Chapter 28: No Need to Say More.

Lying on the sun-warmed sofa, Minami Yuuki pinched the bridge of his nose.

Indeed, there was a problem!

However, contrary to his expectations of an external issue, the problem once again lay with Asano Nao.

He recalled the text on the simulator. Did it follow the old path from the last simulation?

In this simulation of life, Asano Nao seemed more cheerful and strictly adhered to his treatment plan, but the outcome deviated significantly from his expectations.

His goal was for Asano Nao to develop other interests and bonds. It appeared that she had tied her strings to Chitose Kazumi and light novels, but in reality, she had only wound the middle of the string, originally tied to Minami Yuuki, around other things, creating the illusion of being interested in Chitose Kazumi and light novels.

He had been deceived!

What was more infuriating was that Asano Nao hadn't intended to deceive him; it was Minami Yuuki who had misunderstood on his own.

This realization made Minami Yuuki both ashamed and angry. He suddenly leaped off the sofa and strode towards the dining table.

Asano Nao, sitting at the table, hadn't yet reacted when Minami Yuuki reached her. His broad hand clasped her cheeks, kneading them forcefully for over ten seconds. Without waiting for her to respond, he returned to the sofa and lay down again.

Asano Nao held her face, filled with shame and confusion.

Why did he suddenly come and pinch my face so hard? Did I do something wrong?

It seemed she really had done something wrong.

Was it because he noticed her sneaky glances at his waist?

She bent down, carefully lifted her butt off the chair, and tiptoed towards the bedroom.

Minami Yuuki didn't stop her. It was already surprising to him that she could stay on the first floor for this long.

He continued to look at the simulation panel.

Detailed reflection could wait until the simulation was complete; for now, he needed to determine the direction of the next simulated life.

Excluding free simulation, the three remaining options represented three different approaches.

Option one, "She loves me, and I love her. Isn't that enough?" could be simplified into two words—acceptance.

Undoubtedly, in the simulated life, there was no problem with his and Asano Nao's relationship, only her treatment had gone awry. Option one meant not worrying about how to reintegrate Asano Nao into normal life, as long as their relationship was smooth.

Minami Yuuki didn't discriminate against various lifestyles. Whether a social butterfly or a homebody, he could accept different styles of living. However, Asano Nao's lifestyle would affect their married life and her future happiness!

Option one was the path he had taken in previous simulated lives. He and Asano Nao both became recluses, resulting in either not having children and dying with regrets, or having a daughter named Rikka and Asano Nao eventually dying in despair.

If he chose this option, without significant changes later on, it would surely replicate the outcomes of previous simulations.

Minami Yuuki crossed out this option.

Option two, "Maybe we should spend some time apart," was a very radical approach.

Since Asano Nao was focusing all her energy on him, he could step back and let her calm down.

This was a temporary fix, not a permanent solution. He couldn't truly leave Asano Nao, and when he returned, she would fall back into the same state. Moreover, suddenly withdrawing would undoubtedly deal a severe blow to her.

Minami Yuuki also crossed out this option.

That left the last option, "I might be at my wit's end; it's time to leave it to fate," which could also be simplified into two words—let go, or rather, go with the flow.

Acceptance is to give up completely, while letting go still retains a glimmer of hope.

Minami Yuuki reconsidered everything from the beginning and made his decision.

He chose the third option.

[You decided to do your best and leave the rest to fate. You reduced your expectations of Asano Nao, and she keenly noticed this change. After a week of anxiety, she realized you were simply less strict, and she felt relieved.]

[Every night, you took Asano Nao out for a walk on the deserted streets.]

[One time, you were caught by a night patrol officer. Holding your hand tightly, Asano Nao was nervous, and you held hers just as firmly. The officer escorted you home, and after saying goodbye, you closed the door and exchanged smiles. You thought this wasn't so bad.]

[In your senior year, you moved out of your apartment and lived with Asano Nao. You began preparing for the Misaki Arts University entrance exams. Asano Nao provided you with a lot of support; with her backing, you didn't have to deal with any chores and could fully concentrate on studying.]

[Every night, you still went out for walks with Asano Nao. Occasionally, Chitose Kazumi would join you. Your walking route now included a convenience store, and holding your hand, Asano Nao could face the cashier.]

[You continued your walks until the day before the exam. To avoid disturbing you, Asano Nao seldom distracted you during the day, making the evening walks a rare time for you to be alone and talk.]

[After taking the written and interview exams at Misaki Arts University, you returned to the Asano residence to await the results. Asano Nao was more nervous than you, knowing exactly how much effort you had put in.]

[Receiving the acceptance letter from the postman, you opened it, glanced at it, and felt relieved. Only your anxious heart was relieved; you weren't passionately in love with music nor did you stake your life on it. Asano Nao was more excited than you, carefully preserving the envelope of the acceptance letter, unwilling to throw it away.]

[You held a celebration party, with Chitose Kazumi also attending. Misaki Arts University's exams were later than usual exams, and Chitose Kazumi had already received her letter. She didn't get into Misaki University, but instead went to Waseda University. She was optimistic about it, having realized six months earlier that she probably wouldn't get in.]

Memory scenes appeared.

Late-falling snowflakes danced in the dim night. At the Asano residence, Minami Yuuki, Asano Nao, and Chitose Kazumi sat around a warm table.

Minami Yuuki twisted open a bottle of cola, intending to pour himself a glass.

"Wait!" Chitose Kazumi grabbed the cola bottle, "How can you drink soda on a day like this!"

Showing rare firmness, she snatched the cola from Minami Yuuki and brought out a white plastic bag.

Inside the plastic bag were three cans of beer.

"We've graduated, we should be drinking this!" She popped open a can and forcefully placed two in front of Minami Yuuki and Asano Nao.

"Cheers!" Chitose Kazumi raised her beer.

The three cans clinked together, splashing beer foam.

The beer, freshly brought in, was ice-cold. Asano Nao, unaccustomed to the taste, coughed, and Minami Yuuki patted her back.

"Give it to me." Minami Yuuki reached for her beer can, his hand covering AsanoNao's.

Asano Nao shook her head, "I can do it."

Chitose Kazumi watched them, downing a large gulp of beer.

The food wasn't half finished before Chitose Kazumi and Asano Nao both collapsed on the floor.

Minami Yuuki shook his head, pulled his legs out from under the table, and walked over to Chitose Kazumi to carry her to the guest room.

As he crouched down, his hand just touching Chitose Kazumi's hair, she opened her eyes and grabbed his wrist.

She lifted her head, looking at Minami Yuuki, her cheeks flushed and eyes dazed, whether from alcohol or from the boy in front of her. A long-suppressed impulse surged in her heart, and the beer was just her disguise.

She opened her mouth, ready to confess the feelings she had held back for three years.

Minami Yuuki placed a finger on her lips, stopping her words.

"Just sleep well," he said.