I have a life simulator.

Kitagawa Ryo stared silently at Horikita Suzune, then sat up again as if nothing had happened.

"I am fine."

Horikita Suzune froze instantly. She first subconsciously felt anger at being deceived, but then felt a sense of relief. The two emotions were mixed together, and she didn't even know whether she should be angry or not.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're planning to get into the drama club through logistics, right?"

Kitagawa Ryo stirred the food in the bento box with a spoon.

"I don't have any aversion to seafood, but that doesn't rule out the possibility that everyone else in the drama department does too."

"I will investigate and find out the truth by then."

Horikita Suzune quickly retorted.

"I do not believe."

Kitagawa Ryo decisively rejected it:

"I don't deny your talent in cooking, but besides cooking, the logistics team is also responsible for the preparation and cutting of costumes and props, the advance setup of the stage, and the coordination of lighting and background music. None of these tasks can be accomplished by one person alone."

"So how can I believe the promise of someone who doesn't have any friends at all?"

"I believe she can easily complete these tedious tasks, and I believe she can get along well with everyone on and off the stage overnight."

"Are you trying to say that these things don't really matter and that you can prepare them all by yourself?"

Kitagawa Ryo stared directly at Horikita Suzune, as if shattering the impeccable set of beliefs she had built up over the years.

"Your brother, Horikita Manabu, has joined the student council of Tokyo Advanced Educational High School."

"It's really strange. If someone can do everything, why would they join a club? Especially a student council club that connects with all the students in the school."

"I wonder what he thinks when he thinks about his sister struggling to join a drama club."

“If you continue to be so stubborn, then I don’t need to bring you to this year’s cultural festival. After all, you’ll only disappoint your brother further, and you don’t seem to be of any use.”

This seemed to be the first time he had ever spoken so harshly to Horikita Suzune. Ultimately, he had no right to interfere in other people's lives, but…

Kitagawa Ryo looked at Horikita Suzune, who was hanging her head and clenching her fists tightly, with a complicated expression.

Just as an awkward silence fell between the two, the door was pushed open once again.

"Liang, have you had lunch yet? I brought you some."

Honami Ichinose, who was also carrying a bento box, entered through the door. As soon as she came in, she saw Suzune Horikita and Ryo Kitagawa facing each other without saying a word.

"Horikita-kun is here too? Uh, what happened?"

Honami Ichinose tentatively asked, as she had met Suzune Horikita once when school started and still remembered her somewhat.

"There's nothing else, let's eat."

Kitagawa Ryo closed the lid on Horikita Suzune's bento box on the table, and Ichinose Honami didn't ask any more questions, gently placing her own bento box in front of Kitagawa Ryo.

"Horikita-kun, would you like to eat something together?"

Honami Ichinose didn't have much ill will towards Suzune Horikita herself, mainly because they weren't familiar with each other, so she just went along with being polite.

"I brought my own."

Horikita Suzune shook her head. She reopened the bento box that Kitagawa Ryo had returned, since Kitagawa Ryo had only eaten a few bites.

"Tom Yum Goong? This dish is quite complicated to make, but it's also good for women as it nourishes the skin, improves complexion, and soothes the stomach."

Ichinose Honami glanced at it curiously, but her hands kept moving. In no time, several exquisite dishes were laid out on Kitagawa Ryo's table.

Because the two attend the same school, Ichinose Honami and Kitagawa Ryo sometimes share their lunchboxes. Kitagawa Ryo's decision to wait here alone instead of going to the cafeteria today was also due to a prior arrangement with Ichinose Honami.

"This mutton soup has been cooking for several hours. Because Ryo, Maki, and Mom have different tastes, we made a special special for you. After all, Ryo doesn't like cilantro."

Generally speaking, cilantro is needed to mask the muttony smell in mutton soup, but Ichinose Honami knows that Ryo never eats cilantro, so she always makes a point of telling the owner when she eats ramen.

Horikita Suzune took a deep breath. Cilantro is an essential ingredient in Tom Yum soup, and there was quite a bit of chopped cilantro in the bowl in front of her.

Honami Ichinose always acted like a very gentle older sister in front of Ryo Kitagawa. Unlike her usual energetic voice, her voice was now softer, like flowing water. Her beautiful face was full of smiles, and her bright eyes were like stars, dazzling and moving.

"Ichinose-san is the vice president of the student council, right?"

Horikita Suzune looked up and asked.

Honami Ichinose, who was smiling as she watched Kitagawa Ryo eat her cooking, nodded without looking away.

"Yes, is Horikita-san facing some difficulties? After all, she only transferred here this year. If there's anything inconvenient, she can always let the student council know."

"Does the student council... also handle this?"

"Yes, students can come to the student council for any problems they have."

Horikita Suzune nodded and silently ate her food, bite by bite.

She had never interacted with anyone before, let alone joined clubs or student councils, but just now Kitagawa Ryo said that Horikita Manabu had joined the student council.

This fact continues to resonate deeply with Horikita Suzune.

So she didn't say another word until she finished her lunch, packed up her lunchbox, and left.

"I thought she would apply to join the student council."

"Huh? Why?"

