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V2 Chapter 31: Taki-ni Bro Definitely Has a Crush on Me
🕑 Added 2025-05-11 18:21:34 +0000 UTC[Sakiko didn't want to be indebted to you. The next day, she gave you a plain, homemade bento as thanks. The ingredients weren't expensive, but for someone living frugally, it was clearly the best she could manage.]
[You notice several flesh-colored bandages on her fingers during work. It becomes clear she hurt herself trying to cook for you. Her sincere effort leaves you completely unable to refuse.]
[Gratefully, you eat every bite of the bento. When you look up, you see her smiling, bright and soft, like spring sunshine cutting through the darkness. That smile pierces your gloomy heart with a gentle kind of strength.]
[Your bond with Sakiko deepens.]
[You've saved up enough money from working, but now you find yourself unable to just leave Sakiko behind and go on a date with Anon.]
[You decide to:]
1. Ask Sakiko on a date.
2. Jump into the sunset—whoever sees it gets the date.
3. Talk to Mutsumi Wakaba about your complicated feelings.
4. Virtual reality.
This plotline… I know it too well.
Haru took a deep breath, eyes calm and focused.
Sakiko's allure in simulations was seriously overwhelming. After just two emotional pushes, his simulated self was ready to wave a white flag.
How could Anon even compete?
Even if the option to date Anon appeared here, she probably didn't stand a chance.
But that was just the simulation. In real life, Haru wouldn't be swayed so easily.
This sim run had gone completely off-track. He might as well go with the flow now.
He still had two revives left anyway.
[You realize you can't forget about Sakiko Toyokawa. Her quiet effort sticks with you, making it impossible to walk away. So you decide to use your savings to take her on a proper date.]
[Proud and independent, she refuses to be outdone. She puts all her heart into repaying you. Soon, you both realize you've given so much to each other that walking away is no longer an option. You confess.]
[You and Sakiko Toyokawa become a couple.]
[She becomes an irreplaceable part of your life. Someone who understands you, balances you. You decide to face the future together, hand in hand.]
[Simulation ends.]
[Rating: 21 (Poor)]
[Evaluation: From the beginning, your bond with her was enviable. Yet, neither of you took the initiative to deepen it. In the end, like two lines that crossed once but never met again, the distance became too far to return.]
[You earned a "Poor" rating. Reward: Wife's Savings Passbook – 1 million yen.]
An unexpectedly low score... and an unexpectedly high reward.
Haru stared at the notification in disbelief.
A million yen, while not life-changing, was more than enough to ease his financial stress.
At least now he didn't have to worry about his next meal every day.
This was the first time a simulation had given such a practically useful reward...
"At least using one attempt wasn't a total loss."
And it came with a lesson:
Don't let yourself get involved with Sakiko during Anon's simulation. Because if you did, not even your simulated self could resist her once she opened her heart.
Anon simply couldn't compete.
Also, the simulator's options would change based on new conditions from real life.
So that million yen he just received? It would carry over into the next simulation as a real-world asset.
He wouldn't need to work part-time next time.
Simulation Start
Remaining Attempts: 1
Continue previous progress?
Of course—Yes!
[With Kaname's arrival, Anon Chihaya begins to withdraw. She seems anxious, avoiding you. How do you respond?]
1. Encourage her to train harder and catch up.
2. Now that money isn't an issue, invite her on a date.
3. Ask others for advice on what to do.
4. Virtual reality: Direct simulation.
Just as expected, the situation had changed!
But Haru still wasn't thrilled with the new choices.
If only he could combine Options 1 and 2…
But with just one revive left, he couldn't afford a direct simulation.
It was time to weigh the trade-offs.
Encouraging her to train might work, but Kaname's talent was simply overwhelming, like a mountain looming over Anon.
Even if Anon had single-core super genius potential, there was no way she could close that gap in a few months.
More importantly, Haru didn't want to push her too hard.
Even if she had strong endurance, every girl has her limit. His precious girlfriend only needed to be happy every day.
So...
Option 2 it is.
[Seeing how down she is, and now free from money troubles, you decide to act. You invite Anon on a date to lift her spirits.]
