How can my simulation be a real love?

However, I have already burned my bridges.

From the day she voluntarily announced her withdrawal from CRYCHIC, there was no possibility of Shoko Toyokawa turning back.

The reality before her ruthlessly shattered her dreams.

When Toyokawa Shoko saw these former friends again, who had been able to forget the pain of CRYCHIC and move forward, she felt both immense relief and a secret sadness, perhaps because she herself was still so weak and unable to sever all ties.

"I still have work to prepare. If I don't go back for too long, it might be difficult to manage."

Mikasa's gaze kept shifting between Shiina Tatsuki and Nagasaki Motoyo. She had gained a lot from this trip alone, discovering that Kazami Mei's interpersonal relationships were indeed more complicated than she had imagined.

There's so much information to process.

The fleeting look of frustration and disappointment in Xiangzi's eyes was also fully noticed by Sanjiao Chuhua.

Sure enough, Xiangzi really wanted to have dinner with Kazami, right?

However, due to the presence of Nagasaki Motoyo, a clear "love rival," Xiaoxiang has to consider both his past friendship and his inability to directly confront his own romantic feelings, which has led to his current tragic situation where he can only keep retreating.

If things continue like this, she may fail completely.

Although Misaka Hatsuka didn't think Kazami Mei was a suitable candidate, she genuinely wanted Sho to be happy.

She may need to observe more closely; the key is to know what Kazami Mei is really thinking.

"..."

Kazami Mei had no idea what Shoko and Hatsuka were thinking.

All he knew was that the smile in Miss Su Shi's eyes seemed to be getting deeper and deeper. Even though he remained calm on the surface, his brain was actually racing, trying to figure out how to respond to her confession.

If one is not careful, Mygo, which has been so hard-won and reunited, may fall apart again.

“Ming-ming!”

Suddenly, a sweet shout, tinged with a hint of joy, rang out.

Just as Kazami Mei was pondering how to deal with Ms. Suze, a cheerful and lively pink-haired girl walked over with light steps. Chihaya Aine, wearing a light green gauze lace jacket and a short skirt, excitedly pounced on her.

"Aine-chan?"

Nagasaki Motoyo, who had already planned out the rest of the process, had her thoughts disrupted by the unexpected turn of events. She had even mentally prepared herself to confess her feelings later...

Chihaya Aine's sudden appearance has completely disrupted her plans.

Beneath Nagasaki Motoyo's astonished expression, a hint of cunning flashed in Chihaya Aine's eyes.

Just as she guessed, Su Shi was indeed right beside Mingming!

"Aine? What brings you here all of a sudden?"

A flicker of relief flashed in Kazami Naruto's dark eyes.

He genuinely hadn't expected the great Miss Aine to make such a dazzling appearance at this critical moment. The pink-haired girl who suddenly appeared in the midst of the crisis was, in Kazami Naruto's eyes, practically a 'god's' arrival—

Holy crap, Saint Aine!

"Ming-sang, it's been a long time~"

A familiar red-haired figure slowly emerged from behind Chihaya Aine.

Kita Ikuyo winked adorably the moment she saw Kazami Naru. Her overall look—a loose-fitting, mid-length, orange-red jacket paired with hot pants—made the already sunny Kita even more youthful and radiant.

"..."

Nagasaki Motoyo was also somewhat puzzled when she saw Kita Ikuyo.

She had a bad feeling when she first saw Chihaya Aine, but then the girl from the band also suddenly appeared, and the situation that had been stable suddenly became a little out of control.

"Didn't you take leave? I've been sending you messages but haven't replied..."

At this point, Chihaya Aine puffed out her cheeks slightly, still somewhat dissatisfied, and looked at Kazami Mei with a hint of resentment in her eyes.

In order to get the information, she asked everyone except Suze in the band. If she hadn't happened to learn from Shiina Tatsuki that Kazami Mei was in RiNG, Suze would probably have succeeded.

"I'm so sorry, I haven't been looking at Line at all!"

"It's alright~ I found out you were in RiNG from Rikki later, so I came to check on you."

