How can my simulation be a real love?

"Xiao Xiang..."

Are you and Kazami-kun on good terms?

This time, instead of beating around the bush, Misaka Chuka suddenly spoke frankly.

Her incredibly casual tone made it sound as if she were talking about something trivial.

"..."

But it was precisely this casual remark from Misaka Mikoto that immediately caused Toyokawa Shoko, who was holding her coffee, to freeze slightly. This sudden question revealed a flaw in her gradually relaxed guard.

But then, Toyokawa Shoko quickly returned to her usual calm demeanor.

Why do you think that, Chu Hua?

Instead of answering directly, Toyokawa Shoko threw the question back at her.

"Actually, I saw you and Kazami-kun walking together before, Xiaoxiang."

The moment those words were spoken, Toyokawa Shoko felt a genuine sense of panic.

While observing the subtle changes in Toyokawa Shoko, Mikasa Hatsuka spoke again as if chatting about everyday things: "Back then, I felt that you two seemed to be having a very happy smile, so I wondered if you two had a good relationship or something..."

Did someone see me with Kazami?

Toyokawa Shoko's right hand was still tightly gripping the handle of the coffee cup.

When Hatsuka suddenly saw her, it stirred up a whirlpool of emotions in Toyokawa Shoko's heart. She suddenly felt a sense of panic that her 'secret' had been discovered. That 'memory' should belong only to her!

A strange sense of anxiety and frustration began to gradually swirl around her mind.

However, Toyokawa Shoko still didn't want Mikasa Hatsuka to misunderstand anything, so she spoke slowly and calmly with a strong and composed expression—

"We're just ordinary friends."

normal friend?

Sanjiao Chuhua's breath hitched.

The emotional changes on Toyokawa Shoko's face were so obvious just now, and she was prepared to hear some shocking words from him, but she didn't expect Shoko to just casually say, "We're just ordinary friends."

This answer is clearly not 'real'.

As Toyokawa Shoko's childhood friend, Mitsumi Hatsuka could naturally discern the meaning behind the smile on her face.

Although the band CRYCHIC, which was once formed by Toyokawa Shoko, has disbanded, the band's official website and Twitter account still exist. Misumi Hatsuka occasionally looks at the photos of Shoko on the band's website, but she rarely sees her with such a gentle expression in the photos.

A person's expression cannot lie.

Even with Toyokawa Shoko's answer, Mikami Hatsuka still felt it wasn't that simple.

As expected, merely probing indirectly was not enough to discern Toyokawa Shoko's true thoughts. As Mikawa Hatsuka gradually began to ponder, she still wore a professional, sweet smile.

She picked up her coffee cup, took a small sip of her Blue Mountain coffee, and spoke with a hint of apology in her eyes—

"It seems I misunderstood."

"I thought you and him were a couple, Xiaoxiang..."

The moment she finished speaking, Toyokawa Shoko's right hand, which was holding the coffee cup, visibly trembled.

The pampered Shoko Toyokawa was once a genuine heiress. Having deliberately trained her "appearance and demeanor" since childhood, she possessed a noble air that was difficult for ordinary people to imitate, whether it was her walking posture or her speech and behavior.

Even though her elegant tea-drinking posture is ingrained in her bones, she suddenly made a basic mistake by trembling and almost dropping her coffee cup.

"Nothing like that!"

The girl's exquisitely sculpted face was no longer calm at this moment. She suddenly furrowed her delicate eyebrows into an inverted V shape, and her tone became more urgent.

The moment her heart wavered, she quickly regained her composure, though her gentle smile now held a hint of coldness, evident in her white fingers gripping the coffee cup tightly.

At this moment, Toyokawa Shoko was not as calm as she appeared.

"Xiao Xiang, I'm sorry..."

Mikasa Hatsuka immediately apologized to Toyokawa Shoko with a face full of remorse.

Her probing just now seemed to have gone too far. She never expected that the once incredibly gentle and kind Xiao Xiang would show such a cold expression, which filled her heart with fear.

