"This really is..."
Watching Ryo's slender figure disappear into the house, carrying Yuna,
Minami let out a small sigh of relief—yet at the same time, a sense of amazement welled up in him.
The reason was simple.
This world, brought forth by activating "Heart of Love," was just too real.
As the host of a love simulation system,
From Hitori Gotoh,
To Ryo Yamada,
To Chisato Nishikigi, Akane Shinjo, Rio Futaba, and Satou Matsuzaka...
Minami had experienced countless simulations.
But no matter how vivid they were, He always knew.
Those things that happened within the simulation were still simulations.
No matter how realistic, even if they could predict the future to some extent, they were still simulations.
The girls in the simulations were fundamentally different from their real-world counterparts.
Because in the simulations, the girls would follow set paths based on his choices but in reality.
A single word, a glance, even a tiny gesture could branch into countless futures.
It was that clear distinction that allowed Minami to separate reality and simulation so easily.
However—
"This time... it's completely different."
Having sent Ryo off, Minami looked down at his own hand.
Fair, well-proportioned fingers, with clear, balanced lines across his palm.
Yes.
He could feel it.
This world was fundamentally different from a "simulation" or even a "direct simulation."
In the past, whether it was a simulation or direct projection,
A single thought would be enough for him to pull himself back to reality.
But now, No matter how many times he tried to trigger that return,
He couldn't escape and that was the most astonishing thing.
Luckily, at least for now—
The worst-case scenario hadn't happened.
Minami reached out into the empty air before him and swiped downward with his finger.
With that familiar motion,
A pale blue simulation screen began to slowly materialize.
"As I thought, at least the connection with the simulator still exists."
Seeing the simulator interface floating in front of him, Minami let out a small breath of relief.
As shady and unreliable as the simulator was,
It was still the thing that had brought him into this world.
So, naturally, getting back to his original reality would probably require its help too.
Thinking this, Minami extended his finger and swiped down again.
He wanted to check how much longer he could stay in this world.
Because, judging from the simulator's usual behavior, there should be some kind of time limit.
Just like when he spent 1,200 Heartthrob Points to exchange for four simulations—granting twelve hours of stay time per simulation.
Or like the one-time quest "The Girl from the Future" with Satou Matsuzaka, which also involved using Heartthrob Points to access a future route.
It only made sense that his stay here should also have a time limit.
As he thought about this, the information appeared before him as he scrolled.
[Current Host: Minami]
[Time Remaining: Unlimited]
[Remaining Heartthrob Points: 4500]
Minami's hand paused slightly.
His eyes widened a little.
He ignored the parts about the "current host" and "remaining points."
Instead, his focus stayed on that single line:
"Unlimited?"
Lowering his hand, Minami fell into thought.
Having possessed the simulator for over half a year now, he knew exactly what that meant.
In other words, his existence in this world was no longer bound by any time limit.
If he wanted, he could stay in this world forever.
But...
Was that even possible?
Minami furrowed his brow, thinking hard.
If he stayed here permanently, what would happen to the real world?
What about the girls he knew there?
What would become of them?
On the other hand, during every simulation, time continued to flow in the real world.
Which meant his real-world body would still feel thirst, hunger, and fatigue.
If he didn't return,
What would happen to his body left behind in the real world?
Countless questions floated through his mind.
Complex thoughts tangled together.
Minami frowned deeper and reached out, intending to check the conditions for returning to reality.
But before he could—
"Minami-kun! Ah—found you! What are you doing out here alone?"
An energetic voice called from behind.
Footsteps pattered rapidly toward him.
The moment Minami turned around,
A figure flung herself into his arms.
Golden hair bounced joyfully.
"Nijika—?!"
Seeing who it was, Minami couldn't help but call out, stunned.
Golden hair.
Fiery red eyes sparkling like dancing flames.
There was no mistaking it—this was a grown-up version of Nijika Ijichi.
Her once slightly childish side ponytail was now a slender, graceful single ponytail.
Her previous cute fashion sense had evolved into something far more elegant.
A soft pink blouse and long skirt framed her innocent, beautiful figure perfectly.
Minami instinctively wrapped his arms around her.
And she didn't resist his closeness at all.
Instead, she snuggled happily into his chest, nuzzling affectionately.
That open, affectionate behavior made one thing clear:
This Nijika—no, this Shouji Nijika—was also likely his wife.
Otherwise, she would have shown at least a hint of shyness.
With that thought, Minami relaxed completely.
He stroked her head gently, smiling as he asked:
"What brings you out here so suddenly, Nijika?"
"What do you mean 'suddenly'?!"
Nijika pouted adorably at his words:
"Looks like Ryo was right—you really did wake up all confused! Did you forget? Today's our family gathering day!"
"Huh?"
Minami blinked.
Family gathering day?
"You were the one who suggested it, remember? You said since Rio and Akane are always busy, we barely get to see everyone, so we should set a day each month just for family gatherings."
True to her title as the "Angel of Shimokitazawa,"
Nijika, seeing her husband looking so puzzled, gave him a sweet smile and thoughtfully explained.
But what she didn't realize was that Minami wasn't just confused.
He didn't even know the full situation yet.
Just a little earlier, Ryo had told him that he'd specifically called her over—
Claiming he had "something" he wanted to do with her.
But now Nijika was telling him—
Today was an important family gathering day.
