My Romance Simulation with Them

He did indeed save the band from a failed performance.

But for them, who yearn for the sky, Nango's protection was more like breaking their wings.

and so--

"I've always owed you all an apology."

Nanxiang looked at his wife very intently.

Nan Yili's face quickly turned rosy under Nan Xiangshi's gaze.

The sudden apology caught her off guard, but her husband's willingness to openly discuss the events of that year with her brought her comfort.

She could only hug the pillow on the bed, struggling and speaking in a weak voice:

“Ah Shi did nothing wrong.”

No matter how much others criticize Nanxiang, she always stands by Nanxiang's side.

Even if Nanxiang Shi really made a mistake, she would still think that Nanxiang Shi had no problem at all.

But she still didn't understand.

Why did my husband suddenly say this to me?

after all--

"It's all too late."

She let out a suppressed and painful sigh, the happy times after the band ended vividly flashing before her eyes.

Let's look at it now.

He didn't even dare to step out of his room.

A band... is just a pipe dream.

"Perhaps it's not too late."

With a confused and timid look in her eyes, her husband took out something he had been hiding under the bed.

It was a vintage-looking instrument case.

Upon opening it, a brand-new, natural wood-colored guitar lay inside.

"I bought this with my first month's salary when I started working, and I originally wanted to give it to you."

Under his wife's watchful eye, Nango carefully took the guitar out of its case and handed it to her.

"It doesn't matter if I can't go out to play rock music, can't leave my room, or can't even communicate with others. I'll just live my life the way I want."

Turning on their phone screens, Nanxiang and his wife looked at the account that hadn't uploaded a single guitar video in years, and whispered:

"No matter what, you will always be my guitar hero, Ichiri."

In the small room, the lights were off, and only the faint glow of a mobile phone screen illuminated the room.

There were no complaints, no anger, only silent tolerance and encouragement.

The wife remained silent, hesitated for a long time, and finally reached out her hand to the guitar that she hadn't touched in a long time.

[At your urging, Nanxiang Yili picked up her guitar again after many years and became active online once more.]

Although my memories of playing the guitar have long since faded, and my skills have become quite rusty.

But when she picked up her guitar again to practice, she smiled, a smile she hadn't shown in a long time.

She still couldn't leave her house, but she became increasingly active online.

To accompany her in practicing guitar, you disbanded your burgeoning studio, which had grown to include locations in Tokyo, leaving only the marketing department.

Because of your support and constant practice, her guitar skills have returned to their peak.

As you predicted, your wife is essentially a strong person. Her self-denial stems from her inability to find her own sense of purpose in life.

[With your behind-the-scenes manipulation, she quickly became the most popular online guitarist, thanks to her excellent guitar skills.]

Soon, she was able to earn a considerable income by uploading videos online.

The title of "Guitar Hero" has been fully established.

She recovered from depression and regained her vitality.

In terms of daily life, since you gave up your career and taken care of her every day, she has regained her vitality. She no longer has any wild thoughts and lives happily every day. It seems that as long as you are by her side, that is enough for her.

[With your eyes only for each other, you two decided not to have any more children. For Nan Yi Li, who was unable to go out or entertain guests, your three-story detached house became the best place for the two of you to spend time together.]

You gave up everything, and rarely interacted with others, preferring to stay with her in the room, making her happy in that small world.

The length of life has been infinitely expanded; you and she may already be inseparable.

As time passed, during a sudden temperature change on a snowy night, you, growing old, fell ill. Your wife took meticulous care of you, but it couldn't reverse your deteriorating health.

But you don't seem to care. You've already been happy enough spending your whole life with your wife. You whisper sweet nothings to her, and she can still laugh through her tears of sorrow.

In winter, the wind and snow not only bury the silent world, but the howling winds will also quietly carry you away from this time.

My wife, who never dared to attract attention and always spoke softly, nearly fainted from crying on the day of your funeral.

Time continues to pass.

In the days without you, your wife continues to strive to live alone. Yet, living in a house filled with memories of your entire life together, filled with traces of your shared existence, she still often thinks of you. And when she forgets to bring shampoo to the shower, she still subconsciously calls out your name.

She remembers the happiness she felt when she was with you, but now she can't find a reason to be happy.

It was raining at night. She stood in the rain, her vision blurred, and she could feel tears streaming down her cheeks.

A year later, still deeply saddened, she carried the guitar you had bought for her before her death, and, with the help of Yamada Ryo, who remained single until then, was buried alongside you in the Yamada family cemetery.

