How can my simulation be a real love?

The red-haired girl with her head down was making blatant, suggestive remarks. Her meticulously groomed, slender fingers gripped the hem of her skirt tightly. Kazami Mei, who had been given these 'hints' several times, was also inexplicably agitated. However, he simply reached out and gently pressed his hand against the girl's forehead.

"Let's not talk about that. Yu Dai, are you free this weekend?"

"Eh? I do have time. Is there anything I can help you with, Naruto-san?"

The red-haired girl blinked, a little puzzled. Just as she was wondering, Kazami Mei stared at her cute face as if she were an idiot.

He then reached out and ruffled the girl's delicate hair, responding somewhat irritably, "So you've already forgotten?"

Kita Ikuyo, who hadn't initially thought about it that way, blinked blankly for a moment, then realized what was happening and her ears immediately turned a bright red. She scratched her cheek and spoke in a slightly stiff tone—

"I...I'm fine with it, if Ming wants it..."

Kazami Naru: ?

I'm talking about a date, you're talking about what kind of date.

"Didn't we agree to go on another date? That's why I asked if you're free this Saturday."

"No problem! I have plenty of time!"

Kita Ikuyo nodded her head quickly, like a chick pecking at rice, and after answering quickly, she gave a slightly expectant smile.

Although the last date didn't go all the way because of Aine-san, overall it went very well, so Kazami Naru left the things she was supposed to say for the next date.

Both of them knew what this date meant, but at this moment they both chose to selectively ignore it.

Having successfully arranged a date with Kita Ikuyo, Kazami Naru breathed a slight sigh of relief.

In fact, he had previously agreed to go to the aquarium with Ms. Aine, and after that, he also took the initiative to invite his good friend, Hachiman Kairin, on a date. One date after another filled his already limited time.

Now he's truly a master of time management.

Standing not far away, Goto Ichiri, his eyes hidden by his long bangs, secretly observed Kazami Mei and Kita Ikuyo, who was standing in front of him with a big smile on her face.

Originally filled with confidence because of that 'dream', she suddenly felt inexplicably flustered upon seeing this situation, since she hadn't had much contact with Ming recently.

"No, it's alright..."

She's the woman who defeated Toyokawa Shoko!

Even if I'm completely passive like in my 'dream,' there's always a way!

Ming Sang definitely likes her very much, but the so-called "dream" of foreseeing the future is only temporary. In reality, things have already turned out in a way that she cannot control.

Pochi is now unsure whether Naruto will confess his feelings to him again...

"Wait a minute!? Why do I have to wait for Ming to take the initiative?"

Even a 'guitar hero' who is pampered by her husband should stand tall and honestly tell him how she feels!

After all, without Goto Ichiri's knowledge, the number of girls around Kazami Mei seemed to be increasing all the time. She was always immersed in her beautiful dreams, and in the end, she might be forgotten in some corner and die alone.

Now that the decision has been made, I need to take the initiative.

But how do I take the initiative?

During this time, her mother and Erli kept asking about Meisang, but Meisang was so busy lately that she couldn't bring herself to invite her. She said she should take the initiative, but Goto Ichiri couldn't find a suitable opportunity, and she didn't even know how to take the initiative to improve their relationship.

wrong.

Suddenly realizing what was happening, Goto Ichiri raised his little head.

She took out her phone and opened the group chat named 'Cucumber Greenhouse'. So far, there were only three people in the group: Xiaodeng, herself, and Ruoye Mu. If she were to take the initiative to ask her current girlfriend, Gaosong Deng, for advice...

There might be a way!

……

With Kazami Mei's help, the group quickly packed up the instruments and band signboard.

The street performances that served as 'training' during this period were more effective than expected. As people performed in front of crowds and strangers more often, the burden and tension before going on stage gradually diminished. After getting used to it, performing on stage became as natural as eating and drinking.

The training was particularly effective for Goto Ichiri, who was afraid of crowds and being looked at.

Ms. Boqi, who used to have to cover her face to barely get on stage during performances, has started to raise her head more confidently since performing at the cultural festival. This allows her to communicate with her companions through eye contact, making the collaboration more seamless.

However, people still don't seem to be satisfied with this.

Having experienced Mygo's perfect performance, the girls who had just finished the band clearly felt a sense of crisis. So, they trained even harder during this period, and then fully demonstrated their success in the street performances in Shimokitazawa.

