How can my simulation be a real love?

But the girl's sparkling eyes seemed tireless; no matter what clothes she wore, she couldn't help but compare them to Kazami Naruto's.

In just a few minutes, she had already grabbed more than ten different outfits to match, her shopping prowess was simply astonishing beyond imagination.

"I feel like this one, and this one, any of them would suit you perfectly~ Naruto's physique is simply a natural clothes hanger, it would be such a waste not to make good use of him!"

"And I always feel like Ming wears either black or white clothes every day... even though they both look good on him!"

Kita-san, in high spirits, treated Kazami Mei like a dressing doll, constantly taking out various styles of men's clothing and fiddling with them on him, including punk-style ear clips and even hair clips, without missing a single one.

Kazami Naruto, who was letting her do as she pleased, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and say in a somewhat subtle tone, "Isn't this style too conspicuous?"

Kita Ikuyo swallowed back the words she had just conceived. A strange glint flickered in her vibrant yellow-green eyes as she looked up at Kazami Mei as if it were perfectly natural—

"Of course there won't be a problem! Doesn't Ming think the more handsome he looks, the better?"

The problem is that Kazami Mei usually wears either black or white, and she really doesn't wear any other colors.

"In short, I'll try them all! I'm sure I'll pick the one that suits me best and looks the coolest!"

The enthusiastic red-haired girl grabbed Kazami Naruto's hand and led him to the fitting room. She nodded in satisfaction after stuffing him and all the clothes in his hands inside.

"Ok??"

But then Kita Ikuyo seemed to sense something was wrong and blinked. She carefully took out her phone from her skirt pocket and opened it to reveal a photo of herself with Kazami Mei as her screen saver.

Then she opened Line to check the message that had just vibrated, and upon closer inspection, she realized that the message was from Chihaya Aine.

"Aine-chan?"

Why would you contact her at this time? Is there something you need, Aine-chan?

With some doubts in her mind, Kita Ikuyo opened the chat box without hesitation.

However, on the huge mobile phone screen, all that can be seen is an ordinary, simple message, so simple that it has no decoration or embellishment whatsoever, just like Michelangelo's most minimalist painting, "The Rebellious Slave".

Wishing you happiness

"……Eh?"

Kita Ikuyo was clearly taken aback by the message, but her sharp mind seemed to have a premonition of something.

Why would Ai-yin-chan suddenly send such a message?

Kita Ikuyo slowly frowned, and the doubts in her heart began to make sense.

Suddenly saying "I wish you happiness" at this time might make an ordinary person think that Aine has given up on pursuing Mei, but Kita Ikuyo has been her friend and rival for so long that she knows her personality inside and out.

She knew that no matter what, Chihaya Aine could not give up her feelings for Kazami Mei!

Just as Kita Ikuyo harbors a deep and pure love for Naruto, Chihaya Aine also possesses feelings that are in no way inferior to hers.

Since it's not what she thought, that means—

"Wait, could it be..."

The girl slowly widened her eyes, as if she had suddenly realized a certain possibility.

Just as Kita Ikuyo was considering whether to tell Kazami Naruto about the news, the black-haired boy who was changing clothes suddenly came out of the fitting room.

At this moment, Kita Ikuyo also keenly noticed the change in his expression, which gradually led the girl to make some guesses.

"..."

Kazami Mei is considered very reliable by Kita Ikuyo.

Even when the gentlest senior, Ijichi Nijika, is in a low mood, he can remain calm and comfort and encourage everyone. If everyone is proud because of the success of the performance, he will show his stern side to prevent everyone from becoming arrogant and complacent.

No matter what, Kazami Mei could always calm down and soothe everyone's emotions, but now he suddenly frowned, as if something had caused him to waver greatly.

"Ming, what's wrong?"

Seeing his expression, Ms. Kita couldn't help but ask with some concern, but Mr. Kazami, whose breathing was slightly sluggish, simply shook his head.

Just now, his own little penguin suddenly sent him a message about Miss Ai Yin.

[Sound, Ano is about to fly away.]

