My Simulation… Why Is It Turning into a Real Romance?!

"It's been about a year since we last met, right? It feels like you've really changed, Sakiko."

"Has it been that obvious?"

Sakiko Togawa lifted her coffee cup with a grace etched into her very bones. Beneath her poised smile, though, her heart held a trace of bitterness.

Even her childhood friend Uika Misumi, who hadn't seen her in a year, could immediately tell something was different. That only made Sakiko feel more restless and suffocated.

Sakiko… Something's definitely off.

Uika subtly noticed the small, nearly imperceptible movements of the girl across from her. Her elegant violet eyes flicked briefly in Haru Kazami's direction. To disguise the glance, she casually sipped from her coffee cup.

And the moment she did, her eyes widened in astonishment.

The first sip of the Blue Mountain coffee was as smooth as milk, slipping down her throat with a velvety texture. A mellow sweetness, infused with the fresh aroma of hand-ground beans, followed by a subtle bitterness and hint of tartness—its rich layers danced on her tongue and lit up her senses.

What an incredible flavor...

This must've been brewed by Haru himself, right?

Noticing the surprise in Uika's eyes, Sakiko's lips curled into a quiet smile. She took a small sip as well, letting the warmth trail down her throat and settle in her chest.

The warmth quickly spread through her whole body, making her eyes gently narrow in contentment.

"Uika, it's good, isn't it?"

"It really is. It's delicious."

Uika gave an honest review.

As a member of the popular idol group Sumimi, she had a busy schedule, and would sometimes sip a hot cup of coffee to soothe her body and spirit. But no matter how many trendy cafés she'd visited, none had offered a cup so flavorful and comforting. One taste and she knew she'd never forget it.

Sakiko could sense that Uika's surprise was genuine. For some reason, that lifted her mood.

Sakiko… might actually be happy right now?

Uika caught the subtle change in Sakiko's expression, like a child proudly showing off something she loved. Even though she hadn't brewed this coffee herself, she looked proud of it all the same.

Proud in a way she couldn't hide.

So, it really is like that, huh?

Uika set her cup down gently and began to probe.

"Sakiko, do you like the coffee here?"

"Eh? I guess I do."

I'm pretty sure it's not 'the coffee' you like, it's the person who brews it.

Uika kept the conversation light, her smile warm but polished with the ease of an idol. All the while, her refined violet gaze never stopped watching Sakiko's every little gesture.

In the midst of their small talk, she found an opening and suddenly asked—

"Sakiko…"

"Are you close with Haru?"

This time, Uika didn't beat around the bush. Her tone was as casual as if she were commenting on the weather.

"…"

But that "casual" question made Sakiko freeze, her cup pausing mid-air. The sudden inquiry caught her off guard, just when she had started to let her guard down.

She quickly regained her composure, putting on a neutral expression.

"What makes you ask that?"

Sakiko didn't answer directly, she volleyed the question back instead.

"I saw you two walking together once."

The moment Uika said that, Sakiko's heart faltered.

Uika kept her tone light, as though continuing a normal conversation. "You looked really happy at the time. It made me wonder if you two were close."

She saw us?

Sakiko's fingers tightened slightly around the coffee cup's handle.

Knowing Uika had seen her with Haru made something churn inside her, a spiral of emotions she couldn't control. The memory, that moment she'd wanted to keep just for herself, had been seen.

A sudden wave of anxiety and irritation began to twist through her mind.

But she didn't want Uika to get the wrong idea. Trying to keep her face calm, she replied quietly:

"We're just friends."

Just friends?

Uika's breath caught for a moment.

She had braced herself to hear something more... definite. The emotions on Sakiko's face had already spoken volumes. And yet, all she got was a flat, "We're just friends."

That didn't feel like the truth.

Uika had known Sakiko since they were kids. She knew what her smiles meant.

Even though Sakiko's band, CRYCHIC, had disbanded, its website and Twitter were still active. Uika would occasionally browse the photos of Sakiko from their time together. And yet, she'd never seen her smile the way she had with Haru.

Facial expressions don't lie.

Even if Sakiko denied it with words, Uika couldn't believe it was that simple.

Clearly, indirect probing wasn't enough. Uika sipped her coffee again and spoke, her voice light with feigned regret.

"I guess I misunderstood."

"I thought you two were… dating."

As soon as the words dropped, Sakiko's hand visibly shook.

Once a refined young lady from a wealthy family, Sakiko Togawa had been trained in etiquette and grace since childhood. Her every step and movement carried a natural elegance few could replicate.

But now, that same girl had nearly dropped her coffee cup from a simple tremor in her fingers.

"No, we're not!"

Her voice, usually composed, cracked with tension. Her perfectly sculpted brows drew together in sharp arches as her tone rose in urgency.

The moment her emotions wavered, she forced herself back into calmness. But the warmth in her smile had cooled. Her fingers, white from gripping the cup too tightly, told a different story—

Sakiko Togawa was not nearly as calm as she looked.

"I'm sorry, Sakiko…"

Uika quickly apologized, her face full of guilt.

Maybe she'd gone too far with her probing. She hadn't expected the warm, kind Sakiko she once knew to show such a cold expression. The shock of it filled her with remorse.

"It's fine."

Sakiko shook her head softly, her amber eyes drifting toward the counter.

