My Romance Simulation with Them

The tutorials you found online weren't complicated. With just a few tries, you made some pretty good cookies. You not only sent cookies to the band members who had just finished their business, but you also remembered Ijichi Seika and Ms. PA who took good care of you while you were in the hospital.

[Your cookies received unanimous praise from the girls. They clearly didn't expect that you, who are always focused on your studies, would have such a skill. Yamada Ryo secretly bought the ingredients and asked you to help make the desserts.]

Although Yamada Ryo always secretly approaches you, for some reason, every time you invite her to come for a tasting, the four members of the band who had just finished their performance always gather there.

[You're not focusing on these details right now; as a senior in high school, you should concentrate on preparing for your exams.]

As expected, with your full effort and diligent preparation, no difficult question was a problem. After the exam, you received a high score, allowing you to freely choose any university in Japan.

[Amidst everyone's attention, you didn't choose the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Medicine as they expected, but instead opted for the less competitive Journalism and Media Studies program at the University of Tokyo.]

[The band's activities continued after you entered university, but you were busy with your studies and rarely visited 'Starry Night' as often as before.]

Even after the band ended, they knew you had a lot of studies to do. Every time you came to Fanxing, they would put aside their heavy practice and spend time chatting with you and going out to relax.

You didn't say much, you just observed everything.

As time went on, with each new activity, the already improving skills of the End Band gradually increased their reputation in Shimokitazawa.

However, as fame gradually rose, various troubles also began to surface without anyone noticing.

The band, which was gradually gaining recognition, lacked someone to represent them in negotiating collaborations, leaving them somewhat lost.

[It's important to understand that a band's development is multifaceted. Whether they should be acquired by a record label and debut as a signed band, or continue on their independent path, left the band "Ending" feeling lost, especially during their rising career.]

They were unsure how to decide their future path; even Ichiji Hoshika had no experience in this area. This was undoubtedly their most helpless and confused period.

You know it's time for you to step forward.

Chapter Thirty-Six. Towards the Dream

[If a band wants to go further, it undoubtedly needs commercial packaging. You understand this, which is why you chose the Journalism and Media Studies major at the University of Tokyo.]

[Students majoring in media or related fields naturally have some exposure to band and idol production.]

This is precisely why you did not choose the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Medicine.

Over the course of your long time together, you witnessed their tireless practice, day and night.

Unbeknownst to you, their dreams have long since taken root in your heart, and their long-held dream of performing on stage has become your dream as well. You are willing to work alongside them towards this goal.

[To this end, you diligently studied media knowledge related to band production at the University of Tokyo. Meanwhile, through your deliberate networking, your talent attracted the attention of some people within the university, and you gained considerable connections on campus.]

[You don't want the band to lose their freedom. Being signed by a record company can indeed bring them fame faster, but it will also deprive them of their right to create and perform freely.]

Through your exceptional social skills and connections at the University of Tokyo, you gained valuable experience by interning at various record labels in Japan, thereby gaining a basic understanding of the industry's independent bands.

Tell them not to worry, that you're here for them.

Like a dam holding back a raging flood, they gradually calmed down under your comforting words, initially confused and at a loss.

The fog on the sea was still very thick, but they could still see the lighthouse.

[Ichi Nijika confidently entrusted you with the management and operation of the band after its disbandment.]

The fact that no one objected to the decision at the small meeting after the band's performance speaks volumes about your standing in their eyes.

You cherish their trust, having already audited upperclassmen classes to prepare for university courses, and now you diligently manage the band.

"Did you manage to win him back?"

Seeing the words "simulator," Nango Toki's initially tense mood relaxed slightly.

He didn't know why he was nervous.

But memories from the simulator came flooding back.

When he saw that Ijichi Nijika, as the leader, was troubled and depressed because of signing a contract or being an independent band.

When he saw Yamada Ryo, who seemed indifferent on the surface but secretly consulted many seniors from other bands and traveled back and forth for this purpose.

When he saw that even someone like Goto Ichiri, who suffers from social anxiety, had followed Kita Ikuyo in searching for a lot of information about it online and was tossing and turning in bed because of it, he was deeply moved.

Even Nango Toki, who was used to watching the fun, unconsciously became tense at this moment.

This simulation has far fewer romance elements compared to previous playthroughs.

But the spirit of dedication they showed in pursuing their dreams after ending the band was something he couldn't ignore.

Have you ever heard the drumming from the Starry Night Practice Room, which is still lit up at 11 p.m.?

Have you ever seen Yamada Ryo, who was so engrossed in thinking about new songs that he almost stepped into a stinky ditch while walking?

Have you ever seen Goto Ichiri, who is incredibly timid but tries her best to smooth things over and save the day when equipment malfunctions?

Have you ever seen Kita Ikuyo, who pressed her slender fingers against the strings until they bled, yet still didn't stop practicing?

Reality is close, cold, and cruel.

Dreams are far, far away, very far away.

But they remained standing in the cold reality, trying to reach out and pull their distant dreams closer.

