How can my simulation be a real love?

"Kazami, who are you dating?"

Goodness, they asked such a tricky and pointed question right off the bat.

As expected, Hachiman Kairin's free-spirited and straightforward personality meant she wouldn't beat around the bush with Kazami Naruto. Her decisive and direct attack seemed to give him no chance to think or prepare, which surprised Kazami Naruto, who had just mentally prepared himself.

Even he felt a bit sweaty now.

However, faced with his good friend's question, Kazami Mei had no need to hide anything or lie. After taking a deep breath and calming himself down, he told him about Touka and Mutsuki.

After finding out that he was two-timing her, Hai Ling, given her personality, would probably verbally attack him directly.

To everyone's surprise, Hachiman Kairin merely raised an eyebrow, her handsome and aloof face showing no sign of astonishment whatsoever.

"Is that really the case?"

The black-haired girl's voice deepened slightly, and her gaze toward Kazami Mei grew increasingly complex.

"I thought you would at least try to beat around the bush with me, or at least lie and try to get away with it. I never expected you to tell me everything so readily."

"There's no point in me lying to you, Hachiman, is there? Besides, I don't intend to lie about this kind of thing."

Facing the girl's sharp gaze, Kazami Naruto simply shrugged. After saying those words, he actually felt much more relaxed, and his gaze towards his good brother, Hai Ling, became calm.

"really."

Yawata Kairin nodded meaningfully.

Lying to her is pointless; both of them know this.

Despite seemingly not having a deep relationship with Kazami Mei, Hachiman Kairin is actually one of the people who understands him best.

Hai Ling, in particular, saw through the complicated interpersonal relationships around him but kept quiet. In her opinion, the fact that Feng Jianming had survived until now without being knocked unconscious or drugged was already a miracle.

Having spent so much time with Kazami Mei, she already knew his personality very well.

Since Kazami Mei has already made up his mind to commit the scumbag behavior of "two-timing", he is not the type to be persuaded to change his ways with a few words. Therefore, Hachiman Kairin gave up on trying to persuade him again as before.

After a moment's thought, the handsome black-haired girl spoke again—

"If there are other people around you who also like you, what would you choose to do?"

Of course, Hachiman Kairin knew how many people around him liked him, including Mikami Hatsuka and Toyokawa Shoko; many people harbored sincere and pure feelings of love for him.

In Hachiman Kairin's view, the two of them will find an opportunity to confess to Kazami Naru sooner or later, and then it will be difficult for him, who is already two-timing, to extricate himself.

"..."

When asked this question, Kazami Mei did not show his usual carefree attitude. Instead, he raised his dark eyes and looked at the other person seriously and without hesitation.

He had no intention of hiding anything from Hai Ling, and decided quite decisively to be honest with his good brother.

"I will not ignore anyone's feelings, and I will always respond to them positively."

"So if I liked you, what would you do?"

The sudden remark from the icy-faced Hailing made Fengjianming's lips twitch slightly. His good brother's abrupt 'confession' was making his head buzz a little.

But he immediately realized that Hai Ling was deliberately using him to test him, after all, no girl would be expressionless during such an important moment as 'confessing', right?

To be honest, Hai Ling was truly terrifyingly sharp at times like this.

"Because I only consider Hachiman a friend, I will reject you directly."

"is it?"

The girl showed no sign of disappointment, and seeing her expression, Kazami Naruto felt a little relieved.

If Riki's occasional stunning appearance might make his 'brotherly bond' a little unstable, then the cool guy Hachiman Kairin in front of him is a true buddy. Only when facing her can Kazami Naru feel completely at ease.

If it weren't for the fact that this kind of thing isn't popular in Japan, he would have loved to drag Hai Ling into a sworn brotherhood right there and then.

"Kazemi."

The black-haired girl leaned gently against the wall, playing with her punk-style earrings as she looked up at Kazami Mei's expression.

That seemingly cold and refined face was now tinged with the flames of complex emotions. After hesitating for two seconds, she continued in a deep voice, "If Li Xi liked you, would you give the same answer?"

