My Romance Simulation with Them

Ijichi Hoshika looked at the bento box on the table, then glanced at Ms. PA, who had lost her usual elegant and dignified demeanor as an adult.

She racked her brains to the limit, but she still couldn't understand why the other person could eat a fried chicken nugget like that.

"I-I don't know either."

Goto Ichiri was clearly still in a daze, and replied blankly.

As far as I can remember, Ms. PA only took one bite of fried chicken nugget, and before she could even express her thoughts, tears started falling from her eyes as she ate.

She ate and cried at the same time, holding onto Goto Ichiri's hand, muttering, "To have such a lovely junior like Goto, and to work in such a wonderful environment, I'm such a lucky woman."

Goto Ichiri, who has always been afraid of contact with people, was completely dumbfounded.

"Could it be that loneliness is bullying Ms. PA? Is there another terrifying face hidden beneath her social anxiety—this kind of one?"

Yamada Ryo, clearly enjoying the spectacle, raised his hand and expressed his opinion in a flat, emotionless voice.

"No, no, no, no, no—"

Goto Ichiri's cherry-pink lips couldn't help but part.

She clearly didn't expect the fire to suddenly spread to her.

In a panic, she hurriedly picked up the lunchbox on the table and stammered, "It's really because I ate fried chicken that I'm like this."

"Alright, Liang, stop teasing Little Lonely."

Ijichi Nijika couldn't help but reach out and tap Yamada Ryo on the head, stopping her from continuing to bully Goto Ichiri.

Then, always caring about others, she didn't forget to look at Goto Ichiri:

"Little Lonely, don't overthink it. It definitely has nothing to do with fried chicken nuggets. Maybe Miss PA suddenly thought of something sad."

Yes.

It's just a serving of fried chicken, how could it make a well-mannered adult cry like this?

Thinking this, she picked up her chopsticks, picked up a piece of fried chicken, and thoughtfully demonstrated for Goto Ichiri, decisively putting the piece of fried chicken into her mouth. While chewing, she didn't forget to say, "If you don't believe me, little lonely girl, you can take a look... huh?"

She paused halfway through her sentence.

There was only one impression in my mind.

Really delicious.

The chicken is not seasoned much, but that's precisely what locks in its natural flavor. It's savory with a hint of sweetness, and the outer skin is crispy and dry, remaining unchanged even after a day.

Ichi Nijika never expected that fried chicken nuggets, which looked similar to ordinary fried chicken nuggets, would taste so different. How could such a simple home-cooked dish be made so delicious? Who made this?

At least she doesn't have that kind of skill or craftsmanship.

But soon, she lost interest in thinking about it.

Nijika Ichi suddenly thought of her childhood.

She thought back to that time when her older sister, Ijichi Seika, was always busy with the band and neglected to take care of her. She always wanted to play with Ijichi Seika, but she never got to.

Then I thought about how, later on, after our mother passed away, my older sister gave up her lifelong dream of being in a band, abandoned her bandmates, and established the 'Starry Night' performance hall for me...

Since then, I have been growing up happily under my sister's careful care.

Lost in thought, Ijichi Nijika, amidst the shocked expression on Ijichi Seika's face, like PA-san, threw herself into her arms from either side, crying out loudly:

"I've been so fortunate to have been raised by my older sister all this time. Why haven't I ever thought about this obvious thing? I'm already so happy."

"???" Yi Di Zhi Xingge.

Something's not right! Something's definitely not right!

She couldn't help but look at the bento box in Goto Ichiri's hand, who was staring blankly at her, and hurriedly reminded Yamada Ryo beside her.

"Yamada, it's just you and me left. Don't eat the bento from Little Lonely's hand; something's fishy—"

Ijichi Hoshika's words caught in her throat halfway through.

Because she had already seen it.

Yamada Ryo's pretty face was now stuffed full of fried chicken nuggets and stewed potatoes, making it look bulging.

"Would the store manager like some too? The Lonely Bento tastes really good."

While chewing his food, Yamada Ryo used his chopsticks to put a piece of fried chicken into the mouth of Iji Tomoka, whose mouth was wide open and whose face was full of horror.

