21: Why not ask Dark Wing?

[11 years old: The art teacher tells your father that you've mastered basic drawing techniques and he has nothing more to teach you.] 

[He suggests sending you to Tokyo for better art education, offering to help with the transition.]

[12 years old: You graduate from elementary school. Your father recalls the art teacher's suggestion and considers it. He asks for your opinion. You decide to…]

[1. Refuse to go to Tokyo. The city's pace is too fast. I'd rather stay and become a comfortable ranch owner.]

[2. Agree to go to Tokyo. A person should aim high! I want to see more of the world and experience more things.]

The first choice appears.

Unless the simulator is malfunctioning and deliberately setting obstacles, the choice is obvious.

[You agree to go to Tokyo for school, showing great interest. Your father feels proud and decides to contact a well-regarded middle school through the art teacher.] 

[Your mother takes you to Tokyo, and on the moving day, she introduces you to the neighbor, Akihito Tomoya Aki, who is your age.]

It seems that things have come full circle.

Thinking back to the first simulation where Tomoya Aki's club was ruined because of him, Chisato feels a bit guilty.

But, it's just a simulation, so no real harm was done.

[13 years old: You officially became a middle school student. By coincidence, Tomoya Aki attends the same school and is in the same class as you.] 

[Since you live close by, you start going to and from school together and quickly become good friends.]

[Through Tomoya Aki, you indirectly meet Eriri Spencer. She is Tomoya Aki's childhood friend and is perfect in every way at school, like a princess.] 

[Growing up in the countryside, you've never seen a blonde girl before and find yourself fascinated by her. However, you never show these feelings openly or let anyone notice.]

The innocent and awkward feelings of youth—so beautiful and nostalgic.

[14 years old: Your harmless demeanor causes Eriri to gradually lower her guard around you. You become more familiar with her, and she starts showing her unguarded, playful side.] 

[This genuine side of her only deepens your affection.]

[You join Eriri's art club. Both of you have top-notch talent and often represent the school in various art competitions.] 

[While your school and club life are fulfilling, you feel increasingly empty emotionally.]

[You discover that Eriri loves manga and games, especially those featuring childhood friend characters, which is self-explanatory.]

[Your longing and unrequited crush make you more restless each day. Tonight, feeling unable to hold on any longer, you decide to…]

[1. Cast aside your doubts and confess your feelings to Eriri with all your might.]

[2. Call Eriri's phone, and indulge in self-release in bed.]

[3. Why not ask your good companion, Dark Wing, for advice?]

"…"

The first option is clearly thoughtless.

Confessing your feelings without knowing if the other person likes you is like taking a gamble.

It's bound to end in a "sorry, you're a nice person" rejection, and you'll likely become distant and awkward strangers.

The second option is simply giving up and letting yourself fall into a mess.

As for the third option…

It's hard to judge. The previous simulation only mentioned that the crow was smart, and no one knew its special qualities.

But since it has a purple talent, it might be worth expecting something.

Of course, the main reason is that the other two options are completely unreliable, offering no real desire to choose them.

[On a quiet night, you can't sleep peacefully. You have impulsive thoughts, but under rational restraint, you reject them all.]

[You open the door and softly call out. Soon, a black shadow flutters in and lands on your shoulder.]

[Under your and your mother's careful care, Dark Wing has grown into a large, impressive bird with glossy black feathers.] 

[It maintains its balance on your shoulder and looks more like an eagle than a crow.]

[You gently pet its head, talking to it about your bittersweet youthful troubles, purely as a way to vent.]

[Sometimes, speaking out helps ease things. During your talk, Dark Wing stares at you intently. You're used to it being smart, but you don't expect it to help with human problems.]

[After your one-sided conversation, you feel a bit better.] 

[You take out some coarse walnuts as a reward for Dark Wing listening, but unusually, it shows no interest and instead flies to the window, pecking at the glass.]

[You're not too surprised. Crows are nocturnal, and Dark Wing occasionally wants to fly out at night. It will probably return the next morning.]

[You remind Dark Wing to stay safe and open the window halfway, letting it fly into the night.]

[You turn off the lamp, go to bed, and the next morning, you find Dark Wing injured, with ruffled feathers, and a pink-covered notebook underneath it.]