"fine."

Toyokawa Shoko gently shook her head, her somewhat dim amber eyes seemingly looking towards the bar.

When she heard Misaki Hatsuka ask if she and Kazami Mei were a couple, she felt her heart beat faster. Just one sentence made her waver.

It was this moment of wavering that made her so agitated.

She is no longer the 'Toyokawa Shoko' of the past.

She was no longer the carefree young lady of the Toyokawa family; she was constantly struggling to survive.

Toyokawa Shoko is determined to fight to the death to reclaim everything that belongs to her, but in order to struggle desperately to the death, she must kill her 'weak' self!

Because no matter what, Toyokawa Shoko can never go back to the past. Now, she can get some comfort from Kazami Mei, but she can't reach out and touch him.

If it were still the same as before, perhaps she would—

No, I can't think about it anymore.

Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath, her weariness and resentment growing stronger.

She has no right to ask for anything.

"Chuhua, how's work going lately...?"

"Sumimi's situation is going fairly well, thanks in large part to your encouragement, Xiangzi."

Shoko Toyokawa quickly composed herself and brought up the topic of catching up and chatting. Hatsuka Mikami immediately reacted and skillfully picked up the conversation, but at this moment, Hatsuka Mikami's mind was no longer on chatting.

Why does Xiaoxiang feel so averse to the topic of 'couples'?

Does she dislike Kazami Naruto?

No, that shouldn't be possible.

If Toyokawa Shoko disliked the black-haired, black-eyed boy, she wouldn't have chosen to work at the coffee shop where he worked, nor would she have shown such a proud expression when talking about the taste of 'coffee'. She definitely had feelings for Kazami Mei that went beyond ordinary friendship.

So, is it because of some reason that Shoko Toyokawa is unable to face her own love affair?

"..."

Suddenly, Sanjiao Chuhua thought of a possibility.

Could it be that Kazami Mei already has a girlfriend, and the gentle Shoko is unwilling to get involved in other people's relationships, but she can't suppress the pure love burning in her heart. She can only occasionally come to the coffee shop where he works to see his face and use this to comfort the immense resentment and sadness in her heart?

In order not to arouse Kazami Mei's suspicion and make him feel embarrassed, Xiao Xiang cannot come to this coffee shop to see the person she secretly loves often. She can only hide under the covers at night and keep dropping pearls.

How could this be?

Misaka Hatsuka suddenly felt her mind go blank, and for a moment she didn't know how to resolve the situation.

……

"They seem to be having a great chat."

Kazami Naruto, who occasionally brews a cup of coffee for customers while standing at the bar, glanced at the table of Toyokawa Shoko and Mikami Hatsuka out of the corner of his eye. He only nodded in relief when he saw the smile on Shoko's face.

Fortunately, there weren't many customers today, otherwise he would have been too busy to make coffee and act as a waiter all by himself.

hum...

The phone in his pocket suddenly started vibrating. Without hesitation, Kazami took it out. Before he could even unlock it, he saw a Line message from a cucumber flower avatar on the lock screen. Only a cute little wooden doll would use such an avatar.

"Xiao Mu?"

Seeing that even the cutest little wooden guy had sent a message, Kazami Naruto, who was still at work, started slacking off without any hesitation.

[Little Cucumber (Note): Hey, are you free now?]

[Little Cucumber: Of course I'm free, what's up?]

Little Cucumber has already sent a message, so even if you're busy, you have to make time!

[Little Cucumber: Ming, do you know where Xiao Xiang is?]

[Little Cucumber: I need to talk to Xiaoxiang about something, but she hasn't replied to my message...]

Kazami Mei raised an eyebrow and involuntarily looked towards Toyokawa Shoko.

Who knew that Teacher Da Xiang, who was sitting opposite him, would also secretly glance in his direction. It wasn't until their eyes met in mid-air that she abruptly looked away as if she had been electrocuted.

What's going on? Is it Toyokawa, the junior who has a crush on Kazami-senpai?

