Chapter 45 — Caught the Timing
[Ikuyo Kita is usually bursting with positive energy, always upbeat and friendly with everyone. She's no different with you, bubbly and cheerful as ever.]
[Her radiant smile and sunny vibe make it impossible not to feel drawn to her.]
[But every time you lock eyes with her, you notice something. She always seems to shy away just a little.]
[She eagerly shares her interests and asks about yours. She clearly wants to show you her best side, and no matter what topic you bring up, she rolls with it smoothly.]
[Even when you reply half-heartedly, her enthusiasm doesn't falter.]
[Still, you keenly sense she's hiding something in her heart.]
[Faced with this, you decide to—]
[1. Go for it! This is the moment for a straight-up confession.]
[2. Don't rush. Take time to grow closer step by step.]
[3. This girl seems kind of exhausting. Maybe it's better to go after the more direct Yamada.]
[4. Virtual Reality– Experience it firsthand.]
Kita-san, a textbook case of looks over personality.
The way she fell head over heels for Ryo Yamada at first glance said it all. She was clearly into good-looking faces, with a preference for androgynous types, especially those with a cool, aloof edge and just a hint of softness.
And wouldn't you know it? Kazami Haru just happened to check all those boxes.
PIC:
A "straightforward confession" option really felt kind of terrifying to him—especially because he'd already been mercilessly rejected by Tomori during her simulation. That experience had left a bit of a scar.
Kazami Haru was convinced the simulator only included this kind of option just to set him up to fail.
"But I did use the [Infatuation Card]… so all the girls should find me a bit more appealing during this run, right?"
With that thought in mind, he decided—might as well go all in and strike boldly from the start.
On a whim, he selected "Confess directly!"
Even if kind-hearted Miss Social Butterfly actually had some feelings for him, she'd probably be thrown off by such a sudden confession, wouldn't she?
Choosing something like this out of nowhere might mean his brain had short-circuited a little. At worst, it could even create an awkward rift between them.
That is, if she were just a normal girl.
But Ikuyo Kita was clearly anything but ordinary.
She wore her cheerful, upbeat personality on her sleeve—an ultra-energetic girl with overwhelming popularity throughout the school. She could be friends with a stranger in no time. Overflowing with passion and patience, and blessed with an irresistibly cute face, she had a natural ability to make people's affection for her grow and grow.
Of course, someone like her was no stranger to confessions of love.
Even if she turned someone down, the next day Ikuyo Kita could still greet them with a smile, never treating them any differently just because they had romantic feelings for her.
Kazami Haru liked taking unconventional routes in these simulations.
His idea was simple—
This time, he would take the initiative like a god of romance! Directly confessing to Kita-chan that he liked her and intended to pursue her. At the same time, he wanted to gauge what kind of feelings she really had for him.
Anyway, with Miss Social Butterfly's sunny personality, one confession shouldn't create too much distance between them. He could just take things slow after that and gradually win her over.
Worst case scenario? Just reset the simulation. He had plenty of "resurrection coins" courtesy of his "ex-wife."
[You show extraordinary courage and quickly decide to confess to Ikuyo Kita.]
[A confession requires a quiet, private setting. You decide to wait until the karaoke gathering ends to speak with her alone.]
[You talk about many things. You explain how you've been working part-time to support yourself, covering tuition, rent, and utilities all on your own. She genuinely admires your independence.]
[Your relationship with Ikuyo Kita has grown closer.]
Things were going surprisingly smoothly, just like it had gone with Ryo-san during her simulation.
Next came the crucial part: the confession.
Kazami Haru couldn't help but chuckle imagining Kita's stunned face after he dropped the bombshell.
[The gathering soon ends. Kita's friends, having picked up on the progress between you two, decide not to drag her off shopping. Instead, they all make excuses and leave.]
[Their sudden departure leaves Kita a bit flustered.]
[She also seems to realize what her friends are up to. Nervously, she lowers her head, twirling the tips of her bright red hair between her fingers.]
[You realize, you've caught the perfect timing.]
"Getting the chance to talk with you today was amazing, Kazami-kun! I'm super super~ super happy!"
"I hope we can hang out again sometime!"
"Hehe~ I'll message you on LINE a lot! Please don't get annoyed with me, okay?"
With a sweet smile lighting up her face, and your LINE contact saved, Ikuyo Kita beamed with joy.
She walked ahead of Kazami Haru, her steps light and bouncy. The little gestures she made with her fingers and the soft hum of a tune on her lips all showed how thrilled she was.
Finally! She'd finally gotten to talk with Kazami-kun!
Even though she'd tried several times before and failed, today's direct invite went off without a hitch.
Ugh, she thought, I should've tried asking him sooner!
She had no problem inviting others out, but when it came to him, her hesitation made her feel like a total idiot.
"If we get the chance next time, I'd rather go out just the two of us."
"I'd love that! If it's Kazami-kun asking—wait, huh?"
Ikuyo Kita's radiant smile suddenly froze.
"Um, I didn't quite catch that…"
She tilted her head in confusion, her warm, clear yellow-green eyes trembling slightly. Trying to maintain her usual sunny smile, she joked, "Ahaha~ Maybe I'm a little dizzy after coming out of the karaoke room."
"Kazami-kun… what did you just say?"
Kazami Haru didn't answer.
His dark, glossy hair swayed in a ponytail, and his face—equal parts soft charm and classic good looks had mesmerized Ikuyo Kita more than once.
This was no exception.
A gentle smile crept across Kazami's face, and Kita's mind went completely blank, like it had been hit with a Starburst Stream combo to the head.
(TL Note: Starbust stream reference to Kirito(SAO)'s Ultimate combo with two swords.)
"Th-th-that… huh?"
The cheerful girl immediately panicked. No matter how upbeat a JK (high school girl) might be, she was still just a teenager.
She already liked the boy in front of her more than she wanted to admit. Just hearing that line made it impossible to meet his gaze.
Every glance made her heart beat faster, one more and she'd explode.
Still… a part of her hoped—
"I like you."