How can my simulation be a real love?

"Eh?"

Shiina Riki was clearly stunned, and seeing this, Toyokawa Shoko felt her heart sink.

But before Toyokawa Shoko could say anything more, the black-haired beauty standing in front of her suddenly raised her eyelids and stared straight at her with her confident eyes.

Toyokawa Shoko had never seen Shiina Tatsuki look like that before.

Lacking the sharpness and edge she had imagined, only pure frankness and calmness remained. The black-haired girl, displaying this expression, slowly placed her right hand on her chest and spoke frankly and fearlessly—

"Yes, I like him."

"But I think it's not just me who has feelings for him. I think Ming must have feelings for me too, so if you like Ming too, Xiangzi... I will absolutely not give him to you!"

The girl's words were completely genuine and unpretentious, simply a pure expression of her true feelings.

At this moment, Shiina Tatsuki seems to be the powerful drummer he always was.

The timid and gentle expression he had just displayed vanished instantly, replaced by an unimaginable level of self-confidence. Even in Toyokawa Shoko's eyes, Shiina Tatsuki seemed to possess a hint of arrogance.

She seemed arrogantly convinced that she could never lose to anyone.

"I……"

Shoko Toyokawa was filled with mixed feelings, and she couldn't help but take a step back under the powerful aura of Tatsuki Shiina.

She then did not respond to Shiina Tatsuki's 'declaration of war', but simply turned her head hastily, as if she wanted to run down the stairs and leave RiNG as quickly as possible. This intense shock made her purse her lips tightly, and her eyes flashed with an indescribable complexity.

"...Lixi, she actually likes Ming too?"

"How could this be?"

It was precisely because Toyokawa Shoko realized that everyone in this 'dream' world had their personalities reversed, yet these reversed personalities didn't seem to affect their inner essence, as could be seen from Chihaya Aine's clean and decisive confession earlier—

Those who originally liked Kazami Mei will like him in this dream world as well!

This same principle can also be applied to reality.

"People who like Naruto in this world will definitely like him in real life too..."

Toyokawa Shoko probably never imagined that Shiina Tatsuki also harbored such feelings.

If Toyokawa Shoko hadn't happened to see her completely opposite personality through this strange dream, Shiina Tatsuki, with her stubbornness, would probably never have revealed such emotions in ordinary times.

It would be absolutely impossible for Toyokawa Shoko to perceive Shiina Tatsuki's true feelings hidden in his heart based on appearances alone.

"Just how many people actually like Naruto?"

……

Considering the band's recent surge in popularity, and their high profile in Shimokitazawa thanks to their continuous street performances, you naturally didn't miss this rare opportunity when a well-known livehouse, 'KURUMI,' invited you to perform there.

[As long as they demonstrate sufficient talent in a large-scale live performance with hundreds or thousands of attendees, even an unknown small band can instantly attract a large audience.]

Whether you use this live performance as a springboard to enter the professional music scene, or simply build up popularity and sell CD albums, it's a win-win situation for both the band and you.

However, it's not easy to become famous by leveraging a live performance, as this well-known live event has also invited many renowned bands in the industry.

To maximize their fame, they must directly face the challenges from other bands. This means that their training load will increase significantly during this period after leaving the band. As the 'composer,' you naturally need to create excellent new songs for them, giving them the necessary tools and resources to challenge those formidable opponents.

"Did Xiangzi not call to ask me to meet this time, which caused the focus to shift to ending the band?"

Kazami Naruto frowned as he restarted the third simulation. The constantly floating text on the simulation panel made him furrow his brows.

As expected, this simulation was exactly as he had guessed. As long as he restarted it, the world line of each 'simulation' would change. To others, this might just be a small advantage in terms of time, but for Kazami Naruto, it could be a dramatic change in his entire simulated life.

Because he has already established romantic relationships with almost everyone in real life, he is also certain of his own feelings in the simulation. Now it's a battle of who can be the fastest and most accurate in choosing a girlfriend!

If one were to act even slightly unscrupulously, they could probably win the simulation's outcome directly.

"So, Xiangzi didn't show up this time?"

Kazami Mei sighed and gently rubbed his forehead. Why did the simulated Xiangzi have the same personality as the real Xiangzi?

