I have a life simulator.

"Whoa whoa."

Kitagawa Hotaru nodded very seriously, and then asked very seriously:

"Whose hair is longer, yours or your mom's?"

"Hmm, I haven't compared them, but they're probably about the same."

Kitagawa Ryo couldn't quite recall how long Horikita Suzune's hair had been back then, since it had been over a decade ago. In those years, Horikita Suzune had always sported short hair, and if Kitagawa Ryo suddenly asked him to remember, he really couldn't.

"Back then, in order to resolve the engagement issue, I even went to Tokyo to correct Rin's awkward personality a bit. At that time, Rin was really the type that was extremely unpopular, but she herself thought there was no problem and regarded everything her brother said as gospel."

Kitagawa Ryo is reminiscing about his passionate years here, but Kitagawa Hotaru is only eight years old. It would be strange if she could understand any of this. Hotaru tilts her head, making a very cute thinking expression, but in the end, she gives up thinking and softly leans on Kitagawa Ryo's shoulder:

"Dad, I don't understand."

"It's normal not to understand. Anyway, this is a group photo taken by representatives of the four classes when we graduated, as a souvenir."

Kitagawa Ryo casually picked up two hair ties from the bedside table and began to tie his daughter's hair. He chose to make her hair into pigtails today. Soon, two pigtails fell from Kitagawa Hotaru's chest, making the little girl look even sweeter and more obedient.

"But Dad, there are five people in there, including you."

Although Kitagawa Ryo had already indicated that he wanted to end the conversation, Kitagawa Hotaru still shook his arm earnestly and pressed him for details.

"Well... that's a secret."

Kitagawa Ryo stared into his daughter's dark eyes, then suddenly reached out and gently pinched her upturned nose:

"It's a secret that Daddy made a pinky promise with someone, so you can't tell Hotaru, or Daddy will be punished."

"Whoa whoa."

Kitagawa Hotaru was startled by Kitagawa Ryo's serious expression and quickly nodded:

"Then Dad won't say anything."

"Come on, get up! I'll take you to find your mom."

Kitagawa Ryo shoved the photo back into the drawer, then sprang out of bed with a yawn and said:

"The flight is in two hours. If we leave now, we should arrive around tomorrow morning."

"Wow, we're on an airplane!"

Kitagawa Hotaru was also very happy to cooperate with Kitagawa Ryo. She loved flying and often leaned against the window to watch the white clouds in the sky.

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

"This one looks like a sunflower, this one looks like a bear in the zoo, this one looks like a big bad wolf..."

As expected, once on the plane, Kitagawa Hotaru began to enthusiastically identify all kinds of clouds, just like always. Although Kitagawa Ryo couldn't make out the shapes she was pointing to, he didn't interrupt his daughter. He just sat quietly to the side, smiling as he watched Hotaru's profile.

She looks a lot like her mother, especially their identical silver hair. Kitagawa Ryo was thirteen when he met Shiina Hiyori. He was not involved in Shiina Hiyori's childhood, but now he is somewhat convinced that his wife looked like Kitagawa Hotaru when she was a child.

"Dad, look, this flower looks just like Dad, Mom, and me."

Kitagawa Hotaru pointed to a cloud and exclaimed in surprise.

It was just a cluster of two large and one small clouds joined together. Kitagawa Ryo once again confirmed the insurmountable gap between himself and his daughter, but he simply echoed her like a child:

"They do look very similar."

The clouds floating in the sky were thick and shapeless. They were constantly changing and never remained in one place. Their outlines were quite ambiguous, blending into the azure background. They were non-existent entities, entities without even a physical form.

However, if one projects one's emotions onto the polymer of these tiny water vapor particles, and realizes this, then looking at these clouds, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't help but fall into a little memory, vaguely feeling that a certain cloud on the horizon was just like the hem of the exquisite wedding dress that Shiina Hiyori wore on the day she married him.

Kitagawa Ryo propped his head up and looked at the clouds, experiencing his daughter's joy for the first time.

For a considerable period of time, the father and daughter played this childish associative game without ever getting tired of it.

The plane arrived in London the following morning.

221 Baker Street, London, the residence of Sherlock Holmes created by Arthur Conan Doyle, is bustling with traffic and noise. As one of the most famous detective novels, it has naturally become one of London's most famous tourist attractions.

Shiina Hiyori looked at the persistent man in front of her with a headache. He had been bothering her all day and she couldn't shake him off. This man, who was probably in his early twenties, had been trying to strike up a conversation with her ever since they met at the Sherlock Holmes exhibition yesterday.