[Your decisiveness may lead to unexpected results.]
[Anon is surprised by your sudden invitation. She didn't expect you to ask her out alone. But that surprise is tinged with joy, so much that she cancels plans with friends just to go out with you.]
[Perhaps… this date will change everything between you two.]
In front of him walked a soft pink silhouette—
Anon Chihaya, hands behind her back, carefully stepping along the cracks in the pavement like she was walking a tightrope.
If she missed even one step, the "monsters" in the gaps would eat her!
She'd eaten tons of delicious sweets and snacks, all specially picked by Haru for today's date. Being able to have him all to herself had her absolutely over the moon.
Suddenly, she spun around with a grin.
"Ah! You stepped out of line, Haru! I win!"
Her bright, youthful smile lit up her face, and the pale green high-waisted dress she wore twirled with her movement, making her look like a fairy dancing through a field of flowers.
It was hard not to be captivated by her pure energy.
Following behind, Haru couldn't help but think—
Anon really was adorable.
Though, he had to keep his mouth in check.
"So childish~"
"Pfft~ You're the childish one, Haru! Liar tsundere dummy!"
Anon stuck her tongue out, made a goofy face, and let out a soft hmph as she strolled ahead, one hand still behind her.
She clearly left her right hand open for something, but when she glanced back and saw no response, she puffed up her cheeks in protest.
Dummy~
Before they knew it, they reached the pedestrian bridge. The sun was beginning to set, casting golden hues across the sky through soft, white clouds.
Her profile glowed in the orange light, a vivid silhouette of youth and tenderness.
Smiling brightly, baring her tiny white teeth, she looked like she'd cast a secret little spell…
A spell that stole hearts.
"Hey, Haru…"
Anon spoke up, her fingers brushing the hair resting on her shoulder, voice tinged with melancholy.
"When I saw how amazing Kaname was… I couldn't take it. I ran away…"
"You worked so hard to teach me. Even skipped work just to help me, and I still… acted like such a coward."
"I… am I just useless?"
Her tone was light, like she was joking, but her eyes held a faint sadness.
Kazami Haru had already noticed it. the soft fingertips of the girl were covered in peeling skin and overused wounds. These were the kind of injuries that could only come from long hours spent pressing against stiff steel guitar strings.
She had clearly removed her bandages on purpose, covering her fingers in thick hand cream to keep them from being noticed.
What a fool…
Seeing Anon's downcast expression, Haru sighed softly, one hand on his hip.
"Then doesn't that make me even more useless?"
"Eh?"
"I've been doing music way longer than you, but in under a month you're already almost at my level. I hate to admit it… but yeah, you've got a good head on your shoulders."
It was the first time Haru had ever given her genuine praise.
As the girl froze in place, stunned, he reached forward and messed up her carefully styled hair into a frizzy mess. Before she could protest, he gently pinched her cheek, forcing her to meet his gaze.
His eyes bore into her, sharp and sincere.
Thump, thump, thump…
Chihaya Anon's heart began to race. She stared nervously into Haru's serious face.
What was he going to say?
"Don't run away."
He finally spoke. His voice was calm, but unshakably firm.
"You work harder than anyone."
"You're not the burden anyone makes you out to be."
He gently brushed her bangs aside. For the first time, Anon saw such a soft light in his eyes. The smile on his face made her heart feel like it was about to stop.
"Anon—"
"You're not less than anyone else."
His words struck like a chime echoing in her soul.
All she could do was stare ahead blankly, completely forgetting how to respond.
It was a long time before she snapped out of it. Anon quickly turned around, pretending to fix her messed-up hair, but in truth, she was trying to discreetly wipe the tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
She took deep breaths to calm the storm of emotions rising inside her.
Her effort… had finally been acknowledged.
"Ah!"
"Haru… I forgot we didn't ride the Ferris wheel…"
Like a lost puppy, the pink-haired girl turned around, eyes filled with a hint of disappointment. In that moment, all her usual wit and sharpness were gone, leaving only a clumsy, awkward girl trying to change the subject.