Kazami Mei was stunned.

"..."

To be honest, he found this question quite difficult to answer.

At the beginning, he did treat Lixi as someone he could trust and rely on. However, as his relationship with Lixi deepened, Feng Jianming felt that the 'brotherly bond' between them was as blurry as glass covered in foam.

Especially after that time he was sick and entrusted the composition to Ritsuki, Shiina Ritsuki, who always had a cold face and clicked her tongue at the drop of a hat, softened her attitude towards him a lot. Occasionally, when faced with his teasing, she would blush and show a cute expression of embarrassment and annoyance. When she realized that he had hit her too hard, she would come over and apologize in a panic.

To say that Kazami Mei truly has no feelings for Shiina-san is absolutely impossible without careful consideration.

Of course, Hachiman Kairin immediately noticed Kazami Mei's hesitation. Her usually calm, dark green eyes gradually lit up with a strange light. Without saying a word, she stepped forward to close the distance between them.

Words, gradually tinged with frost, were uttered from her crimson lips—

"I don't care what you do with other people."

"But if you haven't prepared yourself properly, then don't be so gentle with Li Xi."

Hachiman Kairin, who can always remain calm and composed, reveals a serious side to Kazami Naru at this moment that is completely different from her usual self.

Kazami Mei was speechless for a moment, but then she immediately realized what was going on.

Her good friend, Hachiman Kairin, is also a very good friend of Shiina Tatsuki. Perhaps Kairin doesn't care what kind of complicated relationship she, a "scumbag," might have with other girls. As a friend, she has already advised him, which can be said to be more than enough.

But if Kazami Mei is also involved with Riki...

Even his good friend Hai Ling would probably turn against him because of this, right?

After uttering those words, Hachiman Kairin slowly exhaled a breath of pent-up frustration. The expressionless black-haired girl, like an unyielding autumn wind, turned around and gracefully disappeared from his sight.

Only Kazami Mei remained standing there, looking thoughtful.

"what is going on?"

Ms. Shiina, who was not far away, watched almost the entire conversation between the two. However, because of the distance and the fact that both of them were deliberately suppressing their voices, Shiina Ritsuki did not know what they were talking about.

From Shiina Tatsuki's perspective, all she could see was Hachiman Kairin suddenly getting close to Kazami Naru and making a rather 'intimate' gesture, after which she felt her head was buzzing a little.

Seeing Hachiman Kairin walking towards him with a normal expression, Shiina Tatsuki, who was somewhat anxious, couldn't help but ask, "Kairin, what did you say to Kazemi just now?"

"I confessed my feelings to him and he rejected me."

"……ha???!!!"

Ignoring her best friend's incredulous and bewildered gaze, the elegant black-haired girl picked up her instrument case from beside the chair and turned to leave.

Completely bewildered, Ms. Shiina suddenly felt a sharp pain in her temple.

Hearing Hai Ling's words, she didn't even have a moment's doubt. She was just a little disoriented from hearing such 'explosive' news. She was holding the sheet music in her hand, feeling lost and confused.

Hai Ling actually likes Ming?

"Why is this happening?"

Shiina Tatsuki, who originally wanted to support Takamatsu Akari because she liked him, suddenly encounters Kairin, who also likes Naruto and has even 'confessed' to her. The two best friends are now both in love with the same person...

Perhaps it was because of this that Shiina Tatsuki, holding the sheet music, felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

She naturally sensed the disappointment welling up inside her, like a hole constantly leaking out, but she still forced herself to keep her eyes on the sheet music in front of her.

Before Kazami Mei returned, she quickly adjusted her emotions, and the moment she raised her head, she had already returned to her initial indifferent demeanor.

Yet the faint bitterness and disappointment in my heart did not diminish in the slightest.

……

High school cultural festivals are more than just about having fun.

In order to allow all students to participate in and enjoy the atmosphere of the cultural festival, the school naturally makes every class and even every club in the school a part of the cultural festival, which means that every student has to simulate running a so-called 'shop'.