These seemingly 'strange' words, if spoken by someone else, he might have thought it was just a joke, but they came from Takamatsu Akira, who is the least likely to make a joke.

Given Takamatsu Akari's simple and natural personality, it's impossible that she would say such a meaningless "joke." Therefore, this statement can only be interpreted literally.

It's going to 'fly away,' does that mean that idiot is going to...?

Realizing this, Kazami Mei took a deep breath.

His slightly disordered breathing only began to return to normal after he reconfirmed the message, but at this moment his heart was already in turmoil, and he could no longer maintain his initial calm.

With her thoughts in a state of confusion and complexity, Kazami Mei vaguely guessed Chihaya Aine's current situation. Without saying a word, she typed on the keyboard to ask Takamatsu Akari for details, while forcing herself to calm down from her panic and astonishment.

After all, he has to stay calm no matter what happens!

Kazami Mei took deep breaths to adjust his state and breathing. The moment he reopened his dark eyes, he looked seriously at Kita-san beside him.

He's currently on his date with Kita-san.

Kazami Naru, who had already made a 'promise' with her, certainly couldn't abandon Kita Ikuyo halfway through. However, the little penguin's words made it difficult for him to calm down, because he had vaguely sensed what Aine was about to do at this moment.

He didn't want to go back on his promise, but now he didn't know what to do.

If he chose to go to Aine at this time, he would have to abandon Kita Ikuyo; if he chose to stay with Kita, he would have to give up Aine. This familiar choice made him frown deeply.

In the simulation, he was forced to choose between two options, but in reality, he absolutely had to find a way to have the best of both worlds!

"Ming?"

I heard Kita's gentle call in my ear, and before I knew it, she had walked up to my side with a smile.

"It's because of Aine, right?"

"Yudai, why would you..."

Kazami Naruto looked at the red-haired girl in front of him with a somewhat surprised expression. Even though he hadn't said anything, she had seen through his thoughts.

With her hands behind her back, Kita Ikuyo seemed to raise her head slightly with a hint of smugness. A meaningful emotion flashed in her beautiful, passionate eyes as she looked up at him.

I knew it!

Even though Kita Ikuyo regretted not being able to be with Kazami Mei in the 'dream', she still knew the boy she deeply loved very well.

At this moment, even if Kazami Mei only makes a tiny movement, it will be immediately noticed by the perceptive Kita-san, and even a fleeting expression will be seen through her thoughts.

If Naruto were to discover any feelings that Chihaya Aine harbors, given his personality... he would absolutely not ignore this idiot pink-haired girl.

The people she likes are so easy to understand.

"Naraka, hurry and go find Aine-chan."

Kita Ikuyo, with her hands behind her back, was being intently watched by Kazami Mei's dark eyes, but the enthusiastic girl's face showed no sign of disappointment or dissatisfaction.

As if she had expected it, she opened her fair little hands and held Kazami Naruto's left hand in her own fair palm.

She quietly felt his warmth and strong pulse; this usually lively and cheerful girl had never shown such a quiet and virtuous side before.

Unexpectedly hearing such words from her, Kazami Mei frowned deeply. Her dark eyes, flashing with complex emotions, were fixed on the lively and cheerful girl before her. After hesitating for a moment, she gently shook her head.

"...No, of course I can't abandon you halfway."

This is only natural. Even though Kita Ikuyo took the initiative to suggest that he go find Aine, he knew that Kita certainly didn't want to end their date just like that.

She had meticulously prepared for this date for who knows how long, even planning the entire day's itinerary, which shows just how much Kita-san was looking forward to it.

"But if Naru doesn't go directly to them, Aine-chan definitely won't understand."

"After all, Aine-chan is an idiot—"

The girl, her fingers gently twirling the ends of her bright red side ponytail, tilted her head slightly with a smile on her face.

As a good friend, she understood perfectly well what Aine was feeling right now.

In reality, the reason she made that so-called 'bet' with Chihaya Aine was simply to strengthen her resolve to declare war.

Even if she were to become the "winner" of the competition, she couldn't bear to see Aine give up her love, because Kita Ikuyo knew best how painful the feelings that Chihaya Aine were going through would be.