This is what is known as 'healthy competition'.

The participants' competitive spirit ignites their inner fighting spirit and enthusiasm, which motivates them to continuously learn, break through, and strive to improve themselves in every possible way. Ultimately, the two sides, as rivals, will develop into a competitive relationship, evolving into a situation where they continuously learn from each other's experiences and improve themselves through collisions.

"That concludes today's performance and practice. Don't forget tomorrow's street performance!"

As the gentle words of 'Captain' Nijika Ijichi faded away, it signified the end of the band's street performance for the day, and those who lived far away should probably prepare to go home.

With her guitar slung over her shoulder, Kita Ikuyo clapped her hands lightly, her pretty face beaming with a bright smile as she asked, "Naraka-san, you, Pochi-chan, and I went to take the train home together today, right?"

When asked, Kazami Mei simply shook her head and replied softly, "I won't go with you guys for now. I'm planning to go back to STARRY with Nijika first."

"Eh?"

Not only was Ms. Kita, who had just asked the question, somewhat puzzled, but even Ichi Nijika herself was stunned and opened her mouth wide upon hearing this. However, she quickly realized what was happening and her heart began to beat faster.

"Ming Sang, did you perhaps forget something? If it's not urgent, I can bring it to you next time..."

Even she herself didn't realize that her voice was trembling slightly.

Seeing Ichiji Nijika's appearance, Kazami Mei's eyes narrowed, but he simply nodded without hesitation.

"I didn't forget anything, but I was just thinking that you, Hongxia, would have to carry the drum set back yourself, right? These things are quite heavy and not easy to carry, so I'll just help you take them back."

"Hey! You really don't need to?"

The girl shook her head, her tone revealing undisguised panic.

"I'm actually quite strong! I can even carry little Pochi back inside the box!"

"Besides, STARRY isn't actually that far from here, I can just take it back myself! It's almost dark now, shouldn't you hurry home, Naruto-san?"

The girl wore the gentlest and most beautiful smile, but a hint of inexplicable annoyance flickered in her crimson eyes.

What on earth is she talking about?

This is a very rare opportunity for Ichi Nijika!

All she needs to do is ask about "Summer Flower" when she's alone with Ming. That way, she can find out why the real Ming and the Ming in the "dream" are completely identical, and what the relationship is between dreams and reality.

But why did she instinctively want to avoid it?

The girl's uncontrollable emotions surged within her like waves, a faint sadness and an unspeakable fear rising from the depths of her heart.

But everyone around her was watching her every move, and no matter what, Ichi Nijika absolutely could not let her emotions show on her face.

"..."

Ijichi Nijika's repeated 'polite' refusals caused Kazami Mei to frown slightly.

Ever since he noticed that Nijika had something on her mind during the last performance at Mygo, he could no longer pretend he didn't know. His offer to take Nijika home alone this time was actually to see what was going on.

The blonde girl, her forehead glistening with sweat, couldn't help but glance in Yamada Ryo's direction. Her 'best friend' immediately saw through Iji Chikuri's thoughts, but she merely smiled wryly and teased—

"My bassist needs to have surgery tonight. I was thinking of helping Hongxia move the drum set back... Waaah, looks like I'll have to ask Ming for help."

"Has your bassist had surgery thirteen times already?!"

Unable to resist making a comment, Shimokitazawa Tenshi raised her head and looked at her always expressionless best friend not far away with a complicated expression.

Before anyone knew it, a faint smile appeared on Yamada Ryo's lips. She squinted her eyes and gently clenched her fist in this direction. As a friend of many years, she naturally knew that this was Miss Ryo's unique help.

In the end, she did not choose to refuse.

Kazami Naru, carrying a large drum, strolled along the hard concrete road, while a blonde girl in a pure white knitted cardigan carefully followed beside him.

Perhaps because of her height, she often needed to take two steps to keep up with him by one step, and Kazami Naruto subconsciously slowed down his pace when he noticed this.

Evening streets in Shimokitazawa were still bustling with people, but looking up, one could see the orange-red clouds gradually turning a light gray.

The autumn breeze gently lifted the girl's golden side ponytail, the delicate and beautiful hair shining like the sun, leaving beautiful arcs in the air.

How should I start the conversation?

