How can my simulation be a real love?

"It seems like there's been some progress. Have you decided to accept his confession?"

Shiina Ritsuki abruptly raised her head, staring into those alluring purple eyes, and said with a hint of guilt in her voice, "How could that be? I would never accept a guy who's juggling multiple relationships..."

"Then why don't you just refuse?"

Hachiman Kairin's sharp, expressionless words were like arrows piercing the heart, causing Shiina Ritsuki, who was already feeling guilty and stubborn, to freeze in shock.

In fact, Shiina Tatsuki was also clear about her true feelings deep down.

She, who was initially quite averse to Kazami Mei's 'harem', seems to have unconsciously come to treat it with a normal attitude. Especially when she sees Suze and that pink-haired girl openly showing affection, even though she expresses her disdain, she still has a subtle feeling that is hard to dispel.

Ms. Riki, who originally only intended to matchmake Takamatsu Akari, is now deeply swayed by Akari's intention to take the initiative to accept her.

If that idiot Kazami confesses again, can I really control myself?

Shiina Ritsuki's wavering expression was naturally noticed by Yawata Kairin. Her own emotions in turmoil, she silently composed herself, simply saying—

"Since you like it so much and can't give it up, why not just give up and join us sooner?"

"If you keep dragging this out, you might not be the one who gives up in the end."

Hachiman Kairin's sincere advice made Shiina Tatsuki's heart tremble slightly. Of course, she knew very well that it was Kairin, as a friend, pushing her from behind. Taking a deep breath, she simply shook her head gently.

Then the girl suddenly raised her violet-like eyes and gazed intently at the dashing black-haired girl before her—

"I will address this matter directly sooner or later, but what about you, Hailing?"

"Hailin, you clearly like him too, don't you? Don't you have any plans for now?"

By abandoning her stubbornness, Shiina Tatsuki instantly gained the upper hand, while Hachiman Kairin, holding a can of coffee in her right hand, did not answer her question.

Her long, straight, jet-black hair was simply draped over her shoulders. After a moment of silence, she sipped her coffee and then casually said in a flat tone, "I only said that to push you a little. Actually, I have no feelings for Kazami other than friendship."

"Just something you said offhand?"

Shiina Tatsuki frowned, her sharp eyes flashing with an inexplicable light.

“You’re not the kind of person who just casually says ‘confess’.”

"Hailin, why did you lie to me?"

Shiina Tatsuki, who was gradually becoming serious, frowned. Her keen intuition seemed to have caught Hachiman Kairin somewhat off guard.

Despite her tsundere personality, she always wears her heart on her sleeve, but in reality, she possesses an extraordinary and keen intuition. As her friend, Shiina Tatsuki knows her quite well, so Tatsuki doesn't believe a word she says.

Just moments ago, Hachiman Kairin had exposed Shiina Ritsuki with a single sentence, but now she was hit by the boomerang she had thrown.

[Some things are okay, you can just fool yourself, right?]

With a blank expression, Hachiman Kairin lowered her head, suddenly recalling what Misumi Hatsuka had said back then.

At that time, Hatsuka had a gentle smile on her face that was no different from usual, but Hachiman Kairin could feel the faint sympathy and pity in her eyes, as if she was not the only person she was looking at.

It seems there's no way to hide it anymore.

"...Actually, Kazami invited me on a date before."

"what?"

Shiina Riki, stunned, slightly opened her mouth, her suddenly wide purple eyes filled with shock.

She had initially thought that Hailin was hesitant because she had been rejected by Kazami Naruto during his confession. However, now that Kazami Naruto had taken the initiative to invite her on a date, it was hard to say whether there was any real evidence behind Hailin's so-called "confession." Perhaps she hadn't confessed at all back then?

"When was Kazami... wait! Does that mean you're going on a date with him alone, Kairin?"

Yawata Kairin slowly closed her eyes, simply shook her head, and replied, "No, I intend to refuse."

"Reject? Why do you want to refuse?"

Completely bewildered, Shiina Ritsuki stared at Hachiman Kairin's elegant and aloof demeanor. With her keen mind, she seemed to suddenly understand something, and waves of anger rose from the depths of her heart like burning flames.

She suddenly stood up and stood beside Hachiman Kairin, staring at her with extremely cold eyes.

