How can my simulation be a real love?

Don't worry, it won't take up much of your time.

This troublesome woman in front of me is capable of anything for Kazami Mei. Shiina Tatsuki has already gone all out for this date, so she doesn't care about the final cleanup and will naturally see it through to the end!

"..."

Nagasaki Motoyo frowned; the other party's unyielding attitude left her with no choice but to give up.

Before pulling Nagasaki Motoyo away, Shiina Tatsuki looked in the direction of Kazami Mei and Hachiman Kairin with a complicated expression.

After their commotion, the two of them seemed to have disappeared. Although I couldn't follow them to see how the date went, controlling Nagasaki Motoyo, this walking bomb, was the most important thing right now.

She really put everything into making this date a success.

It's probably because of her that Hachiman Kairin wanted to 'give up' her feelings, so now it's Shiina Tatsuki's turn to collect his debt from her.

The so-called 'agreement to confess' and 'the fact of kissing' that Shiina Riki mentioned were all lies she told in order to control Nagasaki Motoyo. But now that she had already said it, she could not go back on her word and could only reluctantly admit her feelings for Kazami Mei that she had kept hidden for a long time.

For some reason, Miss Lixi, who was filled with mixed feelings, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

……

Dating him was more fun than I imagined.

Hachiman Kairin stared expressionlessly at the black-haired boy beside her.

Kazami Mei had been dragging me around this shopping street since 10 o'clock. The two of us had just fought our way out of the arcade, easily beating all the games on the machines.

After that, the two earned a lot of points from the arcade, and by the time they left, they had quite a few more things in their hands.

"..."

Yawata Kairin stared at the paper bag she was carrying, which contained the prizes the two of them had obtained using their exchange points.

The items inside are just ordinary plastic or metal ornaments, or animal dolls that little girls would like. These prizes, which can be redeemed through games, are not very valuable; at most, they are just some inexpensive decorations.

However, Hachiman Kairin paid unusual attention to these things, and her eyes kept glancing over there.

"Hailin, shall we find a place to get something to eat first?"

Kazami Naruto, who had already returned the scarf to Hachiman Kairin, couldn't help but glance at the time. The two of them had unknowingly spent about two hours in the arcade, and it was almost 1 p.m. when they left. They had completely forgotten about having lunch.

Luckily, the two of them had eaten some snacks like takoyaki along the way, otherwise they would probably be starving by now.

"That's true, if that's the case—"

Just as Yawata Kairin was about to recommend a shop she frequented, her phone, which was in her pocket, suddenly started ringing.

The black-haired girl with an indifferent expression slowly took out her phone, on which was clearly written the name of a familiar band.

This band was her usual employer when she worked part-time, so receiving this call meant that their band was definitely short of members and wanted to ask her, the invincible "bass mercenary," for help. However, Hachiman Kairin, who was currently focused on her date, naturally couldn't afford to be distracted.

Just as Hachiman Kairin was about to hang up, Kazami Mei gently patted her shoulder.

"What are you looking at? Answer the phone!"

The handsome black-haired boy stared meaningfully at her face, and his abrupt words made Hachiman Kairin waver slightly as she held up her phone.

Yawata Kairin gazed at him silently, but after a moment of thought, she simply said, "I already told them in advance that I wouldn't be taking any work today, so you don't need to worry about these things too much... We just need to focus on our own work."

I must focus on our date today and accompany him to the end.

Upon hearing these words, Kazami raised an eyebrow, her gaze subtly fixed on the cold, black-haired beauty before her. Then, as if remembering something, she smiled and said, "I just received a call from you, Hailing. You implicitly agreed to let me take the call to resolve your personal matters, didn't you?"

"Besides, being a mercenary is an important job for 'us,' so we have to take it a little more seriously."

Hachiman Kairin was clearly stunned for two seconds, staring at him with a somewhat meaningful look in her eyes.

"...Are you going to use your dating time for work?"

"Who says being a 'mercenary' doesn't mean you can't date?"

Kazami Mei's lips curled up, and she met Hachiman Kairin's gaze with a smile in her deep black eyes.

"..."

Yawata Kairin's expression was elegant and calm, and even the closest people might not be able to see through her true thoughts.

The two stared at each other for several seconds before the black-haired girl, who always had a cold face, sighed with a "you win" expression. Then, in front of Kazami Naruto, she answered the phone. Before she could even speak, the anxious cries for help from the other end of the line were already heard through the receiver.

"Okay, I'll be there soon."