If he thought about it carefully, there was no way the real Minami would have asked Ryo to come over for that on a day like today.
Meaning—
"I got tricked by that woman."
Minami immediately pictured Ryo's figure disappearing down the corridor earlier.
She must have seen he'd just woken up, realized he was still a bit groggy—
And tried to take advantage of it.
Too embarrassed to just ask directly,
She pushed the blame onto him, saying he had called her over.
That woman...
Minami shook his head, exasperated.
No matter the world—
Whether it was the Ryo Yamada of this reality,
Or the one from his original world,
Their shameless, mischievous personalities were identical. Like copies stamped from the same mold.
While Minami was still feeling speechless—
Nijika blinked those big eyes and said:
"What's wrong, Minami-kun? We should get going soon. The family gathering's all set up!"
"Ah... okay."
Minami didn't reject her offer.
Instead, he naturally took her hand.
"Minami-kun—"
A soft blush immediately bloomed across Nijika's fair cheeks.
She called his name shyly,
But didn't let go of his hand.
Minami swept his eyes across her sweet, bashful expression and felt deeply satisfied.
Nijika was still Nijika.
Even after becoming his wife, that adorable personality hadn't changed a bit.
The two of them walked hand-in-hand toward the house.
As they walked, Minami carefully observed the residence he found himself in.
It seemed to be a large estate built for himself and the girls.
The property was expansive.
There was an outer courtyard gate, and an inner gate leading to the main house.
Courtyards flanked both the left and right sides.
The place he had been standing earlier wasn't a small backyard but the left courtyard.
They strolled along a long, simple, elegant corridor toward the heart of the home.
After circling around the small stone-paved path,
Minami followed Nijika's footsteps to the opposite side courtyard.
As they walked, Minami kept glancing around, growing more and more amazed.
Just this main residence alone must have cost a fortune.
Not to mention the auxiliary buildings stretching outward from the edges—like music practice studios and other facilities.
Just imagining the construction costs made Minami shake his head.
It was obvious.
In this world, his and the girls' careers must have been incredibly successful.
Otherwise, there was no way they could afford an estate of this size, practically forming its own district, belonging solely to the Shouji family.
While Minami was lost in thought, Nijika suddenly crouched down in front of him, one pale hand clutching her abdomen.
"Ugh—"
Her delicate brows knitted tightly together.
"Huh?"
Without hesitation,
Minami instinctively reached out to steady her body, which nearly toppled forward, and helped her sit by the long corridor.
Seeing her face turn pale, Minami felt a sudden pang of heartache and worry.
He reached out, gently wiping the cold sweat from her cheek, and asked softly:
"Are you okay, Nijika? Should we go to the hospital?"
As he asked, Minami had already prepared himself to use a [Universal Recovery Pill] if needed.
But Nijika shook her head.
Finding a comfortable spot leaning against Minami's chest, she whispered the real reason.
It turned out she had already found out earlier in March that she was pregnant with Minami's child.
Feeling sudden nausea and discomfort had become a regular thing recently.
"Minami-kun, what do you think... will our baby look more like you or more like me?"
The golden-haired wife murmured into his ear, half teasingly:
"I think the baby might take after me. After all, with your personality, Minami, you don't seem like the type to cause such a fuss."
She paused slightly, then added:
"But until then, Minami-kun, you have to stay by my side and take care of me, okay?"
She blinked those amber eyes playfully, cuddling closer to him.
Minami had no answer for her.
Because he didn't truly belong to this world, how could he make irresponsible promises?
All he could do was tenderly stroke her golden hair and quietly shift his gaze toward the courtyard scenery.
The thistles were blooming in sharp contrast to the sun.
The bamboo water fountains clinked rhythmically under flowing water.
Gentle sunlight filtered down.
He held her close.
The sensation was... surreal.
As if time itself had stopped for them.
An indescribable happiness surged within his chest.
...
Nijika's sudden nausea came and went quickly.
Still, mindful of her condition, Minami just patted her head and gently coaxed her to rest.
After all, a pregnant woman was extremely precious.
Family gatherings could wait, her health came first.
It took some effort, but he finally got her to lie down.
Just as he was about to leave, she called out to him:
"Oh right, Minami-kun, you should probably check the other side courtyard too. Chisato and Takina are still waiting there."
Nijika's sudden words caught Minami's attention.
He glanced at her, half-wanting to stay and continue looking after her.
But in the end, under Nijika's repeated insistence,
Minami finally nodded. "Got it."
After making sure she would call him immediately if anything happened, he stepped out and headed toward the side courtyard.
He was actually quite curious about Nishikigi Chisato and Inoue Takina, whom he hadn't met yet in this world.
But just as he reached the courtyard—
Joyful voices called out:
"Minami-kun! Over here!"
Two figures waved excitedly.
The Blonde-haired lively girl and the calm black-haired girl put down the skewers they were grilling and stood up.
In this world, Nishikigi Chisato and Inoue Takina had clearly grown into mature women.
From the two little girls with matching Blonde and black hair playing beside them,
It was obvious.
Chisato and Takina had also become Minami's wives.
The two young women, now new brides, had shed all traces of girlishness.
Chisato's Blonde-hair had grown long,
While Takina had braided her black hair into a neat long plait that draped gracefully down her chest.
Even though they had matured beautifully,
Their expressions were still just as they had been when Minami first met them,
One lively and full of energy, the other quiet and graceful.