"Ms. Shiina, as a fellow enthusiast of detective novels, I wonder which author and which work you like the most?"

The slick-haired man seized the opportunity to approach Shiina Hiyori again. His words were like a wet tongue, sticky and making Shiina Hiyori feel a little uncomfortable.

"Actually, I've always had a deep understanding of detective novels. I think Ms. Shiina is also a fan of detective novels. How about we exchange contact information and try to become book lovers who get to know each other?"

Even Shiina Hiyori, who usually didn't care much about others, was getting a little angry. Just as she was about to speak, Kitagawa Ryo suddenly appeared between them and delivered a very subtle punch to her lower abdomen.

"Same here, my favorite detective novel is by American hard-boiled writer Lawrence Block..."

"Eight Million Ways to Die".

Kitagawa Ryo appeared affectionate, putting his arm around the other person's shoulder, like a detective novel enthusiast genuinely interacting intimately with a fellow reader. Then, from a blind spot, he delivered a whip kick to the man's side.

"Among them are people who bought a new TV and died when it exploded, people who were hired to be killed before they could live a good life, and of course, people who offended some unknown big shot and just disappeared."

Kitagawa Ryoin glared fiercely at the man, tightening his grip on his neck, almost choking him.

"Would you like to choose one too?"

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

"solve."

Kitagawa Ryo returned to his wife's side with a light and cheerful clapping, and Kitagawa Hotaru also clapped in welcome.

"Dad is so handsome."

"Where."

Kitagawa Ryo stepped forward and took Shiina Hiyori's left hand. The wedding ring on her ring finger sparkled in the sunlight. He whistled.

"How could such an event be complete without Hiyori's only and officially designated reader?"

"Pfft."

Shiina Hiyori patted Kitagawa Ryo on the shoulder with a bit of a laugh, stood on tiptoe and gave him a kiss, then winked at him:

"They arrived very quickly."

"Of course, I rushed to London immediately. What if something happened to my most precious treasure?"

Kitagawa Ryo accepted the kiss without hesitation, then put his hands on his hips and said smugly.

Kitagawa Hotaru secretly covered her eyes, feeling a little shy as everyone around them stared at the three of them. However, she couldn't help but peek at her father and mother through her fingers.

Kitagawa Ryo didn't care about other people's opinions at all. He lowered his head, reached out and wrapped his arms around Shiina Hiyori's waist, and whispered in her ear:

"In the next decade, and the decade after that, I will still love you, and that will never change."

Karuizawa Megumi's Autumn Remembrance

Chapter 1: Class 1-C, Kitagawa Ryo

[Chapter 2 Completion Objective: Find and correct Karuizawa Kei's personality weakness. Completed. Final overall score: 61 points]

[Congratulations on clearing Chapter 2! We are currently drawing rewards based on your score.]

[Congratulations to the player who has won the reward item: Karuizawa Megumi's Red Rose]

【Karuizawa Kei's White Rose: Wearing this will grant the blue talent "Flower Language Master"】

"Willing to be at the bottom, to highlight your nobility"

[Flower Language Master (Blue): You are skilled in planting, cultivating, and preserving various flowers. In your hands, those flowers with short blooming periods that drift away with the wind can often remain vibrant for a longer time.]

[Current highest rating: 61 points]

[There are four remaining simulation attempts for Chapter 2. Players can choose to simulate Chapter 2 again, or they can choose to end Chapter 1 with a total score of 61. The remaining four simulation attempts will be completed by default with a score of 61, and rewards will be issued accordingly.]

You may choose one talent to retain, which will be automatically used in subsequent simulations.

[Congratulations to the player for achieving the achievement 'Deeply Rooted Love' and receiving one Talent Refresh Card (Gold)]

[Deeply in Love: Gain the favor of three important characters in the story during a simulation]

[Talent Refresh Card (Gold): Refreshes any talent; the new talent will always be gold level]

[Congratulations to the player for achieving the achievement "I Want Them All"! This achievement is now unlocked and no further rewards will be given.]

