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V6 Chapter 21: I’ll Definitely Make You Fall for Me
🕑 Added 2025-07-06 12:23:53 +0000 UTCSincerity and honesty are the most powerful weapons.
Countless misunderstandings and regrets are born from the absence of communication and the inability to face one's feelings honestly. Just like in the well-known example from non-zero-sum game theory, the Prisoner's Dilemma.
All suspicion and mistrust stem from a lack of true dialogue.
For Kazami Haru, it was enough to simply speak his heart.
He had just brought Anon back home from the airport, and now he rubbed his temples lightly. The recent events surrounding him had piled up in a tight, unrelenting chain, and the mental strain was beginning to show.
In just the few days before and after the cultural festival, his relationships had undergone a dramatic shift.
Especially when it came to "romance."
"I never imagined it would all move so fast… and now I have to take on more responsibility than ever."
He thought of Nagasaki Soyo, now officially one of his girlfriends, and Chihaya Anon, with whom he had just confirmed their feelings. Then there was Kita Ikuyo, only one step away from making things official.
That brought the total number of his confirmed girlfriends to five.
Everything had progressed so quickly that even now it barely felt real.
Come to think of it, had he had even a moment to rest these past few days?
He had once had the stamina of a complete slacker, yet somehow, he didn't feel particularly tired. Even after speeding to the airport and back today, the most he felt was a bit of fatigue.
But that physical tiredness could be cured with one night's sleep.
"Must be thanks to [Endurance Lv. 5]."
It had seemed like a useless skill at first, but it absolutely lived up to its [Lv. 5] rank. Its power was gradually becoming apparent.
He silently apologized for calling [Endurance] a Yamcha-tier skill, it deserved to be called Lord Frieza now.
"Thanks for shopping with us!"
The red-haired cashier gave him a cheerful smile as she handed over the plastic grocery bag. Kazami Haru, mentally drained even if not physically, had no motivation to cook.
He didn't mind grabbing a deeply discounted bento every now and then, it even felt a little nostalgic.
"And here's a promotional bottle of our new oolong tea, as a bonus for spending over the target amount."
"…Curry-flavored?"
What kind of weird stunt was this supermarket trying to pull now?
His mood turning slightly complicated, Haru raised a brow and tossed the bottle of curry-flavored oolong tea into the bag.
Just seeing the brand reminded him of how often he had run into Misumi Uika here before. They always ended up buying weirdly flavored drinks like "Puff Cream Oolong Tea."
Ever since that miracle of a meeting between Uika and Sakiko at his place, he hadn't seen her again. Even when he dropped by the supermarket where they'd bumped into each other so often, she never showed up.
Thinking back, maybe she came over that day to apologize for what had happened.
Carrying his odd bottle of tea, Kazami Haru strolled through the streets of Yokohama. The trip home felt as brief as a national holiday. With an easy pace, he arrived in front of his old apartment building.
But just as he stepped up the stairs and reached his door, his feet came to an oddly abrupt halt.
"…Uika?"
His voice, touched with quiet surprise, drifted through the air. Not far ahead, a blonde girl turned toward him.
In his line of sight...
A girl with shoulder-length golden hair sat at his doorstep.
She wore a snowy white beret atop her head, her bright blonde hair catching the light. Dressed in a long-sleeved beige coat over a pure white blouse, Misumi Uika looked up at him with a trace of panic in her lavender eyes, eyes as dreamy and romantic as a field of lavender in bloom.
With flower pots on either side of her, she looked like something out of a dream. Their gentle blossoms added a veil of elegance to her mysterious grace.
Snapping out of his momentary awe, Haru picked up his pace, grocery bag still in hand. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes as he spoke.
"Uika-san? Why are you sitting at my door?"
"I'm sorry! I just suddenly felt like coming to see you, Haru-kun. But when I knocked, it seemed like you weren't home, so I figured since I was already here, I might as well wait… and then you still didn't come back, so I just sat down to wait…"
Flustered, Uika scrambled to her feet and brushed off her skirt. The subtle nervous tension in her expression was unmistakable.
Even Haru could clearly sense it, which only deepened his confusion.
This really wasn't like her.
He hadn't known Uika for very long, but in the handful of times they had talked, they'd shared countless topics. She had always maintained a professional smile and a calm, graceful manner.
But as they grew closer, he had come to see just how surprisingly reserved and solitary she could be.
Seeing this dazzling idol now so nervous made Haru's emotions swirl.
He had just pulled out his key when something occurred to him. He paused and frowned.
