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Chapter 31: Her Stubbornness
🕑 Added 2025-09-30 14:47:13 +0000 UTCNijika patted her small chest, trying to comfort herself.
Even if the side effects had begun, it should be fine, right? After all, it was only physical weakness, not death.
Yes, no problem!
[In your second year of university, Kessoku Band's reputation soared, and you became well-known in the Shimokitazawa area. That autumn, you even received an invitation from Rainy Bar, one of the most famous live houses in Shimokitazawa. Many popular bands had started from there.]
[You firmly believed this live performance would be the turning point of your band's career.]
[At twenty years old, you had dreams, companions who shared them, and a lover who cared for you. You believed your life would sail smoothly from here.]
————
[…You believed your life would sail smoothly from here.]
"Smooth sailing, huh… haha… haha…"
In a dim room, Hitori stared at the simulator's message and let out a few dark laughs before collapsing heavily to the floor, eyes vacant.
Last time, it had been Ryo-san who tried to steal him from her. And now, it was Nijika-chan?
Nijika-chan, I thought you would always be my best friend. Why… why would you hurt me like this?
Nijika Ijichi, why?
It hurts, it hurts so much!
Love, the cruelest sin of all!
"Big sis, what's wrong?" Futari Gotoh entered the room with their dog, Jimi-Hen.
Was her sister sick again?
"I…"
Hitori Gotoh forced a fragile smile. "It's nothing."
Wasn't it fine? This wasn't the first time anyway. And if she thought about it carefully, liking someone didn't mean she had to be together with them. As long as everyone could still be happy, wasn't that enough?
Futari tilted her head, her little brain spinning quickly, then bolted downstairs shouting, "Mom! Big sis got dumped!"
"I-I didn't get dumped." Hitori Gotoh muttered faintly at the stairwell, trying to defend herself. But her voice was too weak, no one heard her.
[You lost love, but you gained friendship. Isn't that good enough? And besides, this time you weren't the only loser. Realizing that, you felt a little happy.]
Damn it. How dare a simulator mock me like this? I am not a loser!
She was furious, yet had no rebuttal.
[The truth was, you hadn't given up on Kitahara Toru. As a gloomy introvert, timid as a bamboo rat, you were preparing a terrifying plan. Endure. You had to endure, silently waiting for the chance to steal him away.]
[Where there's a will, there's a way. Break the cauldrons, sink the boats, and even the mighty passes will fall. Bitter effort is never wasted, and one day the patient will triumph. Ten thousand warriors of Sparta could topple Troy.]
[You believed the day would come when you could take him back. Keep going, Hitori Gotoh!]
Break what? Three thousand what?
Tossing and turning, she couldn't sleep. At last, she faintly made out two words, "steal him."
Such a terrifying simulator. Such a terrifying other me…
Plotting to snatch him away in the shadows.
[Time flowed on, and just before the live performance, something troubling happened, Nijika Ijichi fell ill. Though it was only the flu, her fever spiked to 40 degrees, and she needed IV drips and two days of rest.]
Eh?! Nijika-chan, is she alright?
[In the hospital room, Toru urged Nijika not to overexert herself. Kessoku Band had a wide future, there was no need to push herself so recklessly for her dream.]
Yes, yes, that's right.
Nijika-chan could take it easier, or else, if something happened to her body, a bad woman might steal Kitahara away.
[Faced with her boyfriend's words, Nijika Ijichi stayed silent for a long while, then said she wanted to hold on a little longer.]
[Toru took her hand gently, his expression soft, saying he would support her choice.]
[He did not want to be a cage that trapped a canary. He wanted the canary to spread her wings and fly, and he would protect her as best he could, to keep her from being hurt…]
Hitori Gotoh stared at the screen, at Kitahara-kun's gaze filled with boundless warmth for Nijika, and envy gnawed at her.
When will it be my turn?
So impatient, she could burst.
————
[In the end, your stubbornness made you refuse Toru's plea.]
Nijika Ijichi kept reading. She had a dream she had to achieve, and she could not give up just because of fever and flu.
She wanted to carry forward the dream her sister once failed to realize, and make Kessoku Band a first star shining in the sky.
[At twenty years old, you were carefree, radiant, your heart swelling with passion, your future bright and full of hope.]
[You feared nothing.]
[The live at Rainy Bar became the starting point of Kessoku Band's rise. By the latter half of the year, your fame grew, you released your own album, and soon it topped Billboard Japan's weekly chart, reigning for four straight weeks. Overnight you became a sensation. Toru watched from the audience, proud to see you shining.]
[Finally, you could tell him you weren't ordinary, you weren't plain, you were a woman worthy of him.]
[Toru was outstanding, extraordinary. Because of that, during your time together you couldn't help but feel inferior. You pushed yourself, wanting to add to your worth, to build your confidence.]
Nijika let out a breath. She had thought she might have chosen wrong.
Hehe, from here, Kessoku Band's journey should only get better.
Once they stood on the grand stage, they could disband gracefully, and then she could marry her husband... no no, marry Toru!
Perfect.
[With fame rising, Kessoku Band struck while the iron was hot, increasing their live shows, appearing at countless events, even as guests on Music Station, the long-running program on TV Asahi.]
[On the show, you recounted your hardships, and because of you, Starry, once a lesser-known live house, became famous too. Perhaps your late mother could see that glowing light in heaven? You sincerely hoped so.]
[The following year, Kessoku Band successfully joined Fuji Rock Festival, Japan's largest outdoor music event, with more than 200 domestic and international artists each year.]
[Your performance was flawless. Your drumming was powerful, Ryo's bass built a wall of sound, Ikuyo-chan's singing carried the band's distinct serene style, and Hitori's guitar solo drove the crowd into a frenzy.]
[But as your schedule grew more intense, your body began to protest. Headaches, back pain, every part of you was sounding alarms, urging you to stop…]
[In your third year, you won the chance to perform at Saitama Super Arena, a venue for 30,000 people where countless famous bands had stood.]
[It was autumn, flu season. Just before the live, you once again fell sick, hospitalized with a severe fever.]
[Toru sat by your bed, holding your hand, begging you not to push yourself so hard. His voice trembled with tears as he pleaded. You had to decide—]
[1. Just one step away from your dream, you cannot give up!]
[2. Soften and listen to him, rest for a year.]
[3. Leave the band behind, marry your boyfriend right now, and go south for a honeymoon. Forget it all! It's just a simulation, who cares about Kessoku Band?]
[4. Simulate it yourself.]
Should she give up?
Nijika Ijichi hesitated a moment.
Option 1.
Perform first, then marry.
Kitahara-kun, please wait for me, just a little longer.
I still have so much time to spend with you.
————
