This time, the three options present the most difficult choice for Chisato since he began this simulation process.
It's not that, like before, the options are unreasonable; on the contrary, the options this time are too reasonable.
Upon close examination, any choice seems to be the correct one, which is why he finds himself so troubled.
Chisato considers himself not prone to choice paralysis, but seeing these options, he remains silent for a full five minutes without making a decision.
The three options represent different future courses of action for Chisato in this simulated life.
Option 1 suggests maintaining the hard-won close relationship with Iroha without making any changes or taking any additional actions.
This is a conservative strategy, embodying the essence of "I would rather do nothing than make a mistake."
The advantage is that their close, friendly relationship will continue to remain unchanged, avoiding any surprises.
The downside is that there will be no significant improvement in their relationship.
It's like depositing money in a bank account; if the bank doesn't go under, you earn a tiny amount each day. But if you rely on this strategy for financial freedom, you're just dreaming.
Option 2 involves taking more actions with Iroha to explore additional possibilities and further develop their relationship.
However, the option doesn't specify what actions to take, so Chisato cannot assess the risks involved.
He would have to let his simulated self take the lead, and depending on how well he performs, Iroha may become closer, or his previous efforts might be wasted.
Option 3 feels like a "strategic retreat" strategy, where instead of furthering Iroha's affection, Chisato would shift focus to winning over her parents.
If he can gain their approval and support, and they come to accept him as someone suitable for their daughter, the remaining issues would be much simpler.
After several minutes of silent contemplation, Chisato ruled out Option 2, preferring a more reliable choice and unwilling to take risks.
He then considered the remaining two options for a while before ultimately choosing Option 3.
The reasoning behind this decision was straightforward:
from previous interactions, it was clear that Iroha's parents liked him, so even if this plan didn't succeed, it shouldn't result in any negative consequences.
[You decided to become closer to Iroha's parents and, intentionally or not, show your affection for Iroha in a way that could not be mistaken for sibling affection.]
[In the following period, you began frequently entering the kitchen, helping Mrs. Isshiki with household chores, learning to play shogi to match Mr. Isshiki's interests, and occasionally bringing high-quality tea for him to enjoy.]
[The Isshiki couple grew increasingly fond of you, and through your seemingly unintentional displays, they clearly recognized your feelings for Iroha.]
[Mrs. Isshiki was not opposed; in fact, she had wanted you and Iroha to be together for a long time.]
[Mr. Isshiki felt some melancholy at the thought of his daughter being targeted before she even entered high school.]
[However, knowing that you were someone he raised himself, he felt his sadness lessen, finding some comfort in the idea that his "delicate flower" was being taken by someone he trusted.]
[On Mr. Isshiki's birthday, when he received the watch you had gifted him—one that had quietly sat in his online shopping cart for over a year, enduring three price drops without being purchased—his eyes became moist.]
[He immediately addressed you as his son, and you naturally responded by calling him "Father."]
[Mrs. Isshiki stifled a giggle, while Iroha, who was upstairs, did not witness the scene but sensed something different between you two the next day.]
[She was puzzled by why you suddenly started addressing her parents the same way she does.]
[She didn't think much of it, assuming that your change in address meant you were finally willing to truly integrate into the family, which made her happy and brought you even closer.]
[She was also more willing to share her teenage concerns with you rather than with her parents.]
[You two had reached a point where you could enter each other's rooms without knocking, playfully kicking each other under the table, fighting over the last slice of pizza or cake, and having regular playful scuffles on the bed.]
This choice seemed to have been the right one.
Chisato thought to himself.
[At 17: Iroha successfully passed the entrance exam for the high school you attend.]
[During the celebratory dinner in the evening, she thanked you sincerely, saying that if it weren't for your late-night tutoring during the final stretch, she wouldn't have made it into such a good school.]
[She promised to think of a proper thank-you gift for you.]
[Mr. Isshiki, having drunk a bit more, jokingly told his daughter that there was no need for a gift; she could simply consider you as a return gift.]
[After this comment, everyone present, including you, Iroha, and Mrs. Isshiki, had frozen expressions.]
[Mr. Isshiki realized a moment too late that he might have said something wrong. Mrs. Isshiki, quick to react, hurriedly took away his glass, scolding him for talking nonsense while drunk.]
[You looked at Iroha, who avoided your gaze and silently focused on her meal.]
[After that day, you felt that Iroha had distanced herself from you once again.]
[She no longer woke you up in the morning, stopped asking for your help with stretching and massages, and didn't come to you with her teenage worries.]
[You realized that the previous closeness between you and Iroha was just an illusion.]
[While you thought you had a good relationship, she had always seen you as just an older brother. After realizing your romantic feelings, she withdrew out of fear.]
["Did you do this on purpose to ruin me, father-in-law? Such a basic mistake?"
Chisato felt a surge of panic and suddenly feared that the upcoming developments would be quite unfavorable.
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