After some time, Hyuga Kiyonari finally figured out how the system worked.
First, its core function: he could write a script and then assign actors to perform in it.
When reality unfolded according to the script, he would earn Correction Points. The more detailed the script, the more points he'd earn if the performance succeeded. Correction Points could then be used to fix bugs in the script.
But the bugs in a script weren't something to minimize. In fact, they were crucial.
For example, if a script established that Hyuga Kiyonari's true identity was Otsutsuki Kiyonari, but in reality he was merely an ordinary member of the Hyuga Branch Family, then a bug would appear.
At that point, he could spend points to fix the bug, changing the real Hyuga Kiyonari into Otsutsuki Kiyonari and allowing the script to play out smoothly.
However, the greater the change, the more points it would cost.
In other words, the more outrageous the script, the more points it took to fix it. If he had an unlimited supply of points, Hyuga Kiyonari could even make anything he wished come true.
So the question was, how could he persuade Hinata, the Main Family's young lady, to act in his script?
Hyuga Kiyonari pondered for a long time, stroking his chin. Then he suddenly asked, "As the director, I have a responsibility and an obligation to coach actors whose acting skills are lacking. So... can I send the actors parts of the script or character profiles?"
[Yes.]
"Reality is full of variables. I'll need to adjust my coaching plan according to the actors' performances, so... can I edit the material after it's been sent?"
[Yes.]
"Then I know what to do." A glint flashed in Hyuga Kiyonari's eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted.
The script—no, it should be called Hinata's Life Simulator.
Start!
Meanwhile, in a side hall of the Hyuga clan head's residence.
Hinata held a red bean cake in both hands and took small bites. The sweet, soft filling melted on her tongue, making her eyes narrow with contentment. Once she'd picked up the last crumbs with her fingertips and popped them into her mouth, she picked up the black notebook and opened it.
"Hyuga... Kiyonari..."
She softly read the scrawled signature on the title page. Suddenly, the ink faded as if washed away by water, and two lines of text appeared out of nowhere on the blank page.
[Life Simulator]
[Begin Simulation]
"Huh? What's this?"
She timidly reached out with her index finger. The moment she touched the words, the notebook flipped open to the first page by itself.
Then, just like before, a line of small text appeared out of nowhere.
[I am Hinata Hyuga. The current year is Konoha 54.]
?
A big question mark appeared over Hinata's little head. "Konoha 54? Isn't that next year?"
And today was December 27. To be precise, Konoha 54 would begin in four days.
[Father told me that Kumogakure and Konoha have made peace. Their delegation will arrive in Konoha soon. The war is ending, and Father is very happy.]
[I'm happy too, because it snowed so much today. I want to go outside and see it, but I haven't finished the lessons Father assigned me.]
[Now I have two choices.]
[1. I choose to sneak out and play.]
[2. I choose to stay and finish my lessons.]
The text stopped there.
Hinata realized this seemed to be a game.
Like the ninja games the children in the village played. Suppose I'm a certain ninja, and I've been given a mission. What should I do next? Something like that, anyway.
So I'm supposed to choose what happens next?
"Snow..." Hinata murmured, then answered, "I choose the first one."
But even after she'd made her choice, the notebook didn't react.
Hinata suddenly remembered a small detail and lightly tapped the first option with her index finger.
The text in the notebook immediately began moving again.
[Because Father's lessons were just too much, I decided to sneak out and play.]
[While the maid wasn't looking, I secretly climbed the tree by the courtyard and slipped over the wall. Outside, the snow lay thick on the ground. Everyone was building snowmen and having snowball fights.]
[I wanted to play with them too, so I gathered my courage and went over to ask if I could join.]
[But as soon as they saw my eyes, they shouted that I was a Byakugan monster and threw snowballs at me.]
[Now I have two choices.]
[1. I choose to fight back and knock them to the ground.]
[2. I choose to endure it and run away from them.]
"Ah!" Hinata cried softly, her expression turning panicked. "How could this happen?"
Without hesitation, Hinata immediately chose the second option.
[Because Father told me I mustn't attack my fellow villagers, I chose to run away.]
[But they didn't plan to let me go. They picked up snowballs and chased after me. It seemed like I'd joined their snowball fight, but... something didn't feel right.]
[In my panic, I ran into a dead end. With nowhere to escape, I could only close my eyes. Suddenly, a stone flew over and hit one of the boys on the head.]
["Hey! What are you doing?"]
["Ah, another Byakugan monster! And you dare throw a rock at me!"]
[I heard the commotion gradually die down. Gathering my courage, I opened my eyes. A boy about my age was standing in front of me.]
[He chased those people off, built a snowman with me, took me out for ramen, and walked me home.]
[At the very end, I asked his name. He answered, "Hyuga Kiyonari."]
Hinata suddenly closed the notebook and hugged it tightly to her chest. Her voice was so faint it was almost inaudible. "It's him again... Honestly, I don't even know you yet."
She quietly opened the notebook just a crack and peeked at the last line. After the name, another line of small text had appeared.
"Simulation ended. Entering cooldown. The next simulation will be... tomorrow afternoon?"
"Lady Hinata! Lady Hinata! Where are you?" A maid's call suddenly came from the hallway.
Startled, Hinata immediately tucked the notebook into her kimono and tightened her sash to hold it in place. Only then did she hurriedly call out.
"I'm here!"
The maids' footsteps sounded outside the paper door. As they drew closer, the notebook hidden beneath Hinata's clothes grew hotter and hotter, as if she were carrying a piece of burning charcoal.
"Swish!"
The paper door slid open. Seeing Hinata unharmed, the maid let out a small sigh of relief. Only then did her gaze sweep across the room and fall on several opened gift boxes.
"Lady Hinata, what are you doing here?"
"Um... nothing."
The maid smiled gently. "Lady Hinata, the clan head is looking for you. Please go to him right away."
"I'm coming!"
Hinata nodded vigorously, then hurried toward the main hall.
Watching the young lady's retreating figure, the maid couldn't help wondering if it was her imagination, but Hinata seemed a little nervous.
Just then, the maid spotted a piece of oil paper that had been hastily hidden on the tatami. She picked it up and caught the sweet scent of red bean.
"So she was sneaking a snack."
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