For example, the maid café that is most well-known in the next class, as well as the so-called ramen restaurant and even the haunted house and other amusement facilities. Some even choose to have the whole class perform a stage play. As for clubs, they generally manage and organize activities related to the club's theme.

The so-called cultural festival is about integrating all of these elements into one whole.

"Hey! I heard that Aine-chan's band and Kita-chan's band will be performing on the auditorium stage, is that true?!"

"I can't wait! I've been wanting to see Ai Yin's cool side for so long~"

Several high school girls with bright eyes surrounded Chihaya Aine, who had long pink hair. Aine, who usually looked forward to being the center of attention, felt a little overwhelmed today.

She gave a somewhat forced smile and replied, "Yes, all of that is true~"

Seven days left?

After making a bet with Kita Ikuyo, Chihaya Aine began to bury herself in practice, even stopping the guitar training she usually did with everyone.

However, the continuous high-intensity practice did not bring Chihaya Aine much positive courage; instead, it made her anxiety and tension intensify over time.

"..."

Miss Aine couldn't help but look at the red-haired girl who was helping with the ribbon-cutting and decoration of the classroom not far away. At that moment, Kita Ikuyo was chatting with her friend with a sunny and bright smile.

She looked no different from usual, but a closer look revealed that all five fingers on her left hand were wrapped in bandages.

Just as she expected, Kita-chan was also giving her all for the upcoming performance.

"Aine-chan, we'll support you~"

"Huh? What do you mean..."

The meaningful smiles of the girls around her made Chihaya Aine blink in confusion. Then, they deliberately glanced at Kazami Naru not far away, which made the already clever pink-haired girl instantly snap out of her daze.

Her pretty face instantly flushed red, and she said with some dissatisfaction, "Really, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Come on, aren't you just trying to use the school festival to win over Kazami-kun?"

"Exactly! If you want to cover it up, you should at least start doing it normally, right?"

Miss Aine's eyes darted away, pierced by those few words. She couldn't help but steal a glance at Kazami Mei, but her furtive look was immediately noticed by him.

When she looked up at Kazami Naruto, she was immediately startled and quickly lowered her head.

Kazami Naru: ?

What's with this pink-haired guy?

"I...I'm going to the bathroom."

Feeling a little flustered, Chihaya Aine couldn't help but curse herself inwardly for being an idiot.

Even though we've already experienced the life of an 'old married couple' in my dreams, I still panicked over such a small thing. I'm really becoming more and more immature.

Why did she panic?

It wasn't until she washed her face and came out of the toilet that her burning cheeks began to cool down a little. Just as Chihaya Aine was adjusting her mindset and preparing to go back to the classroom to continue the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a familiar and energetic sweet voice gradually entered her ears.

"Aine-chan, were you peeking at me just now?"

Kita Ikuyo stood beside her with her hands behind her back, all smiles. The sudden 'fright' almost made Chihaya Aine's soul fly out of her body.

"Kita-chan? What are you doing here?!"

"Huh? I saw you giving me that look just now, I thought you were calling me out..."

Kita Ikuyo blinked, somewhat taken aback.

How could such a thing be possible?

"The cultural festival performance is starting soon, Aine-chan should be ready by now, right?"

"Of course!"

Chihaya Aine deliberately puffed out her flat chest, striking a confident pose, while Kita-san, who was lacking in breasts, could only stare at the pink-haired girl with teary eyes.

Feeling inexplicably outdone, Kita retorted unwillingly, "I'm ready too, and I definitely won't lose to Aine!"

"Hmph~ If Kita-chan admits defeat now, our bet might just be null and void, you know?"

"How is that possible!"

Kita Ikuyo, with her delicately raised eyebrows, chuckled and shook her head.

A faint smile gradually spread across her already delicate and beautiful face. Under Chihaya Aine's somewhat stunned gaze, she reached out her left hand and gently pressed it against her chest. Her sweet and sunny words were released along with the powerful solar energy.

"No matter what the outcome, I will never regret it."

"Quack! Where did this sun monster come from?!"

Hurry and get the Ultraman Super Bracelet!