"Hailin, what do you mean?"

"You clearly like him, yet you still lied to me... You even planned to reject his date invitation. Do you mean you've already given up? It's just that idiot rejected your confession once. Do you really think you'd give up so easily?!"

Despite being glared at angrily, Hachiman Kairin remained expressionless, staring straight ahead. Since becoming friends with Shiina Tatsuki, she had never seen such a cold look in his eyes.

Faced with such a question, Hachiman Kairin remained silent and did not answer, but this only fueled Ritsuki's anger, and a surge of rage was spreading within her.

"Or are you worried about something else?"

Yawata Kairin sipped her coffee expressionlessly, then slowly closed her eyes in front of the emotionally charged Ritsuki.

"Who knows."

Her flat words were like the last straw that broke the camel's back. Shiina Riki, who was taking deep breaths, tried to control her irritable emotions, but she could not accept Hachiman Kairin's indifferent attitude.

"This is back to you."

Shiina Ritsuki, holding a panda bento box, placed the KISS coffee that Hachiman Kairin had just handed her heavily on the chair, frowned, and strode away with long strides.

Her intense emotions left Hachiman Kairin sitting silently in place, her eyes as calm as still water gazing at the boundless sky. Yet, the vastness of the world did nothing to ease her inner turmoil.

So, it turned out like this?

"..."

Hachiman Kairin, who had already decided to refuse Kazami Naruto, turned around and picked up the bottle of KISS coffee that had been left behind. The cold rebuke from before still seemed to echo in her ears.

Suddenly, a familiar figure emerged from behind a tree not far away.

Mitsumaki Hatsuka, who had been there unnoticed, sat down slowly beside Hachiman Kairin with a faint smile on her face, her right fingertips, gripping the coffee, gradually turning white from the force.

"When did you start having an interest in eavesdropping?"

"...I was just passing by, I really didn't expect things to turn out like this."

As if to release her pent-up negative emotions, Mitsumaki Hatsuka let out a long sigh. She braced herself on the chair, looked up at the sky, and teased—with a hint of envy and jealousy in her voice—

"If you're not planning to keep the appointment, Hailing, I'll just go in your place later, shall I?"

"what ever."

Hachiman Kairin remained aloof and unresponsive, which added a touch of disappointment to Mikasa Hatsuka's eyes.

"That won't do, will it?"

"Because, Naruto doesn't like me at all."

The blonde girl's sorrowful laugh made Hachiman Kairin's heart clench suddenly. The girl's tearing grief seemed to pierce through the barriers between people, leaving Hachiman Kairin at a loss for words.

In fact, while eavesdropping on the conversation, Mikasa Hatsuka's anxiety and panic had already reached their peak.

Now, is she all that's left?

"If you really like him, then don't hesitate any longer."

"Otherwise, you will definitely regret it in the end."

Hachiman Kairin's eyes widened slightly. Misaki Hatsuka, who had just spoken with a smile, slowly stood up. Her deep purple eyes shone with a faint smile as she spoke with a hint of teasing—

"You said that to Shiina-kun, right?"

"I don't know what you're ultimately planning to do, Hailing, but I... I will never give up no matter what."

After saying this, Misaka Hatsuka turned and left, leaving only Hachiman Kairin sitting silently in place.

46

Chapter Forty-Six: Memories in a Dream

The next day, at four o'clock in the afternoon.

The bond formed by musical notes and emotions entwines the heart. The roaring music and the girl's energetic singing voice fill the streets of Shimokitazawa. The melodious tune ends perfectly with the final, powerful roar of the guitar.

The girls, their foreheads covered in fine sweat, wore expressions of joy, as if the gloomy and oppressive atmosphere had been instantly dispelled.

Leaning against a stone pillar, Kazami watched the girls begin to tidy up the 'street stage'. From her excellent VIP seats, she could see them clearly on stage.

The red-haired lead singer, standing in the center, excitedly waved her hand in his direction. She didn't even have time to pack up her guitar and effects pedals before she eagerly ran over.

"How was it, Ming-san? How was my singing on stage just now?"

Kita-san, who was standing close to Kazami Naruto, looked up with anticipation, her face beaming with a bright and cheerful smile as she stood on tiptoe.

