My Love Simulation with Them

No one had expected—

Chisato to act so quickly.

One moment, she was just talking.

The next, she had already taken the pill.

Her movements were too fast.

Too decisive.

Even if someone wanted to stop her—

They couldn't.

Even Minami—

Hadn't expected this.

But—

Then he remembered who was standing in front of him.

Minami shook his head.

"Of course. This is Chisato Nishikigi."

"She always does things that catch me off guard."

Her personality was simply too unpredictable.

Trying to anticipate her was—

Like trying to catch the wind.

Still—

Minami looked up at the floating game interface.

It had just updated the description of the Universal Healing Pill.

[Universal Healing Pill (900 Affection Points)]

Effect:

Cures any theoretically incurable injury or disease. Reaction varies based on the severity of the illness or injury.

"..."

Minami clicked his tongue in irritation.

"Damn game system."

"Why didn't you tell me this before I bought it?"

But there was no point complaining now.

He looked at Chisato,

Then stepped forward to ask—

"This pill causes different reactions depending on the person..."

"How do you feel?"

"How do I feel...?"

Chisato blinked,

Then looked at her own hand, as if trying to sense any changes.

But—

"Nothing much, really."

Her body felt the same.

If she had to describe any changes—

"Hmm... Maybe my chest feels a bit... tight?"

Chisato tilted her head in thought—

Then, without hesitation—

She reached up and massaged her own chest.

Her fingers pressed against her left side—

Where her heart was.

Of course—

Because of her movements—

Her already ample figure was...

Well.

Very noticeable.

"Chisato! What are you doing in front of a guy?!"

Takina snapped.

She rushed forward and grabbed Chisato's hand—

Stopping her from going any further.

"Huh? It's no big deal, right? It's just Minami-kun."

Chisato pouted, looking a little annoyed.

Minami didn't respond.

He just stared at her silently.

"Besides the tightness, do you feel anything else?"

Takina held Chisato's wrist firmly,

Preventing her from moving freely,

As she asked with concern.

"Hmm... Not really."

Chisato kept massaging her chest with her other hand.

"It's just a bit tight. But maybe that's just because of the medicine?"

"Also... I feel kinda sleepy."

She yawned,

Then rubbed her own shoulder lazily.

"If you're feeling sleepy, then you should go back to the dorm and rest."

"We can cover your shift today."

Seeing that Chisato didn't seem to be in any real distress,

Takina finally relaxed.

There was no rush to check if the pill had worked.

The most important thing was—

That she wasn't in pain.

For now—

That was enough.

At that moment—

Chisato Nishikigi turned her head toward Minami Shouji.

Seeing the thoughtful expression on his face,

She bowed slightly and spoke in gratitude:

"Minami-san, thank you for making the trip here today."

Even if that capsule didn't seem effective—

Minami had still come all this way for Chisato.

Of course, she had to express her thanks.

But Minami only shook his head.

Then, after another glance at Chisato,

He said:

"If you're feeling fine, that's great."

"I actually need to head out for something—"

"Would you mind walking with me?"

"There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

A simple invitation.

Yet, for the first time, the usually carefree and cheerful Chisato hesitated.

Her lips parted slightly—

"Uh... well—"

"If you really don't want to, it's fine."

"You don't have to force yourself, Chisato-san."

"Ugh—"

That line—

Was basically forcing her to go!

Chisato let out a defeated sigh.

"Minami-kun, sometimes... you can be really mean."

"I don't understand what you mean, Chisato-san."

Minami's expression remained calm.

But those words—

Made Chisato glare at him.

"Fine, fine! I get it!"

"I'll walk you there, okay? Happy now?!"

With an exaggerated sigh,

She stood up and walked to Minami's side.

"I'll be in your care, then."

Minami nodded,

Then turned to face the rest of the "Riko-Riko" café staff—

Giving them a small nod of acknowledgment before walking away.

Without any hesitation,

Chisato followed right behind him.

The moment they left the café—

Minami spoke.

"Still holding up?"

