How can my simulation be a real love?

Having just woken up, Shiina Tatsuki was startled by the sudden appearance of the pink-haired girl beside her. Still somewhat shaken, she gasped for breath, her gaze towards Kazami Mei sharp as a hawk.

It looked like it was about to pounce on him and take a big bite out of him.

Seeing that Shiina Ritsuki was agitated, Takamatsu Akari realized it was her fault for making her angry, and lowered her head dejectedly, apologizing softly, "Ritsuki-chan, I'm sorry..."

"Huh? I didn't mean to blame the lamp..."

Shiina, who had been quite fierce just moments before, softened instantly upon hearing Takamatsu Akari's uneasy apology. Kazami Mei found her sudden change of expression rather amusing.

However, it is still necessary to confront them, since Lixi stood him up today.

"Shiina, didn't you promise me you'd come practice yesterday?"

"I--"

Shiina Tatsuki blushed a little when the question was raised.

Because her creative inspiration suddenly burst forth last night, she decided to stay up all night to compose music in order to capture this state. As a result, she didn't sleep much for three days, which caused her to fall into a deep sleep as soon as she lay down.

Even the vibration and ringing of her phone couldn't wake her, which was enough to show how soundly she was sleeping.

If she hadn't seemingly heard someone singing "Spring Shadows" in her ear, she might have continued sleeping like that.

"I'm sorry, this time it was my fault..."

Shiina Tatsuki's incredibly delicate and beautiful features now showed a noticeable hint of embarrassment that was not usually visible.

Normally, if anyone is late for practice, she can't control her impatient nature. But today, she was the only one who was late and couldn't get to the assembly. Because of this, she felt very annoyed.

However, given her personality, she wouldn't make excuses for herself, so after realizing the responsibility was on her side, she readily apologized to everyone.

"Pfft! Rikki actually overslept~"

Upon hearing this, Chihaya Aine immediately began to mock without any restraint, causing Shiina Tatsuki, who had been feeling somewhat guilty, to blush. For some reason, she felt inexplicably angry whenever she saw this pink-haired girl!

However, she can't defend herself now, since it was indeed her fault for losing contact first.

Nagasaki Motoyo keenly noticed the change in Shiina Tatsuki's expression, and she quickly came out with a gentle smile to explain, "I think Tatsuki-chan must be too tired lately. Let's put training aside for a while and everyone can rest and relax."

"No, the practice must continue as normal."

Shiina Riki shook his head.

Ultimately, her desperate efforts in composing were to make up for the training time. Putting aside her previous state of self-doubt and avoidance, Shiina Tatsuki, who has now rediscovered her 'self', naturally wants the band to run smoothly!

Otherwise, wouldn't her tears have been in vain in front of Kazami Mei?

Just thinking about the scene of Kuku crying on him and venting her emotions on him made Shiina Ritsuki feel a strange sense of shame well up in her heart, and her whole face started to burn.

But Nagasaki Motoyo—

She did say that out of concern for herself, but having once formed a band with him, she should know very well that continuing to delay practice would basically mean giving up her debut live performance.

Is Nagasaki Motoyo planning to form a band that's just for fun and then stay in the 'practice room' entertaining herself all the time?

Is that guy really serious about forming a new band?

Feeling somewhat doubtful, Shiina Tatsuki frowned, but still put aside his doubts for the time being and said seriously, "Let's treat today as a time to adjust our condition. Everyone, let's start training seriously from tomorrow."

"Before that, Shiina, you have to promise us one thing, right?"

Kazami Naru, who had been feeding the cats cookies, suddenly spoke up, causing Shiina Tatsuki to turn around in confusion.

"Promise what?"

"Of course, it's about promising not to stay up late anymore. You can't just stay up too late again without a word and then disappear, can you?"

Kazami Mei slowly stopped feeding the animals. He straightened up and sat on the sofa in the living room. His previously lazy dark eyes now showed a clearer seriousness.

