How can my simulation be a real love?

That would be quite terrifying.

……

Blah blah blah...

The warm, gentle water was constantly washing over the girl's exquisite, picturesque face, sliding down her soft, white neck to her flawless back.

Standing in the bathroom, Hatsuka Sanka raised her head, comfortably squinting her elegant, violet-like eyes, feeling the fatigue and pressure on her body disappear with the water flow down the drain.

In the end, he still brought me in?

With a complicated expression, Misaka Chuka stared at her smooth, delicate palms, her raised arm falling limply to her sides.

Looking back on the period when she was making frequent mistakes in her work and training, whenever she closed her eyes, she would recall the look in Hachiman Kairin's eyes, and that indescribable envy and resentment would swirl in her heart like a tide.

The tension prevented Mitsuka from completely relaxing, and she naturally couldn't concentrate. Her poor condition during this period was noticeable even to her manager, and she couldn't maintain her perfect, composed smile.

Mana Junda and her manager both told her to rest and adjust her condition, but lying in the cold luxury apartment only made her feel more tired. Feeling complicated and upset, Hatsuka wanted to go for a walk to clear her mind, and when she came to her senses, she was already near Kazami Mei's apartment.

"I'm really shameless."

The girl looked up and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Just because it was raining, did that give me a reason to come and see him?

Mikasa recalled the faint smell of barbecue on Kazami Mei, and it was clear that his statement that he "hadn't eaten dinner" was just a white lie told out of consideration for her. This made Mikasa feel both happy and guilty.

Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, she selectively forgot about this.

"Chuhua, I've left your change of clothes outside."

"Ah, okay!"

The familiar, gentle voice in her ear immediately brought Misaka Hatsuka back to her senses, who was lost in her own world.

Worried that Kazami Mei would be waiting for her outside for too long, Mikasa hurriedly dried herself with a towel and cautiously peeked out the door. She looked up and saw a clean white shirt and loose shorts in the laundry basket by the door.

Ah, these are his clothes—

The thought flashed through her mind and her cheeks flushed slightly. She carefully reached out and hugged the white shirt to her chest.

When the blonde girl caught a whiff of the faint scent of laundry detergent, she was startled like a rabbit, and then, as if feeling guilty, she suddenly looked around nervously.

"What am I doing...?"

Banishing all her chaotic thoughts, Mitsuka Hatsuka, clutching her white shirt, quickly changed into clean clothes and emerged from the bathroom.

As soon as I entered the living room, I was greeted by a delightful aroma of food. I could also hear the bubbling of steaming iron pot, the dripping of the sink, and the gentle slapping of the cleaver on the cutting board, all blending together like a symphony.

Wearing a scarf, Kazami Mei was busy in the kitchen, the warm yellow light seeming to fill the air with the feeling of 'home'.

"..."

Sankaku Hatsuka stared blankly at the scene, the weariness and anxiety that filled her heart easily dispelled like smoke.

"Is everything washed up? Then hurry up and sit down so we can start eating. The other dishes are almost ready too."

Wearing heat-resistant gloves, Kazami spoke lightly. His long, black hair had been tied into a neat ponytail with a hair tie. He carefully placed the covered soup pot on the table.

The black-haired boy then reached out and untied the apron around her waist, carefully and gentlemanly pulling out the chair back for her. This kind of ordinary happiness was a scene that Sanjiao Chuhua had always dreamed of.

She really wanted to hug him right now, but reason and her inferiority complex made her forcefully control this impulse.

With her ears slightly red, Sankaku Chuka stretched out her small hand, as if afraid of being overheard, and forcefully suppressed her rapidly beating heart. She opened her small mouth, wanting to say something, but could only swallow all her words back.

The overwhelming emotions and countless unspoken words in my heart ultimately boil down to just one complex sentence—

"Ming, thank you."

Kazami Mei merely raised an eyebrow and replied nonchalantly, "There's nothing to thank me for. Of course, I couldn't just stand by and watch you freeze at the door, Hatsuka. Even a complete stranger would find it hard to do that, let alone the two of us."

No, a stranger?

A faint glint flashed in the eyes of Mitsuaki, who was pinching the hem of her white shirt. She pursed her cherry blossom-pink lips and looked at the black-haired boy not far away, her hesitation and reason swirling in her ears.

The next moment, as if summoning her courage, the girl asked nervously, "Um... Ming, could you please blow-dry my hair again? I can't see myself very well without a mirror..."

Blow-dry your hair?