"Eh?"

"Holding up what?"

Chisato tilted her head, confused.

It was obvious she had no idea what he was talking about.

But Minami simply said—

"You can drop the act now."

At those words—

Chisato's cheerful expression froze slightly.

She blinked.

Then, after a few seconds—

The smile on her face gradually faded.

And then—

Her right hand clenched tightly over her left chest.

In Minami's unwavering gaze—

Chisato could no longer keep standing.

Her legs gave out.

She collapsed to the ground,

One hand gripping her chest,

Her mouth open—

"Hah... haah..."

Breathing ragged.

Struggling to take in air.

"So you were forcing yourself through the side effects."

Minami let out a soft sigh.

Then, he extended a hand toward her.

"What are you—?"

"I'll carry you to the hospital."

"I'll find a taxi ahead."

Minami's voice was steady—

With no hesitation.

Before Chisato could protest,

He had already pulled her up—

And, with practiced ease, lifted her onto his back.

Just earlier,

Minami had already noticed it.

Chisato's voice was slightly rushed.

The tone wasn't like her usual self.

She had been forcing herself to sound normal.

She didn't want to worry anyone in the café—

So she pretended everything was fine.

But—

"Minami-kun... how did you know?"

Because she had been picked up,

Her body shifted slightly forward,

And instinctively,

Her arms wrapped around Minami's neck.

As she gasped for air,

She still managed to whisper—

"I thought I... hid it... really well."

Yes.

She had been so sure.

Even Takina, who had been with her every day,

Hadn't noticed a thing.

Yet Minami—

Saw right through her instantly.

"How do I put it...?"

As he carried her,

Minami spoke casually.

"Let's just say—"

"I've been through this before."

Because he had been through it.

In the second simulation—

He had already grown used to Chisato's "perfectly faked" smiles.

But this time—

This time, he wouldn't fail again.

Even when she was suffering,

Chisato Nishikigi always endured it alone—

And Minami Shouji knew this better than anyone.

"You... have experience?"

Chisato rested against Minami's shoulder,

Looking at his handsome side profile.

And somehow,

She still managed to let out a soft laugh.

"Hehe... I knew it..."

"Minami-kun, we must have met somewhere before, right?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Just a feeling."

Chisato closed her eyes,

As the tightness in her chest grew stronger.

Then, she leaned in close to Minami's ear—

Whispering in a soft, sleepy voice:

"I just feel... like I've seen you before..."

"Like we crossed paths somewhere... met somewhere..."

And more than that—

She felt like she had wronged Minami before.

Like she had hurt him.

Like she had once left him behind—

Alone, in pain.

"It's just your imagination."

Minami kept running toward the street.

Never once looking back.

"Hehe... if you say so..."

"Then I'll just pretend it's my imagination."

The effect of the miracle pill was getting stronger.

Chisato instinctively tightened her grip around Minami's neck.

"Hey, Minami-kun."

"If my heart really gets better—"

"Wanna try dating?"

"I feel like we'd make a great couple."

"You do realize you've only known me for two days, right?"

"Hehe... but I believe in love at first sight, you know?"

Chisato hugged him tighter.

There was just something about being carried like this—

Something that made her not want to let go.

"We can talk about that after you're fully recovered."

"So if I get better—"

"You'll date me?"

Even in her weak state,

Chisato's eyes lit up.

She forced herself to open them—

Staring at Minami with wide, sparkling eyes.

Those soft, pleading eyes—

Enough to make any man hesitate.

And then—

"No."

Minami's answer was as merciless as ever.

"Huh—?!

"Isn't this the part where the male lead says 'yes' to the dying girl's last wish?!"

Somehow, she found the strength to poke Minami's cheek in protest.

This man—

Was way too cold-hearted!

"You're not going to die."

"I trust my medicine."

He was confident in the miracle pill from his love simulator system.

It would fix Chisato's heart.

And besides—

"I don't make promises lightly."

"Meeting someone, getting to know them, dating them—"

"Those things are serious. They shouldn't be taken as a joke."

