How can my simulation be a real love?

"Well……"

Takamatsu Akari gradually pulled herself out of her own world. She frowned slightly, her delicate brows furrowed, and looked at Kazami Mei with a hint of apology in her eyes. Then, she mustered her courage once again and looked straight ahead seriously.

The girl's voice was low and slightly hoarse, yet she spoke with utmost seriousness—

"We are a new band without a name yet..."

"We here are probably all confused, always trapped in a vortex because of all sorts of things, as if we are standing still no matter what we do... Even if we try our best to get out of it, we still stop because of fear and sadness."

"I...I'm not good at expressing myself, so I can only try my best...to tell my story through song!"

RiNG's lights completely illuminated the entire stage, and the dust in the air left afterimages in the air along with the bright white light, like dancing elves entwining around the Takamatsu lights.

She held the microphone and remained silent for a moment before suddenly raising her amber eyes.

Please listen to "If I See Flowers"—

The next instant, Shiina Tatsuki's rhythmic drumbeats rang in my ears.

The moment the prelude began, Kazami Mei slightly bent over, her long, slender fingers rapidly playing a series of arpeggios on the white piano keys, instantly enhancing the charm of the entire prelude in coordination with the drumbeats.

Chihaya Aine's forehead was covered with a light layer of sweat, but her fingers did not slacken in the slightest. The result of her hard work and practice in private was the continuous chords etched into her muscles.

Even though her body was stiff from nervousness, she didn't play a single wrong note.

This is proof of hard work.

As the gentle, bright sounds of the keyboard filled her ears, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but stand on tiptoe. Even though she had come today only to make Nagasaki Motoyo give up on CRYCHIC, she gradually became immersed in the performance.

"..."

Shiina Tatsuki, sitting in the back and rapidly drumming, felt her heart pounding faster. This song, "If I See the Flower," which she had co-written with Kazami Mei, was quite difficult, and in previous practice sessions, they had made frequent mistakes even on the intro.

But now that he has taken office, things have progressed surprisingly smoothly.

Chihaya Aine, whom she was most worried about, turned out to be surprisingly reliable at this moment.

Right now, the only thing that worries her is—

Shiina Tatsuki nervously looked ahead at Takamatsu Toki.

The intro to "If I See Flowers" is very long, and once it ends, it cannot be restarted. If lead singer Takasaka Takashi has trouble singing, everyone has to grit their teeth and continue playing.

But just as she was worrying, a deep and slightly hoarse voice suddenly rang out.

"Jun's pure white flower——"

Takamatsu Akira, who was always unable to sing, perfectly caught the moment the intro ended.

This made Shiina Tatsuki smile with surprise and relief. Then she exchanged a glance with the keyboardist next to her, and began to strike loud drumbeats with all her might.

His voice is deep and husky, but the strength and emotion it conveys gradually increase.

As the song progressed into its main melody, the performance style began to climb higher and higher. Gao Songdeng's singing style gradually changed from the initial lyrical and gentle tone to a desperate emotional outpouring, and the audience in the performance hall began to increase.

Before anyone knew it, Toyokawa Shoko's eyes were already trembling slightly as she stared at the performance on stage.

"Xiao Xiang?"

Wakaba Mutsu noticed Toyokawa Shoko's trembling fingers and asked her with concern.

This time, however, Toyokawa Shoko did not respond to her childhood friend. She merely pursed her lips and frowned, her hands gripping her skirt tightly, as if a crack had been torn in the hard armor covered with spikes wrapped around her body.

It is precisely because they were once 'shared destiny' that she understands how much the lights have changed.

Toyokawa Shoko initially harbored unrealistic 'ideals' and 'yearnings' and naively formed a band with Takamatsu Akira, but after recognizing reality, she chose to escape her past.

The originally weak heart became extremely sensitive due to the stimulation, and even became aware of 'inferiority'.

Gao Songdeng, who once needed her comforting before he dared to sing, has unknowingly rebuilt his band.

