My Romance Simulation with Them

Be content with solitude.

Yamada Ryo nodded in agreement.

"Hey?"

Goto Ichiri opened his mouth with difficulty, looking at his band members.

She never expected that her partner, on whom she had placed so much hope, would speak up for Nanxiang Shi.

What happened to our promise to fight against Nango Toki together?

How come everyone betrayed me just because I was gone for a little over ten minutes?

Aren't you here to help me?

Chapter Twenty-Eight. She is no longer in this world.

"Speaking of which, how did Little Loneliness become friends with Nango-san?"

She gestured for Goto Ichiri, whose face was full of confusion, to sit down, and Iji Chi Nikka looked at her with a face full of curiosity.

"No...that..."

Rather than asking how we became friends... it's more accurate to say I have absolutely no memory of ever being friends with him...

Goto Ichiri opened his mouth, unsure how to answer Ijichi Nijika.

But she soon heard Nango Toki speak up from the side:

"It was after school, I think. Goto, who was carrying a guitar, caught my attention. Since I'm also interested in guitars, I went up to him and started a conversation."

"Uh?"

How terrifying! How can this person lie without their expression changing at all?

Goto Ichiri's mouth dropped open as he watched Nango, with a cheerful smile on his face, calmly recount how he and Ichiri became friends.

The way the other person lied, seemingly without any preparation, was a level she, as someone with social anxiety, could never have imagined.

Moreover, Nanxiang Shi's voice was very steady, his eyes looked very sincere, and coupled with his naturally cheerful and unpretentious smile, no one would realize that he was lying.

If Nango Toki's topic hadn't been centered on herself, even Goto Ichiri herself might have believed Nango Toki's words.

"Huh? Nango-san is also interested in musical instruments?"

Kita Ikuyo asked a question out of curiosity.

"Yes, that's why I asked Goto to borrow his guitar."

Nango Toki said with a smile, then turned his head as if seeking Goto Ichiri's opinion: "Right, Goto-kun?"

"Ah... um..."

Goto Ichiri originally wanted to directly refute Nango Toki.

But when the words reached his lips, he ultimately couldn't overcome his social anxiety and responded softly while keeping his head down.

I'm sorry, but if I could loudly refute others, I wouldn't have to suffer so much from interpersonal relationships—true social phobia means you simply don't have the courage to express refusal.

"That's great, little lonely one, you have friends you can talk to at school."

"Ah...uh...um."

Goto Ichiri lowered his head and responded.

No, no problem!

Although things have turned out very differently than I expected, at least the band members are here with me.

Goto Ichiri took a deep breath and clenched her small fist as if to cheer herself up.

Yes--

No problem!

As long as everyone is by my side, I have the courage to face Nanxiang!

Everyone has been giving me courage all this time!

I can definitely do it!

"Ah, I'm a little thirsty, Lonely. Why don't you chat with Nango-san for a while? Ryo, Kita-chan, and I will go buy some drinks—by the way, what would you like to drink?"

"Uh?!"

Upon hearing this, Goto Ichiri, who had finally mustered the courage to speak, widened her eyes.

Then, she saw Ichiji Nijika wink at her, the implication of which even she, an extremely shy and socially awkward person, could understand—you've finally made a friend, so make sure to have a good chat with Nango-san, you little loner.

Ugh—Why is Nijika-chan being so kind to me at a time like this?

Goto Ichiri opened her mouth, wanting to stop Ijichi Nijika and the others from leaving, but the words that came out were: "Ah... okay."

I'm such an idiot! Is there anyone in the world as stupid as me?

All you had to do was explain it clearly!

Goto Ichiri's thoughts raced through his mind.

I thought that with my friends around, I could manage to get through it, but now I'm all alone with Nango!

Goto Ichiri's fingers fidgeted restlessly, and her eyes, hidden beneath her overly long bangs, timidly glanced at Nango Toki beside her.

What...what should I do?

How embarrassing.

I can't think of anything to say... and frankly, can I really find any common ground with the person who bullies me?

That won't work, will it?!

What will happen next?

Sure enough, I'll get bullied, won't I?

Goto Ichiri was filled with conflicting emotions.

She thought of scenes that often appeared in TV dramas she used to watch.

Bullies pretend to be friends with the bullied person just to bully them more easily.

That way, even if it comes up later, you can just brush it off with something like, "What? XXX and I are friends. We were just joking around."

woo-

Goto Ichiri felt uneasy, as if she could already see her tragic future.

Just as she was pondering how to bring it up.

The sound from the south came just then.

"Goto-kun."

"Ah? Yes!"

For some reason, Goto Ichiri subconsciously straightened her posture.

Sure enough, that's what happened next, right?

The most common elements of bullying...

Then--

Why is it that even when someone is clearly very distressed and troubled, they are unwilling to speak the truth?

"Hey?"

Goto Ichiri, who had already prepared himself for being bullied and blackmailed, looked at Nango with some surprise.

"Hey what?"

Nango looked at her with amusement: "We're not really friends, are we? Why don't you just tell Ichiji and the others about this directly?"

"This...that..."

Goto Ichiri didn't know how to answer the question, so she could only lower her head.

"It is impossible to have everything go smoothly if you only rely on others to take the initiative."

Nanxiang rested his chin on his hand and spoke.

As soon as he said that, Goto Ichiri, who was standing next to him, showed a surprised expression.

"It's impossible to have everything go smoothly if you only rely on others to take the initiative" is a belief she has held since childhood.

She knew this principle clearly, but she could never muster the courage to approach others.

But...

"Why would Nanxiang Sang know this sentence?"

Goto Ichiri spoke for the first time, her voice still very soft, but her words were very clear.

Why do I know this sentence?

Nanxiang shook his head.

Is not this nonsensical?

We've already done two rounds of simulations, is there anything I don't know about you? Even when it comes to the eighteen positions at night, I know exactly which one you like best—cough cough, we've gone off-topic.

Nango thought for a moment, then said, "I have a friend who is often troubled by interpersonal relationships."

"She is a lot like you, Goto. She gets troubled by interpersonal relationships, loses her way because she cares too much about what others think, and is also troubled by not being good at saying no to others."

"Is that so?!"

Goto Ichiri's interest was indeed piqued.

Is there really someone in this world with a personality similar to hers?

"Excuse me, may I see your friend, Nanxiang-san...?"

"terribly sorry."

On Nanxiang Shi's pretty face was an indescribable regret and loss: "She is no longer in this world."