Even with Tanaka’s sudden intrusion—well, more like I practically forced her to—we managed to play The Game of Life to the very end.
Kuroki, who didn't end up marrying me in-game, didn't marry anyone else either. Instead, she stoically charged down the Inventor path, achieved massive success with her creations, and finished as the winner with a total net worth that left everyone else in the dust.
As for me—though Tanaka took over my controls halfway through—I ended up married to Miyama. I became an Office Worker while she was a Model, and we somehow ended up with six children. After that, we triggered a non-stop barrage of Lovey-dovey Events. I finished in second place.
Then there was Yuria’s fate...
"Wh-why am I... a Comedian...?"
During the career phase, Yuria failed the roulette spin for the Model audition. She tried again for Announcer, but the wheel betrayed her once more.
Ultimately, she was left with a choice between a randomly selected Comedian career or remaining a NEET. It was an agonizing decision, but she chose to be a comedian.
By the time she reached the goal, she had transformed into something resembling a certain sharp-tongued female variety star, but a continuous streak of bad luck left her in dead last.
"Hehe. Maybe you should consider a career in comedy for real, Yuria?"
"Sh-shut up! Just because you hit the jackpot as an inventor...! And Airi! I thought you wanted to be super rich!?"
"Yuria? Airi realized that love is far more important than money in this world, you know? Right, Kanade-chan?"
"Yes, ma'am!! I'll contribute everything I have for Airi-tan!!"
God, Tanaka is gross.
Still, seeing her actually getting along with girls was a first for me. It was a fresh sight. After all, I’d been her only friend since junior high.
(Well, being like this is probably why she couldn't make friends... is my honest impression.)
"But to be honest, I wanted the real Ryouta to choose for himself, not Kanade-chan," Miyama said, grinning as she glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.
"Wh-what’s that supposed to mean?"
"I'm just really curious which one of us Ryouta would actually pick!"
When Miyama said that, Yuria and Kuroki both nodded as if to say, "Yeah, exactly."
Even if they put me on the spot like that...
"No, to be honest..."
"What? Does Ryouta have some kind of problem with us?"
"No, that's not it! Look, being asked to pick one girl from a group of three top-tier beauties like you guys is just too much! No normal guy could just choose!"
" " " ...! " " "
Reacting to my outburst, the three of them widened their eyes. Their previously dubious expressions turned into looks of pure confusion, and they quickly averted their eyes from me.
Wait, did I... say something weird?
"Wow... all three of them are so easy."
"Shut up, Tanaka."
"Tanaka-san, be quiet."
"Kanade-chan, you're loud."
"Wh-what a bashing... I mean, Airi-tan, please call me by my first name like you did before!"
I didn't quite understand the shift in atmosphere, but they seemed to be having fun talking amongst themselves, so I just watched from the sidelines.
☆☆
"Everyone, we should probably head home soon. We shouldn't impose on Ryouta-kun’s family for too long."
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Kuroki finally urged the others to leave, and we decided to wrap things up.
"Ehh, Airi wants to have a Sleepover right now!"
"O-of course you can't!"
"She’s right, Airi. If you stay, there’s no telling what kind of perverted things Ryouta might do to you."
Yuria looked at me with judging eyes.
Hey, what’s with that? She’s making me sound like a repeat offender... (Well, I definitely have a record, but still).
"Well then, let's head out. Thanks for today, Ryouta."
"O-oh, sure."
I walked with them to the entrance to see the four of them off.
"Starting tomorrow, we're doing Cultural Festival Preparation. We won't make it in time for the real thing if we don't study the script."
"Yeah, yeah. Understood, understood."
"See ya, Ryouta~"
After seeing everyone out, I hunched my shoulders wearily as I headed back inside. That was one incredibly busy after-school session...
(Now then... I suppose I should head back to my room, where the scent of those beautiful girls still lingers...)
I-it's not like I'm planning to do anything indecent—
"Hey, Ryouta-kun."
"!!?"
Startled by a voice calling my name from behind, I spun around. Standing there was Kuroki.
"I forgot something in your room... Is it okay if I come in?"