How can my simulation be a real love?

"Sorry, I went to the wrong place."

"Please wait!"

29

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Was He Rejected?

"Please wait!"

Ms. Kita, who was still holding chopsticks in her hand, quickly called out to the other person.

Her words made Toyokawa Shoko, who was originally about to leave, frown. The blue-haired octopus-like woman, who hadn't expected to be stopped, showed a hint of confusion in her eyes, but outwardly remained indifferent as she spoke—

"Excuse me, what can I do for you?"

"You must be Toyokawa, who is also a first-year student in Haneoka, right?"

Kita Ikuyo wore an incredibly bright and sunny smile, her eyes fixed on the blue-haired girl in front of her who looked like a hedgehog. Toyokawa Shoko, whose box had been opened directly, stiffened slightly, her left hand unconsciously tightening its grip on the shoulder bag strap.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself!"

“I’m Kita Ikuyo from Class 1-A, and she’s my partner Goto Ichiri. If I’m not mistaken… Toyokawa-kun and Naruto are friends, right? We’re both members of the band he formed in Shimokitazawa.”

"If you don't mind, would you like to sit down and eat with us, Toyokawa-kun?"

Kita Ikuyo, brimming with enthusiasm, had an unimaginably dazzling brilliance in her eyes. Sitting there, she seemed to radiate a golden light that was blinding to anyone who looked at her.

This kind of person, who seems to have inexhaustible energy, is the type that Toyokawa Shoko is not good at dealing with, but since the other party has already spoken to her, she can't just turn around and leave.

But, you want her to sit down and eat with them?

Toyokawa Shoko didn't want to get involved with anyone, but the two girls in front of her were Kazami Mei's friends.

If he were to simply turn around and leave, it would leave a bad impression on Ming's friends.

"Isn't this a bit inconvenient?"

Toyokawa Shoko chose to politely decline the other party's offer.

Her delicate face still held a cold and aloof demeanor, keeping people at arm's length. Even with the other party's enthusiasm, she remained unmoved, because for Toyokawa Shoko now, she had no need to cultivate good relationships with others.

That's enough as long as trustworthy people are still by her side.

A trustworthy person

The image of Mitsumi Hatsuka's sorrowful and apologetic eyes flashed through Toyokawa Shoko's mind, and her increasingly irritable mood caused her expression to sharpen.

A mere casual glance was enough to send Bochi into a frenzy, his back and forehead instantly covered in cold sweat.

very scary!

Of course, Pochi knew this stunningly beautiful woman named Toyokawa Shoko, and he even had a very deep impression of her!

After all, the moment Goto Ichiri saw Toyokawa Shoko in his dream, he was overwhelmed by her dignified, elegant, and noble smile. The existence of this girl seemed like an unreasonable form of 'cheating'.

This made Goto Ichiri immediately understand the meaning behind the word 'perfection'.

Perhaps Goto Ichiri's gaze was too obvious, because Toyokawa Shoko, with a furrowed brow, subconsciously glanced over.

"babble!"

But that casual glance was enough to make Goto Ichiri shrink back in fright, her rapidly beating heart revealing her fear.

Why did it turn out like this?!

In my dream, wasn't this 'Toyokawa Shoko' a super dignified, gentle, and beautiful young lady from a wealthy family? Why is she so sharp and aggressive in reality? Although they both have blue hair, her 'coldness' is completely different from Yamada Ryo's.

With his keen observation skills, Poch was naturally afraid!

"There's nothing inconvenient about it! After all, look at Toyokawa-kun, there aren't many seats left in the store, are there?"

"This one……"

Shoko Toyokawa, who was being pestered by the enthusiastic Kita-san, had already raised her delicate eyebrows into an inverted V-shape. She was starting to get impatient and was about to politely refuse and leave.

Unexpectedly, the red-haired girl, full of energy like the sun, spoke up next: "I was just about to talk to Ichiri-chan about Naruto, would Toyokawa-kun be interested in chatting with us?"

What happened to Kazami Mei?

A hint of hesitation flashed in the eyes of the octopus lady with her long, sky-blue hair.