Thank you, Lixi.

Did you lure the pink-clad Japanese officer here?

Kazami Mei couldn't help but clasp her hands together and look at Shiina Tatsuki, who was standing not far away with her arms crossed, with a look of reverence.

"I met Aine-chan on the way~"

"I hadn't seen Ming-san in a while, and since I didn't have anything else to do, I decided to come check out the LiveHouse~"

With a bright smile on her face, Ms. Kita gently clasped her hands together, her flowing side ponytail swaying gently with her movement, responding softly in a natural and playful tone.

This is a lie.

She only learned about Su Shi, this 'love rival' who suddenly appeared, from Aine. In order to prevent anyone from sneaking off without following the rules, she did not hesitate to come along.

Looking back now, I'm really glad I came with that pink-haired guy.

Otherwise, if the two of them were secretly fighting each other, they wouldn't even know when their home was raided!

32

Chapter Thirty-Two: A Despicable Woman

Nobility is the epitaph of the noble, while baseness is the passport of the base.

Any means, however despicable, are justifiable as long as it leads to ultimate victory.

Before seeing Motoyo in the 'dream', Chihaya Aine had always thought that the most threatening person was actually Kita Ikuyo, who was standing next to her.

Even if she says things like, "I only see Naru-san as a friend," trying to mislead people, she definitely has other thoughts in her heart. How could she really just be a friend?

Fortunately, although Kita Ikuyo is a despicable woman, she is hesitant to launch a strong attack on Kazami Mei due to certain concerns.

But Nagasaki Motoyo is a different story.

Before dreaming about this 'information', Miss Aine hadn't noticed the slightest 'abnormality' about the other party. But by the time she did notice the 'abnormality,' the course of events was already set.

This can only mean that she may have recently made up her mind about her feelings, or perhaps she is simply hiding them and waiting for an opportunity.

Regardless, Nagasaki Motoyo's perceived threat level in Aine's eyes had skyrocketed to the sky at this moment.

Even if Kita Ikuyo is despicable, she wouldn't go so far as to directly alter the outcome of her 'dream,' would she?

"SOYO-chan! Seriously... why didn't you tell everyone you were coming?"

Chihaya Aine, who had been clinging to Kazami Naru and acting cute for a long time, vaguely sensed the gaze fixed on her from behind. She immediately put her hands on her hips and made a cute expression of dissatisfaction. Her puffed-out cheeks gradually brought Nagasaki Motoyo, who was still a little confused, back to her senses.

Nagasaki Motoyo fidgeted with her fingertips somewhat awkwardly.

Actually, she was a little flustered when she suddenly saw Chihaya Aine, not because the other person was a 'love rival' who also liked Kazami Mei, but simply because of the things she had done to deceive and take advantage of her before.

Even though the sudden appearance of the pink-haired girl disrupted her plans, Nagasaki Motoyo still wanted to apologize to her first.

"Um, Aine-chan..."

Nagasaki Motoyo lowered her eyes slightly, her long, dark eyelashes trembling gently.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Aine, who was still thinking about how to deal with Nagasaki Motoyo, this 'bad woman,' was also a little stunned when she saw her hesitant expression.

Not quite sure what was going on, she couldn't help but look at Kazami Naru, hoping to get some information from her boyfriend.

No, why are you looking at me?

Kazami Mei clearly sensed the somewhat surprised and astonished look in Chihaya Aine's eyes. She eagerly raised her eyebrows, trying to convey some information with her micro-expressions, but to him, her efforts seemed both comical and cute.

Just as Chihaya Aine was completely confused, Ms. Suze, who had been silent for a moment, slowly spoke—

"Actually, from the very beginning, I have been deceiving and taking advantage of you..."

"I'm using you and Ming to keep Xiaodeng and Lixi in the band, and then I'll find a way to get you two to leave the band on your own. After that, I just need to persuade Xiangzi to come back and reconcile with everyone..."

"This way, we can rebuild CRYCHIC—"

"These are the things I've been hiding."

