How can my simulation be a real love?

Ming promised to go to the planetarium with her.

Ming promised she wouldn't hate her.

If everything Nagasaki Motoyo just said was Kazami Naru's true thought, then why did Kazami Naru agree to go on a date with her? Shouldn't he have rejected her? Shouldn't he have disliked her? Shouldn't he have wanted to keep his distance from someone like her?

Or was it that Ming accepted her invitation in order to say goodbye to her completely?

Just thinking about this possibility sent a chill down Chu Hua's spine. A strong sense of dizziness almost made her collapse onto the sofa. Her self-loathing and bitter feelings were like a spinning gene chain.

Even though she was the 'idol' who was best at smiling, she couldn't calm herself down by clenching her teeth and fists. She could only force herself to lift her head to prevent the tears that were gradually welling up in her eyes from overflowing.

"Um... Miss Chuhua? Why are you mentioning Xiaoxiang at this time?"

Nagasaki Motoyo, who was inexplicably frightened by her, smiled repeatedly, but compared to the beginning, the 'mask' she wore on her face had lost its naturalness.

When Nagasaki Motoyo first met Mikami Hatsuka, she appeared so weak and timid in front of Toyokawa Shoko, as if anyone could easily bully her.

But why did she change so much in just two sentences?

Nagasaki Motoyo's words pulled her back to reality, and the blonde girl sitting on the sofa habitually looked towards the kitchen.

In that instant when she looked up, she seemed to see a tall and warm figure standing in that spot; the black-haired boy with an apron and a low ponytail had his back to her, and as if sensing her gaze, he slowly turned around and revealed a smug smile.

Warm memories transformed into emotions that seeped into her mind, instantly calming the anxious Hatsuka Sangoku.

No, Ming isn't that kind of person.

When the fear in her heart dissipated in an instant, Mitsumi Hatsuka, as an idol, quickly calmed down in just one breath.

She gently brushed aside a stray strand of hair from the corner of her eye, revealing glimpses of an exquisite black earring on her white earlobe.

“Miss Nagasaki and Sho were in a band together before, right? Since you're friends... you should know that Sho likes Ming, right? But you didn't care at all and started dating Ming directly, and even wanted Ming to keep his distance from other girls ‘besides you’.”

As she gradually calmed down, Misaka Hatsuka spoke with a pointed remark, her thoughts beginning to flow freely.

Logically speaking, a girl who likes Kazami Naru and can establish a relationship with him must know about Naru's 'harem' idea; if Nagasaki Motoyo did not agree to the 'harem' idea, she would definitely not be able to successfully date Naru now, which proves that she must have agreed to it in person.

But if she agreed to the 'harem', why is she so opposed to Ming associating with other girls?

Seeing Mikami Hatsuka return to her gentle and easygoing demeanor, Nagasaki Motoyo, who had been feeling inexplicably apprehensive, gradually calmed down. However, she was momentarily speechless in the face of Mikami Hatsuka's cryptic words.

It was indeed true that she selfishly wanted to possess her husband exclusively, and Nagasaki Motoyo had no way to refute it.

"Of course I know Xiaoxiang likes Ming, but I absolutely cannot control my feelings for him... so I cannot give Ming up."

"Besides, I think Xiangzi's stubborn and strong personality might not be suitable for being with Ming. Only I, as his wife, will prioritize Ming's thoughts and take good care of him wholeheartedly. Ming also genuinely likes me from the bottom of his heart, which is why we were able to become lovers!"

Nagasaki Motoyo felt her heart pounding with emotional turmoil, and she could only barely suppress her tension and force herself to offer a seemingly reasonable explanation.

However, in Misaka Hatsuka's eyes, her words were utterly selfish. She seemed to be completely driven by her own subjective will. This woman not only failed to consider Shoko's feelings, but also failed to consider Kazami Mei's thoughts!

Suddenly, Misaka Hatsuka felt her heartbeat slowing down. She involuntarily narrowed her smoky purple eyes, which held a hint of gray allure, feeling her trembling fingertips and the strange emotions rising within her. Her gaze toward Nagasaki Motoyo grew increasingly dangerous.

After a moment's hesitation, she spoke softly—

"Miss Nagasaki, is that really what Naruto thinks?"

Is what you 'think' really what Ming 'thinks'?

As Mikasa's doubts were gradually resolved, Nagasaki Motoyo in front of her was perhaps different from her other 'girlfriends'.

She doesn't seem to genuinely support the 'harem'.

Upon realizing this, Mikasa trembled slightly, her heart aching as if being stabbed. The fine sweat on her forehead made her take deep breaths to calm herself. Her gaze towards Nagasaki Motoyo was filled with genuine jealousy, disappointment, and disbelief.

She didn't genuinely support all of Ming's ideas; did she deceive Ming during their relationship?

Why is it that the girl who deceived Ming can date him and become his lover, but he, who wholeheartedly likes and supports him, is rejected?

Is it really just her who can't do it?

"...What if it were Miss Chuhua? If you were in my shoes and dating Ming, how would you treat Xiangzi?"