"If you were planning to visit, why didn't you just message me? Why sit here all alone and wait… Wait, Uika, how long have you been out here?"
"Um…"
Uika looked down, unsure how to answer. Her silence told him he wouldn't get much more, so he let out a soft sigh.
"…Anyway, come inside first."
…
"Sorry for intruding."
Stepping into the entryway, Misumi Uika still held her hands neatly in front of her, visibly tense.
She tried to regulate her breathing to return to her usual self, but her thoughts were too jumbled. Her heartbeat pounded like a drumbeat in her ears.
Even back when she auditioned for the idol group [Sumimi], she hadn't been this nervous.
Do you like Haru?
The cold, direct question echoed in her mind, and she thought back to her conversation with Togawa Sakiko.
That was the moment Sakiko, once her friend, had declared war on her and labeled her a "rival in love."
Uika had never wanted things to become so antagonistic, but that didn't matter, Sakiko had already marked her as a liar and a traitor.
Now that she had "betrayed" Sakiko, she was no longer welcome as a friend. At the time, she had been lost in confusion and guilt.
If she hadn't thought to ask Wakaba Mutsumi for help back then, she might still be living with that crushing sense of regret.
"…About the slippers…"
Before Haru could finish offering, Uika had already taken them out. Her perfectly practiced movements made the corner of his mouth twitch.
To stop himself from commenting, Haru turned away and walked toward the kitchen, setting the grocery bag down on the table as he passed.
Just as Haru was about to search for the black tea he'd bought earlier to serve his guest, he suddenly couldn't remember where he'd put it.
"Haru-kun, here you go."
He had barely turned around when a box of tea leaves was handed to him by Uika, who wore a serene smile.
Wait, whose home was this again?
Kazami Haru nearly lost it on the spot. He stared intently at Uika's elegantly beautiful face, but after taking a deep breath to steady himself, he still felt a little... complicated.
Uika, sensing his thoughts, blinked in surprise before frantically waving her hands and offering a flustered explanation.
"I'm sorry, Haru-kun! I didn't mean anything by it…"
Seeing her immediately bow her head in apology, Haru's expression shifted as he quickly reassured her.
"No, no, it's fine! Uika, you're a guest, so just sit and relax."
"There should be some cookies in the bag I brought back just now. Could you help take them out? They'll go well with the tea."
Uika nodded obediently, but as soon as she opened the bag, her beautiful face visibly froze. A faint mist clouded her graceful violet eyes.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she gripped the bag, her voice low and hesitant.
"Haru-kun… do you not like cream puff oolong tea anymore?"
Oolong tea?
Haru turned instinctively, but all he could see was Uika's back. Even though he couldn't see her face, his movements stiffened immediately.
Every instinct screamed at him that saying the wrong thing now, and he'd be facing some serious consequences.
Remaining calm, he kept his tone neutral.
"That curry-flavored oolong tea? It was just a promotional freebie at the store."
"But what about you, Uika? You seem to really like cream puff milk tea now?"
Uika blinked at his reply, caught off guard. After a brief pause, she smiled faintly.
"If I had to say... maybe I do like it a little? It's a strange taste, but after a while, I got used to it, and it kind of grew on me…"
Only when her smile returned did Haru finally breathe a sigh of relief.
He realized something was different about Uika today, subtle, but undeniably so. It was hard to put into words, but he could feel it.
…
After the last "incident," things were still a little awkward between them.
But since Uika didn't bring it up, Haru had no intention of doing so either.
He simply placed the steaming Darjeeling tea in front of her, hoping to use this chance to patiently listen to her thoughts and to find out why she had come to his place today.
Sitting stiffly on the couch, Uika carefully lifted her teacup. The soft, fruity aroma of the tea began to fill the room, its warm scent relaxing their nerves.
Sensing his intentions, Uika slowly raised her elegant, mysterious eyes.
"By the way, there's something I've been wondering, Haru-kun..."
"Do you prefer girls with long hair or short hair?"
Haru froze for a full two seconds before instinctively leaning back.
What was this, some kind of kink survey?
The abruptness of the question caught him completely off guard. Even putting aside the question itself…
Asking something that flirtatious while alone with a boy. Anyone, even Shiina-san, would probably find it suspicious.
Honestly, at this point, Haru was starting to feel sure of one thing—
Uika probably had a crush on him.
"Haru-kun?"
The lack of a response brought a hint of doubt to Uika's eyes. Her voice snapped Haru out of his thoughts.
He didn't hesitate.
"I don't really have a preference for long or short hair. I like both, to be honest."