Yawata Kairin simply gave a few casual replies with a blank expression before slowly hanging up the SOS phone.

"I remember you haven't been on stage for a long time. You should still be able to play the keyboard, right?"

"I'm not bragging, but even if Xiangzi were to replace me on stage, he couldn't possibly put on a better performance than I did."

Kazami Mei raised an eyebrow at the expressionless ice beauty with a smug look on his face, his confidence seemingly overflowing from his body.

Immediately understanding the hidden meaning in his words, Hachiman Kairin finally couldn't hold back. Her usually calm and delicate face rippled like the surface of water, and the curve of her lips made this legendary mercenary lady even more dignified and handsome.

"Let's go."

With that casual remark, Hachiman Kairin took Kazami Naruto's hand.

This might be the first time Miss Hailing has taken the initiative since they met. What seems like an absurd act is quite normal in the context of today's special date. As a couple on a date, they can do most of the things that couples do.

This is an unspoken rule that both sides can tacitly agree to.

If Kazami Mei can take her hand, then Miss Hailing can naturally take her hand back as well.

"..."

As Kazami Mei walked ahead, Hachiman Kairin gently pursed her lips. Her handsome face, which was always elegant and dignified, trembled slightly, but she still did not show much obvious reaction.

Her jade-green eyes were fixed on the front, as if looking at the struggles that had haunted her in the past.

These eyes, which could once easily see through all illusions, could no longer see her future.

……

Tokyo, Shinjuku Ward.

Kazami Naru was familiar with this LiveHouse called 'Shinjuku FOLT'. She had heard Iji Tomoka mention that Hiroi Kikuri's band was based here. It seemed that the LiveHouses near Shinjuku were generally more rock-oriented than those in Shimokitazawa, especially the avant-garde style of psychedelic rock, which was more popular here.

Fortunately, even when he's not performing on stage, Kazami Mei doesn't neglect his practice, and his keyboard skills are more than enough to handle a performance of this caliber.

"Oh my gosh~ I'm so grateful to Kouya today!"

"I thought Hachiman-san definitely wouldn't be able to help this time... after all, you said you had something important to do today~ But I really couldn't find anyone to help, so I had to make the call on a whim, and I never expected that I would actually be saved because of it!"

Standing in front of Hachiman Kairin was a guitarist dressed in a punk style. This rock lady's band was one of Hachiman Kairin's long-time employers. Even Kazami Mei had come here a few times when she performed with Hachiman Kairin before, so she was naturally familiar with this band that often needed mercenaries.

Hachiman Kairin didn't seem to care about the other person's incessant chatter and simply nodded, saying calmly, "What song are we performing today?"

"Don't worry~ The songs for this performance are still the same old 'three songs'. Originally, if you hadn't come to help, we might have only been able to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on stage... But I really didn't expect you to bring Kazami-kun along, so performing the 'three songs' will be no problem at all!"

"Ah, don't worry! We have both a keyboard and a bass here, so thank you both for your help~"

As expected of Shinjuku FOLT, where Hiroi Kikusato frequently performs, the bands that often play at this LiveHouse are not exactly the normal type.

Kazami Mei, whose lips twitched involuntarily, stared at the nearly brand-new Roland FA-08 keyboard in front of him. As his fingertips lightly grazed the smooth keys, he felt a jolt as if he had been electrocuted. The heavy feel of this electronic keyboard surprised him and made him feel very comfortable.

Having been away from performing on stage for a long time due to his role as a logistics and composer, he made a groundbreaking transition from being a 'manager' today, performing on stage with his partner, Ms. Hailing, with whom he has a long-standing and tacit understanding.

"..."

Yawata Kairin walked up to them and pointed meaningfully at the keyboard.

Kazami Mei simply nodded slightly, indicating with a blank expression that she had no problem.

The chemistry between the two had long transcended the constraints of words. The moment Hai Rin saw Kazami Mei's dark eyes, she understood completely that perhaps as a 'bassist', Hai Rin Hachiman and this unreliable 'keyboardist' in front of her would produce an even better performance on stage than with Toyokawa Shoko.

"Come up on stage."

The moment the words left their lips, their performance began in earnest.

60

Can Chapter Sixty prove this?

The two's long-awaited performance collaboration was just as 'ordinary' as ever. Both of them simply did their best on stage to bring the performance to the audience. Even though the two, who were once partners, had not performed together on stage for a long time, their tacit understanding had not diminished in the slightest.