You want to be the 'line' that brings them closer together in their dreams.

Therefore, the first step to realizing your dreams is to achieve financial freedom.

[Under your management, the band ended and began participating in the Tokyo Youth Music Festival.]

The band's performance was indeed excellent; even at a music festival, it would have drawn considerable attention from the audience.

[You struck while the iron was hot, leveraging the exposure from these music festivals to create a dedicated online account for the band End of the Band and upload their performance videos.]

With the support of the Tokyo Youth Music Festival, your video about the band's demise quickly gained recognition and spread, and the number of views for all your uploaded videos soared.

You earned a substantial amount of money from these videos.

[Your thinking is very clear. After earning money from the video, you immediately invested that hard-earned money into the production of a small album to close out the band.]

These miniature CDs contain three of their songs and will be sold to fans as live merchandise at their next performance for 2,500 yen each.

By this time, the band End was already somewhat well-known in Shimokitazawa, and under your management, their popularity had increased slightly. On the day of their performance, the atmosphere was electric, and as you predicted, all one hundred miniature CDs sold out.

According to Ichika Hoshika, a kind older sister who enjoys drinking and playing bass specially went to 'Starry Night' to buy ten miniature CDs.

[After the band's second performance, you gave a portion of the money you earned last time to Ijichi Hoshika, temporarily renting the 'Starry Night' performance hall. You didn't charge admission fees, using 'free live performance' as a selling point, attracting a large new audience.]

[To meet your and your fans' expectations, the band members gave an extra burst of energy after their performance, creating an atmosphere that rivaled that of some veteran rock bands.]

[You seized the opportunity to launch a sales strategy that bundled tickets to your next performance with a record, and as you predicted, your investment was returned several times over.]

[Thanks to your efforts, the band End of the Band has seen a significant boost in popularity, with their online following surpassing 20,000 in just two weeks. There are also numerous tweets discussing the band.]

And so, through your various maneuvers, the meager sums that initially came from the band's online video revenue gradually ballooned in your hands.

[In the end, you obtained a number that shocked Ichichi Nijika, Yamada Ryo, Goto Ichiri, and Kita Ikuyo even in their dreams.]

If this money is spent sparingly, it will be enough to cover the band's expenses for at least one or two years after the band ends.

[Your business acumen once made Ichiji Hoshika wonder what the structure of your head really was.]

But you don't care, because in your view, this is merely the first step towards financial freedom.

Their popularity is on the rise, and since they are no longer worried about finances, they must seize this opportunity.

You begin working to make End of the Band a truly famous rock band.

Throughout this process, Ijichi Nijika, Yamada Ryo, Goto Ichiri, and Kita Ikuyo unconditionally trusted you. They were willing to follow behind you, and you were willing to guide them through the gloomy nights.

Your relationship with them has become closer.

Chapter 37. Iji Chikuri Natsumi confesses her feelings to you.

[Under your management, End of the Band gradually became a well-known indie rock band in Tokyo.]

However, as you continue to expand, you also discover various hidden problems within the band.

You've found Goto Ichiri.

[In the band, Ijichi Nijika is lively and cheerful, always caring for others; Kita Ikuyo is warm, generous, and gentle; and Yamada Ryo is independent and self-reliant. You don't need to worry about any of the three of them.]

[Only Goto Ichiri remained timid and shy, unable to make eye contact with others, and even stuttering when speaking. Therefore, in the four-member band, you openly and secretly gave most of your care to this girl who always caused worry and was easily frightened.]

You reached out to her and told her about the band's recent rise in popularity after their breakup.

[While this is a good thing, you don't want the increased fame resulting from the band's disbandment to put psychological pressure on her, who is already sensitive.]

She stood beside you, quietly listening to you ramble on about the recent end of the band. When you mentioned worrying that it might put pressure on her, the usually timid girl took your hand.

The park's streetlights are scattered, casting shadows on the ground.

There was a rustling sound when I stepped on the road.

Goto Ichiri turned his head to look at the young man walking beside him.

After entering university, the other person became even taller than in high school and looked much more mature.

"That's wonderful," she thought to herself.

Not daring to look him in the eye, Goto Ichiri lowered his head again, secretly watching his shadow on the ground.

Her social anxiety had improved and eased through her many performances with the band, but for some reason, she always felt a little ashamed when facing him.

But being able to stay by his side is enough.

Goto Ichiri obediently followed behind Nango Toki, listening to him ramble on about the band's recent situation.

Hongxia's playing has improved again, Liang is always finding excuses to ask him for instrument funding, and Yudai occasionally brings her friends backstage in the practice room...

They stopped walking.

“The band’s popularity has been rising rapidly recently, so I’ve been worried that you might feel too much pressure.”

Nanxiang pondered for a moment before speaking.

Yes.

Nanxiang was constantly worried.

Because Goto Ichiri has always been a girl with a very delicate personality and emotions, and is prone to overthinking.

Does the fact that her bandmates are all making progress put too much pressure on her?

The woman beside him did not speak.