He had basically figured out what Lixi's daily routine had been like over the past three days.

Their work schedule is practically insane; they can even stay up all night grinding FGO like him.

When he walked into the room and saw Riki today, he almost thought he saw Gaara.

"...I understand, this problem won't happen again next time."

Shiina Riki looked up at Kazami Mei's serious gaze, then looked away somewhat guiltily.

That expression clearly says, 'I know I was wrong, but I'll do it again next time.'

Kazami Mei's personality is exactly like this, so he understands Ritsu's behavior all too well. Knowing that words won't work, he simply spread his hands, rolled his eyes, and deliberately said in a meaningful tone—

"Completely lacking sincerity?"

Chihaya Aine seemed to find teasing Rikki quite enjoyable, a hint of interest flashing in her beautiful silver-gray eyes. Then, mimicking Kazami Naruto's tone, she said, "Yeah, yeah~ Rikki's words were just too perfunctory!"

Her perfectly timed agreement made Kazami Mei glance at her sideways.

Wow, that's amazing! Flowing Shadow Lightning Flash?

"Huh? What do you mean by lacking sincerity?"

Shiina Tatsuki opened her mouth with a strange expression, but her expression immediately froze when she saw the two people deliberately being sarcastic. She really was just saying it, so she felt a little guilty.

"I think... Ming is right, staying up late is really bad for your health..."

"Lixi-chan also needs to get some rest."

Gao Songdeng seemed to be recalling something. She held the teacup in her two small hands, and a trace of unease flashed in her eyes, which were filled with a faint pessimism.

Wow, Little Light can even do lightning whirlwind attacks?

When Kazami Mei saw that Toki was simply expressing her feelings directly, Shiina Riki, who had originally intended to brush it off, was speechless. At this moment, she turned her face away with complicated feelings.

Unable to refute this, Shiina Tatsuki could only glare at Kazami Mei and say through gritted teeth—

"Then what do I need to do to show sincerity?"

No, why are you glaring at him so fiercely?

Yesterday, when you, Shiina Tatsuki, were talking in bed, you weren't in this fierce tone.

"First, of course, we need to reduce how often you stay up late, Shiina, and then..."

Then what to do?

Kazami Mei stroked her chin thoughtfully, then suddenly thought of an interesting idea.

"Of course there's a punishment for staying up late, like this time it's asking Ms. Shiina to massage my shoulders."

"...Kazami, you bastard!"

Shiina Tatsuki paused for a moment, then immediately understood the meaning behind Kazami Mei's words.

Kazami Mei is spouting nonsensical things like 'punishment,' clearly just taking advantage of my current predicament and vulnerability, knowing I have no way to fight back, and wanting to use me to my heart's content.

That despicable guy actually took advantage of me when I was in danger!

Despite outwardly still appearing somewhat angry and embarrassed, Shiina Tatsuki felt a strange sense of tension in her heart.

After hesitating for a moment, Shiina Tatsuki blushed slightly and glared at him before speaking.

"I...I can do it, right?!"

Huh? You're really going to do it?

A hint of surprise flashed across Feng Jianming's expression. He had only made a casual remark to tease Li Xi.

Who knew that the aloof and tough Shiina Ritsuki would actually come up behind him and prepare to give him a massage.

A faint fragrance emanating from the young girl wafted through the air from her long, black hair that fell in front of her. Her beautiful, alluring, deep purple eyes stared at him with a hint of shame and indignation, and the faint lip gloss on her cherry lips was almost clearly visible.

Hey bro, why does it smell so good?

"Don't look around!"

With a cold, pretty face, Shiina Riki reached out and straightened Kazami Mei's head, then stretched out her fair fingers and began to massage Kazami Mei's shoulders.

Perhaps due to her long-term drumming experience, the girl's hand strength was quite excellent, and she applied every bit of force perfectly.

