Chapter 31: Chitose Kazumi Returns.

[In the evening, Asano Nao lay in your arms, asking about your plans for the future. You told her you wanted to renovate or rebuild this house, either in an old-fashioned or period style, and then marry her in this house. The wedding could be either Japanese or Western style, and after marriage, you'd like to have a child, preferably a girl, and name her Rikka.]

[She asked about your career plans, which you hadn't given much thought to. Music was your goal, not a career plan. A career is often associated with status and money, neither of which you pursue. You believe in your abilities and are confident you can do well anywhere.]

[You honestly told Asano Nao, asking if she was worried about your future. You assured her that nothing mattered to you except her.]

[Asano Nao, resting her head on your arm, said she believed in you. You reiterated this in another way, recalling when you first met, saying you had long harbored intentions and hoped she would understand.]

[You watched the sparkle in her eyes, the flutter of her eyelashes, the rise and fall of her breathing. Apart from the obvious teasing, you had never deceived Asano Nao, and you were certain she believed your words.]

[In the third semester, returning from the orchestra's practice room, you unexpectedly found a guest at home. You never thought this guest would return to the Asano household.]

[Sitting on the living room sofa next to Asano Nao was Chitose Kazumi in her winter uniform. Seeing you, she stood up and greeted you.]

[You thought the farewell after high school graduation was forever, never expecting to see her again. Sitting on the other side of Asano Nao, you talked about the past. The slightly awkward atmosphere became warm through conversation, and the year apart had not changed you much. You both tacitly avoided discussing the reason for Chitose Kazumi's sudden departure.]

[Through the conversation, you understood the reason for Chitose Kazumi's visit. Passing by the Asano household, Asano Nao recognized her at a glance, opened the window, and called her name, inviting her in.]

[You wondered if Asano Nao had such courage. Maybe now she did. You welcomed Chitose Kazumi and held a reunion dinner.]

[Everything seemed to revert to high school days. You, Asano Nao, and Chitose Kazumi always gathered at the Asano household. You still read books and practiced your instruments, while Chitose Kazumi and Asano Nao shared a new hobby: making snacks together in the kitchen and chatting quietly.]

[Buying ingredients for snacks online was cumbersome, so you often went to the supermarket with Chitose Kazumi.]

[You found that the events of that day had not affected the girls' relationship; they were closer than ever.]

[You also noticed that Chitose Kazumi appeared around you more frequently. Whether performing on stage at school or practicing late in the rehearsal room, or spending time in a café between two not-so-short classes, she often appeared with the seemingly legitimate reason that Asano Nao had sent her.]

[As the competition approached, you immersed yourself in orchestra practice, having no energy to explore the reasons for Chitose Kazumi's changes. Each time you met her, you would recount the encounter to Asano Nao at home, trying to discern clues from her expressions.]

[You suspected Asano Nao thought you had a young girlfriend outside and sent Chitose Kazumi to investigate.]

[You also suspected Chitose Kazumi was a disruptor of your relationship with Asano Nao. You deliberately taunted her a few times, hoping to distance her, but she always brushed it off with a smile.]

[Chitose Kazumi's resilience moved you, but you were more concerned about Asano Nao. Recently, Asano Nao seemed somewhat worried, but her actions at night were strong and energetic, not like someone depressed.]

[You decided to quit the orchestra after this competition to spend more time with Asano Nao.]

Quit now!

Spend all twenty-four hours a day by Asano Nao's side!

Minami Yuuki watched the simulated text, feeling agitated. He knew he couldn't blame his simulated self. The simulated self couldn't see Asano Nao's changes from a god's perspective; in the simulation, his actions were irreproachable.

In reality, the simulation was virtual, but for his simulated life, it was his real life. Thus, he couldn't willfully quit the orchestra before the competition, facing the disappointment and anger of his teammates.

Should he use free simulation?

He hesitated.

Using free simulation, he could change his choices in the simulated life, forcibly quitting the orchestra to stay with Asano Nao.

But he couldn't be sure it was the right choice.

Let's see how this simulation develops. After all, he could always load the save file of this simulated life afterward.

What was Asano Nao thinking in this simulation?

He turned his head to glance at the light wood dining table.

The chair by the table was empty; Asano Nao had already gone upstairs.

He continued watching the simulation panel.

[The competition was held in Kyoto. You needed to stay in Kyoto for a week. You worried that Asano Nao will want Chitose Kazumi to accompany you, because a week was too long. But Asano Nao didn't do that. Chitose Kazumi said goodbye to you normally, and you felt relieved.]

[On the morning of departure, Asano Nao made you a hearty breakfast, saw you off, and gave you a parting hug and kiss.]

[The competition went smoothly. Misaki Arts University was already the strongest music school, and you won first place. The competition trophy would be displayed in the orchestra's showcase. The trophy belonged to no individual member, but each member received a certificate.]

[Holding the certificate, you felt joy and exhaustion. Returning to Misaki City, you decided to take a long vacation to spend a good one or two weeks with Asano Nao.]

[Exiting the subway station, you walked past a small river lined with cherry blossom trees. It was already autumn, and the cherry blossoms had long fallen. Feeling a bit warm, you opened your jacket, letting the autumn breeze brush your body.]

[After walking for six or seven minutes, you saw the roof of the Asano house in the distance. Your spirits lifted, and you quickened your pace.]

[In the pleasant sound of the doorbell, you waited for that familiar face to appear from behind the door. Asano Nao had given you a house key, but you never used it. You liked seeing her timidly open the door a crack, then squeezing through to hug her.]

[The footsteps never came, and the door remained closed for a long time. Using your key, you opened the door, threw your backpack on the entrance floor, kicked off your shoes, stepped onto the floor, and quickly walked into the living room.]

[Asano Nao was not in the living room, kitchen, or the bedrooms and bathrooms on both the first and second floors.]

[You texted her on LINE and called her phone, but there was no response.]

[Forcing yourself to stay calm, you searched the house again. None of Asano Nao's clothes or personal items were missing. The gifts you had given her, except for the handkerchief, were all in the cabinet under the bed. She always kept the lid closed, whether it was on the bedside table or the dining table, but now it was open, lying on the sofa where you always rested when you came home.]

[The laptop was in standby mode. At a touch, the screen lit up, showing a folder open on the desktop with a draft of "NEET Life," titled "Final Volume."]