The timid and pessimistic girl has moved on from her memories of CRYCHIC. Now, even though she is troubled, she dares to face the problems in front of her. The changes in the other person make her, who is already insecure, feel even more anxious.

That complex mix of inferiority and stubbornness made Toyokawa Shoko clench her teeth.

But what about her?

What did she change?

Toyokawa Shoko is still so 'weak', still unable to completely let go of the past!

As the closing melody of the keyboard and drums faded on stage, the entire piece ended perfectly with almost no mistakes. A soft look flickered in the eyes of Takamatsu, who was holding the microphone.

Her gaze was fixed on Toyokawa Shoko in the distance.

"Thank you……"

The girl's heartfelt gratitude caused Toyokawa Shoko's expression to gradually change.

"Even though we've separated and gone through hurtful experiences, it's very, very sad..."

"But now... I have no regrets!"

Takamatsu Akari gripped the microphone firmly in her hand, turning her head slightly to look in the direction of Kazami Mei.

Ming is still by her side!

Whether it's sadness or distress, confusion or bewilderment.

No matter what difficulties they may face, she will face them together with him!

The girl's words, so brief yet resolute, made Kazami Mei instinctively turn her head to look in Kodama's direction.

Feeling the light that once clung to him like a little animal, now growing into such a strong person without him even realizing it, I couldn't help but feel a mix of melancholy and emotion.

But this is a slide that you absolutely cannot touch!

Even if I continue to feel lost, I still want to keep moving forward.

"Because my songs are the cries from my heart!"

hum!

In an instant, a slow and gentle guitar intro suddenly reached Kazami's ears.

Looking up, a girl with short, silver-white hair was bathed in warm light. Holding a guitar in her arms, she lightly swept the pick across the steel strings, and her delicate, youthful face was filled with an unpretentious smile of excitement.

Stray Cats, a Grand Serialized Story!

The familiar intro, as familiar as a mother's cooking, made Shiina Riki pause for a moment, but after she came to her senses, she immediately slammed her drumstick onto the drum set without hesitation, and Aine, who was still in an excited state, also plucked the strings.

If all else fails, go up and play "Spring Shadows".

What was originally just a comment by Kazami Naru to tease everyone about their terrible ensemble playing suddenly became a reality.

"..."

With a subtle look in his eyes, Kazami Naru pressed his fingertips, giving the "Haruhi Kage," which wasn't originally part of CRYCHIC, a keyboard.

"悴んだ心ふるえる灈瀗..."

Takamatsu seemed to have returned to that beautiful spring day when the petals were falling in profusion. Under the boundless blue sky, the cherry blossoms that kept fluttering down seemed to convey a sorrow that only she could understand.

Completely lost, she had stopped moving forward and was stuck on the same old path.

But then a blue butterfly entered her world, and the gentle woman accepted and understood Takamatsu's heart.

At that moment, she felt as if she was no longer alone.

"Kun no hand はどうしてこんなにも热かいの?"

Some words from the heart, when written down, become poetry.

Like the warmth of spring sunshine, Toyokawa Shoko condensed the 'poetry' in her heart into reality, endowing it with a soul and wings of flight through melodious tunes and notes, allowing her to convey the voice of her heart through singing, making her feel as if she was no longer alone.

All of this feels like a distant memory.

Perhaps this is the last time she will sing "Spring Shadow".

Shoko Toyokawa's eyes were filled with tears, and she could no longer maintain her 'sharp' defensive armor. She uncontrollably gripped the hem of her skirt with both hands.

Her once sharp amber eyes were now red and swollen, and her last bit of stubbornness was shattered!

It's really pathetic to still be clinging to the past.

Uncontrollably, Toyokawa Shoko turned and ran out of the performance hall. The moment she moved, tears fell like pearls. Her pounding heart stimulated her mind, as if her broken nerves were causing her to break down uncontrollably.

The emotions could not be detached from the body, leaving only a pile of broken wreckage.

This tenderness was too much for her to bear.