She had been thinking of taking some time to visit Kazami Naruto's house recently, but she was busy preparing for Ave Mujica's performance and didn't have much free time. In addition, Hatsuka's situation made her quite anxious, so she couldn't see him in that state.

Feeling incredibly conflicted, Toyokawa Shoko clenched her small fists, and after hesitating for a long time, finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"...In that case, I'll take my leave."

They actually came?!

Seeing the blue-haired girl, Pochi, sitting next to her suddenly raise her eyes and look at Kita-san, who was smiling brightly across from her with extreme shock, she couldn't help but shuffle her body to the side in fear.

That was terrifying! How did I manage to defeat such a formidable enemy in my dream?!

Unlike Ms. Pochi, who was filled with fear and seemed ready to vanish into thin air at any moment, Kita Ikuyo, sitting opposite her, waved with a beaming smile—

"Miss waitress, please give me the menu!!"

The blonde shop assistant, who had been keeping a close eye on the area, quickly walked over.

Upon seeing Toyokawa Shoko, who had just entered, sitting next to Goto Ichiri, her expression became even stranger. She stared at the red-haired high school girl with a bright smile, opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

What should I do? Should I call the police?

Shoko Toyokawa had no idea what turmoil was brewing inside the shop assistant with the golden braids. Instead of taking the menu, she calmly said, "Just give me a bowl of their signature tonkotsu ramen."

"Eh?"

Kita Ikuyo's eyes widened slightly, and she looked at Toyokawa Shoko opposite her with a rather surprised expression.

I thought she would choose something like sushi, given her elegant and dignified appearance, but to my surprise, she ordered ramen, a dish with a rich broth, without hesitation.

It's worth noting that most girls would rarely order ramen when they go out, let alone someone like Toyokawa Shoko who has a cool and aloof demeanor.

"Kita-kun, why do you know me?"

Miss Kita, who was deep in thought with her head down, was interrupted by a single sentence from the blue-haired girl opposite her.

When asked why she knew the other person, Kita Ikuyo's eyes showed a little panic. To be honest, she wasn't very familiar with Toyokawa Shoko in front of her. She only knew Toyokawa Shoko because Kita had seen her in a 'dream'.

"Ah! That's because Aine-chan told me about Toyokawa-san!"

Love sound?

"...Is that Chihaya-san?"

Shoko Toyokawa, with her long, sky-blue hair, nodded thoughtfully. "Chihaya Aine" was one of the members of the band that Akari reorganized after CRYCHIC disbanded. Akari had met Toyokawa in person before, so it wasn't strange that she knew Shoko Toyokawa.

Feeling somewhat guilty, Kita Ikuyo blinked and, using her superb social skills, smiled and changed the subject—

"By the way! How did Toyokawa-kun meet Naruto?"

"..."

Shoko Toyokawa was clearly flustered by the sudden question and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

But when she recalled the scene of her first meeting with Kazami Mei, the chill that enveloped this beautiful girl gradually melted away. At that time, she had already fallen into the abyss and would open up a sharp protective barrier to all those around her who showed kindness. Anyone who tried to get close to her would be severely injured.

Kazami Mei is the only exception.

Even though we'd only known each other for a short time, she treated him with the coldest attitude on several occasions, yet the next day he would act as if nothing had happened and continue talking to her without a care.

"Toyokawa-kun, you seem to be having a lot of fun?"

"Eh?"

A slightly teasing remark came from Kita Ikuyo's side.

When Toyokawa Shoko looked up, she saw the other person resting their chin on one hand with a bright smile. At that moment, she also noticed that her own expression seemed to have changed when the other person wasn't paying attention. Feeling flustered, she quickly suppressed her emotions.

The girl, whose body stiffened slightly, quickly adjusted her expression, and a few strands of her beautiful sky-blue hair by her ears seemed a little more disheveled.

"I met him... just over coffee, probably shortly after the start of the semester? At that time, Ming hadn't started forming a band yet."

"That was so long ago?! So, Toyokawa-kun knew Naruto much earlier than everyone else?"

When Toyokawa Shoko saw Kita Ikuyo's surprised yet somewhat unwilling expression, the corners of her mouth only slightly curved into a barely perceptible smile.