She looked so helpless that it made you want to pull her into a tight hug, gently stroking her head to comfort her.
Haru smiled, a little helplessly.
In the end, he couldn't resist reaching out and tidying the messy strand of hair near her cheek.
"Next date… let's ride the Ferris wheel together, okay?"
"But next time, you're the one who has to invite me."
His teasing tone caught her by surprise. She stared at him blankly, her small mouth slightly open. Her cute little fang caught the light of the sunset, and a smile slowly crept onto her lips.
Hmph~ So you want me to invite you, huh?
"Such a tsundere~"
Next time, on that Ferris wheel—
She would confess.
[You confidently invited Anon Chihaya on a date, pulling her out of her emotional slump. She now realized that Kaname's presence didn't make her a burden to the band, nor to you.]
[Your relationship with Anon Chihaya deepened.]
Victory. Absolute victory.
Coming out of the memory flashback, Kazami Haru finally exhaled in relief.
Even though it was mostly just simulated text, and the memory fragments only showed a short date, it was enough to gauge how far along he was in the romance path.
Success was just around the corner.
This pink fluff was definitely secretly crushing on him!
After multiple failed confessions, Haru suddenly regained his confidence.
He had a feeling that if he confessed now, it might just work.
Unlike his past attempts with Tomori and Kita, this one felt completely different. If he confessed again, maybe this time, Anon would break the curse.
Third time's the charm!
Next confession option, he was going all in!
[The band is finally coming together. To reassure Tomori Takamatsu, Taki Shiina agrees to take a live performance invitation.]
[This time, Anon Chihaya doesn't show signs of being underprepared, thanks to your training. As rhythm guitarist, she's now up to standard. Even Taki's opinion of her has started to change.]
[However, Taki's opinion of you hasn't changed.]
[She's unaware that your time was spent teaching Anon. You claimed you'd be the band's keyboardist and composer, but your performance still lags behind Sakiko's, and you've yet to begin composing.]
[She thinks you're just bluffing, pretending to be more capable than you are. Even with Tomori mediating, her attitude toward you remains harsh. Anon has defended you several times, but you always stop her, you don't want conflict.]
[Taki hasn't said anything too aggressive, but she does imply: "If you can't handle composing, maybe hand it over to me."]
Taki bro is doubting me again…
Since Haru had spent most of the simulation focusing on Pink Fluff Anon, the band's first original song hadn't even been started, even with their live show fast approaching.
He couldn't go on stage with just "Haruhikage," right?
If Taki didn't complain about that, he'd start to wonder if she had a crush on him too.
But even now, kind-hearted Taki didn't chew him out. She just added some subtle pressure and even a tsundere-ish offer to help him out.
Taki bro, you're too soft. I'm gonna cry.
[Faced with Taki's skepticism, you decide to:]
1. Ignore it. Her pressure means nothing.
2. Refocus on the band and begin composing.
3. Pressure me, will you? I'll confess to you!
4. Virtual reality: Direct simulation.
Wait, what's with that third option?
For a second, Haru thought it was another confession to Anon and almost picked it on instinct. Good thing he double-checked, it was a confession to Taki!
Confess to Taki bro? Lol.
I've always seen her as a comrade, a fellow bro.
Still, this batch of choices made the band's issues crystal clear. Since Anon's romance route had progressed nicely, it was time to turn attention back to the band.
He had to improve Taki's opinion of him—or risk serious trouble.
Go with Option 2!
[You realize you've been neglecting the band, so you ask Anon to reduce training time. She readily agrees, knowing how much effort you've already put into helping her. She would've gone to argue with Taki herself if you hadn't stopped her.]
[With her support, you dedicate yourself fully to composing and keyboard practice. Your deep knowledge of music theory finally shines.]
[In under three days, you compose the band's first melody.]
[Taki, who was nearly ready to call you out, goes completely silent when she hears it. She doesn't say a word, just stares at you with a complex expression.]
[Your composing ability is now fully recognized by the group. Even Tomori is visibly relieved, while Anon walks around smugly like she composed it herself.]
[Only Nagasaki Soyo's gaze grows a bit more… complicated.]