Despite her immense anxiety, Nagasaki Motoyo slowly raised her azure eyes, attempting to look directly at Chihaya Aine in front of her.

"I'm really, really sorry."

Nagasaki Motoyo could have chosen to keep this a secret from Kazami Mei, but she believed that she was not qualified to return to the band if she couldn't tell everyone what she had done.

Even knowing how angry Chihaya Aine would be after this, she would keep apologizing until the other party forgave her.

"Wow..."

Kita Ikuyo looked at her 'temporary comrade-in-arms', the pink-haired Tensen, with some surprise.

She originally thought she was just there to sabotage the fox spirit's escape, but she didn't expect to stumble upon such a shocking juicy story as soon as she arrived. Isn't Kazami Naruto's band a bit too heavy?

Compared to that, my decision to simply run away from the band seems quite ordinary now...

No, could it be that this is actually what rock bands are all about?

Kazami Mei wasn't surprised that Ms. Suze dared to apologize to his face, revealing all her 'thoughts'.

Only a sincere apology can earn everyone's understanding.

For example, Shiina Riki might have been a little soft-hearted when she received an apology from Suze, but that doesn't change the fact that she really dislikes Suze.

After all, she was thinking of 'betraying' Nagasaki Motoyo and even had plans to act on it, but now she suddenly comes back to apologize to everyone? Nobody knows if she has truly repented.

Speaking of Brother Lixi—

"..."

Kazami Mei casually glanced in the direction of Riki-ge.

It was discovered that Lixi, who was wiping glasses at the counter, was indeed eavesdropping. Even though he was working, his eyes kept glancing over here, and his deliberate sideways movement was too obvious.

Shiina Tatsuki never expected that Nagasaki Motoyo would be so sincere in telling him everything.

The few remaining doubts and speculations she had in mind gradually began to dissipate. At least now, after hearing Nagasaki Motoyo's straightforward apology, Shiina Tatsuki was starting to believe that Nagasaki Motoyo was probably really going to give up on CRYCHIC this time.

However, it's hard to say whether Chihaya Aine will accept it.

"Shiina, you've already overflowed the tea!"

"ah?!"

The sudden sound startled Shiina Riki, causing her hand holding the teapot to tremble slightly. In her panic, she quickly glanced at the teacup and discovered that the porcelain teacup was only about a third full.

We've been tricked! It wasn't overflowing at all!

"Kazami, you bastard!"

Shiina Riki raised her eyes with gritted teeth, looking at the mocking guy next to her with displeasure.

"Or, why don't you just go and listen?"

Kazami Mei couldn't help but complain as she watched Shiina Tatsuki straining to reach out and try to hear the conversation.

Li Xi is also a member of the band. If he wants to hear Su Shi's apology so much, why doesn't he just walk over and listen? Why does he have to stand so far away and eavesdrop? Is it simply because he doesn't want Miss Su Shi to know how much he cares about this?

"...No need, this matter has little to do with me."

Shiina Riki paused for a moment, then casually replied and continued pouring tea on her own.

Seeing her feigned indifference, a subtle glint flashed in Kazami's eyes.

Please, the arrogant attitude has long since disappeared from the meta.

Shiina Riki seemed to realize the meaning behind Kazami Mei's meaningful gaze. A blush of embarrassment flashed across the beautiful face of the girl holding the teapot. She felt uncomfortable being stared at by Kazami.

After a brief standoff, she could only put the teapot on the table and change the subject—

"But it's Kazami..."

"Aren't you worried that if that pink-haired girl hears these words, she'll get angry and run away?"

Anyone who hears that they were just being 'used' would be utterly disappointed and then fly into a rage, right?

No matter how sunny and cheerful Chihaya Aine may seem on the surface, it's hard to guarantee that she wouldn't remain calm after hearing these words from Nagasaki Motoyo. If Shiina Tatsuki were in that pink-haired girl's shoes, she would definitely be furious about Motoyo's actions and might even just walk away.

"What's the rush? You'll find out when you take your time."