"Here, use this."
A set of amplifiers and electric guitar output devices were placed at Minami's feet.
Sitting cross-legged with an air of effortless authority, Nijika's older sister, Seika Ijichi, clapped her hands. "Since you're Bocchi's friend, I'll let you borrow them for now. But if you break anything, you'll be paying in full. I won't go easy on you."
"If I damage them, I'll compensate accordingly. Thanks for helping out, Seika-san."
Minami nodded, responding with a polite smile.
Of course, he already knew what Seika's personality was like.
She might be acting all serious, as if she were ready to scold him the mont sothing went wrong—
But in reality, even if he did accidentally break the equipnt, she'd probably just grumble for a bit before waving it off like it was nothing.
That's just the kind of person she was.
From his simulations, Minami had learned that Seika Ijichi was the very definition of "sharp tongue, soft heart."
If this were an ani, she'd definitely fall under the "tsundere, but in a very mature and jaded way" archetype.
"No need to thank ."
Seika yawned, flipping through a ROCK IN JAPAN magazine resting on the counter.
Then, as if casually slipping it into conversation, she added, "I kinda feel like eating tamagoyaki and hamburg steak tomorrow..."
Minami, who was in the middle of securing the amplifier onto a small trolley, couldn't help but chuckle at the indirect (but incredibly obvious) request.
Yep. Just like in the simulation.
Even at twenty-nine years old, Seika still preferred to be roundabout when asking for favors.
"Then I'll make so and have Bocchi bring it tomorrow. Though honestly, hamburg steak is best when eaten fresh."
"You don't have to worry about that."
Before Seika could respond, Nijika suddenly popped her head out from behind the bar counter.
"Even though STARRY looks like this, we actually had to register as a proper food service business to get our license. There's a fully equipped kitchen on the first floor above us—though we barely use it."
Having already tasted Minami's cooking once, she was very much looking forward to it again.
"Alright. I'll bring the ingredients tomorrow."
STARRY had both a basent and a ground floor.
And Minami, having gone through four different simulation loops, knew this fact well.
This venue was where Kessoku Band first took off, after all—he had long since committed every detail to mory.
Of course, he couldn't just say that out loud, so he deliberately asked questions about the place to make his knowledge seem more natural.
After securing all the equipnt, Minami thanked Seika one more ti before heading ho.
And on the way back...
He realized sothing very, very important.
—He was almost broke.
Wait... Where Did All My Money Go?
Yes.
The allowance he received from his family every month wasn't particularly generous.
After paying for rent, utilities, transportation, and other daily expenses, he barely had any disposable inco left.
For the past few months, he had been living frugally, saving up just enough to buy so English practice novels and science books for self-study.
But then he made a huge mistake—
He used all of it to buy a mini-fridge and so groceries.
And just like that—
Gone.
And considering Ochanomizu High School was a bit far from Shimokitazawa, that ant additional train fare costs.
All these little expenses added up.
Now, standing in the middle of the street, Minami finally grasped the cruel reality—
He was completely broke.
Even with a cheat-like dating simulator as his golden finger, sohow, his life was getting harder, not easier.
Minami sighed.
"Whatever."
If he looked at all this as an investnt for the future, then it was still sowhat acceptable.
Today was June 8th.
If he stretched his remaining funds, he could probably survive until mid-month.
But before then—
He needed to figure out a way to make so money.
Otherwise, his only option would be to sell his body in Ginza, Shibuya, or Shinjuku—
...For entertainnt jobs, of course.
Shaking his head to clear out those ridiculous thoughts, Minami returned ho, properly stored his equipnt, and focused on studying for the night.
Study Ti.
[Your Academics has slightly improved. Current Academics: 8]
After finishing his study session, Minami stretched and put down his pen.
Now, it was ti to plan his next steps.
Laundry? Done yesterday. No need for today. Dinner? Already had a filling al before heading to STARRY. Not hungry. Guitar practice? Already did a session with Bocchi earlier.
So the next thing to do...
"Guess I'll run a simulation."
Pulling up the Love Simulator, Minami's gaze settled on a specific item.
["Love of Three Lifetis, Forever Unattainable" – Ryo Yamada IF Route Card]"The aloof and elegant girl turns to look back. This ti, will you stop for her?"
This was a system reward—it didn't consu any simulation attempts.
However, it also ant that he only had one chance to use it.
If he activated Ryo Yamada's IF Route Card, the item would disappear forever.
"One shot, huh... Can I actually get a good ending?"
Recalling the cool yet graceful face of Ryo in past simulations, Minami hesitated for a mont—
Then clicked the card.
[Would you like to use "Ryo Yamada IF Route Card"?]
▶ YES
The mont he confird, the text on the screen began to change.
[Simulation Start.]
[In this tiline, you have rewound ti by one year and, through sheer determination, quickly established a connection with the mbers of STARRY via Hitori Gotoh.]
[And in doing so, you also t—her.]
[The girl with deep blue, chin-length hair, her slender fingers gently pressing against the bass strings. Under the dim stage lights, she already shined brilliantly. Unlike the others, who warmly welcod you, the bassist seed entirely absorbed in her own world.]
[Through Nijika's introduction, you learned her na—Ryo Yamada.]
[When she noticed your gaze, she simply set her bass down, gave you a curt nod, and then returned to practicing, completely unbothered by your presence.]
[It was as if you hadn't even registered in her world.]
"...???"
Minami blinked.
What the hell?
In past simulation loops—and even in real life—Ryo had never acted this cold toward him.
Was she seriously playing the "unreachable queen" card now, of all tis?!
But just as he was about to be frustrated—
The next lines appeared.
[As planned, you began learning the guitar from Hitori Gotoh. And in the process, your unnatural rate of improvent did not go unnoticed.]
[You have now caught Ryo Yamada's attention.]
---
For Advanced Chapters, 16 ahead on my /Loverice929
Thanks to @Charlie Dalfall, @Ethan Farias, and @Insert Na.
I'll upload more chaps later
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