"Well then, it's time to continue."
Back at home, Kazami Haru tidied up quickly and immediately resumed the simulation.
He had reached a critical point in Takamatsu Tomori's storyline and needed to find a way to push forward.
[You've noticed that this makeshift band has a lot of problems. Normally, you'd hate to get involved in such a mess. But now, you're not doing this just for yourself, you still carry your original determination.]
[Faced with such a difficult problem, you decide to—]
1. At a LiveHouse, you pass by a blue-haired bassist. Your band just happens to lack a bassist, and sensing her unusual talent, you decide to invite her to join.
2. Suggest the whole band take on extra practice. With enough training, improvement is inevitable.
3. Simply start doing everything within your power, instinctively.
4. Virtual reality.
"Looks like the choices this time aren't easy."
The blue-haired bassist in the first option, wasn't that probably referring to Yamada Ryo?
Even if Kazami Haru thought himself charming enough to "win her over," there was no way she'd leave her current band to join them.
The second option seemed logical, hard work leads to results even if one lacks talent.
But that only applied to normal bands. MyGo was anything but "normal."
"So that only leaves this one?"
Kazami Haru stared seriously at the third option—instinctively doing everything that can be done.
At first glance, it looked vague, but it carried a lot of hidden meaning.
That "instinct" likely referred to trusting in his own judgment, to rely on that to get everything done, taking things as they came.
It was a flexible but uncertain path. Everything depended on how resilient the simulated Kazami Haru turned out to be.
And his instincts… were those of the Kazami Haru in the simulation.
"Trust in the simulated me, huh?"
Kazami Haru chuckled and chose that option.
[In the prime of youth, full of vigor, you notice numerous issues in the band. But you believe that, step by step, these contradictions can be worked through.]
[However, this decision will burden you heavily, so much that it might crush you.]
[Yet once you've decided to act, you fear nothing.]
[Stubborn as you are, you believe Tomori's inability to sing may be due to "Haruhikage", the lingering shadow of CRYCHIC in her heart. So, you resolve to write a new song, one that belongs to your band, using your nights to compose.]
A song of their own?
MyGo's musical style often leaned toward repressed emotion and helplessness, typically in 3/4 or 6/4 time signatures, with hardcore punk rock melodies.
This meant creating such a piece required not only talent, but patience and stamina.
Originally, composition had been Taki's job, but lately, her stress was through the roof. In her current state, writing songs would only make things worse, and increase pressure on lead guitarist Chihaya Anon.
That's when Kazami Haru's Lv 3 music theory skills came into play.
[In your free time after class, you sincerely ask Gotoh Hitori to teach you guitar. Faced with your seriousness, the pink-haired social-anxiety mess can't refuse. Despite her fears, she agrees.]
[After studying guitar every day, you then teach Chihaya Anon advanced techniques, patiently guiding her step by step, even as she half-asses her way through.]
[Because of your gentle and patient approach, Anon gradually warms to you.]
[Chihaya Anon's affection for you has increased.]
Hmm… something about this feels a bit off.
He couldn't tell exactly what, but clearly, the simulated version of himself had insane drive, learning from Bocchi by day, then passing it on to Anon the same day.
At that rate, he'd soon be fit to be a lead guitarist himself.
[You waste no time. After school, you train your keyboard skills diligently. In every spare moment, you compose. When stuck, you use bento boxes as bribes to ask Togawa Sakiko for help.]
[Your piano skills have improved.]
[Togawa Sakiko's affection for you has increased.]
Seeing those words affection increased, Kazami Haru tensed up.
He still remembered the last simulation: after Tomori ran away, he somehow ended up with Sakiko-san.
And to this day, he had no idea what exactly she saw in him.
Was it just… his overpowering charm?
[You don't slack off on band practice either. Originally intending to shoulder the band's burdens, Shiina Taki notices your transformation.]
[Seeing your piano skills grow day by day, she realizes how hard you've been working.]
[On top of that, since you've taken over the composition duties too, she eventually sets aside her resentment about your connection with Tomori. Occasionally, she even pretends to "accidentally" buy too much coffee just to give you some.]
[Shiina Taki's affection for you has increased.]
Taki… are you even okay?
This was too weird. Even Kazami Haru found it unsettling.
Where was the usual dominant force who'd scold everyone in the middle?
The string of affection boosts caught him completely off guard.
It made sense for Togawa Sakiko. After all, they'd become a couple in a previous simulation.
But Chihaya Anon and Shiina Taki too? What was going on?
Wasn't Tomori supposed to be the focus of this simulation?
—Ah well, whatever. It's just a simulation.
Might as well pull in the veggie-loving Miss too and crank the band difficulty up, he'd take all the trouble at once!
[Your persistence and hard work are finally starting to pay off.]
[Just by finishing one-third of the composition, you've already impressed Shiina Taki. Not to mention, your rapidly improving keyboard skills, honed through intense training, have also earned her recognition.]
[Even a beginner like Chihaya Anon has gradually started keeping up with the training rhythm under your guidance.]
[Only Takamatsu Tomori truly understands the immense pressure you're bearing.]
[Yet unable to express her feelings, she has no way to tell you her concerns.]
[All she can do is respond to your efforts the only way she can, by singing her heart out.]