Excellent!

Just as Kitahara Toru was worrying about how to remove the trait that made him prone to cheating…

Kessoku Band finished their final practice session.

After so many days of hard work, their coordination had improved. During their joint performances, Bocchi-chan could now play at LV.2.5. Although it didn't fully reflect her true level, there was undeniable progress.

But.

After losing Kitahara Toru, she might never feel joy or sorrow again in this life.

"Ryo-senpai, do you want to go out for dinner later? None of us have eaten yet," Ikuyo Kita packed up her guitar and looked at Yamada Ryo.

Today's practice had run long, and it was already close to 8 PM—none of them had eaten dinner yet.

"Bocchi, do you want to eat?"

Yamada Ryo glanced at Hitori Gotoh, who was still tuning her guitar. She hadn't been paid for her part-time job yet and was about to raid Bocchi-chan's little treasure trove.

Hitori Gotoh, on the verge of being extorted for money, didn't react at all.

Wait, what?! Dinner together?!

Am I really allowed to participate in something like this? In an activity for "popular people"?

As someone with social anxiety, is it really okay for me to be part of this?

So, so happy!

"Bocchi-chan, it's already too late to go home for dinner," Nijika Ijichi also wanted to eat out. Although STARRY provided drinks and snacks, they didn't offer full meals.

At this point, cooking for herself would be too exhausting, and the angel Nijika didn't feel like doing it.

"Ah… then, let's go eat," Hitori Gotoh deliberately pretended to say, "It's just dinner, I won't take it too seriously."

But inside, she was already jumping with joy.

Excellent!!! Dinner together!!! Excellent!!!

Her first dinner with friends! Yeeee!

Even as a person with social anxiety, she was so excited that she didn't notice the simulator's notification.

[Intelligent Auto Mode has been activated. This time, the strategy method being used is: "The Everlasting Love Mode"!]

———

Inside the simulator, time had skipped ahead to autumn.

Kitahara Toru saw that it was already late, so he ordered takeout from a high-end sushi restaurant. As he ate, he continued playing the simulator.

[Your current weekly plan is as follows:]

Advanced bass practice.Advanced bass practice.Ask Yamada Ryo for advice.Ask Yamada Ryo for advice.Advanced bass practice.Advanced bass practice.Online gaming.

Once his skill reached LV.3, he unlocked a new type of advanced practice.

[Monday, heavy rain. You performed advanced bass exercises and gained LV.3 bass experience +10.]

[Tuesday, sunny. You practiced advanced bass… experience +10.]

…

[Sunday, you played an online game, but after arguing with your teammates, you lost 18 times in a row. Your shame overshadowed your day of entertainment. Stress level: 60 → 50.]

"..." Kitahara Toru.

Next time, if he chose online gaming as a way to relax, he would eat his couch on the spot!

Once a skill reached LV.3, the difficulty of leveling up increased dramatically.

He checked his skill experience bar:

[Skill – Bass Playing LV.3 (500/2000)]

50 experience points per week… 40 weeks to level up? That would take almost a year.

Of course, this didn't include critical experience boosts or special events, relying solely on time accumulation.

[Attention, unexpected event!]

Here it comes!

[After school in the classroom, you and Hitori Gotoh are on cleaning duty together. She looks at you and seems to have something to say...]

[Would you like to enter a special scene?]

Kitahara Toru, of course, wouldn't refuse.

◇

"Kitahara-san..."

Hitori Gotoh looked at Kitahara Toru, who was standing in front of the blackboard, wiping it down, and quietly called his name.

"What's up?"

Kitahara Toru stopped and looked at her.

Hitori Gotoh was really taking the initiative to talk to him?

"I like you." Bocchi-chan looked him straight in the eyes.

A direct, exaggerated attack that pierced his chest, leaving Kitahara Toru frozen in place, his mind in chaos.

"…?" Kitahara Toru.

Wait, what did you say? You like what?

"... I like the way you play the piano."

Hitori Gotoh added, her face expressionless, like a robot.

Actually, she was one.

The Giant of Light, Pochman, was now acting according to the simulator's plan, while her human self, Hitori Gotoh, was enjoying dinner.

"I see, but I don't remember ever playing the piano in front of you," Kitahara Toru smiled. "Do you want my autograph?"

He remembered the last time Hitori Gotoh had confessed to him, she also asked for an autograph.

"No, I want to be friends with Kitahara-san."

"Friends?"

Just friends?

You're not craving my body?

Kitahara Toru felt like he was being a little too sentimental.

Yeah, he and Hitori Gotoh in the simulator didn't have a close relationship.

"Yes, because when school started, I rejected Kitahara-san's friend request, and I've regretted it for the past few months." Hitori Gotoh bowed slightly and apologized.

Kitahara Toru was silent for a few seconds before smiling and saying, "If it's just friendship, of course, there's no problem."

Honestly.

If Hitori Gotoh had confessed now, it would've been difficult for him.

Last time, he simulated rejecting Hitori Gotoh, and rejecting her again now… Kitahara Toru felt like that would be a bit immoral.

But in this life, he had long decided to love only Yamada Ryo.

As for that trait that made it easy to cheat…

Kitahara Toru figured it wasn't a big deal!

◇

At a family restaurant near Shimokitazawa Station.

"Bocchi-chan, what's wrong?"

"Ah… no, nothing."

Hitori Gotoh was startled when she saw the sudden notification in the simulator.

[You have become friends with Kitahara Toru.]

[Kitahara Toru's affection +5.]

She scrolled up and saw the system's logout message.

Miau miau miau?

Why do I feel like system-chan's AI is much braver than me and actually dares to talk to Kitahara-san?

Then… Then I'll leave it in your hands! AI-san!

My future happiness depends on you!

Get my virtual husband back! From Ryo-san's hands!

[Are you sure you want to continue using Auto Mode? Note: Unforeseen events may occur.]

Yes yes yes!!!

Hitori Gotoh thought to herself—she had already lost her paper husband to Ryo-kun, so she probably wouldn't have any luck in this life.

Instead of worrying about managing this simulator, it would be better to study her opponent for the third simulation!

That's right, she had already begun to surrender!

Losing Kitahara-san meant no joy or sorrow in this life, but that didn't mean there wouldn't be happiness in the next life.

Hehehe, Ryo-san, you probably don't know—I have a love simulator!

Half an hour later.

After having their fill of food and drinks, it was time to pay the bill.

"Bocchi, I forgot my wallet. Can you cover for me?" Yamada Ryo asked Hitori Gotoh with a serious face.

"Ah… I-I can."

"Ryo, make sure to pay Bocchi-chan back," Nijika Ijichi reminded her.

Yamada Ryo nodded.

"Yess."

Definitely next time.