With Tomori, he liked short hair. With Mutsumi, long hair.
Preferences were fluid!
"You like both?"
The golden-haired girl blinked, a bit surprised. Her pale, slender hand rested gently against her chest as she recalled a conversation with a certain "cucumber fairy."
The calm, unwavering words of Wakaba Mutsumi echoed in her ears.
"If you really like someone, then don't hesitate."
Uika clenched her small fist, as if silently making up her mind.
"What do you think about this, Haru-kun?"
Sitting beside him, she reached up and gently tucked her silky golden hair behind her ear.
Her flawless skin and swanlike neck were exposed to the air, her delicate earlobe blushing as her graceful profile lit up in soft pink.
From Haru's angle, he could clearly see her fair shoulders and elegant collarbone. The beautiful girl before him offered a soft smile, and the light fragrance of her body wash drifted toward him.
He froze for a moment, caught completely off guard.
"I think it suits you, Uika."
That was close…
As expected of one of Japan's top idols, just a simple smile from Uika radiated a nearly irresistible charm. If not for the "resistance training" he'd gained from his various girlfriends, he might've been in serious trouble.
But now? He was built different.
"Which do you like more, Haru?"
She caught the subtle change in his expression. The moment he was captivated by her charm, her heart began to pound.
That quiet joy swelled inside her, beyond the reach of words.
It was as if little red flowers were blooming above her head.
She wasn't hiding it anymore. Her gentle boldness made Haru feel a sudden weight in his chest.
"…If I had to say, I guess I do prefer long hair."
"Really?"
Still smiling, Uika ran her fingers through her silky golden strands, silently making up her mind to keep growing it out. She didn't notice that Haru had already begun to frown slightly.
So it really is like that?
Ever since that kiss, he had suspected it that Uika's feelings had definitely moved beyond mere friendship. And now, those feelings were only growing deeper.
To be liked by the ultimate idol Uika, it was certainly no small honor.
Uika was undeniably beautiful, and her feminine charm far surpassed that of most people.
To say Kazami Haru didn't feel even a hint of affection toward Misumi Uika would've been a lie.
But his feelings for her were, at most, those of a friend. When he saw her tired or vulnerable, he only wanted to care for and support her. He wasn't prepared to take responsibility for her for the rest of his life.
Thinking that, Haru sighed inwardly.
No matter what, he had to make things clear.
After a long moment of reflection, he took a deep breath, steadying his heart, and slowly began to speak.
"Uika, right now I—"
"Haru-kun."
Her voice interrupted him mid-sentence.
The girl gently pressed her vivid lips together, lowering her eyes in a way that made her seem heartbreakingly fragile. Even though her cheeks were already dyed red, she worked hard to keep her expression composed.
Framed by her soft, delicate golden hair, her ears had turned the color of a ripe Fuji apple.
She leaned slightly toward him. The space between them on the couch had somehow shrunk to no more than a single fist.
"Right now… do I make your heart flutter?"
The sudden question left Haru frozen in place.
They sat silently side by side on the sofa, her face fully flushed, but her gaze unwavering as she looked straight at him. The air between them seemed to still, as if time itself had paused. All he could hear was her slightly unsteady breathing.
Haru's face shifted ever so slightly as he held his teacup, but he quickly suppressed the ripple in his heart and answered with a smile.
"Of course. As an idol, Uika-san, you always make people's hearts flutter."
That calm reply made a flicker of realization cross Uika's face. Then, as if in resignation, she clenched her fist tightly over her aching heart, the pain like a sharp blade that left her breathless.
But idols had the instinct to smile in any moment.
No matter how much pain she was in, she managed to keep up her gentle expression.
The moment she heard Haru's reply, she understood.
Her confession… had been rejected.
If her earlier joy over him had been uncertain, not quite enough to define as "love," then the sorrow and heartbreak she now felt from his rejection made it crystal clear.
Just as Togawa Sakiko and Wakaba Mutsumi had said...
She truly liked him.
She wanted to eat with him, talk about silly everyday things, go on walks together after meals…
"…"
Haru looked into the still, violet depths of her eyes and sighed again in his heart.
He couldn't accept her confession.
Ever since that accidental moment between them, he'd begun to sense Uika's feelings. But perhaps because of Sakiko's influence, she hadn't been able to express them openly until now.
If he didn't feel the same way, then he had to turn her down, clearly and kindly.
To indulge someone's affections without reciprocating them to lead them on, or to accept their feelings when there was no love, that was the real betrayal.
And Haru could never do something like that.
