123: You Refuse to Change Your Surname to “Isshiki”

"I see you don't understand at all, you're walking right into it."

A fighting game… is that something you can just play casually?

Despite saying this, Chisato couldn't change the storyline in the simulation game, so he reluctantly continued watching with interest.

[Faced with Iroha's suggestion of a "fighting game," you decide…]

[1. Sure, sure! (Quick answer)]

[2. Fighting games aren't fun, why don't you come to Oni-chan's bed and play the mouse-hunting game instead?]

Chisato rubbed his eyes. Indeed, there were only two choices.

The problem was that neither choice seemed appropriate. Even if he chose one temporarily, it would definitely cause problems later.

After weighing the pros and cons, he discarded the ambiguous option two and chose the relatively better option one.

[Faced with Iroha's expectant face, you couldn't refuse him, so you nodded and agreed.]

[Afterwards, playing the fighting game with Iroha, although her palms were a bit red, she enjoyed the game very much.] 

[She made an appointment to play again tomorrow, and you agreed.] 

[That night, as you slept, your mind was filled with the expressions of Iroha in pain and the sounds she made, similar to those of Mrs. Isshiki in the hot spring that night.] 

[Your heart raced with excitement, and you had a rare bout of insomnia.]

[Age 11: You won three times in a row: a golden melon seed while eating melon seeds, 880,000 yen from a QR code on a cola bottle, and a new smart refrigerator from a shopping receipt.]

[Occasionally, Iroha would still play fighting games with you.] 

[However, as she grew older, her intelligence also grew, and she began to notice unfair aspects. Why was it always you in the dominant role while she remained passive?]

[You had no choice but to divert her attention with a stuffed toy you had originally planned to give her on her birthday.] 

[As she happily hugged the toy and rubbed her face against it on your bed, you raised your hand and, with a touch of affection but slightly firm, gave her a pat on the bottom.]

[After a crisp sound, Iroha pouted and looked back at you with dissatisfaction, complaining that you didn't inform her about the fighting game beforehand.] 

[You sincerely apologized and, after she was ready, raised your hand again.]

[12 years old: A card game called "Star Dome" became popular at school. You realized you had good luck and started offering paid card draws, frequently hitting double or triple gold in ten-draws, making quite a bit of money.]

[Iroha gradually began to dislike playing fighting games with you, as she noticed the disparity in strength between the two of you and didn't believe she could win.] 

[So, you invented a new game called "Statue Game." Unlike traditional statue games, this involved you and Iroha lying together on a tatami mat or bed every afternoon after tutoring her, where whoever moves first loses.]

[Initially, Iroha would often lose due to a lack of focus, but she slowly found a trick.] 

[When she snuggled up to you in a close, intimate position, you would lose within two or three minutes, making her happy and start to enjoy the game.]

[13 years old: You became a first-year junior high student while Iroha was in sixth grade. 

[That year, a new health education course was introduced. You could clearly feel that the once-cute girl who used to follow you around every day now seemed distant.] 

[Her gaze avoided yours, and though she sometimes asked for help with her homework, she would leave immediately after you clarified things for her.] 

[The time you spent alone together significantly decreased.]

[Indeed, you guessed correctly.]

[When children are naive, you can deceive them, but once they grow up and gain a clearer understanding of things, they aren't so easily fooled.]

[Now, Iroha would surely feel slightly resentful and embarrassed about her past actions.]

[14 years old: Mr. Isshiki's stocks plummeted, causing significant losses and even making it difficult to pay the mortgage on their house.] 

[Having been cared for by the Isshiki family all these years, you began considering what you could do and decided….]

[1. Start working to supplement their income.]

[2. My luck has been good these years; maybe I should buy a hundred lottery tickets and see if I can win the jackpot.]

[3. I seem to have quite a few properties in my name.]

He immediately dismissed working, as he was just a middle school student and any money earned from work would be just a drop in the bucket, not solving the current problem.

The lottery wasn't a reliable choice either; the chances of winning a jackpot are millions to one, if not more, and it's not that simple.

Recalling the "two-tier reversal" talent, he remembered his luck only improved to "twice that of an average person" after age ten. 

He didn't think such a degree of luck was enough to win a jackpot.

The last option seemed a bit extravagant, but considering how the Isshiki couple had cared for him over the years and his goal of pursuing the heroine Iroha, it didn't require much thought.

Chisato chose option three.

[Facing the Isshiki family's crisis, you took the initiative to sell the properties left to you by the Ramen couple to cover the losses.] 

[The Isshiki couple was very grateful and, under your strong persuasion, accepted your help.] 

[However, they repeatedly stated that this money was a loan and they signed a promissory note with interest, assuring you they would repay it in the future.]

[You didn't mind. Losing the Ramen couple's property wasn't a big deal since you still had their commercial property and three other properties left by your parents and grandparents.]

[Without your current residence, you naturally moved into the Isshiki family's home.] 

[Mrs. Isshiki prepared a room for you on the second floor, next to Iroha's room. This proximity reduced the physical distance between you, but the emotional distance remained unchanged.]

[15 years old: You were now fully regarded as a family member by the Isshiki couple.] 

[At the dinner table, Mr. Isshiki, who had been drinking a bit too much due to a promotion, asked you in front of Mrs. Isshiki and Iroha if you wanted to change your surname to "Isshiki."] 

[He spoke sincerely, wanting to truly become a family.]

[However, after a moment of silence, you refused him. Mr. Isshiki was confused and about to ask why when Mrs. Isshiki kicked him, signaling him to stop.] 

[Iroha put down her utensils and ran back to her room.]

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