Nagasaki Motoyo's breathing gradually became rapid. Pressed relentlessly by Misaki Hatsuka, she couldn't help but retort.

"I will give up my own happiness to help Xiaoxiang date Ming."

Without hesitation, Mikasa responded directly, her orchid-purple eyes fixed on Nagasaki Motoyo.

That calm and gentle tone, along with those eyes that seemed to see through everything, gave Nagasaki Motoyo the strange feeling that her inner thoughts were completely exposed to the other person's gaze. Mikami Hatsuka's answer left her speechless, and she could only open her mouth, frozen in place, at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Chu Hua slowly closed her eyes, revealing an elegant smile again, and said calmly, "If Mingruo genuinely wants to keep his distance from me, then of course I will respect his wishes and stay far away..."

"But Ming has already agreed to go on a date with me at the planetarium next month."

The moment Mikasa uttered those words, Nagasaki Motoyo's earlier statement that "Naraka would naturally want to keep her distance from other girls" fell apart. At the same time, it was also a direct message to Nagasaki Motoyo that she would never give up because of her few words.

With mixed feelings, Mikasa Hatsuka spoke coldly—

"Miss Nagasaki, you're actually... just thinking about yourself, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Nagasaki Motoyo's pupils contracted slightly, and her fingers trembled as she gripped the handle of her coffee cup.

Just as the air between the two became completely heavy, the apartment's iron door suddenly made a crisp 'click' sound, meaning someone had opened the door with a key.

……

One hour ago—

By the time the dinner ended, it was nearly 6:30 p.m.

Prior to this, [End Band] and [Mygo！ ...

The girls who were leaving also said goodbye to each other with smiles on their faces.

Normally, Kazami would probably escort each person to their doorstep, but there were just too many people at the dinner party today. If Kazami were to escort everyone home, it would take her a lot of time. So, they decided to travel together as a group.

With a bright look in her eyes, Kita Ikuyo, carrying her bag, tugged at Chihaya Aine's arm and asked in a sunny and lively tone, "Aine, Aine~ Shall we go together?"

Today's 'girlfriend meet-and-greet' revealed a lot of information, and she needs to take this opportunity to sort it out with Zao Aiyin alone.

The clever and quick-witted Miss Aine's eyes lit up slightly upon seeing this. She glanced subtly at Ijichi Nijika, who was scolding Yamada Ryo not far away, and then waved her little hand with a smile, replying, "No problem! Then I'll go home with Kita and the others with Ryuna-chan!"

"Okay, okay~ Then be careful on your journey."

Seeing the pink-haired girl naturally blend into the group of girls who had finished the band, Kazami Mei could only shrug helplessly.

Overall, the success of this 'meet-and-greet' was somewhat beyond Kazami Naruto's expectations. Each of the girlfriends seemed to be keenly aware of each other's identities. Apart from Ms. Riki and Ms. Pochi, who were not good at communicating with others, almost everyone took this opportunity to get to know each other quite well.

Although everyone was bound to meet eventually, he really didn't expect that the reason for their first meeting would be Chihaya Aine.

"...In that case, I'll see Xiaomu and Xiaodeng off."

Just as Kazami Mei turned around to ask for the opinions of Little Penguin and Little Wooden Head, the usually most obedient Wakaba Mutsu suddenly reached out and tugged at his sleeve, a faint questioning look appearing in his calm golden eyes.

"Ming, I want to talk to Lixi about something."

"With Li Xi?"

Kazami Mei raised an eyebrow in confusion, as if wondering if she had misheard.

Although Mutsumi Wakaba and Tatsuki Shiina were both bandmates in CRYCHIC, their relationship wasn't particularly close, even during their time in CRYCHIC.

One was a quiet, unassuming girl who was completely unable to express her opinions, while the other was an arrogant girl who was extremely bad at communicating with others and even less likely to initiate conversations; the two of them completely lost contact after CRYCHIC disbanded.

Even now, they have only started communicating again because they are both 'girlfriends'.

"Okay, then I'll call her over for you."

Kazami Mei didn't inquire about Wakaba Mutsu's specific thoughts, but simply waved to Shiina-san, who was talking to Tou not far away.

Standing next to Takamatsu Akari, Shiina Tatsuki naturally saw Kazami Mei's meaningful smile. Recalling the 'bad thing' the two of them did last time, a blush immediately appeared on her face. However, the cute little penguin next to her was still staring intently at them, and she was a little unable to express her emotions.

"...Seriously, what do you want from me all of a sudden?"

Despite her constant utterances of discontent and coquettish complaints, Miss Lixi still walked forward with honest steps.

Kazami Mei looked Li Xi up and down, who was hugging her chest and pretending to be indifferent, and gently shook her head and said, "It's not me who's looking for you, it's Mutsu who has something she wants to talk to you about."

"Mu is looking for me?"

Upon hearing this, Shiina Riki paused slightly, then looked at the little cucumber next to Kazami Naru with a questioning gaze.