"Imitative behavior".

"After all, some people keep deceiving themselves with the idea that 'this is the kind of sister their brother wants.' Whether it's appearance, personality, or grades, everything is for their brother, and they imitate him to gain his approval."

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Kitagawa Ryo stretched and said with half-closed eyes:

"So it was quite surprising to me that Lingyin didn't give up halfway."

"don't know."

Honami Ichinose was quite pleased to see that Ryo Kitagawa had finished all the food she had brought. A sense of satisfaction and accomplishment made her eyes light up.

"Then I'll head back now."

The lunch break was short, so Ichinose Honami quickly got up and left after tidying up.

"Walk slowly without sending."

Kitagawa Ryo leaned back in his recliner and casually waved his hand.

"You're so lazy."

After snorting, Honami Ichinose added:

"Don't lie down after you've eaten."

"You can't lie down after you're full, you can't sit after you're full, you can't stand after you're full, you can't run after you're full, basically you can't do anything after you're full."

Kitagawa Ryo casually grabbed a book and covered his face with it:

"Then I'll just go to sleep."

"Just don't oversleep."

Honami Ichinose shook her head helplessly, gently closed the door, and tried not to make any noise to disturb Ryo Kitagawa.

Just as she stepped out of the teaching building, she saw Horikita Suzune huddled alone in a corner, looking pitiful.

"Horikita-san?"

Slightly taken aback, Honami Ichinose still went over. After all, she was the vice president of the student council, and she had heard some rumors these days that Suzune Horikita was being ostracized in class. She was worried that the other girl might be being bullied at school, which was why she asked her during lunch earlier.

"Can I help you?"

Horikita Suzune looked up and saw Ichinose Honami's kind gaze.

"...I'd like to ask a few questions, is that alright?"

"If I can answer that, of course I can."

Honami Ichinose also squatted down next to Suzune Horikita.

"Are there any dietary restrictions or preferences that we should be aware of regarding Minister Kitagawa's tastes?"

Horikita Suzune rubbed her eyes and asked, turning her face away.

This was the first time she had ever proactively asked someone about their eating habits.

"Hmm... I guess I don't really like spicy food, prefer sweet and sour flavors, I can accept scallions but I don't like cilantro."

Although Ichinose Honami didn't understand why the other person asked this, she still answered honestly:

"I don't eat garlic, but minced garlic is okay; if it's noodles, I prefer them a bit firm..."

She rattled off a whole host of names as if they were her own treasures, which surprised even Horikita Suzune.

It's unbelievable that there are girls who meticulously record other people's eating habits.

"But why is Horikita-kun asking this?"

After explaining what she knew, Ichinose Honami asked curiously.

"Because I want to get into the drama club through a position in logistics or something similar..."

After a moment of silence, Horikita Suzune answered truthfully.

"Logistics? I've done that before, and it was logistics for a theater troupe."

Honami Ichinose suddenly remembered the logistical tasks she had done, which Kitagawa Ryo had recommended her for.

"Actually, the food itself is only a small part, but a high level of skill is always the best."

"What's more troublesome is the preparation of various props and costumes. We have to communicate with the stage manager and actors many times to make them meet their requirements and stage style."

Honami Ichinose shared her insights and experiences without reservation.

"So Liang also said that the success of a play is not only due to the actors, but everyone, including the logistics staff, deserves praise as well."

"After all, even in a one-man show that doesn't need any supporting actors, the actor can't go on stage naked in the dark, can he?"

"Ah."

Horikita Suzune nodded slowly. At the edge of her vision, a large and serene golden sun was slowly rising to its highest point among the city's skyscrapers.

"Thank you so much."

-------------------------------------

Horikita Suzune's state of mind changes, and her life trajectory shifts.

[Unlock conditions have been met.]

Kitagawa Ryo, who was reclining on the chair, suddenly opened his eyes.

what?

For the first time, the "Life Restart Simulator," which had remained completely silent since its rebirth, began to react.

On the blue main page, the gray and locked 【Chapter: Horikita Suzune's Winter Dream】 has been turned into a selectable bright color.

"A simulator?"

After a brief moment of panic, Kitagawa Ryo quickly calmed down and used a small knife he found in the drawer to cut his palm.

His biggest fear is that he is still in a so-called simulation, and that everything he is experiencing is fake...

The pain felt incredibly real; Kitagawa Ryo clenched his fist, and blood dripped onto the table.

[Simulate possible future developments through brief textual descriptions]

However, Kitagawa Ryo still did not make any rash moves.

Chapter 18: I Want to Respond to Everyone's Feelings

"Minister Kitagawa, it's almost time for the meeting."

Kikyo Kushida gently knocked on the door of the club president's office as she spoke, but there was no response from inside. She hesitated for a moment, then opened the door with the key she had with her.

Kitagawa Ryo, who had been staying here during lunch break, was nowhere to be seen. Kushida Kikyo walked into the house with some confusion. The room was not large and there was no place for anyone to hide.

"Did you go to the restroom?"

Kikyo Kushida muttered to herself as she dialed Ryo Kitagawa's cell phone.

The number you dialed is currently switched off...