[You think the band's training is perfect and flawless. As long as you can write songs that match their talent, they can shine brightly on stage, even against established bands with a large fan base and proven skills.]

When training ended, Goto Ichiri came over to talk to you.

She excitedly came up and affectionately touched your hand, as if inviting you to go to the amusement park together.

Goto Ichiri's existence is like a star standing on the ground, an angel fallen to earth. Even the sun hanging high in the sky seems dim in front of her. Her unintentional smile seems to be full of light, and any organic creature would be captivated by her charm.

Pochi?

A look of surprise flashed across Kazami Mei's face, then she suddenly understood something.

Since even the sullen pink-haired girl has transformed into an elegant and aloof beauty, it's quite normal for the extremely socially awkward and insecure Pochi to turn into an extremely popular and angelic person. This is probably what it means to go from one extreme to another.

However, just reading the text, Kazami Mei really couldn't imagine what Pochi would be like in this reversed state. After all, it was a bit too difficult for him to imagine Pochi's sunny appearance based on pure imagination alone.

Just as Kazami Mei couldn't help but complain, his body suddenly froze as if it had solidified.

The sudden flood of memories caused his thoughts to churn.

……

"How about it? Can Ming come with me?"

Standing in front of Kazami Mei was a girl with long, cherry blossom-pink hair. Her clean and neat bangs fully revealed her exquisite face, which could be described as stunning. The corners of her mouth were merely raised in an elegant arc.

She seemed like a beautiful figure that did not exist in reality, like a mirage in a mirror or the moon in the water.

Her smile should have been displayed in the heart of a museum, a work of art created by the gods with their life's work.

"You've been training a lot every day to prepare for the live show, and you're already thinking about going to an amusement park right after it ends? Besides, if you wanted to relax and have fun, you should have asked Kita, right?"

"Hmph~ Because I want to stay with Ming."

With her impeccably proportioned figure, Goto Ichiri lightly tiptoed, a sly, mischievous glint in her eyes.

What should have been her true thoughts, hidden deep inside, was spoken out without any hesitation. This frankness struck Kazami Naruto's heart like a heavy blow, leaving him momentarily speechless and unable to refuse.

Girls who are too beautiful can create a sense of pressure for others.

"Ming?"

The sound coming from nearby drew their attention at the same time, and there stood a blue-haired girl with a stiff expression not far away.

At this moment, Toyokawa Shoko was speechless at the scene before her. The girl with long pink hair standing not far away was too conspicuous. Even standing in the middle of the road, she stood out from the crowd, as if she was radiating light.

Who is this?

"Hey? It's Xiangzi!"

Goto Ichiri's beautiful, deep blue eyes showed a hint of surprise, and she stepped forward with a smile to greet her.

"Good afternoon, Xiangzi."

"...Um, um? May I ask who you are...?"

Toyokawa Shoko's expression froze completely; she didn't recognize the other person for a moment.

Because in her memory, it was impossible for her to have no impression of such a beautiful woman with such a strong presence.

"Don't you remember me, Xiangzi?"

The stunningly beautiful pink-haired girl seemed somewhat confused, and a hint of disappointment crept into her breathtaking beauty. However, she quickly regained her cheerfulness, and a warm, sun-like smile reappeared on her face, a smile that would be unforgettable for a lifetime.

"My name is Goto Ichiri. Please remember me this time, Shoko-san!"

98

Chapter Ninety-Eight: Toyokawa Shoko Understood Everything.

Completely solidified.

Upon hearing the other person's name, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly recalled a certain 'chance encounter'.

Back when I was at [Shibata Ramen], I ran into two girls who had just finished their band performance.

One of the pink-haired girls who spoke haltingly and incoherently was named 'Goto Ichiri'. She was sitting right next to him, but because of her hunched back and long hair, he couldn't see her face clearly.

Now, Toyokawa Shoko has finally realized the potential of this beautiful girl named Goto Ichiri.

No longer hunched over, she wore a youthful and beautiful dress, and carefully clipped her cherry-colored long hair, including her temples and bangs, with yellow and blue hair clips. When her flawless skin and face, like that of a castle princess, were fully revealed, the graceful young woman seemed to attract everyone's attention by nature.