Kazami Mei paused for a moment, but her expression remained calm.

It's not really appropriate to ask someone to help blow-dry your hair, since you've already rejected Kazami Naru's confession, you should keep a certain distance from Hatsuka-san. But thinking back to when Rakuna stayed here before, I also helped her blow-dry her hair. It just doesn't seem right to refuse this request.

Perhaps because Kazami Mei didn't answer immediately, a hint of disappointment and sadness flashed in Hatsuka's eyes as she sat in the chair.

"I'm sorry, I... I shouldn't have said those things..."

The girl's pitiful, abandoned appearance made Kazami Naruto take a deep breath. He then turned and walked towards the bathroom, emerging with a hairdryer in his hand.

Under the astonished gaze of Mitsukasa, he gently cupped the girl's delicate golden hair, still damp with moisture.

"Chuhua, is it too hot?"

He couldn't refuse.

It's just blow-drying my hair, it shouldn't be a big problem, right?

"I think it's just right, thank you so much."

The warm breeze carried away the glistening water droplets from the girl's delicate golden hair. Sitting obediently in the chair, Miss Chuhua blushed and her ears burned. She simply lowered her head without saying a word, letting the black-haired boy behind her freely lift her carefully maintained hair.

Even though Hatsuka, who is already 1.6 meters tall and can be considered 'mature', still looked too loose in Kazami's white shirt. Her fair and delicate shoulders, which were already as white as jade after taking a bath, were now flushed pink. The exposed skin and the faintly visible curves of her body naturally made it impossible for Kazami to take his eyes off her.

I was careless; I didn't dodge.

Upon noticing this, Kazami Mei's expression stiffened, and he immediately realized Hatsuka's intention.

As a popular idol, Hatsuka-san naturally stands at the pinnacle of the word "charm." For Kazami Mei, a sexually normal adolescent, completely ignoring Hatsuka-san's charm is even more difficult than fighting Kakarot one-on-one.

He had intended to adjust his mental state by breathing, but as soon as he took a deep breath, he accidentally caught a faint fragrance from the girl.

Calm down, first of all, you have to calm down.

"..."

As a popular idol, Miss Chuhua is naturally very sensitive to the gazes of others. However, after noticing the constant glances coming from behind, she simply turned slightly to the side with a shy expression. At this moment, the girl not only didn't care at all, but was even 'joyful'.

This proves that her charm is quite attractive to Ming, which means that she still has a chance.

A gentle light flashed in Sankaku Hatsuka's eyes, and a slight smile appeared on her magnificent and beautiful face.

This very moment belongs to me alone; only this moment of sound is mine to possess.

Ming was captivated by her charm; if she were to take the initiative to do something at this moment—

Upon realizing this, Mitsukasa's heart tightened, but she immediately suppressed the sudden thought.

She knew very well that she absolutely could not be hasty now. If she suddenly did something 'excessive' at this moment, Ming would definitely remain rational and sternly refuse her.

After this incident, he might be more wary of me next time, and Mitsukasa Hatsuka will probably never have such a suitable opportunity again!

Calm down, first of all, you have to calm down.

……

Dinner took longer than expected.

After the two had savored the delicious meal, it was already 10 p.m.

Miss Chuhua, who had reached out to pick up her leather shoes, had changed back into her dried clothes. With a faint smile on her face, she seemed to have transformed back into the perfect idol on stage. Standing in the entrance hall, she turned around earnestly and bowed slowly to Kazami Mei.

The blonde girl's eyes shone with a tenderness that could almost solidify, and she tilted her head slightly as she smiled—

"Ming, thank you so much for letting me take shelter from the rain today, and for treating me to such a delicious meal."

"Ming has been so kind to me, I don't know how to repay her. If there's anything I can do, please feel free to ask... I'm willing to do anything to repay Ming's kindness!"

Can you use heroes to participate in skill draws?

"I'm willing to do anything," is just such a heavy phrase.

Unable to suppress her inner grumbling, Kazami Mei gently raised her eyebrows, her thoughts slightly jumbled.

Aside from seemingly having some 'intentions' while blow-drying her hair, Chu Hua didn't do anything inappropriate while eating or showering today. This left Kazami Mei's emotions constantly cycling between [vigilance], [hesitation], and [reluctance].

"I'm so happy that Ming helped me blow-dry my hair today."

A gentle smile appeared on the face of the triangular Hatsuka standing at the door, but the smile turned bitter in the next moment. However, she quickly suppressed the emotion she showed and smiled again the instant she came to her senses.

