness.

This kind of melancholic feeling was hard to shake off.

But birth, aging, illness, and death were part of life.

At the very least, this time, he didn't die from overwork, an accident, or illness.

Until his final moments, he had no regrets.

Minami shook his head and turned his attention to the final results of the simulation.

[System Score: 92 Points.]

[System Evaluation: A Love for a Lifetime, Like a Sudden Downpour. The process of meeting and getting to know each other was long. In your youth, you were dedicated to your work in pursuit of your dreams, sometimes neglecting her feelings. But this also gave her the opportunity to face setbacks and challenges on her own.]

[Through this process, she gradually became attracted to you, and you, in turn, were drawn to her efforts to change herself. Your love developed naturally. For you, she overcame her long-standing social anxiety. You supported each other and eventually reached the depths of your dreams.]

[This time, you had a child and companions who cherished each other. Your later years were filled with happiness. Even after losing you, she was able to move forward with others by her side. When you looked back at the end of your life, perhaps all you saw were the countless fragments of happiness.]

A score this high?

Looking at the 92-point rating, Minami was a little surprised, but after thinking about it, he understood why he achieved such a high score this time.

This time, his departure left no regrets.

Hitori Gotoh, whose personality had already improved, could continue living strongly even after losing him.

This was in stark contrast to a previous playthrough where she was unable to move past her grief, becoming depressed and passing away only a year later.

Likewise, with Miyuki, she became one of Hitori Gotoh's emotional pillars.

She might occasionally feel lonely, but never truly alone.

Considering all these points, achieving a high rating this time was completely reasonable.

The only slight regret was that, yet again, he didn't get to experience firsthand what it felt like to create a child with Hitori Gotoh—

Click.

"Minami, oh Minami, you've simulated a marriage with Hitori Gotoh three times now. As a responsible and upstanding young man of the new era, can you stop obsessing over such trivial things?"

Minami patted his face—his charisma rating of 9—and sternly warned himself.

"Men who are slaves to their desires are the weakest."

Clearing his mind of unnecessary thoughts, Minami continued checking the final simulation rewards.

[You have completed a 90+ point Happiness Ending, earning an additional 1000 Heart Points and unlocking the Basic Item Shop.]

[System Rewards: You have obtained the 'Three Lives, Love Unattainable: Yamada Ryo IF Route Card' and 'Bocchi's Happy Cooking Skills.']

[You have gained the Cooking (Happy) Specialty LV4.]

"Huh? 'Three Lives, Love Unattainable'? A Yamada Ryo route card?"

The first thing that caught Minami's attention was the description of the Yamada Ryo character card.

But what puzzled him was—why did Miss Yamada keep playing the supporting role for three consecutive playthroughs and still have a derived item?

Curious, he checked the system introduction.

Three Lives, Love Unattainable - Yamada Ryo IF Route Card:

[In four playthroughs, you have found true love, yet in three of them, love was unattainable for her. But she never resented or lamented it. For her, simply staying by your side and watching you was already the best ending, even if it ultimately led only to regret.]

["I can't explain why I love you, but I know that you are the reason I cannot love anyone else. When she, cold yet elegant, turns back to look at you, will you stop for her this time?"]

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