Unable to resist the urge to back away, a hint of panic appeared on Toyokawa Shoko's face. Her slightly narrowed beautiful eyes seemed to be avoiding the 'light' emanating from the other person, who was shining with dazzling brilliance like an angel descended from heaven.

Feeling nervous, she could only speak hesitantly—

“…I’ll remember that, Goto-kun.”

"Actually, you can just call me Yili~"

The difference is just too big!

Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but complain inwardly that she was really not good at dealing with this type of person.

However, Goto Ichiri's change was so drastic that Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but turn her gaze to Kazami Mei not far away, only to find that the other person was still watching them with the same interest as usual, as if simply enjoying her embarrassed reaction.

This normal posture made Toyokawa Shoko slowly breathe a sigh of relief.

As expected, Ming remained unchanged.

"Speaking of which, why did Xiangzi-chan suddenly come to STARRY?"

The relaxed mood was instantly brought to its peak by the girl's words.

Shoko Toyokawa's expression gradually froze, clearly at a loss. She had only considered that the 'abnormality' of this dream world was Kazami Mei, so she subconsciously ran over to touch him.

But thinking about it carefully, it seems that she really doesn't have any reason to come and see him right now?

After all, the two are currently just so-called 'ordinary' friends.

However, Toyokawa Shoko reacted quickly. Her mind raced and she answered without hesitation, "I just happened to have some things to take care of in Shimokitazawa. I happened to pass by STARRY and saw you guys, so I thought I'd come up and say hello."

"I see!"

Seeing that Goto Ichiri seemed to easily believe her casual words, the heavy feeling that had been pressing on Toyokawa Shoko's chest slowly dissipated at that moment.

However, her makeshift excuse clearly couldn't fool Kazami Naruto. Toyokawa Shoko quietly raised her eyes and met his gaze from a short distance away. In just a second, she quickly looked away as if she had been electrocuted.

After all, she's not the kind of person who can lie without batting an eye.

Feeling inexplicably guilty and uneasy, Toyokawa Shoko's eyelashes trembled slightly, then she spoke as if nothing was wrong—

"...Speaking of which, are you guys going to a LiveHouse for training?"

"No, actually today's training is already over."

The girl's words were as soft and sweet as cotton candy. With a smile that drew attention, she suddenly came to Kazami Naruto's side and then forcefully pulled his left arm into her bosom. The rounded indentation that appeared instantly made Toyokawa Shoko's eyes widen in surprise.

A smug and joyful smile seemed to gradually appear on her face as she boldly and proactively expressed her irrepressible love.

"Since it's time to relax, I'm going to the amusement park with Ming!"

"Ming, you've already agreed to me, right?"

Have I already agreed to her?

Shoko Toyokawa, who had originally wanted to say something, suddenly became speechless. She could sense that Ichiri Goto's words were clearly not so simple.

Perhaps what Goto Ichiri meant by saying this was, 'Naraka has already agreed to go on a date with her, so you can't come and take her away.'

Upon realizing this, Toyokawa Shoko's expression darkened. She truly hadn't expected that the timid girl who dared not even look up at her would be so powerful in the dream!

Especially in terms of women's dignity, Toyokawa Shoko felt somewhat inferior.

What a despicable, shameless woman!

"Woo..."

Even though she was so anxious that she didn't know what to do, the innocent girl who had never 'competed' with anyone before was naturally at a loss. The helpless Toyokawa Shoko didn't know how to speak, let alone how to snatch Ming back from this bad woman.

It was precisely because he was too slow that Goto Ichiri got ahead. He couldn't possibly ask Kazami Naru to break the contract, could he?

Just then, a hint of helplessness flashed in Kazami's eyes. He couldn't help but reach out and gently press a chop to the girl's smooth forehead.

"I never said I would agree, did I?"

"Hey! Why?"

Goto Ichiri covered her forehead with a somewhat aggrieved expression, only realizing what was happening when she saw Toyokawa Shoko's 'self-defeating' fortress.

She was actually lying to herself?!

How cunning! This wicked woman with such a sinful figure!