He understood the reason with just one glance. It was because Teacher Daisho was too engrossed in chatting and catching up with the blonde girl that he didn't even see the message sent by Wakaba Mutsu on his phone.

Having noticed this, Kazami Mei didn't hesitate and immediately typed a reply—

[Do you want to be used as fertilizer?: She probably didn't see the message. I'll relay it to her later.]

After a slight hesitation, the phone started buzzing and vibrating again.

[Little Cucumber: Su Shi invited me to watch a live performance, and she wants me to invite Xiao Xiang as well.]

Niu Mo, actually, you mainly invited Xiao Xiang, right?

Vegetarian lady, what a master of sowing discord!

Kazami Mei couldn't help but mutter a complaint to herself.

He guessed that the long-term vegetarian must still be determined to revive CRYCHIC, so he would secretly find an opportunity to take off her black stockings and see if 'anti-M and revive C' were secretly written on the soles of her feet.

After a while, it seemed that Mitsumi Hatsuka's work time as an idol was about to begin.

The strong-willed Toyokawa Shoko decisively picked up the bill and paid at the front desk. The two beautiful girls smiled and parted ways at the intersection in front of the store, walking in opposite directions.

Kazami Mei stared at the time on her watch and occasionally glanced at the shop entrance. Sure enough, less than thirty seconds later, the blue-haired beauty with a shoulder bag on her left shoulder circled around outside and then returned to the shop.

On the way back, she seemed to be carefully looking around, as if afraid of being seen by someone she knew...

As soon as she entered, she saw Kazami Mei staring at her with a half-smile. Toyokawa Shoko's clear and captivating beauty was tinged with a charming shyness. She slowly brushed a slightly messy strand of light blue hair behind her flawless white ear, and an alluring blush appeared on her delicate, butterfly-like face.

Xiao Xiang is so incredibly cute.

If Shiina Tatsuki, Shiina's good friend, attracted his attention with his handsome face and strong physique, then Sho, who worked hard, captivated him with her natural charm and stunning looks.

Toyokawa Shoko asked in a low voice, "...Kazami, what's wrong?"

It's nothing, I just feel that I would be very happy to marry you.

How was my acting just now?

With a smug expression, Kazami Mei turned to Toyokawa Shoko to boast. Seeing his expression, Shoko, who had been keeping a tense face, relaxed considerably and spoke with a hint of relief—

"...Thanks to you so much, otherwise I wouldn't know what to do."

She was indeed relieved.

She panicked when she saw Sankaku Hatsuka at the store entrance.

If it weren't for Kazami Naruto immediately understanding her intentions through his eyes the moment she entered the store and taking the initiative to temporarily take over her barista duties, she would definitely have faced a major crisis today.

"Kazami, thank you for covering for me for so long."

"I'll give you back your hourly wage from just now!"

Toyokawa Shoko looked at Kazami Naru with gratitude, and then the girl carefully took out a skinny brown wallet from the shoulder bag she had been carrying for a long time.

Even before opening it, Kazami could sense how pitiful the wallet was, so she immediately waved to stop it—

"No need, just buy me a coffee later."

"……no."

Sensing that Kazami Mei was worried about her, Toyokawa Shoko paused for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared on her lips.

But she seemed to recall Mikasa's words, and the smile on her face gradually returned to calm. She was still stubbornly determined to take out the money and return it to Kazami.

Regardless, she wanted to treat Kazami Mei as an equal.

Not to mention that Kazami Mei didn't just help her get away with it!

Just now, when I was paying the bill, he took the excuse of "giving Chuhua a thank-you gift" and gave my table a discount without my permission. He not only used the "employee discount" and "student discount" on top of each other, but also inexplicably gave me two small cakes.

If things continue like this, I will have no way to repay him.

Seeing Toyokawa Shoko's stubborn expression with her furrowed brows, Kazami Mei didn't force her.

After all, the two relied on an equal relationship to help each other, and the extremely proud Toyokawa Shoko did not want to owe him anything, otherwise their relationship would no longer be 'pure'.