Chapter 31 — Then Prove It With Actions

[New Simulatable Character Added—Ikuyo Kita]

Kazami Haru: ?

What was this? The moment he stepped into the classroom, he suddenly gained a new simulatable character and of all people, it was Ikuyo Kita, who had been absent yesterday.

Just yesterday, when the simulator first appeared, Ikuyo Kita, his classmate, hadn't been among the simulatable options. So why had she suddenly become one the moment she showed up today?

Could it be… that Kita-san had fallen in love with him at first sight?

From the previous case of Togawa Sakiko becoming a simulatable character, he could roughly deduce that for the simulator to add someone new, they needed to have at least some degree of affection toward him.

And, of course, they had to be a special kind of girl.

Strangely enough, Bocchi-chan still hadn't become one of his simulation targets. Could it be that a main-character type like Bocchi actually can't be simulated?

Or maybe Bocchi's feelings toward him weren't positive?

Or could it be that adding someone as a simulation target required maintaining a certain emotional or physical distance?

But that didn't make sense either. Yamada-san became a target after only one encounter—a clear exception to the rule.

With Ikuyo Kita suddenly becoming one of the simulation targets, Kazami Haru's mind was overwhelmed with questions he couldn't answer. Even now, he didn't fully understand how the simulator decided who could be a target.

[Ultimate Romance Simulator][Host: Kazami Haru][Skills: 'Piano LV2' 'Music Theory LV3' 'Guitar LV1' 'Barista LV2' 'Love's Cuisine LV2'][Item: 'Infatuation Card'][Simulation Targets: Ryo Yamada, Sakiko Togawa, Ikuyo Kita, Tomori Takamatsu][Evaluation: An almost all-round, exceptional young man of the new era. Naturally charismatic and highly attractive to the opposite sex, gifted in multiple musical disciplines, capable both on stage and in the kitchen. Aside from a few personality quirks, his future is remarkably bright.]

After two successful simulations, Haru's music theory skill had leveled up dramatically. On top of that, he'd gained three new skills since the beginning!

The rush from this kind of self-improvement couldn't be described with ordinary words.

Still, even constant simulations came with mental fatigue. So lately, he'd decided to take a short break.

Just a couple of lazy days to unwind… then he'd test out the mysterious "Infatuation Card."

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Kazami Haru felt several intense gazes converging on him.

He was used to being stared at from the shadows but this time, it was from multiple directions, and by people he knew. That was a rare occurrence.

Yes, I'm talking about you… Destruction Phoenix!

Haru looked up, his eyes meeting those of Ikuyo Kita. Instantly, she turned her head, pretending nothing had happened, and started giggling with her friends about fashion magazines and current trends.

And you too… Pink Yamata-no-Orochi!

Caught in the act, Hitori Gotoh panicked and grabbed her history textbook off her desk, striking an earnest, studious pose as if she'd been diligently reading all along. She almost looked convincing—

If only the book wasn't upside down.

Their reactions made sense, but what was your deal, Little Tomori?

While everyone else just stole glances from the corner of their eyes, you were staring straight at him like it was your divine right.

What, are you crushing on me too, Tomori?

"Mm…"

Tomori Takamatsu lightly furrowed her delicate brows. Her tired amber eyes flashed with a hard-to-read emotion as her slender fingers clutched her collar. The hint of grievance in her gaze stirred an odd pang of guilt in Haru.

It left him baffled. Had he ever done anything to hurt her in real life?

Even in simulations, there was no way he'd dare mess with Little Tomori.

After all, Tomori's stand-in was the 5A stat monster, Taki Shiina—a stand user with the ability to twist open skulls barehanded. Who in their right mind would pick a fight with Little Light and still expect to live?

…

Finally, lunchtime arrived.

Tomori had been distracted in class all morning just waiting for this moment. She quickly pulled a small, neatly packaged bag from her desk drawer, inside were tiny, beautifully made chocolate swirl rolls.

She knew Haru liked this kind of bread. Most lunch breaks, he'd go to the school store just to buy them. So this morning, she'd made a special trip to the famous Furukawa Bakery to get some.

Lunch break—was the perfect time to strike up a conversation.

She wanted to grow closer to Haru.

"Mm?"

Just as Tomori had finally mustered the courage to stand and walk over to him, Haru suddenly pulled a black-wrapped square box out of his drawer—

A bento box.

He had never eaten a homemade lunch at school before. He always bought chocolate swirl bread from the store. But today, in a shocking turn of events, he had woken up early to make breakfast himself.

He figured after working so hard in the simulator, he deserved a small reward. Plus, it was a good chance to test out Anon-chan's "Love's Cuisine" skill.

Seeing Haru heading out of the classroom with his bento in hand, Tomori stood frozen, clutching the swirl rolls. Her lips parted slightly, as if about to call out to him, but the courage she'd just found slipped away once again.

Failure—

She just… couldn't speak.

PIC: Tomori

Takamatsu Tomori, who was far too introverted, desperately wanted to talk to Kazami Haru, but her inability to express herself made it impossible for her to even open her mouth.

Not knowing what else to do, she could only clumsily try to catch his attention.

But clearly, it wasn't working.

If her timid self couldn't muster the courage to speak to him, then maybe the distance between them would never close.

She refused to let that happen—

Huff!

At that moment, Tomori suddenly pushed back her chair and stood up. Striding past a bewildered Hitori, she reached out with slender, trembling fingers—

And tightly grasped the hem of Kazami Haru's sleeve.

She held on, refusing to let go.

This time… she absolutely wouldn't repeat the past!

If words failed her, then she would prove it with actions!

(TL Note: How ya doing? How's the fic? I've been doing it cleaner than usual, so hope there's no mistakes.)

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