At the funeral, Yamada Ryo remained silent, holding a black umbrella quietly.

Three years later, Yamada Ryo passed away, and her bass was placed alongside your wife's guitar.

At her request, Yamada Ryo's family has arranged for her to be buried next to you.

She, who has never been close to you in her entire life, can finally be close to you.

[Simulation ended.]

......

Chapter Twenty-Three. NetEase Cloud Music Guitar

[Simulation Ended]

Looking at this line of text, Nanxiang silently picked up the water glass next to him, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Looking back on his memories, he saw Goto Ichiri, who died in melancholy, and Ichika Ichiji and Kita Ikuyo, who had regrets about their youth. He also saw Yamada Ryo, who died with regrets, being buried with him and Goto Ichiri.

Nanxiang's mood, which was originally quite good, has now turned into a depressed mood.

After all, everything in the simulated world is something that could very well happen in the future.

He gulped down several mouthfuls of water, then ate the cheap pork chop rice bento he bought from the supermarket with it, trying to suppress the pent-up frustration in his chest.

Only then did they turn their attention to the system's summary score.

System rating: 70 points.

[System Evaluation: Your relationship with her is unwavering. Your acquaintance and understanding developed naturally. With you, she, timid and shy, finds courage. You are her entire world, capable of encompassing her every need. To her, who is prone to insecurity, you are simply too dazzling. Perhaps, as you journey through life together, you should cultivate a little more confidence in her.]

Your youth was filled with regrets; after giving up her dreams, she became melancholic, timid, and cowardly.

During your youth and middle age, you supported each other. She recovered her spirits, and you gave up your job and everything else for her, devoting yourself entirely to her. Therefore, neither of you could let go of the past. She never wanted to be a burden to you. After your death, she was heartbroken and eventually followed you in death. Looking back on your life, it was filled with regret.

[System Results: You have obtained a permanent item: Guitar 'A Lifetime Full of Regret', and your understanding of music has deepened.]

Your musical talent has improved; you are currently at LV2.

The result of this simulation was only around 70 points.

Upon seeing this final result, Nango Toki fell into thought.

It's only slightly higher than the score in the second playthrough.

But the outcome was still within his expectations. Although he accompanied Goto Ichiri to the end of his life in this loop, there were too many regrets left along the way.

Whether it was the failure of ending the band in high school, or his later abandonment of his own career to live only for Goto Ichiri, and later, the two of them even cut off communication with the outside world and lived in their own little world—he did not improve Goto Ichiri's timid personality, but instead he was led astray by her. Isn't this another kind of regret?

From Nanxiang's perspective, this rating seemed quite reasonable.

As for the other aspect, his musical talent improved in this playthrough, which is not surprising.

After all, in the third timeline, he had been practicing guitar since high school and was quite well-known for his street performances. Later on, he even gave up his career and work to devote himself entirely to practicing guitar with Goto Ichiri.

It can be said that, apart from Goto Ichiri, practicing guitar occupied the largest portion of his life in this playthrough, and his guitar skills in this playthrough are probably about the same as Goto Ichiri's.

Therefore, it is only natural that his musical talent improved.

And her music level 2...? That's probably about the same as Kita Ikuyo's level in high school simulations, not worth mentioning at all.

It's worth noting that someone like Goto Ichiri, who posts videos online as a "guitar hero" and gains a lot of attention, probably has a guitar playing skill level of around LV3 or LV4.

As for LV5... that's the highest level set by the system, probably only Goto Ichiri during her rock queen era could reach it.

At that level, whether it was the typhoon, the rhythm, or the fingering and hand shape, it was already at its peak, unmatched and incomparable by anyone of the same period.

So it's only LV2... Nanxiang Shi didn't really care much - after all, he needed at least LV3 to make money with this thing.

Furthermore, the further you progress, the longer the experience bar will become, and it will likely be even more difficult to level up.

Compared to this, Nango Toki was actually more concerned about the so-called permanent items in the system.

Nanxiang reached out and opened his attribute panel.

At the very bottom, in the newly added items section, there is now an icon for a natural wood-colored guitar.

Nanxiang reached out and lightly touched the guitar icon.

At the same time, he felt a weight in his hand.

It was a rather vintage violin case.

"Isn't this the guitar I gave to Goto Ichiri in the simulation?"

Looking at the all-too-familiar instrument case, Nango Toki paused for a moment before turning his attention to the system introduction.