As the sea of ​​people below the stage erupted in enthusiastic cheers and applause, a scene he had experienced countless times before, this one was particularly awe-inspiring.

The boy's fingers remained pressed on the keyboard, releasing the final notes. For some reason, he took a deep breath, and the deep, penetrating bass sound in his ears continued to pierce the soul of the notes. The magnificent string-striking sound, as if tearing away the darkness, pushed the expressive range of the music to its extreme.

"..."

His fingertips fell upon the legato fingering technique he had practiced hundreds and thousands of times, bringing the three consecutive high-intensity performances to a perfect close.

The song ends.

Kazami Mei slowly opened her deep black eyes and looked in the direction beside her.

The bassist, who always stood next to the keyboardist, was breathing heavily. Her long, black, back-length hair shimmered faintly under the daylight lights, and layers of glistening sweat covered the strands of hair at her temples.

No words were needed; the two simply gazed into each other's eyes.

The shouts and noise from the outside world seemed to be trapped in the space, and the passage of time was like an hourglass being poured out, constantly turning back. The only space between the two of them was frozen.

The world stood still in this moment—

"..."

Holding the bass in her arms, Hachiman Kairin turned her head, calmly raising her emerald green eyes to gaze at his face.

Kazami Naruto thought she would walk off the stage expressionlessly as usual, but the aloof and dignified black-haired girl simply stood still. Her beautiful, dignified, and straightforward eyes seemed to sparkle with a vibrant color that he had never seen or imagined before.

Kazami Mei was stunned.

Under his astonished gaze, the girl's lips gradually curved into a beautiful smile.

The frozen, sealed, and silent space instantly disintegrated into a sky full of crystalline light the moment she smiled.

……

"It helped a lot!"

The punk guitarist with short orange hair clasped his hands together tightly, his eyes brimming with tears as he repeatedly thanked Kazami Naruto and Hachiman Kairin in front of him.

The other band members behind her were also drenched in sweat, but no matter how exhausted they were, they couldn't hide the excitement in their eyes.

"Thank you so much... It's my day off today, but you still came to help out. I can't express how grateful I am with just a few words... And the performance on stage just now was absolutely fantastic!"

The talkative guitarist chattered on and on, but Hachiman Kairin only habitually thanked him softly.

"This is the performance fee that was originally agreed upon with the two of you. I hope we'll have the opportunity to work together again next time!"

As Hachiman Kairin received the envelope from the other party, she seemed to be stunned for a moment. She clearly felt that this 'reward' was much heavier than before. Just as she was wondering, the punk guitarist winked at her gently.

The guitarist leaned close to her ear and whispered meaningfully—

"Excuse me, are you two on a date today?"

"I'm so sorry for accidentally disturbing your time alone today. To express my gratitude, I've included a 'thank you gift'! Please don't be shy, since I apologized first. Please take this money and enjoy your time together!"

Hearing this whisper, Hachiman Kairin was clearly stunned for two seconds. She still calmly accepted the 'extra' reward, bowed again to thank her old customer, and then turned to leave. Even Kazami Mei, who was standing not far behind her, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

My work as a mercenary has temporarily ended.

As the two left Shinjuku FOLT, the sky was already beginning to darken. The sun, which was approaching Christmas in winter, sank below the horizon earlier than in summer as they strolled through the bustling Shinjuku shopping street.

The black-haired girl walking beside me remained aloof, as if she were simply walking alone on the edge of the world.

The smile she just showed on stage seemed like a dreamlike bubble, an illusion that gave people a fleeting and unreal feeling.

However, Kazami Mei knew that it was not an illusion.

"How was it, Lord Shafulin? Although it's been a while since you've been on stage, you didn't embarrass me this time, did you?"

With a slight smile on his face, Kazami Naru approached Hachiman Kairin, his eyes gleaming with a mocking light, as if he were trying to discern something unusual from the composed, icy beauty's face.

To his surprise, the black-haired girl in front of him remained unmoved.

She remained as composed and serene as when she first appeared before Kazami Naruto today. She merely nodded slightly to his slightly smug, self-important demeanor, her tranquil emerald eyes gleaming with an elegant light.

"Just call me Hailing."

Bull Demon, didn't you say you could call him whatever you wanted?

"However, today's performance..."

As the two gradually walked up the steps of the shopping street, Miss Hailing, who was pretending to be deep in thought, suddenly stopped.

As she turned, her beautiful, long, black hair slowly streaked through the air like a shooting star, and her always calm and elegant, aloof face gazed down at Kazami Naruto.