Most importantly, she also understands Ming's thoughts very well.

Right now, Kazami Mei can't let go of himself on his date, but he also can't let go of Aine, who is in a terrible state, and possibly even Ryo-senpai, Nijika-senpai, and Kotomi in the band.

If this happened to everyone, he certainly wouldn't be able to sit idly by.

As expected, there's no way to monopolize Ming.

"Ming--"

The red-haired girl raised her beautiful eyes and pursed her lips. Before Kazami Mei could react, she quickly hugged her from the front. When she raised her head again, the red-haired girl had a bright and sunny smile on her face.

She emerged from his embrace like a lively and playful fairy, charming and full of youthful allure.

Kita Ikuyo gently tiptoed and, with a smile on her face, poked Kazami Naru's cheek with her index finger.

"Ano-chan needs you more right now than I do."

The brilliant sunlight filtering through the clouds illuminated her delicate face, and sweet, vibrant words flowed from her lips—

"Alright~ Go on!"

The passion and energy emanating from the Flame Fairy were as warm and bright as a furnace, causing a moment of disorientation to flash in Kazami Mei's eyes.

It's true, I'm completely captivated by Kita-san.

"Eh?"

Seeing Kita Ikuyo's shy expression as her face flushed red after a moment of stunned silence, Kazami Mei couldn't help but smile as she raised her eyebrows slightly.

Only now did he realize that Miss Kita had seen through his thoughts all along, and most importantly, Miss Kita was still willing to support him even so.

Kazami Mei had sensed Kita's feelings long before, but he hesitated to respond to her feelings because he was unable to make a decision. Even so, Kita Ikuyo was silently waiting for his response.

Even if we just keep waiting like this—

"call……"

He had genuinely fallen for this lively and cheerful red-haired girl.

I love her adorable way of boldly expressing her feelings, yet being utterly irresistible; I love her smile that always brings warmth and energy; I love her strength and resilience in getting back up no matter what setbacks she encounters…

Undoubtedly, he also had feelings for Kita Ikuyo that were no less intense.

Thinking this, Kazami Mei took a deep breath, her dark eyes fixed intently on the girl before her.

"Yu Dai, I—"

Before Kazami Naruto could even finish speaking, his words were abruptly cut off by an external force.

A fragrant breeze carrying the scent of gardenias wafted towards him along with the vibrant red figure. He felt a slight weight on his shoulder as she touched his lips, followed by a soft touch and a sweet breath.

After doing all this, Kita Ikuyo, her face flushed, put down her tiptoes and, under Kazami Mei's astonished gaze, forced herself to raise her index finger while suppressing her embarrassment.

A hint of panic flashed across her beautiful, captivating face. She pretended to be nonchalant and whispered, "Shh! Let's... let's wait until Ming wins Aine-chan back before we talk about it?"

"..."

Kazami blinked and looked at Kita-san, whose face was burning hot. He couldn't help but chuckle. His reaction made the fire fairy shyly cover her face with her hands.

Kita Ikuyo said in a slightly coquettish tone, "What are you laughing at! Hurry up and go find Aine-chan..."

"I understand, I understand. Let's talk about it on the next date then."

Having barely calmed down, Kazami Mei lingered for a moment, admiring Kita Ikuyo's shy face, before quickly turning and running towards the shop's exit.

It seems that important things like confessing your feelings really need to be done in a more formal way.

"Then, I'm leaving."

The footsteps that followed his words marked the beginning of his next step.

"Don't let her get away..."

Watching the boy's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Miss Kita breathed a long sigh of relief, as if she had been relieved.

She put her hands behind her back, raised her head and looked up at the azure sky, which resembled the ocean. A charming, gentle smile appeared on her lips as she began to recall her bold yet shy 'offensive' just now.

She actually did it! She really did it!

Sensing that Ming was about to say something, she instinctively covered his mouth. But thinking about her actions, her face felt like it was on fire, with white smoke billowing out, swirling around her ears like smoke.

If you put an egg on her bright red face, it might even cook it.

but--