Love Comes After Simulation

[The flowers in the flowerbed have been replaced, the weather is rapidly cooling, autumn has arrived, and winter is not far behind.]

[Reina Nakajima is delighted at the thought of a future married to you. She often holds your hand carefully, repeatedly asking for confirmation about this, and every time you affirm it, her happiness grows.]

[You initially thought that after asking for some time and confirming it was real, she would stop. But as time passed, her questions did not lessen. Instead, she found joy in this exchange.]

[Realizing this, you stopped giving her answers freely and began demanding compensation from the girl.]

[Since her body had not fully recovered yet, you kept things subtle.]

[Under your guidance, she no longer needed props.]

“…?”

Forget it. Explaining in detail would only seem strange.

Yuuki Minami continued to look at the simulation interface.

[In late autumn, as the temperature dropped sharply, your activities with Reina Nakajima were confined to the hospital building. The gray skies and sparse tree branches did not affect your moods, as both of you were preoccupied with thoughts of the New Year.]

[Reina Nakajima worried about not being accepted by your family, while you fretted over how to tell your parents and sister about this matter.]

[You decided to cut through the mess and tell your family at the last moment.]

[Reina Nakajima, however, shared her concerns with Honoka, seeking her stepmother’s help. Honoka was flustered and discussed it with Yohei Nakajima, who also found the situation tricky.]

[At this time, Yuko Ibuki provided intelligence she had gathered—detailing the names and positions of all the Minami family relatives, as well as their preferences, including specific information on your parents and sister.]

[Yohei and Honoka treated this information as a treasure. They purchased suitable gifts based on it, analyzed possible scenarios Reina might face, and devised countermeasures. Honoka then coached Reina accordingly.]

[In truth, their worries were unnecessary—you would ensure Reina Nakajima was well-prepared.]

[December arrived, ushering in winter.]

[At the end of December, winter break began. Your parents called, urging you to return home, and you agreed.]

[On New Year’s Eve, you and Reina Nakajima boarded a train to Ino Prefecture. On the train, you called your mother, informing her that you were already on your way and bringing back her daughter-in-law.]

[Your sudden announcement threw your mother into a panic. She wanted to ask for details, but you had already hung up.]

[Your mother quickly called your father and sister to discuss the matter.]

[Over the past three years, your outstanding academic performance had earned you a guaranteed admission to Misaki University’s School of Medicine last year. Your parents trusted you, and this unexpected daughter-in-law brought them more surprise than shock.]

[The only one less than pleased was your sister, Airi. She had been planning to introduce her best friend Jun to you during the New Year.]

[Your mother, pulling Airi along, began tidying up the guest room. Your father used his connections to jump the line and order a premium sushi set for the evening gathering.]

[At the train’s arrival time, they waited for you at the platform.]

[Dragging a suitcase with one hand and holding Reina Nakajima’s hand with the other, you stepped off the train. Upon seeing your parents, you had Reina Nakajima wave to greet them.]

[Your mother immediately took a liking to the elegant and graceful Reina Nakajima. When the girl greeted her, your mother beamed with joy.]

[Your father observed Reina Nakajima’s demeanor and behavior along the way, nodding in satisfaction as he confirmed her good character.]

[Your sister, hiding behind your parents, neither gave this new sister-in-law a hard time nor showed any warmth.]

[Airi felt defeated. Before meeting Reina Nakajima, she had held onto a glimmer of hope that her best friend Jun might somehow win you over from Misaki’s “bad woman.” But after seeing Reina Nakajima, her hope was crushed—this “bad woman” was far too beautiful.]

[She thought about how you, soon to enter Misaki University’s School of Medicine and marry Misaki’s “bad woman,” would likely remain in Misaki. If she stayed in Ino Prefecture, it would be hard to see you again. She loved Ino Prefecture and was unwilling to move to Misaki.]

At this point, Yuuki Minami paused.

He thought, so this little sister just wanted to tie him to Ino Prefecture.

It was a perfectly reasonable desire. Putting himself in her shoes, if he had a beautiful, gentle, intelligent, caring, and capable older sister, he would also want her to stay by his side instead of going far away.

Thinking of older sisters, he couldn’t help but recall Nao Asano, then Reina Nakajima, and finally Yuko Ibuki.

So far, the three simulated partners had all been older than him. He wondered what age the next simulated partner would be—would they finally be younger than him?

His gaze swept over the photo of Mako. He thought to himself, they couldn’t be too young.

It would be best if they were just younger in age but mature in mindset—someone like Mako, someone who could take care of him.

After letting his imagination run wild for a moment, Yuuki Minami focused his thoughts and continued to look at the simulation interface.

[Reina Nakajima presented the perfect gift—so flawless even your little sister, with her love for dolls, couldn’t find fault with the doll-themed gift box.]

[On New Year’s Eve, you all dined together and watched the fireworks outside the window.]

[On the first day of the new year, your mother brought out a kimono from her youth and personally dressed Reina Nakajima in it. The girl’s beauty took her breath away. The blue satin kimono, adorned with pearl-like ornaments, looked like an ancient ceremonial gown when worn by the girl, her appearance and demeanor amplifying its elegance.]

[Your sister, too, was stunned by Reina Nakajima’s graceful beauty. A lover of traditional Japanese dolls, she admired their elegance, and she realized that Reina’s poise was just another form of elegance. Her resistance toward the girl began to dissipate.]

[You and Reina Nakajima visited a shrine together, ringing the enormous bronze bell at its entrance, praying for a smooth future with each other.]

[After returning home, your sister took Reina Nakajima aside. Meanwhile, your father and mother sat down with you to talk about her.]

[You told them about Reina Nakajima’s past, explaining how she had been bedridden in a hospital for a long time. Your parents were startled and immediately inquired about her condition. After confirming that she had fully recovered, they felt relieved.]

[You informed them of your intention to marry her after graduation, explaining that this decision had already been discussed with her and her family.]

[Your parents were once again shocked by your speed. Your mother, fond of Reina Nakajima, eagerly started discussing wedding plans with you. Your father, though also satisfied with Reina, felt that a marriage wasn’t just about the bride herself. He decided that the next day, he would accompany you both to Misaki to visit Reina’s family. If there were no issues with her family, he would give his blessing.]

[You sent a message to Yohei Nakajima, and the Nakajima household was thrown into a flurry of activity.]

[The meeting between the two families went smoothly. Your father was impressed with Yohei Nakajima’s character and profession, while your mother was charmed by Honoka’s tactful hospitality. Your sister, meanwhile, was utterly captivated by Yuko Ibuki, who looked like a living doll.]

[In the season of blooming cherry blossoms, you and Reina Nakajima held your wedding at the Minamoto Yorihime Shrine.]

[In July, you both attended the summer festival in Hori Town.]

[By November, you had arrived in Yoshida Town.]