[Two weeks after reading the letter, you learned from the newspaper that a female corpse with legs bound by stones was recovered by seaside fishermen.]
[The police reported that the deceased's identity was not confirmed but was known to be a suicide.]
[People missing around the age of twenty-five are encouraged to contact the police station with relevant information.]
[You dared not call to confirm, but the newspaper's report of the deceased with a blurred face and clothing almost identical to what Miri wore on your wedding day was unsettling.]
[You still love Iroha, but it seems like a part of you is forever missing.]
[Your personality began to change, becoming increasingly silent.]
[The birth of your child brought some temporary recovery to your spirits.]
[When the child turned ten, Iroha told her that her previous father was cheerful and handsome. The child didn't believe it because she had never seen you that way.]
[You passed away at the age of sixty-three.]
[Iroha became melancholic afterward, and she passed away less than a year after you.]
[Simulation ended.]
Cold.
Suffocating.
Darkness.
Endless sea around.
Pain, unable to breathe.
"Umm! Umm, ummm!!!"
Hitori suddenly sat up in her sleep, clutching her chest with her hands, her eyes wide open, breathing heavily and in terror.
…
Huh—
Was it relief, or was there some other feeling?
In any case, after seeing the end of the simulation, Chisato stared at the ceiling for a while.
Sacrificing someone who deeply loved oneself for the one he loves...
It seemed that his goal had been achieved, but the latter half of his simulated life didn't appear to be very joyful.
Miri...
Chisato repeated the name.
If he were to evaluate, he felt that the true heroine of this simulation shouldn't be Iroha, but this woman—she had a profound impact on him.
Chisato rubbed his forehead and sat up.
From the middle of the simulation, he had forced himself not to experience it from a first-person perspective, but only to observe as a third person.
If previous simulations could be compared to drinking a sweet beverage and enjoying it, this simulation was like being forced to drink a vat of strong, old liquor.
The intensity was high and it was quite overwhelming.
He checked the time on his phone—it was three in the morning. It was rare for him to stay up this late, but fortunately, tomorrow was the weekend. He didn't have to go to school and could sleep in.
He went to the washroom to splash some water on his face, then lay back down on the bed to review the evaluation and rewards for this simulation.
[Evil Path Index: 87]
[Evaluation: A]
[Overall Comments: From a young age, you were alone and orphaned. Using your strategies and efforts, you obtained the love and life you desired. However, the price you paid seems to have entangled you for life.]
[Reward Settlement: Your skills in ventriloquism, horseback riding, and whip techniques have been slightly enhanced; your acting skills have been greatly enhanced.]
Ventriloquism and horseback riding were whatever, but the addition of whip techniques this time was unexpected.
Chisato was too lazy to complain, though acting skills were quite useful.
The "awakening" and explosive acting of "himself" during the simulation, which managed to keep Isshiki's family in the dark, was quite thrilling.
[You have received an A-grade Talent Gift Box. Random determination in progress...]
[Congratulations! You have obtained "Fortune's Favor." Your luck has greatly increased. In most cases, random probability events will generally develop in the direction you desire.]
[System Notice: A total of 46 CGs of "Isshiki Iroha" have been added to the CG Gallery and can be experienced at any time.]
The CG function had been open for a while, so it wasn't exactly new.
But why did this "Fortune's Favor" talent seem so familiar?
After thinking for a while, Chisato realized.
Isn't this just an enhanced version of the "Two-Level Reversal" talent he had chosen before the simulation started, removing the negative effects and retaining only the benefits?
"Sounds pretty impressive."
The simulation had just ended, and since he couldn't sleep for a while anyway, Chisato decided to try out his newly acquired talent.
He took out his practice test papers, pulled out two brand-new ones, and without looking at the questions, randomly chose answers for the multiple-choice questions.
Then, he opened the answer key and scored himself. Out of a 100-point test, he scored 45 on one and 52 on the other.
"Hiss..."
Chisato gasped.
This probability was a bit terrifying.
Suddenly, he thought of something.
He opened the store interface of the "Pure Love System."
[Items available for this period] (Refresh countdown: 3 days and 20 hours)
[Money: 1000 yen/1 point]
[Universal Medicine: 20,000 points]
[Perfect Figure Vase Version: 1000 points]
[Charming Eyes: Sold Out]
[Basic Cooking Skills: Sold Out]
[Random Blind Box: 1 try/100 points]
Chisato had always longed for the Universal Medicine priced at a whopping 20,000 points, but unfortunately, he only had 3,300 points left.
The task involving Hitori would probably be completed within the next two days, but even if the points came through, it still seemed far out of reach.
Should he take a gamble? Trust in the dark system's talent and see if it can work in the Pure Love Store.
[Ding, Hitori has successfully gained the love or respect of 100 people.]
[Task completed, reward: 500 points, 50% off coupon, Basic English.]
[Current remaining points: 3,800.]
The sudden notification left Chisato stunned.
Alright, now with a 50% off coupon, the price of Universal Medicine could be reduced to 10,000 points. But even so, his 3,800 points were still far...
[Ding, Hitori's affection has reached the maximum value, current affection level: ???.]
[New points added: 3000, total remaining points: 6,300.]
Huh?
Chisato rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
It was indeed a message about Hitori's affection increasing.
No, wait, it's three in the morning now. Hitori, what are you doing? Why did your affection for me suddenly max out?
Chisato was shocked and couldn't understand.
Were you dreaming? Was it that kind of dreamy dream? Did I make you so happy in the dream that your affection for me increased?
After thinking about it for a while, Chisato could only come to this conclusion.
But things were far more complicated than he imagined.
[Ding, Hitori's affection has reached the maximum value, current affection level: ????.]
[New points added: 6000, total remaining points: 12,300.]
Chisato: "Σ(っ °Д °;)っ!!!"
Hitori, what on earth are you doing!!!
This is definitely not just some dream-induced affection increase!
You weren't... using my photo for, um, that kind of thing, were you?
Did it feel so intense that it caused this situation?
Even Chisato himself felt that this idea was nonsense. He now had a strong urge to call Hitori and ask what was going on.
But more importantly, there was something more urgent at the moment.
Even using the 50% off coupon, the Universal Medicine still cost a hefty 10,000 points, but he could afford it now!
However, even in his ecstasy, Chisato did not forget his earlier thoughts.
Out of the 12,300 points, he would set aside 10,000 points for the medicine and use the remaining 2,300 points to buy 23 tries of the Random Blind Box at 100 points each.
Chisato was a man with dreams.
With this confidence, there was no reason not to give it a try.
The first blind box.
[Congratulations, you received—a box of cola]
Chisato didn't feel much. Being blessed with good luck didn't mean becoming the chosen one. Winning on the first try would be too much.
The second try.
[Congratulations, you received—cat food]
The third try.
Something changed; a golden light burst forth, almost blinding him.
[Congratulations, you received—Universal Medicine]
Chisato unknowingly held his breath.
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Personally, I felt the system grading here make sense. He doesn't receive an SS+ or even just S.
Because he missed the diamond while chasing for the gold.
Miri > Iroha
Miri ftw!
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