Memories of the past kept flashing through her mind like still photographs as she released her emotions. But no matter how strong her feelings and impulses were, at this moment, 'Toyokawa Shoko' could no longer respond to the other person. Everything before her eyes was beyond redemption.

Wakaba Mutsu quietly watched Toyokawa Shoko's departing figure, a visible hint of worry flashing in her light gold eyes as she looked at the stage.

"Ming--"

……

The live performance is gradually coming to an end.

"That's amazing! We're super strong, aren't we!"

"Mingming! Aren't I amazing? I didn't make a single mistake this time!"

Chihaya Aine never imagined that her performance on stage would be so outstanding. The moment she finished playing, she felt a rollercoaster of emotions, both exhilarating and thrilling. She couldn't wait to get close to Kazami Naru and ask for praise.

Not only her, but even Shiina Ritsuki, who was usually serious and unsmiling, was extremely excited, her voice trembling with barely suppressed joy.

"You rascal, I'm really starting to have a different opinion of you today..."

"Kazami! This live performance was absolutely perfect!!"

Shiina Tatsuki's face was flushed with excitement. She had even wanted to sing along while playing "If I See the Flower," and now that it was over, she wanted to vent her emotions.

If it weren't for the last shred of reason that kept her from suppressing her emotions, she would have almost hugged Kazami Naruto directly.

"It's really awesome."

Kazami Mei couldn't help but offer a compliment, but this time he felt little joy, as Nagasaki Motoyo, standing behind him, remained silent, her expression incredibly gloomy as she held her bass.

Click.

It sounded like the snapping of a steel string of reason.

"Why are you playing 'Spring Day Shadow'?!"

Chihaya Aine was so startled by her words that she shrank back and instinctively hid behind Kazami Mei, while Shiina Tatsuki frowned sharply, her eyes immediately regaining their usual sharpness.

Before Riki could even open her mouth to exert pressure, Kazami Ming stopped her in advance.

Although Kazami Mei wanted to go along with things as much as possible, she couldn't let Riki-ge say anything further that would upset Su-se, who was on the verge of a breakdown. So she spoke first to comfort her: "It's okay, Su-se, calm down a bit."

Because Kazami Mei spoke in a gentle tone, Nagasaki Motoyo's expression softened slightly, but the sadness on her face could not be concealed.

"Xiao Xiang watched our performance from the audience the whole time. She was so hurt that she cried. It must be because everyone played 'Spring Shadow' without permission..."

The girl's tone was filled with disappointment. Shiina Tatsuki wanted to say something, but Kazami Mei stopped her before she could. However, the girl holding the microphone gently shook her head, slightly raised her eyes, and spoke first—

"I feel that Xiao Xiang doesn't think that way."

Takamatsu Akari suddenly recalled the last time she met Toyokawa Shoko at school with Chihaya Aine. She had sincerely wanted to apologize to her, but Shoko hadn't shown any anger or indifference at the time.

She seemed to be struggling, wanting to say something but unable to utter it.

At least in Gao Songdeng's view, Xiangzi was not angry with him.

"Xiao Xiang probably has her own things to do too."

Nagasaki Motoyo's expression stiffened. She stared wide-eyed at Kazami Naru beside her, and after some hesitation, she said wearily, "I think... I should go back and rest for a while."

After saying that, she ignored the responses of the others, picked up her bass, and turned to leave towards the lounge.

Seeing this, Kazami frowned slightly, preparing to go over and soothe Sue's emotions a little more.

"What on earth is Su Shi up to?"

But who knew that Shiina Riki, who was finally given the 'right to speak' at this moment, immediately frowned, and her tone became somewhat intense after holding back for so long.

"And Kazami, why did you stop me just now?"

"Rikki! Naruto just didn't want things to get too tense!"

Shiina Tatsuki frowned slightly upon hearing Aine's words. She was actually aware of Kazami Mei's thoughts, but she still felt very annoyed. So she snorted and crossed her arms.

Did I...do something wrong?

Seeing Nagasaki Motoyo leave as if fleeing, Takamatsu Akari, who was filled with worry, couldn't help but show a sad expression.