My Love Simulation with Them

[You and Takina have moved in together.]

[Though it's living together, it actually just means you were assigned to the room that Chisato used to stay in, and nothing unusual happened.]

[Unlike Chisato, she has shoulder-length black hair and a refined, composed face. She appears calm and aloof, her personality serious, and she dislikes unreasonable and meaningless things.]

[She's equally meticulous in her daily life.]

[She doesn't wear any accessories, the shoes in the entryway are always neatly arranged, and her dark navy-gray uniform's collar is always neat and clean. Sometimes when she's lost in thought, she looks somewhat stern, giving the impression that she's always angry.]

[To ensure a smoother cohabitation with you, she even prepared a thin manual for cohabitation.]

[It contains a detailed record of when you two use the washing machine, drying racks, and bathroom.]

[In order to take better care of you, she even cleared a large amount of time for herself, and the time originally meant for you to do laundry was all taken over by her.]

[Her face, which is exquisite and composed, was full of seriousness. You just smiled cheerfully and put the overly biased manual aside, sharing the household chores with her.]

[She had some objections to your arrangement, but when she saw your unflinching expression, the ice in her heart melted.]

[You two began living together according to the new shared household rules.]

['Riko-Riko''s bookkeeping was always her responsibility, and the daily accounts were quite complicated, so after each shift, she would bring her work back to the dormitory and work until late.]

[At such times, you would make her a refreshing soup or a warm porridge.]

[At first, she refused to let you bother her, but after tasting the first spoonful, her refusal softened.]

[As you both lived together, your interactions grew more frequent. Your optimistic and cheerful personality seemed to have a positive influence on her, and the days when she smiled at you became more and more.]

[At the same time, she seemed to understand why Chisato, who refused to open her heart to any man, was completely unreserved with you.]

[Because even she...]

[Your relationship with Takina deepened.]

[You often take naps on the couch in the living room. She would lecture you about it, but every time you just laughed and agreed, only to end up on the couch again at the same time the next day.]

[Gradually, she realized that lecturing you was pointless, so she stopped doing so.]

[But from that day onward, every time you woke up on the couch, you'd find yourself covered by a blanket.]

[You asked her about this, and she always denied it, saying she couldn't be bothered. But at that moment, you'd tease her and see her blush, and she'd lightly punch you, satisfied that the topic ended there.]

[Your communication with her grew more frequent. When she had some free time, she would support her cheek in her hand, watching you daze off.]

[You, who were still immersed in the sorrow of Chisato's passing, didn't notice this. You continued to work at 'Riko-Riko'.]

[Under your management, 'Riko-Riko''s business stabilized, and customers kept coming throughout the day.]

[The busy work allowed you to temporarily forget the sorrow of losing Chisato.]

[You also often took advantage of your free time to visit the orphanage run by the store manager, Mika, where you taught the children to read and write. For you, these children were the result of the efforts Chisato had once made.]

[You treated each child equally, and your humor quickly earned you the highest status among them.]

[At the same time, your kindness toward the children deeply attracted her, as she was helping you with the children.]

[Her gaze was hard to move away from you, and at the same time, she was very concerned about your mental state.]

[She could feel that your steps were still stuck on the day that bright and cheerful girl left.]

[Although she couldn't let go of Chisato either, seeing you still stagnating, she felt heartache.]

[She wanted to help you get out of the shadow, but due to her serious nature, rigid thinking, and lack of social skills, she couldn't think of any good methods.]

[So she could only bring up Chisato less often in front of you, silently watching and supporting you from behind.]

[But all these thoughts shattered one day when she arrived at your door, hearing your heavy, deep sighs behind it.]

[It was then that she realized, living in a room filled with the essence of Chisato was itself a torture for your mental state.]

[Standing behind you and supporting you from behind didn't do anything.]

[She had already lost the girl who was like a sister to her. If she lost you too, she couldn't even imagine what she might do.]

[She gathered all her previous hesitations and opened the door, then pulled you into a deep embrace.]

[Your face was covered with black hair.]

[Her fair, pink face was hidden in that black hair, like the white moon hidden behind dark clouds.]

[You were startled and surprised by her sudden intrusion.]

[But facing your surprise, she just said she was willing to share the burden with you, because it seemed that being with you gave her the courage to face everything.]

[She told you that her feelings might be more immature than Chisato's, but she would work hard to become more mature.]

"Don't keep looking at Chisato, please look at me."

Her pale hand cupped Minami's face. Her purple wisteria-like eyes shone with light, and her refined, delicate face was filled with seriousness.

You didn't avoid it.

Similarly, Inoue Takina didn't want that bright girl to continue trapping the current him in place—something that Chisato, who had already passed away, would never want to see.

"If Chisato were here, she wouldn't want to see you like this."

She muttered, gently stroking the furrowed brow and facial contours of Minami with her delicate fingers.

Then, she lowered her head.

And kissed him deeply.

[Her sudden intrusion pierced into your heart like the bright and sunny girl had once done when she appeared at your outdoor performance.]

