Bocchi-chan's Moonlight

[You have obtained a love simulator!]

[This system is dedicated to helping with social anxiety in love. Would you like to link it?]

"W-w-who... who's there?"

Inside a dark closet, Hitori Gotou trembled with fear. It felt like she was experiencing a paranormal event.

For Bocchi-chan, who was always invisible at school, the idea of someone playing a prank on her seemed impossible. She barely knew a few people and saw herself as a complete outcast, a slug hiding at the bottom of a trash can.

[Please confirm: would you like to link it?]

"Can you really help me...?"

[Yes, it can...]

"Ahhh!! A ghost, a ghost!" Hitori Gotou collapsed in the closet as if she had been struck by a cramp. Shaking, she tightly hugged her guitar and closed her eyes.

Dear family, best friends (crossed out), friends (crossed out), classmates (crossed out), here is some sad news.

Our favorite rock star, Hitori Gotoh, passed away in her room on April 14, 202X, at the age of 15...

[...]

After a long silence.

[Excuse me, would you like to link it?]

[This system can help you improve, become a rock legend, and conquer anyone you're interested in.]

"Can I really... can I do it? I will!" Hitori Gotoh opened her eyes and came to her senses, recalling a light novel she had casually read before.

She quickly realized.

This isn't a ghost! Nor is it a prank!

It's a system (Golden Finger) that belongs exclusively to her!

With this system, maybe she can become a national rock star in the future, with tens of millions of fans... Wait, a love simulator?

Isn't this supposed to be a rock simulator?

Well, if not, at least a social life simulator wouldn't be bad either.

[Yes, a love simulator. Sweet and bitter love is a treasure of human emotions. This system is dedicated to helping the owner experience the most beautiful love.]

[Each simulation you run is just a game and won't affect reality, but you can earn rewards from the simulations to improve in real life.]

Bocchi-chan swallowed her saliva excitedly. "That's amazing."

I'll definitely make a lot of money in the future, this is incredible.

[Excuse me, would you like to start the first simulation?]

[This system has a total of 5 free simulation opportunities, and a minimal fee will be charged starting from the sixth time.]

"Let's start." Bocchi-chan was already excited.

As a socially anxious and fearful girl, this simulator is perfect for her.

If she had gotten a typical "cheat" system, she probably wouldn't even know how to use it.

[Host, please select a simulation target!]

[1. Kita Ikuyo, current preference: friendly]

[2. Nijika Ijichi, current preference: friendly]

[3. Kitahara Toru, current preference: neutral]

Looking at the three options listed in the simulator, Bocchi-chan admitted she was a little scared.

Does this simulator not restrict sexual orientation?

The first two are her bandmates from 'Kessoku Band'.

As for the last one...

Kitahara Toru, a big celebrity at school, almost everyone knows about him. He debuted as a child star, a piano prodigy when he was young. He gradually reduced his performing arts activities at the age of 14. This year, he entered Shuka High School and ranked first in his grade academically.

None of that matters!

What's important is that he's handsome!

Super handsome!

What's even more important is that he and Hitori Gotoh are in the same class, and their seats aren't far apart.

Originally, a boy as brilliant as him was someone Bocchi-chan wouldn't even dare to imagine as a romantic possibility, even if she had all the courage in the world. To her, he was like an "unreachable white moon," someone perfect and out of her league. But if it's in a simulator... hehehe~!

It would be great to fall in love with such a handsome boy!

Go for it, Hitori Gotou!

Please, I trust you, my other self!

[Simulation begins!]

A panel appeared with text scrolling across the screen:

[April 15, the weather is sunny. April is the season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Boys and girls are filled with the atmosphere of youth, walking together on their way to school.]

[However, their enthusiasm has nothing to do with you.]

[As a class outcast, even after deciding in high school to change your image and stand out, your shy nature prevents you from even starting a conversation. Thus, after half a month since the start of classes, you still haven't made any friends. A week ago, Nijika Ijichi dragged you to a live concert, which is one of the few moments you could consider as youth.]

"Shy as a mouse? That's too much."

Bocchi-chan pouted and wasn't happy with this description.

[You arrive at the classroom with your head down. You sit in your seat, and a feeling of loneliness washes over you like a tidal wave.]

[The morning has passed. Your intelligence level has increased, knowledge attribute +0.1]

[The afternoon has passed. Your intelligence level has increased, knowledge attribute +0.1]

[Another day has passed. Your intelligence level has increased, knowledge attribute +0.2]

[A month has passed. Knowledge +3]

Isn't this a complete lack of progress? Where's the romantic element? Where's the real-life plot?

What Hitori Gotoh expects is for the simulated version of herself to change, not to maintain the status quo and ruin everything!

If this continues, she'll die alone!

[Half a year has passed. You and your Kessoku Band bandmates grew up and became somewhat famous, even participating in the cultural festival at Ikuyo Kita's suggestion. On stage, your guitar skills amazed the entire audience. They had no idea that Hitori Gotoh could actually play the guitar and with such skill! Charm attribute +1.]

Hahaha, so good!

Hitori Gotoh in the closet smiled foolishly as she watched her simulated self become so popular.

[But because you were too arrogant, you actually imitated a rock star and enthusiastically jumped off the stage, trying to get the audience to catch you. In the end, you fell and got hurt, resting for three days. Courage attribute +1.]

[The cultural festival made you famous for a moment, but after just three days, the storm had passed. You still don't have any friends your age except for the band, but you're very happy, and satisfaction is the key to happiness (laughs).]

I'm not happy!!!

I want to fall in love! Where's Kitahara-san? Shouldn't this be a youthful love story between him and me?

[Your behavior caught Kitahara Toru's attention. Kitahara Toru's favorability +3]

I knew it! My youthful love story with him is on the right track, thought Hitori Gotoh, sighing in relief.

Love simulators really have to be about falling in love.

[Kessoku Band's activities continue, and since you have to work part-time on weekends, your free time is becoming less and less. You reflect on what you should do next——]

What? Could it be?

Is the future superstar Hitori Gotoh ready to leave music and fall in love?

[1. Continue hanging out with the band girls.]

[2. Quit music and work hard to prepare for the incredibly difficult entrance exam for the University of Tokyo's Medical School!]

[3. Confess your love to Kitahara Toru during the school trip, revealing that you've secretly loved him for two years.]

[4. You seemed to notice that he was very interested in the guitar and offered to teach him.]

[Please choose!]

I choose...

3!

Go for it, other me!

My love depends on you!