True Education: I Have a Life Simulator

[Day One: With the help of butler Izaki, and without informing your parents, you finally secured a time when both were too busy with work to supervise you. Led by Izaki, you boarded a flight from London, England to Tokyo, Japan.

Through the airplane window, you gazed outside. The clouds drifting in the sky were thick and clustered—mass upon mass—yet none of them had a definite shape. They were ever-changing, never lingering in one place, their vague outlines blending seamlessly into the azure backdrop.

A small child, perhaps six or seven years old, sat beside you, leaning excitedly against the window, speaking to his mother: "That one looks like a flower! That one looks like our puppy! And that one looks like a broom..."

Although you couldn't quite see the specific shapes the child pointed to, perhaps it was this very uncertainty that allowed people to associate clouds with familiar things.

People merely project their own emotions onto these clusters of vapor. Realizing that, you looked again at the clouds and couldn't help but recall fluffy cotton candy, and that night during the fireworks festival when you brushed the sugar strands from the girl's lips.

Propping your head on your hand, you watched the clouds and slowly began to smile.

To shape the formless through the will of form—to project one's hopes upon it. Whether clouds or stars, shaping them into objects or constellations is a uniquely human power of imagination. Or perhaps, it's just a beautiful lie we tell ourselves.

The plane arrived in Tokyo on the morning of August 9th.]

[CG Unlocked: "Lies"]

[Lies: I don't have to lie. Why would I need to lie.]

[Would you like to read this CG segment? (It may aid your progress in the upcoming game.)]

-------------------------------------

"So, you're telling me my parents already knew I sneaked off to Tokyo with Grandpa Izaki?"

Amid the throng of people at the international airport, Kitagawa Ryo pushed his suitcase ahead of him. Important documents and his credit card were safely tucked in the innermost pocket of his coat. He glanced over helplessly at the elderly man beside him, who appeared to be in his early fifties.

"Of course. Did you really think I had that much pull to smuggle you overseas without them knowing?"

Izaki patted Ryo on the head. For the past thirteen or so years, he had raised Ryo almost entirely by himself. Though he was officially entrusted by the Kitagawa family, the bond between them had long since surpassed that of a mere guardian and ward. Before Ryo ever met his parents, he'd already been calling Izaki simply "Grandpa."

"...Grandpa Izaki, do you know why they're doing all this?"

"Maybe it's their way of compensating you. I'm not sure. There might be something else they want you to do."

Izaki dodged the question with a vague reply, clearly wanting to change the subject.

"But isn't your main purpose for coming to Tokyo to find the Karuizawa family?"

"Yeah! I came to see Kei."

Ryo's face lit up the moment he heard the name Karuizawa.

"Did you find out where they moved to?"

"Still working on it. Should have something in two hours."

Izaki glanced at his phone to estimate.

"Let's go drop off the luggage and grab a bite to eat in the meantime."

Ryo nodded. No point rushing. "Perfect timing. I also promised Manabu I'd handle something for him, so we might as well wait here."

"You mean Horikita Manabu?"

Izaki recalled the calm and composed young man who often visited their home.

"Seems like you two are close. He's quite exceptional. Definitely a worthy friend."

"He's only two years older, but he's already amazing. I heard he's entering the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School next year."

"But he's also got his own problems, right? Is that why he asked you to help with something?"

"Yeah."

Dragging their suitcases out of the airport into Tokyo's sweltering August heat, Ryo unzipped his jacket slightly.

"Manabu has a troublesome younger sister, same age as me. They haven't seen each other in years. He wants me to check up on her and see if she's still the same."

"Still the same? What do you mean?"

"He wasn't specific. Just told me to take a glance from afar and send him a report."

"Need us to look up her info?"

"No need. He already gave me her name, school, and address."

Once their ride arrived, Ryo pulled out a photo of a girl and handed it to Izaki.

"Horikita Suzune."

"Let's head to this restaurant. If Manabu's info is right, she should be eating there now."

"Understood."

The car drove toward a humble family-style restaurant. About thirty minutes later, they arrived. The luggage was forwarded to their hotel.

"Looks plain."

"Not much to it."

The only signage read simply "Japanese Cuisine." They went inside, finding no one matching the photo, so they took a seat and ordered.

As they waited, Ryo glanced out the window, stirring his drink absentmindedly. Despite the scorching midday sun, people bustled about outside like always.

The restaurant's interior was calm. Gentle lighting bathed them in warm tones. Ryo's smile grew relaxed.

[This'll be a surprise for Kei, huh?]

Ten minutes later, their food arrived—just as a black-haired girl entered.

"Oh, that's her."

Ryo munched a pork cutlet. There was no need to greet her; his job was only to observe.

Izaki sipped miso soup elegantly, making even this casual meal seem upper-class.

The girl seemed familiar with the place—she didn't even order, but her food arrived quickly. She sat quietly, reading.

"Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None,'" Ryo noted, recognizing the cover instantly.

She glanced over at them once, but returned to her meal.

"Seems normal. Good posture, refined looks... fitting for Manabu's sister."

"Heh, if she heard you say that, she'd probably offer to pay your bill."

"Manabu said she's a clumsy mimic. Always alone, resists teamwork, and doesn't think it's an issue."

"So, is that lifestyle admirable?"

"Not really. I just think everyone has strengths. At least in this aspect, she's... competent."

"Even if she's sprinting down the wrong path, at least she runs fast."

With that, Ryo lost interest.

"Any word on Kei's address?"

"Yes. They've moved to Toshima Ward. Here's the info."

Izaki showed his phone.

"Shall we go now?"

"Hmm... should I get a gift?"

"Hasn't Kei already received four custom dresses from you?"

"Those were for seasonal outfits! And she said she'd only wear them for me!"

"Gifting too often isn't healthy for your growth—or hers."

"I insisted she take them."

Izaki sighed, understanding his young master's heart.

"Grandpa... I'm sorry. You've always been there for me. From the start, you'd have plucked stars from the sky if I asked. I want to become someone reliable too."

He stepped forward, smiling gently.

"Being alone might be admirable, but it isn't sustainable. Like a turtle flipped on its shell—without help, it takes too long to right itself. If I'm seen as enabling Kei's dependence, so be it. I can't ignore her struggling alone. I have to help."

Izaki nodded solemnly.

"It's your choice. I won't interfere."

"Right. It's mine."

Just then, a familiar figure in a white sleeveless dress entered his vision.

"Kei?"