[Congratulations, Player, for achieving the achievement "Devotion." This achievement was unlocked in Chapter One, therefore no reward will be granted again.]
[Devotion: In a single simulation, remain entirely devoted to the heroine of the current storyline.]
[Congratulations, Player, for achieving the achievement "Heaven's Envy," and earning a Special Talent Refresh Card (Illness).]
[Heaven's Envy: Complete a simulation while holding the "Heaven's Envy (Gold)" talent.]
[Special Talent Refresh Card (Illness): If a drawn talent includes a disease-related negative effect, this card may be used to remove it.]
[Congratulations, Player, for achieving the achievement "Healthy Heart," and receiving the item "Sakayanagi Arisu's Wish."]
[Healthy Heart: Successfully and completely cure Sakayanagi Arisu's congenital heart disease in any simulation.]
[Sakayanagi Arisu's Wish: Before beginning any simulation, the player may designate a talent and negate its associated negative effects.]
[Congratulations, Player, for achieving the achievement "Mutual Devotion," and obtaining one Talent Extraction Card.]
[Mutual Devotion: In a single simulation, gain affection from only the heroine of the current storyline. Prerequisite: Also achieve the "Devotion" achievement.]
[Talent Extraction Card: Allows the knowledge and experience gained in this simulation to be solidified into the player's permanent talents.]
[Analyzing player data from the current simulation...]
[Available talents for extraction:]
1. Complete Congenital Heart Disease Pathology and Treatment Plan → Special Talent: "Congenital Heart Disease Specialist"
Congenital Heart Disease Specialist: No rank. A sub-branch of the Physician talent. Significantly increases success rate when performing surgeries related to congenital heart defects.
2. Minor experience in painting → Talent: "Artist (Blue)"
Artist (Blue): You have some talent in painting (close to genius level, but not quite).
3. Mental fortitude and resilience gained as a terminally ill patient → Talent: "Tenacious (Purple)"
Tenacious (Purple): Perseverance, effort, and never giving up. (The cornerstone of success.)
[Note: Cannot select, as the player already possesses the superior talent "Persistence (Gold)."]
Kitagawa Ryo didn't hesitate for long before selecting the first option. That had been his goal from the beginning, and judging by the outcome, his first simulation had followed the plan perfectly.
In fact, once the plan was solidified, Ryo had entered the simulation with only a few essential talents. "Forgotten Heir" guaranteed him access to Sakayanagi Arisu's social stratum, and "Persistence" ensured he would endure the suffering and complete the research. These, combined with the drawn "Heaven's Envy," formed the core of his plan.
He discarded all potentially disruptive talents like "Unforgettable," "Family Bonds," or "Perfect Match," which limited the simulation's interpersonal complexity. The entire experience was confined to the hospital ward and focused solely on interactions with Arisu and her family. No surprise appearances from a "sister" or "fiancée," unlike earlier simulations. From character appearances to event progression, this run was remarkably peaceful.
It had been a story with a predetermined ending.
With a weary sigh, Ryo rubbed his temples and picked up Hotaru, who was playing with a little flag nearby. He remembered specifically not selecting the "Hotaru" talent this time for safety, yet somehow, she still managed to appear in the simulation.
Thinking back, from the first simulation with Ichinose Honami up to now, there had been seven simulations in total—and Hotaru had shown up in all seven. If she weren't a cat, maybe the simulator's hidden fifth arc would be something like "My Trashy Cat Slave Owner's Life Story."
Ryo absentmindedly stroked the cat while spacing out. It sounded simple, but this last simulation had drained him. Especially those final months: though Arisu had been the heroine, he barely saw her at all in the end. He spent his last moments lying alone in the ICU, slowly feeling life fade from him.
"So yeah, being healthy is a blessing."
Ryo stretched his fingers, then reached out to scratch under Hotaru's chin, almost unused to the fluidity of movement.
It was now late May. The next special exam at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School wouldn't happen until July during summer break. Before that, there would be final exams.
As expected, Class 1-D had some students expelled during the midterms. In addition to the long-forgotten Yamauchi and Ike, Okitani Kyousuke, Nanba Masao, Sonoda Chiyo, and Ichihashi Ruri were also expelled due to failing scores.
Ryo had only intervened to save Sudou Ken.
Of course, if Sudou couldn't pass the finals with his own effort, Ryo wouldn't offer a second chance.
Yawning, Ryo rolled over in bed. Arisu wouldn't regain memories of her simulations until he fully cleared hers, so there was no need to worry about her for now.
Might as well sleep.
He drew the curtains, blocking out the afternoon sun. Turning off his phone, he kicked the folded blanket with his foot, pulling it haphazardly over his stomach, then shut his eyes, intending to stop thinking altogether.
"When in doubt, take a nap!"
He just wondered—
Do the dream fairies that bring sweet dreams to good children work during the day too?
If so, please give me a double serving of dreams.
For two children's worth.
-------------------------------------
Sakayanagi Arisu finally submitted the application to be exempted from the upcoming summer special exam. Although she had signed similar documents countless times before, this one somehow felt especially vexing.
Each repeated absence seemed to echo the voids in her life.
Before she realized it, she had walked to the door of Kitagawa Ryo's room. With a sigh, Arisu used the spare key she always carried to unlock the door, intending to have a casual chat with him.
But as she stepped inside and changed her shoes, she found Ryo sprawled out in the middle of the bed, fast asleep in an utterly unrefined starfish pose.
Hotaru, perched nearby, gave Arisu a soft meow—as if reminding her not to wake him.
Of course, Arisu wouldn't ruin the moment. If even the sound of the door opening hadn't disturbed him, he must've been sleeping quite deeply.
She sat quietly beside him, gazing at his sleeping face and listening to the gentle rhythm of his breathing. Suddenly, a childhood memory flickered in her mind—of a time when she'd stubbornly insisted on listening to other people's heartbeats.
It was as though a delicate string in her memory had been plucked. For a fleeting second, something familiar, something hazy, brushed past her heart. Arisu shook her head to dispel the feeling.
She had long since stopped caring about others.
She had told herself she was used to it.
She had convinced herself she was satisfied.
"Ryo."
She whispered his name so softly it was almost imperceptible.
Immediately, Hotaru's ears perked up.
Only a second later did the cat realize—she wasn't the one being called.
How rude!
Hotaru huffed in indignation.
Effective immediately, Sakayanagi Arisu's litter-scooping privileges are demoted by two levels!
Hotaru made the solemn declaration in her heart with great gravity.
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