"Well then, I'll head home now."

With a gentle smile on her face, Ms. Hatsuka bowed again, and then slowly pushed open the iron gate of Kazami-mei's apartment.

What came into view was a sky as black as ink, covered by dark clouds.

What was originally just a light drizzle now seemed to be affected by some factor, and in the blink of an eye it turned into an unbearable downpour. The streets, devoid of any moonlight, were like a hellish abyss, where anyone who stepped in would be swallowed up the moment they entered.

Standing at the door, Misaka Hatsuka was clearly stunned for two seconds. Her beautiful face turned her head somewhat unnaturally, and a trace of worry that could not be dispelled filled her brows. She stood at the entrance and looked helplessly at Kazami Mei.

"...The rain seems to be getting quite heavy. Ming, could you lend me another umbrella?"

The girl's aggrieved look made Kazami Mei sigh, and his handsome face now showed a more complicated expression.

After the two finished dinner, it was already past 10 p.m., but the apartment where Mikami Hatsuka lived was not in the vicinity of Yokohama; it was already close to midnight, and with the dark and overwhelming storm, it was fraught with danger for this delicate girl.

Giving someone an umbrella and letting them leave is not something that heartless Kazami Mei would do.

After careful consideration, Kazami Mei shook her head helplessly and then took the initiative to speak: "It's already a bit late today, and with this kind of heavy rain, even those playing Touhou Porjet can't avoid the barrage of comments. It's a bit too dangerous for a girl like you."

The moment Kazami Mei uttered those words, the blonde girl's pupils trembled slightly.

"Why don't you stay at my place for the night, Chu Hua?"

"……Eh?"

Sangoku Hatsuka stared blankly at him, her heart suddenly pounding faster.

56

Chapter Fifty-Six: Shall we go together?

Kazami Mei made this decision after careful consideration.

When Kazami Mei brought Mikasa into the house, she already sensed that something was wrong with the girl in front of her.

The former Misaka Chuka could always maintain a pure and cool smile. In the eyes of others, she was like an elegant and bright moon standing on the stage. But even such an elegant and quiet girl always shouldered responsibilities and pressures that were not appropriate for her age. She would keep her nerves on edge until she completely broke down.

She was like a finely crafted glasswork, as if a slight, accidental bump would shatter her instantly.

"This, isn't this not good?"

With a slightly trembling voice, Misaka Hatsuka gripped the hem of her skirt tightly with both hands. She just pursed her lips, looking completely lost, and her little head, which she didn't dare to raise, was clearly because she didn't want Kazami Mei to see her unsightly expression.

However, Kazami Mei saw through her self-conscious and dejected appearance.

She is exactly the same as when she sat at his doorstep back then, extremely worried that she would incur Kazami Mei's dislike.

Faced with Hatsuka in this state, Kazami Mei naturally couldn't bear to ignore her.

With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Kazami Mei couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The girl's fragile and insecure appearance clearly tugged at his heartstrings. Unable to harden his heart, he raised his eyes and said in a deep voice—

"It's alright. It's not good to go out again after getting rained on. To avoid catching a cold or fever, Chuhua, why don't you stay at my place and rest tonight?"

"I've already troubled Ming so much this time, if I continue to bother you..."

Ms. Misaki, who was invited by Kazami Mei again, raised her head with a panicked look in her eyes, her small hand covering her chest, expressing her extremely depressed mood.

If she had dog ears on her head right now, she might have drooped down dejectedly.

Upon hearing this, Kazami Mei simply shook his head slightly and explained with a somewhat serious tone, "If you mind that I'm staying here too, then I'll go find a hotel to stay in. My physical condition is much better than yours, so you can make do with staying at my place for the night."

"No, that won't do!"

Sanjiao Chuhua hurriedly took a step forward.

"I absolutely cannot let Ming move out! Going out in this heavy rain is just too dangerous!"

Kazami Mei raised the corners of her mouth, her tone teasing, "See? Even Hatsuka herself thinks it's too dangerous to go out in the heavy rain, so how could I possibly let you go out? Or is it that in Hatsuka's eyes... I'm just someone who can let a girl walk home in the middle of the night in the pouring rain?"

"No, Ming, of course not..."

Misaka Hatsuka shook her head vigorously, her words of explanation growing weaker and weaker.

"Since that's the case, it's decided then. You'll sleep at my place tonight."

“…Thank you, thank you.”