Even when they were still in the CRYCHIC group, Mu never contacted her separately.

Seeing this, Feng Jianming merely glanced in the direction of Ruoye Mu, then coughed lightly and said, "Then you two chat first, I'll go to the vending machine to buy a drink."

He turned and left after saying that, leaving the uncomfortable Shiina Riki alone with the expressionless little wooden figure in front of him.

No, you just left her all alone like that?

Shiina Riki was like an abandoned kitten, helpless in an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people. She could only bristle her fur and tense her face, hugging her chest and habitually showing a cold and sharp look.

Suddenly being alone with a friend you haven't spoken to in a long time is bound to be a little awkward, right?

"..."

Wakaba Mutsu stared intently at Shiina-san, whose eyes kept darting away, and slightly raised her head as if preparing to be cute on her own.

But at that moment, Ms. Shiina couldn't bear the awkward atmosphere any longer and had to bite the bullet and ask, "...Mutsu, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"

Ruo Yemu was silent for two seconds, then raised her eyes and earnestly requested, "I need Li Xi to help me."

"let me help you?"

Miss Lixi was stunned by this sudden 'request' and pointed to herself with a strange look.

Ruoye Mu nodded, then turned her gaze to the black-haired boy not far away.

When Xiao Mu turned her head back, a faint glimmer appeared in her pale golden eyes, and a subtle change flickered in her blank expression. Her soft, gentle voice uttered at that moment—

“Su Shi, she is different from us.”

Different?

The cucumber's strange, nonsensical topic left Ms. Shiina somewhat bewildered.

However, Shiina Ritsuki and Wakaba Mutsuki had known each other for so long, and until now, she had never been asked to do anything by the other party. Although it was strange that this girl, who was like a doll and could not express her emotions, suddenly approached her, Ritsuki had no intention of being perfunctory.

She frowned slightly, and subconsciously continued, "...Different? How is Su Shi different from us?"

"Su Shi doesn't want to share her feelings with others."

"what?"

Shiina Tatsuki opened his mouth, seemingly pondering the meaning of those words.

But Ms. Shiina wasn't some slow-witted idiot. On the contrary, she sensed something the moment she heard those words, and her pretty face instantly showed a hint of surprise. Then, she took a step forward without hesitation.

Shiina Tatsuki raised her wisteria-colored eyes and stared intently at the other person, asking, "Mutsu, what you just said means... that Suze wants to monopolize Mei?"

"Ah."

Ruoye Mu nodded, clearly agreeing with Lixi's answer.

Shiina Tatsuki frowned deeply, staring ahead. Despite the sudden news, she wasn't bewildered or shocked. Instead, the strange thoughts that had been swirling in her mind seemed to connect at that moment, and she opened her mouth, muttering to herself—

"No wonder Su Shi was so against Hai Ling dating Ming. Did she not want more people to establish romantic relationships with Ming?"

“If it were someone else… I might hesitate, but Su Shi is definitely capable of doing something like this.”

Thinking of this, Shiina Tatsuki let out a long sigh, his brows furrowed with lingering anxiety.

She recalled Mygo's experience when she first performed on stage. At that time, Su Shi wanted to revive the former CRYCHIC and used Ming. If it weren't for Kazami Ming constantly mediating between them, Li Xi would not have been able to forgive her on her own.

"Is Su Shi thinking about this kind of thing again?"

Shiina Tatsuki clenched her fists with a hint of resentment. The impulse in her heart made her want to go directly to Nagasaki Motoyo to ask her what was going on, but when she thought of Kazami Mei, she quickly calmed down and could only focus her attention on Cucumber, who was providing information.

"Mu, you said that Su Shi is planning to monopolize Ming, but haven't we already confirmed our relationship with Ming? Given Ming's personality, he definitely won't agree to Su Shi's idea. So how exactly is Su Shi going to 'monopolize' Ming?"

After a moment of silence, Ruo Yemu made a nonchalant guess—

"...She probably wanted to have a relationship with Ming first, and then occupy one of the most important places in his heart."

"Whether or not we can use this to our advantage to monopolize Ming in the end, it won't do any harm to Su Shi... In the end, as long as Ming can be in charge of her, it's tantamount to 'monopolizing' him to some extent."

The idea that love is unequal and predominantly given is perhaps one of Nagasaki Motoyo's thoughts.

After a few seconds of silence, Wakaba Mutsu slowly reached out and pressed down the strands of hair beside her ear. Her waist-length light green hair swayed gently in the breeze, and her pupils, as bright and beautiful as gold, flashed with a hint of helplessness and loss.

The girl merely gripped the hem of her skirt with slight force, her slender waist revealing a hint of fragility; her standing figure resembled a magnificent and noble peony.

After a long silence, Wakaba Mutsu, expressionless, spoke again: "Su Se didn't come to the gathering today. She probably guessed that Ming would go home alone in the end, so she waited for him at his house in advance."

"If Ming is alone with her... it will be very dangerous."

Shiina Tatsuki stared in shock, then replied with a look of realization, "So that's why he didn't come?!"