Kazami Mei, whose thoughts were inexplicably rising in her mind, simply blinked, pondered for a moment, and then casually said, "Yudai, you sang in other places this time."

"Huh?! Did I sing badly this time?!"

Suddenly panicked, Miss Kita blinked repeatedly, her small, white hands outstretched in a helpless expression.

Her pretty face held a hint of grievance and disappointment, and her adorable expression of not knowing what to say made Kazami Mei's lips curl into a smile.

Then he suddenly turned serious, frowned and said in a low voice, "This time... I accidentally sang something that touched my heart."

"..."

Kita Ikuyo blinked, then nodded slightly as if she understood.

Oh no, all those cheesy pickup lines he'd been thinking of had barely worked?

Seeing Kita-san staring blankly with her head up, Kazami Mei lowered her head after a half-second of silence, wondering if her words were not interesting enough.

Could it be that he's been spending too much time with his good friend, Hachiman Kairin, and has gradually been infected by her dry humor?

"...No, Kita, why don't you say something negative?!"

The sudden silence between the two made Ichiji Nijika blush, unable to contain her urge to tease them. She leaned closer, which finally brought Kita Ikuyo back to her senses from the shock of the cheesy pickup line.

She blushed slightly and scratched her cheek, just chuckling awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

"Uh, are you suddenly asking me to rant?"

How exactly is she supposed to complain?!

"That's obviously Ming's... ambiguous remark from just now! How could you suddenly say something like that to a girl like that..."

"Then can I only tell Hongxia?"

"...!"

Ichiji Nijika blushed instantly and stared wide-eyed at Kazami Mei, her panic clearly visible.

But this time, Kazami Mei pointed behind her with a rather innocent expression. Seeing his reaction, Iji Chi Nijika immediately realized something and turned around to meet Ryo-san's eyes, who was covering her mouth.

Yamada Ryo, who had been expressionless, immediately tried to put on an indifferent act, but under the gaze of Nijika, who was blushing, she couldn't help but laugh.

"cold!"

Miss Nijika, still clutching her drumsticks, was incredibly embarrassed and annoyed. She immediately chased after this despicable woman, leaving Kita Ikuyo, who had just blinked, standing there silently with a flushed face.

The girl's reaction made Kazami Mei somewhat uncomfortable.

It was truly unexpected that Miss Yudai would be so innocent, even blushing at a cheesy pickup line that could be considered a lame joke. Just as Kazami Mei was about to say something to ease the awkwardness, the red-haired girl in front of him coughed lightly.

Nijika is chasing Ryo, and Pochi doesn't seem to have recovered from the street performance yet.

Kita Ikuyo, secretly clenching her small fists, looked around to scout the area. Once she confirmed there was no danger, she quietly took two steps closer to Kazami Naruto and whispered in his ear—

"I was actually just thinking... if I sing terribly, I'd like to ask you to punish me, Ming?"

Kazami Mei gasped, her composure visibly wavering.

He certainly wouldn't proactively ask about the method of 'punishment'.

Kita-san dared to say such things even before they were officially dating. Kazami Naruto wouldn't even dare to imagine what Kita Ikuyo would do after they officially started dating and became girlfriends.

Kita-san, seemingly an innocent and easily shy, super-sunny beauty, is actually terrifying in some ways, even to the point that Ryo-san has to exclaim, "Extreme!"

"As for punishment, Yu Dai, how about ignoring you for ten days?"

"Don't do that kind of thing!"

To be fair, acting cute and faking tears might be an innate instinct for girls.

Kita Ikuyo, whose face had just been slightly flushed, became anxious upon hearing this. With a wronged expression, she reached out and grabbed Kazami Naruto's sleeve. In the blink of an eye, her two beautiful yellow-green eyes were covered with a thin layer of mist, as if large tears would slide down her cheeks at any moment.

Buhou has fallen victim to this.

"Just kidding, and besides, I never intended to punish you at all."

Just moments ago, Kita-san had tears in her eyes, but she immediately returned to normal. The incredibly sunny smile on her face made Kazami Naruto feel as if the scene he had just witnessed was just an illusion. Even someone with the Flying Thunder God Technique Second Stage wouldn't be able to react to this change of expression.

"However... I can accept the other punishments!"