He owed the people around him better than that. He couldn't just accept anyone who came to him.
"…I see."
Uika's voice was soft, as if it took great effort. She looked seriously at the boy beside her, then after a pause, gave a faint smile.
Because Haru knew her confession had come from a place of sincere, burning feeling, he felt guilty in return.
Just as he was about to say something, the girl suddenly lifted her head.
The stunning golden-haired girl curved her lips into a lovely smile, her eyes squinting slightly in crescent moons.
As if the "rejection" had left no mark on her at all.
Still smiling, Uika lightly pressed her lips together, her violet eyes meeting Haru's without hesitation.
"I think I told you once before, didn't I?"
"I'm just a simple girl from a distant countryside island. That's where I first met Sakiko, we became really close."
There was a wistfulness in her eyes as she spoke, and just recalling those days made her lips curl into a gentle smile.
"But Sakiko left my hometown soon after. I came to Tokyo on my own, working as hard as I could to catch up to her, but I completely overestimated myself…"
The idol group Sumimi had always been seen as "idols who bring sunshine and hope to people." And Uika, always smiling, had shone like the sun to those around her.
But the sun burns itself to give light.
Only after getting to know her did Haru begin to realize how lonely and exhausted she truly was beneath that gentle surface. She was like a match burning brighter and brighter until it burned out.
"…Being an idol is incredibly hard. I've suffered a lot just to get through rehearsals and jobs. No matter how tired I am, I have to put on a full smile again the next day."
"I used to think… it would just go on like this forever."
Her voice trailed off as a touch of guilt crossed her lovely features. She spoke again with an apologetic tone.
"Sorry, Haru-kun, for complaining like that."
If she'd never met Haru, maybe it really would have gone on that way.
She wouldn't be living for herself, but chasing after Sakiko's shadow.
But now, Uika wanted to do something for herself.
"Well~ I guess I'll just have to work even harder."
She wasn't going to give up.
I'll definitely make you fall for me.
That unspoken vow seemed to shine through her brilliant smile, and Haru, realizing that Uika had no intention of giving up, found himself momentarily speechless.
…
"Haru-kun, I'll be going now~"
Wearing her sneakers, Misumi Uika waved cheerfully in Kazami Haru's direction, her violet eyes shimmering with romantic color, openly filled with warmth and joy as she looked at him.
She'd have to ask Mutsumi later, how could she make him fall in love with her?
"Uika-san, next time you really have to pay for dinner."
Haru frowned in exasperation as he saw her off, having once again freeloaded a meal. His gaze as he watched her leave held a tangle of emotions, and then he returned inside to clear the dishes.
So… Uika really didn't intend to give up?
Of course, Haru had no reason to deny her the right to feel love, especially after he had just turned down her passionate confession face-to-face.
But even so, he couldn't accept her feelings.
"Whew…"
Haru let out a breath. Since he had chosen the harem path, he had to commit to it completely. He had already made up his mind to take full responsibility, for a lifetime.
Buzz~
Suddenly, his phone lit up with a barrage of stickers from Anon. The pink-haired girl had gotten rather cocky since becoming his "official girlfriend," practically radiating smugness.
Truthfully, she still seemed mostly opposed to the whole idea of a harem, especially after learning that Soyo was involved. She clearly struggled with the thought of getting along with Soyo.
From the looks of it, Soyo probably felt the same way.
Even back when he and Soyo had confirmed their relationship, it was obvious things between her and the "Little Wooden Block" were anything but smooth.
Only Tomori seemed to be the glue, like Ultraman Cosmos fusing with Legend and Saga. No matter who she was with, she got along effortlessly, and even the "bad girl" Soyo had nothing negative to say about her.
The interrupted date with Kita still lingered in Haru's mind. He hadn't even gotten to deliver the confession he had planned. Since she had already confessed her feelings to him, he had to formally respond next time.
The biggest issue now was probably Ryo…
Ryo, who on the surface seemed the most carefree, had perhaps the strongest and most unyielding personality of them all. There was no way she would accept something like a harem. With her proud, aloof nature, she would never compromise.
"Speaking of which…"
Opening his phone, Haru suddenly remembered all the missed calls he had gotten recently from unknown numbers. He had been too busy with the cultural festival to deal with them, but now that things had settled, he realized something felt off.
He had submitted one of his pieces to a youth art exhibition, shouldn't he have gotten a reply by now?
With that thought, Haru casually opened the email inbox he'd used for the submission.
In the next moment, his screen flooded with messages, wave after wave, all from the same sender and address.