If someone gives you their heart—

You can't just treat it like a game.

That kind of person—

Would just be trash.

"But if you just said yes—"

"You could date a beautiful girl like me—"

"And do all the fun things that guys your age love to do!"

Chisato pouted.

Then lightly bonked her head against his back.

"Minami-kun, do you even realize how your words make me feel?"

"How do they make you feel?"

"Here, I'll tell you."

She moved closer to his ear—

Lowered her voice—

Then whispered with a playful giggle:

"They make me think..."

"That you're really, really cute."

"And that I like you even more now~ Hehehe~."

Then, she leaned back slightly and grinned—

"C'mon, Minami-kun!"

"Date me!"

"I just know dating you will be so much fun~!"

Minami fell silent.

Honestly—

He could never understand Chisato's chaotic thought process.

Ignoring her teasing,

Minami finally reached the street—

And flagged down a taxi.

After placing Chisato inside,

He got in himself.

The hospital where she always got her check-ups?

Minami had been there many times in his simulations.

He gave the address to the driver without hesitation.

Then, he turned to Chisato.

Her body was weak from the pill's side effects.

Getting into the taxi had exhausted her even more.

She looked like she was about to fall asleep.

"Are we... at the hospital yet, Minami-kun...?"

Her small hand reached for his—

Her voice barely more than a murmur.

"We're here."

"Go ahead and sleep."

Minami sighed—

Then gently ran his fingers through her golden hair.

His movements were too practiced—

The result of countless attempts in his simulations.

Chisato melted under his touch.

Her body felt warm and relaxed.

Her small fingers squeezed his hand a little tighter—

Like she never wanted to let go.

And just like that—

She fell into a deep sleep.

Chisato dreamed of many things.

But one part annoyed her the most.

Because in her dream—

There were other women trying to take Minami from her.

A pink-haired girl.

She looked shy and easy to tease.

And a blue-haired girl.

With a lazy, carefree voice.

The problem was—

They were just as pretty as her!

Even in her dream,

Chisato felt an unexplainable sense of danger.

If she didn't act fast—

Some random girl would steal Minami away!

That kind of thing—

Would NEVER happen!

"Minami-kun!"

Chisato snapped awake—

Her body jolting up from the bed like a spring.

"N-Nishikigi -san?! Are you okay?" 

The doctor and nurses nearby nearly jumped out of their skin.

"Eh...? Dr. Yamigishi...? What's going on...?"

(TL Notes: Yamigishi is a side character in the original anime series, Lycoris Recoil. She is Chisato's primary care doctor.)

Her blurry vision focused—

And there stood Dr. Yamigishi,

The doctor in charge of her heart condition.

Chisato froze.

She had no idea what was happening.

"Ah... about an hour ago—"

"A young man who called himself your friend brought you here."

"A friend...?"

A young man...

Who brought her here...?

Chisato immediately thought of Minami Shouji.

That damn guy—

The one who almost got stolen by other girls in her dream.

"At his request, we ran a full-body examination on you."

Dr. Yamigishi flipped open the medical report.

Her voice trembled with excitement.

"Nishikigi -san..."

"We found that your congenital heart disease has... completely healed!"

"This is a medical miracle—!

"Something unheard of in history!

"Please—tell me, how did you do it?!"

She stared at the report,

Shaking her head in astonishment.

Meanwhile, Chisato sat motionless on the bed—

Her golden eyes blinking in surprise.

Because she suddenly remembered—

"You won't die."

"I trust my medicine."

Minami really meant it.

A wave of emotions swelled inside her.

She turned toward Dr. Yamigishi—

Cutting off her endless muttering of "unbelievable," "miracle," and "scientific anomaly".

"Dr. Yamigishi."

"Yes?"

Chisato clasped her hands together—

Her voice serious and urgent.

"Where's my boyfriend?"

Her bold words filled the entire room.

And in that moment—

Chisato Nishikigi declared her claim.

Without Minami's knowledge.