My Romance Simulation with Them

"why?"

"Too lazy to do it."

Nanxiang yawned.

"I'm angry, Shi."

"It's no use getting angry, Ms. Yamada."

It's cool.

"Yes, Ms. Yamada."

"..." Yamada Ryo didn't say anything, but while looking at Nango, he stuck out his little tongue and licked the remaining meat juice at the bottom of his bowl without expression.

"...Sigh. Besides Ms. Yamada, who else wants to eat? Ichiri, please?"

Feeling Yamada's gaze, Nango Toki finally shook his head helplessly, put down the book, stood up, and spoke directly.

Then he saw all of them raised, pale hands.

"...I guess both are true."

Nanxiang shook his head, walked back from the basement to the kitchen on the first floor, leaving behind only the words, "I'll wait until you all get fat."

Watching him leave, Yamada Ryo turned back to Iji Tomoka and said, "Manager, I have a suggestion."

"what?"

Ijichi Hoshika was still looking forward to the dishes that Nango Toki was about to serve when she heard this and turned around.

“I think we can recruit Shi to work as a chef at ‘Starry Sky’.”

As soon as Yamada Ryo said those words.

Not only did Goto Ichiri's ears perk up, but even Ichichi Nikka, Kita Ikuyo, and PA-san on the other side silently raised their heads.

Then--

"No, that won't work."

"Why--?!"

This time, it wasn't just Yamada who was upset; all the girls present expressed similar dissatisfaction.

"You guys... you've really got that guy's stomachs tied to you."

Ijichi Hoshika looked at the people present and couldn't help but shake her head.

You've only been in Nanxiang for a few days, haven't you?

This group of people no longer respects him as the store manager.

However... even she had to admit it.

The food prepared in the southern countryside always has a lingering, blissful quality that leaves a lasting impression.

you could put it that way.

I ate something made in the southern countryside.

If you let Ichika go out and spend money to eat, she will find the food tasteless.

Thinking of this, Ichiji Hoshika continued, "It's not that I'm unwilling, but I talked to him about it, and he temporarily refused."

"You refused?"

These words surprised everyone present.

They had already heard about Yamada Ryo's family situation from Nango, and it didn't seem optimistic.

If that's the case, then why refuse jobs that are offered to you?

"Hmm, it seems they have other things to take care of recently, so they'll consider things here after they've dealt with those matters..."

Recalling the details Nango had mentioned, Ichiji Hoshika began to speak.

"Oh, I see."

Presumably, it was some urgent matter that needed to be dealt with, and everyone present showed understanding and wisely refrained from bringing it up again.

"But speaking of which, Nango-san really does everything very well..."

Ijichi Seika lay lazily on the table, recounting the events that had occurred since her meeting with Nango Toki:

"He ranked first in the national deviation value simulation test, and he can learn to play the guitar very quickly. It seems he can also compose music, right? That song 'I Don't Want to Die Lonely' is really good."

"Yes, it really sounds great."

Ryo Yamada, who had some ideas about the piece, pondered for a moment before speaking up: "And it sounds like it suits our style very well, but it's much more mature than my style."

Even Yamada Ryo, who always prided himself on being a genius, couldn't help but sigh a little at this moment.

The song "I Don't Want to Die Alone" could probably be made into a CD and sold without much problem.

"Speaking of which, I heard from Ms. PA that Senior Nango has asked Ms. PA to help edit the video of the outdoor performance and is preparing to upload it online?"

Kita Ikuyo also joined the conversation at this point.

"Ah...you mean that? Well...although it was filmed with a phone, vertical short videos are very popular now, so it shouldn't be a big problem."

Ms. PA maintained her usual gentle smile: "I haven't given him the edited video yet, but he specifically told me that he seems to want to become famous online through videos of his outdoor performances in order to make money."

Then Ms. PA paused:

"Moreover, Brother Nanxiang also said that if you don't mind, you can actually use the song 'I Don't Want to Die Lonely.' He even specially copied down the lyrics so that I could pass them on to you."

"Hey?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present erupted in uproar.

Especially the band members who ended the game all looked incredulous.

Such a high-quality piece of music, and Nanxiang just gave it to them like that?

Even laymen can probably tell the value of "I Don't Want to Die Lonely" without needing experts to listen to it.

The first half is a perfect blend of suppressed pain and despair, and the second half is a cathartic release of stress.

There's a phrase that perfectly describes "I Don't Want to Die Alone".

This is a song that can easily bring tears to your eyes.

This is something any good song needs: the ability to empathize.

And Nango Toki was actually willing to give this song to their End Band.

but--

“It’s still not good.” Ichiji Nijika shook her head: “We can’t just accept Nango’s hard work so easily.”

Writing a piece of music that evokes empathy and touches the heart is definitely not something that can be achieved overnight.

That requires a lot of effort and countless changes, day and night.

Despite being extremely envious.

However, Ichi Nijika still couldn't accept the work that was full of Nango Toki's hard work so easily.

Everyone present fell silent.

As Ichi Nijika said, it was a work that Nango Toki poured his heart and soul into.

He reached out and took it.

This is not only disrespectful to Nango Toki, but also disrespectful to the work itself.

but--

"I...I think it's acceptable."

During the time when everyone remained silent, only one person raised their small hand.

And this person was someone no one could have imagined, Goto Ichiri, who was usually too timid to speak loudly.

Everyone was slightly surprised.

“I think, Ah Shi... no, I mean, Senior Nango, he must have his own reasons.”

This was the first time Goto Ichiri had spoken to so many people, and he stammered, his voice trembling.

Even so, she spoke very softly but firmly.

She continued, "He's not the kind of person who would say something like that on a whim."

Goto Ichiri understands Nango Toki's thoughts.

Because in her memory, "I Don't Want to Die Lonely" was actually a song they performed after they "ended the band".

Nango simply used Ms. PA's words to return the song that originally belonged to them to them.

That person, though he didn't say anything, actually cared about their decision to end the band.

Thinking of this, Goto Ichiri's initial fear lessened.

"He must have thought this through carefully before giving us the song 'I Don't Want to Die Alone,' so I think we should accept his help. Uh... that's all I have to say."

Goto Ichiri sat down.

I said it, I said it out loud.

Although it was very awkward and she spoke haltingly, she finally said it.

She successfully overcame her social anxiety symptoms.

Goto Ichiri looked at his palm.

If it were my past self, I definitely wouldn't have been able to do this.

Although it was very faint, during the time she communicated with Nanxiang Shi, she could clearly feel that she seemed to be subtly changing.

After Goto Ichiri finished speaking, everyone else present fell silent.

It wasn't just because Nanxiang was willing to give them the music.

More than anything, I was surprised by the changes in Goto Ichiri.

You should know that when Goto Ichiri first arrived at the 'Starry Night' performance hall two months ago, she was a nobody who didn't even dare to speak loudly.