[Having been trapped in the whirlpool of Chisato's passing, you finally noticed the affection of this serious, black-haired girl.]

[She earnestly told you that she could take Chisato's place.]

[But to this, you simply shook your head in denial.]

[You told her that Chisato was irreplaceable, but so was she.]

[Forcing the black-haired girl to replace that girl would not only be disrespectful to Chisato, but also trampling on her own feelings.]

[No one could replace anyone, and you valued both of them equally.]

[Although Takina didn't say much, she was deeply moved by your words.]

[She had once given her heart to Chisato, and now, she was willing to give her heart to you.]

[Considering your feelings, she decided not to let you stay in Chisato's room anymore.]

[Your bedding was moved to her room, and you officially settled into her room.]

[In a sense, you and Takina had started your official life together.]

She wakes up earlier than you and prepares breakfast. When you wake up, she hands you the clothes you'll wear for the day and starts tidying up the bed.

Your toothbrush and cup are always placed together, and everything is kept neat and tidy.

You often tease her, joking that you're probably going to be spoiled into becoming a useless person.

Every time you say this, her naturally shy demeanor causes her cheeks to flush red, and she turns her head away to avoid looking at you.

Teasing her during breaks, watching her shy face, becomes one of your favorite things.

Unlike the enthusiastic and cheerful Chisato, on the bed, Takina always lets go of her cold and composed demeanor towards outsiders, turning instead to a face full of bashfulness, often covering her face in embarrassment.

The employees of "Riko-Riko" also acknowledge your new relationship. To them, the days when you were in despair were truly pitiful.

Now that you have found a new purpose, they genuinely feel happy for you. After all, the deceased have passed, and the living must continue moving forward.

As the days pass, you balance your university studies with managing "Riko-Riko's" business. Since you didn't open a branch, business in the store remains extremely busy.

During this period, you made a lot of money through "Riko-Riko." You used this money to invest in several funds, all of which brought substantial profits.

With your financial and promotional support, the orphanage's operations have returned to normal — it now has proper institutional support, and you no longer need to worry about its finances.

A major event happens:

Perhaps due to her constitution, Inoue Takina finds herself pregnant.

This doesn't come as a surprise to either of you, as you've both wanted to get married for a while. However, due to your busy schedules with "Riko-Riko" and the orphanage, you never discussed it before.

Now that "Riko-Riko" has stabilized financially, and the orphanage is on track, maybe it's time to consider marriage.

The employees of "Riko-Riko" all approve and send their blessings.

The wedding day is quickly set.

Her gentle and demure nature is highly praised by your family, who wholeheartedly support your decision.

Inoue Takina lets out a sigh of relief, gently squeezing your hand and offering a smile of reassurance.

On the day you fill out the marriage registration and application forms, the usually indifferent Takina smiles more than ever before.

Your wedding with Inoue Takina is grand and lavish. Store manager Mika spends a fortune to prepare a perfect white kimono wedding.

On the wedding day, her black hair is styled up, exposing her snow-white neck. When she sees you, she smiles brightly in her white wedding kimono and extends her hand to you.

You take her hand, and with the officiant's guidance, the wedding ceremony takes place.

Your married life with her is full of happiness. You do everything you can to prepare her for childbirth, and under your care, her smile never fades.

You both often think of Chisato. Every time you think of that lively and cute girl, you exchange smiles, as if she is still by your side, accompanying you every moment.

As time moves forward, your child is born, and you name her "Chisato."

This is probably the final way you can honor that sunny girl's memory.

Everything seems to be progressing in a beautiful direction.

Having a child is generally a happy event for everyone, but not for you.

While you are happy, you notice something unusual. Unlike other pregnant women, your wife seems extraordinarily weak after giving birth.

She often coughs all night and struggles to sleep.

To hide this from you, she, who has never used makeup before, picks up foundation for the first time to cover her pale complexion.

Her awkward attempt at makeup can't fool you, of course.

You take her to the hospital for an examination and discover that her pregnancy symptoms were very strong, leaving her once healthy body extremely fragile after childbirth.

Watching her face become weaker, all you can do is stay by her side.

Unfortunately, misfortune strikes twice.

During the time she can still move, you and Takina make many videos for your daughter, Shouji Chisato.

Takina wants to tell her daughter that she loves her through these videos.

You respect her wishes, but watching her grow weaker and losing consciousness multiple times makes you want to stop the filming.

But in the end, you complete all the videos in her stubborn gaze.

It's shortly after the filming is completed that Inoue Takina, under your watch, passes away.

Misfortune strikes you twice.

After her death, you feel like a piece of you is missing, and depression lingers in your heart.

You think about being strong for your growing daughter and actively cooperate with therapy, but two heavy blows in life are impossible to withstand.

Three years later, you fall ill with depression and pass away, still sorrowful and withdrawn.

Before your passing, the companions at "Riko-Riko" gathered around you and promised to raise Shouji Chisato.

Shouji Chisato lay on your chest, crying, calling your name in a soft, babyish voice.

You felt a deep sense of reluctance, but eventually closed your eyes and passed away.

Simulation ended.