My Romance Simulation with Them

In the photo, she stares blankly at the camera.

The vibrancy of youth has been lost.

Her once delicate and fair face now bears the marks of time and an undeniable weariness as she enters middle age.

Her cherry-pink lips were thin.

Her pink eyes were large and bright.

But Nanxiang could no longer feel the touch of her lips, nor could she feel her gaze upon him.

In the photos, her brows and eyes are always furrowed.

As Matsuzaka Shio said, it's like he's always thinking about something.

He had no expression, only a cold look as he looked at Nanxiang and everything in front of him.

No wonder.

She is neither moving nor smiling in the photo.

Not to mention what kind of expression they would make.

A hint of regret flashed in Nanxiang's eyes.

Surprisingly, even using the 'Route Card from the Future' with 1200 points of affection still couldn't save Matsuzaka Satou.

Even in middle age, after Matsuzaka Sato passed away, she was unable to find a burial plot in the temple's cemetery.

Her body was confined within a small box.

It could only be placed alone in the family's mourning hall by Matsuzaka Shio.

Where do people go after they die?

Nanxiang didn't know either.

He just felt that...

Matsuzaka Satou, who walked the world alone and died alone... must have been very lonely.

Nanxiang's fingers gently slid across the photo frame.

There was a long silence.

He then placed the photo frame back in the place of worship.

Then he picked up a small hammer and gently tapped the bronze chime used for the sacrifice to the deceased.

Ding--

The bronze chime made a clear, crisp sound.

Then came a long, humming vibrato.

Guided by Shio Matsuzaka, Nango took out several long incense sticks from the drawer below.

After lighting it, I bowed slightly to the portrait of Matsuzaka Sato in front of me.

Then, long incense sticks were inserted as a sign of worship.

After completing these actions.

Nango then sat back down on the cushion, speaking slowly and deliberately, as if talking to himself, or as if addressing the deceased Matsuzaka Satou.

"I'm here, Sugar."

He looked calmly into Matsuzaka Satou's portrait.

"To be honest, I was quite happy when I saw our daughter, but there was also a bit of surprise in my joy."

He grasped Matsuzaka Shio's hand.

Matsuzaka Shio remained silent, kneeling beside Nango Toki.

"I am delighted that you actually raised our daughter into such a beautiful young woman. I am amazed at how much hardship you endured in Tokyo to raise Shio alone."

He muttered to himself.

Many people think so.

Tokyo is a city where dreams abound and gold is everywhere.

The Japanese call this act of traveling from the countryside to Tokyo "going to Tokyo," hoping to realize their dreams in the city.

But Nanxiang knew.

Just how difficult is it to live alone in Tokyo?

This is indeed Japan's most vibrant international city, the heart of Japan.

Yet, it is also an incredibly indifferent city.

In addition, Japanese women already face discrimination and being looked down upon in the workplace.

Not to mention single mothers like Matsuzaka Satou who have children to raise.

Just how many snubs had the other person suffered in this city... Nanxiang only had to think about it before he felt a pang of heartache.

That girl who didn't know how to express her emotions wasn't made of bronze or iron.

She also has her own feelings.

However, her first reaction to being wronged was not to express her grievances.

Nanxiang sighed softly, "Don't worry about our daughter. I will shoulder the responsibilities of a father and raise her to adulthood... She is our daughter, so rest assured, I will never let her suffer any injustice."

"..."

Upon hearing Nango's words, Matsuzaka Shio opened his mouth and couldn't help but turn around to look at the other person.

The hurdle in her heart is far from over.

After all, he had been left to his own devices for twenty years.

I and my mother have also suffered so much injustice.

Even though he was already able to call Nango 'father'.

However, the resentment in one's heart is not so easily let go.

But... faced with Nango's words and his mother's portrait.

The words stuck in his throat.

After a long while, as if she had made up her mind, she spoke to Matsuzaka Satou's portrait as well:

"Yes, Mother, don't worry, I will live with Father from now on."

She didn't say much.

But the way he held Nanxiang's hand in return already said a lot.

A person who wallows in sadness has no future and is unable to take any steps forward.

Her mother used to be her companion.

Now... it's the father's turn to accompany him.

She said that.

At the same time, Nango looked at the family altar in front of him.

The incense burned silently.

Those who survive still need to move forward.

......

After Matsuzaka Sugar finished the ritual.

Without the slightest hesitation, Nango decided to bring Matsuzaka Shio home.

the reason is simple.

The conditions in this low-rent housing are absolutely appalling.

It's already drafty from all four sides.

At night, drunk office workers and homeless people also frequent the area.

Nango Toki was not at ease leaving Matsuzaka Shio to live alone here.

He made the decision with ease.

But Matsuzaka Shio opened his mouth, looking inexplicably uneasy.

Because Nango's decision came too quickly for her.

Although he said in front of his mother's portrait that he would live with Nango Toki.

But she never expected that Nanxiang would be so decisive and take her away directly.

The rapid pace left her bewildered, and she even looked up somewhat uneasily, asking in a low voice, "Father... is everything alright?"

Yes.

Is everything alright?

Don't say she wasn't mentally prepared.

Even the six sisters from the southern countryside.

And the father's wives... I guess they weren't mentally prepared either.

Suddenly, I had a daughter by my side.

Suddenly, I had another family member.

This sudden turn of events...won't it make them feel psychologically uncomfortable?

Because of what happened with Matsuzaka Satou, Matsuzaka Shio is actually much more sensible than the six Nango sisters.

She was well aware that she was a complete outsider to the Nanxiang family.

Even without the Nanxiang family.

Even in ordinary families.