It was supposed to be a love simulation, so why are they also players?

"When you're away from home, you must take good care of yourself. If you encounter any problems, be sure to contact the director."

When Dr. Koji Tadokoro heard that his patient had been in an accident, he immediately drove over to check on him.

It turned out to be a false alarm.

After giving some instructions, Director Koji Tadokoro left the young people alone and went back to work.

"Nice figure, quite sturdy. It's good that you're alright. Remember to treat us to a meal after you're discharged!"

Xie Liang is still thinking about getting gold coins.

"Is this what happened after being hit by the Hundred-Ton King? He seems alright... Anyway, it's great that Xia Mu is okay!"

Kita Ikuyo looked at it for a long time and only saw two words: "Full of health".

"As long as you're okay..."

The taciturn Goto Ichiri managed to squeeze out a few words, then silently helped peel the apple with a fruit knife.

Then, I used toothpicks to secure them and fed them to Xia Mu one piece at a time.

"Xia Mu! Xia Mu!"

She burst through the door in a flurry of activity. Aoyama Nanami had just returned from her voice actor training school, only to find the ward packed with people!

The atmosphere seemed quite relaxed.

It was impossible to tell that they had come to visit Xia Mu, who was injured in an accident.

"Hey! Nanami, want an apple?"

After much explanation, Aoyama Nanami accepted the truth.

She only noticed it now.

It wasn't just Ms. Ijichi Nijika; there were many, many more people who cared deeply for Natsumi, one after another…

The members of Ave Mujica, the popular band that Ms. Xiangzi is currently in; all the members of MyGo; all the members of the new band Thornless; everyone who left the band; Xia Mu's two neighbors next door; and the red-haired, tiger-toothed girl who claims to be his disciple...

Why so many?

"Please be careful next time! If you weren't here, I..."

Oh, I forgot the middle part, but anyway, it's Vadashi!

"Xiangzi, even if I'm gone, you must live on strongly. Don't worry, I'll be fine, because I can beat the big boss!"

After leaving their gifts, the visitors gradually dispersed.

In the room, only Toyokawa Shoko, Aoyama Nanami, Yamada Ryo, and Iji Chi Nikka remained.

"Leave this to me. I've already spoken with my sister. I'll be taking care of Xia Mu here tonight... So, Miss Xiangzi and Miss Qi Hai, you should go back now."

No.

She wants to stay here.

Toyokawa Shoko felt that she was the one who should stay and take care of Natsume.

"You guys go back first, it's getting late. I'm actually fine on my own here."

Xia Mu wanted them all to leave.

Living alone in the hospital, with the tide rising, isn't that alright?

Let's all celebrate Christmas...

He'll find a way to sneak out on his own.

Hey~

You can't just sit and wait to die when something happens!

"No, I have to stay. I can't leave you alone!"

Seemingly having seen through Xia Mu's thoughts, Hong Xia retorted.

Toyokawa Shoko knew that it was a sign of liking someone.

She's been through it all; she understands.

Because I like it.

So this time, she chose to give in.

"Miss Nanami, let's go... I'm entrusting Xia Mu to you."

"Um……"

Aoyama Nanami did not want to leave.

Because I'm not that strong, that's why I want to be by your side.

But she knew.

I have already lost.

Even when working together as assistants, we will eventually have to part ways.

Nowadays.

The first person to come to see Xia Mu was neither Toyokawa Shoko nor her.

It is Ichiji Nijika.

So fast……

She ran all the way here, for a long time...

and.

The person who met Xia Mu earlier than her was also Ijichi Nijika.

At this moment.

It was Ichi Nijika who bravely stayed, almost to prove something.

Let's go...

It would be impolite to stay any longer.

"I'll come back tomorrow..."

She and Toyokawa Shoko left.

"This is part of growing up... Everyone has a weak side, there's no need to feel ashamed about it..."

Why not be proud of it?

In Aoyama Nanami's eyes, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly seemed to have a realization and was saying something.

It seems to make a lot of sense, but I don't quite understand it.

Nonsense...

Is this a declaration of defeat?

That's really not a funny joke.

Subsequently.

The two female protagonists, both considered "losers," eventually parted ways.

She returned to Sakura-sou.

After briefly greeting the other residents, he locked the room.

Falling in love with someone is such a painful thing...

"Nanami, don't cry..."

Her tears still wouldn't stop, and they flowed down her cheeks uncontrollably...

tonight.

Xia Mu should probably confess his feelings to the girl he likes.

I clearly like it too...

In the end, he still didn't say it.

why?

Why!

For the first time, I got the best job; for the first time, I found someone I liked; for the first time, I found someone I could rely on...

Everything is related to Xia Mu.

Why is this happening?

Troubled, crying...

She had no one else to rely on.

Pretending nothing had happened and leaving in front of Xia Mu was Aoyama Nanami's last act of strength.

Liking someone doesn't necessarily mean possessing them; witnessing their happiness is also a gentle way of saying goodbye.

Meanwhile, Toyokawa Shoko returned to the Starry Sky Detective Agency.

When Xia Mu isn't around, she stays here.

"Why did I still lose..."

Shoko Toyokawa recalled her conversation with Motoyo Nagasaki that afternoon—

"Although I'm no longer a simulator player, I think you won't win so easily, Xiao Xiang."

"why?"

"You're not the only one who likes Xia Mu..."

Nagasaki Motoyo speculates that there are other simulator players as well.

For example, that girl, Ijichi, finally discovered the problem after several failed attempts with her flaxen hair!

Even if you're not a player, some characters are incredibly strong when played by bots...

"Xiao Xiang, if you want to win, you must face your true feelings... Also, you must never hurt Xia Mu."

Advice from Motoyo Nagasaki.

She listened to what she heard.

But we are still far from success.

Toyokawa Shoko couldn't understand it.

"Why can't I still beat them..."

She was the one who spent the most time with Xia Mu...

Why can't it compare to Nijigasaki?

The blue-haired girl with pigtails sat in the spot where Xia Mu often worked, muttering to herself.

Losing to Ichi Nijika might not be because of a lack of effort, but rather because some fate had predetermined the outcome from the very beginning.

Shoko Toyokawa cried with relief.

One person is thinking of another.

Learning to be alone, all day long, without ever feeling lost...

I still feel so sad.

……

……

They've all left.

The ward returned to silence.

Except for Yamada Ryo.

No one paid any attention to her; everyone's focus was on tonight's protagonist—Nijika Ijichi.