However, he might occasionally increase the intensity, perhaps partly out of spite.

"hiss……"

Feeling a sudden ache in his shoulder, Kazami Mei couldn't help but gasp.

The drummer is secretly getting revenge on him.

Although it hurts a little, it's not a big problem for Kazami Mei.

Speaking of which, Shiina Tatsuki seems to owe him one 'not excessive request'. Since she was willing to accept such a shameful play as a massage this time, could he ask her to massage him with her legs clamped between them next time?

"Eh--"

Sitting on the other side of the sofa, Nagasaki Motoyo looked at Shiina Riki, who was giving a massage, with utter shock. Riki, who used to be so cold to Kazami Mei, had actually gone to give Kazami Mei a massage after just a few words?!

Wasn't her tone quite harsh when she spoke to Kazami Naruto before?

Did Ming Sang secretly use a hypnosis app?

Shiina Riki also felt her mind becoming somewhat confused at this moment.

Why was she so easily misled by Kazami Naruto's words? If this had happened when she first met Kazami Naruto, it would have been something she never dared to even imagine.

But why am I...?

"What about me? What about me?"

"Rikki~ I suddenly feel a bit of soreness in my shoulders too!"

Chihaya Aine blinked excitedly at the sight.

To everyone's surprise, Shiina Ritsuki just turned around and glared at her fiercely. His incredibly fierce and sharp eyes immediately made Chihaya Aine shrink back in fright, but after she realized what was happening, a hint of displeasure appeared on her face.

What?! Differential treatment?!

Rikki, you're sculpting my boyfriend right now! I'm being kind by not being jealous!

Chihaya Aine, pouting, glared at Kazami Naru with a hint of jealousy. How could her boyfriend make such a face because of another woman? It was just too much!

Mingming is such a bassist!

"By the way, Shiina, you should have finished writing that piece of music by now, right?"

Kazami Mei, engrossed in enjoying Ms. Ritsuki's massage, almost forgot something important and then asked Shiina Ritsuki a question.

Upon hearing this, Shiina Tatsuki slowly stopped what he was doing.

Those bright, smoky purple eyes looked at Kazami Naru with a faint, strange light, as if recalling the words of 'affirmation' he had spoken to her yesterday with a furrowed brow. The frequency of her heartbeat seemed to begin to rise slightly.

She casually replied, trying to sound calm, "It was all finished last night."

"Eh! Did Lixi really finish writing it?!"

Nagasaki Motoyo immediately covered her mouth with a surprised expression. Even Chihaya Aine and Takamatsu Akari, who were standing next to her, widened their beautiful eyes in surprise. They all thought that Shiina Tatsuki had given up on writing and was hiding at home because she couldn't write!

"I want to hear it!"

"Me too."

"I already heard it yesterday! Shiina's composition is absolutely outstanding!"

Kazami Mei's lips curled into a handsome smile as he generously praised Shiina Tatsuki behind him.

These unvarnished words caused a flicker of panic to cross Shiina Tatsuki's usually calm and resolute eyes, which resembled those of a crape myrtle flower. She couldn't help but reach out and gently press down on Kazami Mei's shoulder.

"Fool."

Unbeknownst to her, the alluring, delicate pink of cherry blossoms spread visibly from the girl's cheeks to her ears, and her slightly pursed lips trembled slightly. A shyness never before seen on her gradually crept onto the branches of spring.

"do not talk……"

Kazami Naru: ?

No, Lixi, why are you acting like a girl?

It seems a bit suggestive; let me take another look.

No, Shiina Tatsuki is his most trustworthy best brother!

Lixi is so pretty.

It has to be said that Ms. Riki's soft and coquettish voice just now directly shattered Kazami Mei's long-held stereotype of his good brother, Shiina Riki. In addition, with her stunningly beautiful face and incredibly sexy body, her lines were even more devastating.

If I say a few more words, I feel like Kazami Mei's second son will become the eldest.

"..."