275: Unknown Feelings

The hot blood, driven by the heart, spreads throughout the body along the blood vessels and veins.

For some reason, she was fully aware that everything she had just said was a lie, fabricated to achieve impure goals.

She also knew clearly that if it didn't work this time, at worst, she would simply look for another opportunity.

But Iroha was deeply concerned about Chisato's next answer, afraid that he would refuse her again.

The girl exhaled gently, her warm breath brushing against the air, while the boy's previously unfocused gaze froze on her face.

Her words gave Chisato a strange sense of familiarity, an instant déjà vu.

He couldn't help but recall when he had experienced a similar situation before.

As his memories were brought to the surface, the answer soon became clear.

A similar event had occurred in the middle-to-late stages of the first simulation with Eriri.

The final step to winning a girl's heart was to occupy her body.

But before that, he had to occupy her time.

Back then, he approached her under the pretext of needing guidance in painting techniques, creating opportunities for them to be alone. 

As he slowly broke down her guard, he began introducing those seemingly "normal" physical contacts. 

As she gradually got used to them, her friendship with him subtly shifted and deteriorated step by step.

And now, Iroha's request in front of him gave Chisato a vague, indescribable sense that something was off.

But this was just a hunch, a speculation—he lacked concrete evidence.

After all, he had gathered some unusual information about Iroha recently. 

She had suddenly taken several days off for no apparent reason, and he had heard that she and her mother had gone to a bookstore to buy some legal-related books.

There were clues, but too few.

He could make some guesses based on this, but not many.

Chisato thought about all of this in just a moment, but in the end, he nodded in response to Iroha's request.

"I understand. I'll help you."

The reason he agreed was that he felt a certain degree of guilt toward Iroha.

Originally, he had been living an ordinary, happy life as a carefree, simple high school student.

It was only when he dragged her into this series of complicated events during the simulation that her emotions fluctuated, causing her unnecessary trouble.

Naturally, he wanted to do his best to make it up to her—as a form of compensation that would also put his conscience at ease.

As for his previous doubts, he now felt that he had simply been overthinking things. After all, he couldn't sense any malice or hostility from the girl in front of him.

His sense of guilt, combined with Iroha's natural charm that evoked a protective instinct in men, made Chisato's answer come naturally.

His bright eyes looked at Iroha.

Regardless of what had happened in the dream, at this moment, his sincerity was undeniable.

"Senior Suzumiya... have you really agreed?"

Iroha didn't even realize that the corners of her lips had slightly lifted. 

She gazed back at him with a soft, almost bashful expression, a brilliant light shining in her beautiful eyes.

She could feel her emotions soaring in that instant.

But why did she feel this way?

Was it because she had successfully followed the initial plan and concealed her true intentions from Chisato?

Or was it because of something else—something hidden in a small corner of her heart that she hadn't yet realized?

Iroha herself wasn't entirely sure. 

She hadn't thought that deeply about it at all. 

She was simply following her instincts, which led to this unfiltered display of joy.

"Yeah, I agree. It's not a difficult thing, actually. I don't even think you need anyone's help." 

"As long as you naturally show your charm and get along with the senior you like, you can easily capture his heart. After all, in my opinion, you have quite the effect on boys."

Faced with Iroha's confirmation and inquiry, Chisato nodded once again, expressing his true thoughts without reservation.

Iroha's slender hand, resting on her thigh, gently pinched the hem of her skirt. Her cheeks turned as red as the burning clouds in the evening sky.

"I know my own limits. While I am very cute, I'm definitely not as exaggerated as you make me out to be, Senior Suzumiya."

She turned her face away, lightly scratching her cheek, but her gaze kept flitting back toward him with a mix of shyness and pride.

Chisato couldn't help but smile.

"No, what I just said was my honest opinion—no exaggeration at all."

"Hey—"

This time, Iroha suddenly changed her expression, drawing out the syllable as if she had just thought of something. She cast a thoughtful look at him.

Chisato raised an eyebrow.

"What's that look for?"

"Maybe, senior, the words you just said were actually meant to break down my guard on purpose." 

"You thought that if you just sweet-talked me, I'd be coaxed into confessing my love and getting together with you, didn't you?" 

"Sorry to disappoint you, but even though you're very capable and handsome, senior, I already have someone I like, so it's impossible between us."

Like a little submachine gun, she fired these words out one after another, then lowered her head straight toward Chisato.

Chisato, blindsided by this unexpected rejection, narrowed his eyes slightly. 

But when Iroha looked up again, he didn't appear the least bit embarrassed. He simply shrugged his shoulders lightly.

"That's for the best."

"…"

Iroha pursed her lips, looking rather frustrated.

Chisato casually tied up the cookie bag and handed it back to her.

Now that he had given his thoughts on the taste, returning the rest was only natural.

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back for today."

He gripped both sides of the dining tray and prepared to leave.

"Wait, senior! You're leaving now?"

In desperation, Iroha grabbed his sleeve.

Chisato calmly slipped his arm free from her grasp while letting go of the tray.

"Well, Isshiki, you don't seem to have anything else planned next. I won't go back on my promise to you." 

"From now on, whenever you're pursuing the senior you like, you can message me on LINE if you run into any problems. I'll give you appropriate advice."

"How can something like that be explained just through LINE?!"

"Why not? If you think typing it out is too slow, you can send a voice message, and I'll listen carefully."

"That's not the issue here!"

"Then what is?"

As Chisato looked at her, his confusion only deepened.

"Umm…"

Iroha grew flustered, her gaze unintentionally shifting toward the transparent floor-to-ceiling window. 

Above a tall building in the distance, a conspicuous sign caught her eye.

A sudden idea struck her. She quickly raised her hand and pointed toward it.

"Because of that!"

Chisato followed her line of sight.

It was the sign for a haunted house.

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