【I want them all: Three or more story CGs are triggered in a single simulation】

[Congratulations to the player for achieving the achievement "Pinky Promise" and obtaining the item "Marriage Contract"]

[Pinky Promise: Marry a key character in a simulated storyline]

【Marriage Contract: A one-time use item that allows you to enter into a marriage contract with any character】

[Congratulations to the player for achieving the "Advanced Education" achievement and obtaining the item "Admission Qualification"]

[Higher Education: Enroll in and graduate from Tokyo Higher Education School in a simulation]

[Admission Qualification: Reusable items grant admission to Tokyo Ikusei High School]

You have chosen to retain the talent "Universal Admiration" (purple)

[Universally Adorable (Purple): Significantly enhances your personal charm (appealing to both men and women)]

Currently, the player possesses eight fixed talents: Childhood Sweetheart (Gold), Unforgettable Love (Gold), Perseverance (Gold), Adorable (Purple), Pet Owner (Purple), Fighter (Purple), Some Assets (Blue), and Close Friend (Green)

Currently, the player possesses six items: Ichinose Honami's Blessing, Ichinose Honami's Self, Karuizawa Megumi's Red Rose, Marriage Contract (one-time use item), Admission Qualification, and Talent Refresh Card (Gold).

[Ichinose Honami's Blessing: You will never obtain a white talent when drawing initial talents]

[Ichinose Honami's Self: Before each simulation begins, randomly upgrades three of her qualities (gold talents cannot be upgraded further, including initial and fixed talents)]

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

"ended."

"Compared to the previous text-based games, this simulation felt like experiencing it firsthand... it really felt like reliving a life."

"And is virtual reality technology really that advanced now? It's even more immersive and realistic than those so-called 100% immersive games I've seen before."

Liang subconsciously pursed her lips, as if a trace of soft touch still lingered in her memory.

Unlike the previous three simulations, this simulation allowed him to experience almost the entire process. Although the game company had previously stated that only the "story CG" part could be experienced, this simulation was essentially composed entirely of story CG.

"Sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch."

Even with my eyes closed, I can almost see the female characters in this simulation, walking, running, frowning, and interacting with me.

Whether it's Hiyori Shiina, Suzune Horikita, or Megumi Karuizawa, the feeling after actually seeing them is always different from what you imagine.

"Come to think of it, I haven't actually met Ichinose Honami before..."

It sounds absurd, but the first three simulations of Ichinose Honami were all dry text descriptions without even a picture. Although Ryo had mentally sketched out Ichinose Honami's appearance, he had never seen her in person. He had hoped that she might appear in Karuizawa Kei's simulation, but in such a long simulation, there was not a trace of Ichinose Honami at all.

"If I keep my talent, I feel that 'single-mindedness' is useless. It is a golden talent, but it only makes me passive in the simulation and completely led by others. It is more practical to be admired by everyone."

While recalling the entire process of the last simulation in an effort to find a breakthrough, Liang casually chose to retain the "Popular Admiration" talent. The moment he completed the operation, Liang received a questionnaire from the "Skill Supreme" studio.

"Dear beta tester, do you have any suggestions or questions regarding the simulation process and subsequent content?"

"Suggestion? Does the lack of freedom count? Although the use of virtual reality technology has greatly improved the sense of immersion, it still suffers from the old problem of simulator games, with absolutely no freedom. Of course, I don't mean to add a few story branching options like in Galgames, allowing players to make their own choices."

A bold idea suddenly popped into Liang's mind, and he continued typing to describe his thoughts:

"I hope to have more freedom, including in dialogue and actions, at least at important branching points in the plot, allowing players to operate and act on their own."

To put it bluntly, Ryo doesn't want branching choices like in Galgames. Choices never mean freedom; they're pre-set by the development team. If you encounter one with malicious intent, they might give you three identical options, leaving you with no choice at all.

Perhaps because they were constantly monitoring the situation, a reply email from the "Strength First" studio arrived quickly:

"Regarding your proposal, we held an emergency internal discussion and ultimately decided to partially adopt your suggestion. In the next simulation, players will enjoy greater freedom. However, please note that this may also lead the simulation to an end that we cannot predict."

Liang nodded in confirmation, and just as he was preparing for the next step, he received another email from the "Skill Supreme" studio. Unlike the previous private reply, this one was sent in the form of a game announcement:

"Update Announcement for 'Life Restart Simulator: Skill First'"

Major update:

1. Players have more freedom and can make their own choices at key plot branches.

2. The simulator has undergone a major overhaul, eliminating time expressions like "Day 1" and "Day 2," allowing players to enjoy a more realistic simulated life experience.

Related optimizations:

1. More detailed backgrounds and characters; the number of characters appearing in the simulation will be greatly increased.