Whether she became friends with Kazami Mei or fell in love with him, Toyokawa Shoko was the very first one. Even Kodama or Suze couldn't compare to her.

If she had been the naive and innocent "Miss Toyokawa" when she first met Ming, she might have confessed her feelings to that idiot long ago.

The only person who could accept 'all' of Toyokawa Shoko was probably that idiot.

"..."

At this moment, Toyokawa Shoko did not notice the astonished look on Pochi's face beside her. The pink-haired girl, who was slightly shaking her head, raised her eyes and looked at Kita-san. At this moment, both girls had a look of 'understanding' in their eyes.

Especially at this moment, Miss Kita kept blinking to convey messages to Pochi.

I was right—

Toyokawa-kun, you must like Naruto too!

In Boqi's opinion, Toyokawa Shoko's behavior was far too obvious. Just a moment ago, she had a cold and aloof attitude that kept people at arm's length, but her face softened quickly after mentioning Kazami Mei.

This made Goto Ichiri suddenly recall that the 'perfect' young lady she had seen in her dream looked exactly like Toyokawa Shoko now!

But now they're not so shocked anymore.

After all, girls who clearly like Naruto are popping up like bamboo shoots in spring, and Kita Ikuyo has long suspected that Pochi also harbors similar feelings, but she just hasn't shown them openly.

Perhaps in the future, there will be more and more girls around Naruto, but Kita Ikuyo will naturally have the possessiveness and selfishness of a young girl, and it is impossible for her to accept other people to join her so easily.

"Um, Toyokawa-kun?"

"What's wrong?"

"Let me ask you a question: If your lover likes you but also likes another girl, what would you choose to do?"

Upon hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko's brows furrowed instantly. The gentleness on her face just moments before seemed like a fleeting 'illusion,' and under Kita Ikuyo's subtle gaze, she spoke coldly—

"That's something that should never be allowed, right? I will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen."

“If that happens, I will make him cut off contact with those people.”

Haha, I'm sending it!

Just as Kita Ikuyo had guessed, the Toyokawa-san before her had a rather distinct personality.

If Toyokawa knew that the person she liked was already seeing several other people at the same time, Kita Ikuyo couldn't imagine what kind of expression she would have. At the same time, Ryo-senpai, who had 'exploded' in front of them back then, probably had the same thought.

Does that mean the blue-haired guy has unlocked the 'possessiveness' skill?

What should we do now?!

……

Jingle Bell!

The school bell rang, breaking the quiet and dull atmosphere of Hanasakigawa Girls' High School.

Unlike his usual habit of slumped over the table pretending to be asleep, Shiina Ritsuki, who casually grabbed a drumstick, stood up quickly as if he had been waiting for a long time. Yahata Kairin, who also picked up her instrument case, had a slightly strange look in her eyes.

Looking at Shiina Ritsuki walking towards her, the black-haired girl said calmly—

"You seem to have been very busy these past few days, is it because of the band?"

The drumsticks he was holding were far too conspicuous, and Shiina Tatsuki's recent enthusiasm was rather strange.

Hachiman Kairin vaguely sensed that Riki in front of her was different from before, but it seemed that she had not 'accepted' Kazami Mei's confession. Instead, it seemed that she was in a state of balance between the two.

This subtle change might only be noticeable to those who are quite familiar with Lixi.

"...It's just that I'm going to be doing a live show soon, so I've been rushing to practice these past few days."

"Isn't it because of him?"

"Of course not!!!"

Shiina Riki stared wide-eyed at her rebuttal, but she seemed unaware that her 'attitude' had inadvertently revealed something. The girl's fair face, as white as jade, was tinged with an unnatural blush.

Before Hachiman Kairin could respond, she continued, "I'm having a live performance at STARRY in Shimokitazawa this week, so I'll have to train harder... It's not what you're thinking at all."

"In short, I'll be going now!"

Like a primary school student afraid of being discovered by the teacher that she hadn't done her winter break homework, Shiina Ritsuki, her pretty face flushed, said those words and left the classroom with her bag, leaving only the expressionless Hachiman Kairin standing there.