Holding a drum set, Nijika Ijichi's eyes flashed with a hint of hesitation. Ever since she saw that unique painting at the Youth Exhibition, she had been unable to forget it.

The style and the details of the painting technique were exactly the same as in my dream. There could not be such a coincidence in the world.

So, should I really ask?

How could she explain why she could sense that 'Yuuka' was actually Naruto?

"Hongxia."

Her chaotic thoughts were interrupted by the sudden call, and Ichiji Nijika quickly came to her senses and responded in a lively tone, "Hmm? What's wrong, Naruto?"

Kazami Mei said slowly and softly, "I was thinking that even though the band is constantly working towards the future, the number of fans supporting you is also increasing. If this continues, maybe you will be able to perform at the Budokan soon, and maybe your fame will be so great that it will even break STARRY's popularity?"

"...Ming-sang, it should be 'us,' right?"

The angel, with her slightly puffed-up cheeks, scolded her playfully. Her petite frame seemed to conceal a gentle maternal instinct that could embrace everything, and even her scolding words could not conceal the tenderness and kindness deep within her heart.

This made Kazami Mei simply smile and shake her head.

"Sorry, it really is us."

"However, if our band wants to truly achieve our dream and stand on that stage in front of thousands of people... it's not just about training hard. In my opinion, as friends and as a community of shared destiny in the same band, we must trust each other enough."

At this point, Kazami Naruto paused in his speech.

"If we encounter any setbacks or problems, we should all work together to solve them."

However, Teacher Da Xiang was unable to do so.

Kazami Mei, silently muttering to herself, turned her gaze back to the blonde girl beside her. Her deep black eyes, like black holes, emitted a faint luster, and this questioning and serious gaze made Iji Chikuni Natsumi's heart inexplicably tighten.

She immediately understood what Ming was about to say.

Was I completely exposed?

If it were really just a problem like a 'setback', Ichiji Nijika would certainly not hesitate to tell the whole story to the boy she trusted and relied on.

But this time the 'problem' concerns Kazami Mei herself, and no matter how conflicted she was, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

"That's right!"

Without hesitation, Ichiji Nijika breathed a sigh of relief and her expression became full of energy again.

Holding the drum set, she took light steps forward, quickening her pace to reach Kazami Naruto. A faint smile flashed in her eyes, and her lively and cheerful figure swayed slightly.

"If I encounter any problems, I won't hesitate to come and bother you, okay?"

"On the other hand, I hope that no matter what difficulties arise... Ming can rely on me! Absolutely do not shoulder everything yourself in private... otherwise, I will really get angry!"

The blonde girl with her bright white teeth seemed to have regained her usual sunny and cheerful expression, and her genuinely gentle smile made Kazami Mei pause slightly.

In a daze, Kazami Mei seemed to see the figure of his wife in the [memory fragments], and his heart and blood began to burn.

The warm sunlight of dusk bathed the girl's fair and delicate face, making every strand of her golden hair shimmer with a bright and delicate luster. Her eyes, full of charm and gentleness, were as tender as water, and her always energetic and gentle smile shone like gold.

Everything about her seemed to be a beautiful thing that didn't exist in the real world—

Kazami Mei, who was inexplicably dazed, gradually came back to his senses. Realizing that he had just lost his mind, he coughed and said, "...Can I rely on you for everything?"

"Hmm? Is there anything you want to rely on me for, Ming-sang?"

With her eyes wide open, Shimokitazawa Tenshi tilted her head in confusion. Holding a drum set, she looked quite cute with her small stature.

"I've been really exhausted lately, and the workload keeps increasing."

"If a girl could kiss me right now, I'd probably feel much better instantly, right?"

Kazami Mei teased her with his deliberately sarcastic words, and Iji Chi Nijika's face immediately turned red upon hearing them, and her blinking frequency increased visibly.

But under the influence of her sense of shame, she still playfully puffed out her chubby cheeks and deliberately showed off her sharp cat-like eyes.

"This kind won't do!"

"Just as I thought!"

Kazami Mei deliberately feigned a disappointed expression and let out a long sigh.

In reality, he never expected that Miss Nijika would actually kiss him. The reason he teased her like this was because he considered that Miss Nijika's friendship had changed. Otherwise, given Kazami Mei's personality, he would never have deliberately teased her like this.

We shouldn't look at it this way; the problem troubling Hongxia shouldn't be that big.

He doesn't need to worry so much.