The moment the fried chicken nugget hits your mouth.

Ijichi Hoshika suddenly thought of something.

That's something Yamada Ryo seemed to have mentioned before.

Because she spent money to buy Kita Ikuyo's multi-string bass, she has been eating wild vegetables for the past week or two.

Seeing a proper meal in front of them, the other person naturally couldn't resist the temptation.

That was a complete miscalculation—

As Ichi Hoshika thought to herself, her mouth, which had been filled with the unique aroma of fried chicken nuggets and their crispy coating, began to chew unconsciously.

It's so delicious!

She couldn't help but think about it.

The taste reminded her of her mother from before.

Back then, they were a harmonious family. Their mother would often make fried chicken nuggets for her and Ijichi Nikka. The young girl and Ijichi Nikka would circle around the oil pan in front of their mother, waiting for the next batch of fried chicken nuggets to be ready.

Those were truly incredibly happy memories.

But am I unhappy now?

No... isn't it happiness too?

Nijika has become an excellent high school student.

Next comes university.

My younger sister, who has been striving for her dreams, is now a respectable person capable of independent thinking.

Isn't it a blessing to have a sister like that?

Perhaps I really am the happiest person in the world?

Moreover, their own performance hall also has lovely staff.

Goto Ichiri, Yamada Ryo, and Kita Ikuyo are all people she can trust.

Ijichi Hoshika really thought a lot about it.

The lingering aftertaste of the fried chicken nuggets, with their slightly sweet texture, reminded her of those sweet and wonderful memories.

Thinking about it this way, I might really be the happiest person in the world.

As Ichi Hoshika thought of this, her fiery red eyes were already filled with tears.

With a wave of her hand, she hugged Goto Ichiri, who was completely stunned, and Yamada Ryo, who was muttering, "I'm so happy to be able to breathe such fresh air and eat such delicious food," and began to cry.

Amidst the stars, cries and words of encouragement echoed.

At the entrance to the Starry Sky Gate, Kita Ikuyo stood there, staring blankly at the scene before her, at a loss for what to do.

She couldn't help but step back outside the door, gently closing it behind her, her face filled with self-doubt.

"Did I come at the wrong time?"

Chapter 48. First Impressions of the Stars

What is happiness?

Someone once said that happiness is intangible and invisible, but when you reach out your hand, it is all there.

This is happiness.

But for Goto Ichiri, who is extremely shy, yet was suddenly hugged by Iji Tomoka.

The time spent waiting for them to calm down was definitely not a happy time.

but--

"It's really delicious."

Yamada Ryo wiped away his drool without making a sound, and let out a rare sigh.

Her words were accepted by everyone present except for Goto Ichiri and Kita Ikuyo.

"How can something so simple home-cooked taste so good?"

Some lingered, gently poking at the empty lunchboxes with their chopsticks, which had already been devoured.

Nijika Ijichi, who has always been exceptionally confident in her culinary skills, finally couldn't help but speak up.

Yes, it's just a simple home-cooked meal of fried chicken nuggets and stewed potatoes.

But why does it taste so good?

Before they knew it, they had finished eating all the food in the bento box.

Even now, Ichiki Nijika still misses the taste of the food in the bento box.

"I never expected Little Lonely to be such a good cook."

Sitting at the bar, Ijichi Seika crossed her legs and, unusually, frankly praised someone.

Even she had to admit it.

The bento box brought by Goto Ichiri was absolutely delicious.

I wonder when I'll be able to taste that flavor again...

Ichi Seika sighed inwardly.

Compared to the reserved demeanor of Ijichi Hoshika and Ijichi Nijika, Yamada Ryo, who was supporting his androgynous and delicate face on the other side, had already turned his head.

"Loneliness, from now on you'll cook for me."

She looked at Goto Ichiri, who was shrinking back timidly, and said in a serious tone with a blank expression, "If you don't cook for me, I'm really going to bully you—it hurts."

Yamada Ryo turned around and saw Iji Chi Niyatsu hitting her head with a chopstick.