Just hearing the word "couple" alongside Haru's name had made her heart pound wildly. That moment of instability had stirred up a storm of restlessness inside her.

Because she wasn't the same Sakiko Togawa anymore.

She was no longer the carefree rich girl. Now, every day was a struggle just to keep living.

Sakiko had resolved to take back everything she'd lost, even if she had to kill the weaker version of herself to do it.

Because there was no going back.

Even if she could only find a shred of comfort from Haru Kazami, that alone would be enough. But even then, she couldn't bring herself to reach out for him.

If it were the old her, maybe she would've—

No. She couldn't afford to think like that anymore.

Sakiko took a deep breath. The exhaustion and frustration within her only swelled.

She had no right to wish for anything more.

"Uika, how's your work been lately…?"

"Sumimi's been going okay. It's all thanks to your encouragement."

Sakiko swiftly shifted the topic to friendly chatter, and Uika picked it up effortlessly. But her mind was no longer on the conversation.

Why had Sakiko reacted so strongly to the topic of being a couple?

Did she hate Haru?

No, that didn't make sense.

If Sakiko really disliked that black-haired boy, she wouldn't have come to his café. She wouldn't have looked so proud when talking about the coffee he made. There were definitely feelings there, beyond just friendship.

So then… was she just unable to face her own emotions?

"…"

And then, a possibility dawned on Uika.

Could it be… that Haru Kazami already had a girlfriend, and gentle Sakiko didn't want to interfere with someone else's relationship? That she couldn't suppress her burning, pure feelings, and so could only visit the café where he worked from time to time, just to catch a glimpse of his face, to ease the bitterness and longing in her heart?

And because she didn't want Haru to feel awkward or suspicious, she couldn't come often, just once in a while. Then, at night, she'd curl up under her blanket, quietly shedding pearly little tears.

How could this be?

Uika Misumi's head was spinning. She had no idea how to even begin untangling this mess.

...

"They seem to be getting along well."

From behind the café counter where he occasionally brewed and served coffee, Haru Kazami stole a glance toward the table where Sakiko Togawa and Uika were seated. When he saw the smile on Sakiko's face, he finally relaxed a bit and nodded to himself.

Thank goodness it wasn't a busy day. If he'd had to juggle brewing and serving alone, he would've been overwhelmed.

Buzz...

His phone buzzed in his pocket. Without hesitation, Haru pulled it out and spotted a LINE notification from a cucumber-flower profile icon. There was only one cute airhead who'd use something like that.

"Mutsumi?"

Seeing a message from the ever-adorable Mutsumi, Haru took the opportunity to slack off mid-shift.

Cucumber-chan (nickname): Haru, do you have a moment?

Haru: Of course I do. What's up?

If Cucumber-chan's messaging, then even if he didn't have time, he'd make time!

Cucumber-chan: Haru, do you know where Sakiko is?

Cucumber-chan: I need to talk to her, but she's not replying to my messages…

Haru raised a brow and instinctively looked in Sakiko's direction.

Just then, Sakiko happened to sneak a glance his way as well. Their eyes met midair, and she jolted slightly, quickly looking away as if stung by electricity.

What's this now, Mutsumi-senpai? Crushing on Haru-senpai?

He immediately understood the situation. Sakiko had just been so immersed in chatting with the blonde that she hadn't even noticed Mutsumi's messages.

Haru replied without hesitation:

Haru: She probably just missed your texts. I'll let her know in a bit.

Moments later, his phone buzzed again.

Cucumber-chan: Soyo invited me to a live show and wants me to ask Sakiko too.

Wow. So it's really all about inviting Sakiko, huh?

Soyo-san was playing the long game, using Mutsumi as a messenger to reach Sakiko. Classic.

Haru couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

He figured Soyo still hadn't let go of her hopes to revive CRYCHIC. Honestly, if he peeled off her stockings, he half-expected to find "Resurrect CRYCHIC" scribbled on the soles of her feet.

A little while later, Uika—ever the professional idol—seemed to have reached the start of her work shift.

Sakiko, ever the responsible one, quickly picked up the bill and paid at the front. The two stunning girls smiled and parted ways at the entrance of the café, each heading in opposite directions.

Haru checked his watch, occasionally glancing toward the door. As expected, it wasn't even thirty seconds before the blue-haired girl with a shoulder bag circled around and returned to the café.

She even looked around nervously, clearly trying to make sure no one she knew spotted her sneaking back in.

The moment she stepped inside, she was greeted by Haru's knowing, half-amused stare.

Sakiko's breathtaking beauty was tinged with a bashful glow. She tucked a loose strand of light-blue hair behind her ear, cheeks softly flushed. Her delicate face, radiant like a butterfly in bloom, carried the faintest hue of embarrassment.

Sakiko, honestly—too cute.

If his "bro" Shiina Taki drew attention with sheer force and beauty, then hard-working Sakiko captivated him with natural charm and unearthly grace. She locked down his gaze without even trying.

"…Haru, what is it?" Sakiko asked softly.

Nothing really. Just thinking I'd be lucky to marry you.

"How was my performance just now?"

With a slightly smug grin, Haru asked for praise. Sakiko, who'd been tense the whole time, relaxed a little and smiled with relief.

"…Thanks to you, really. I don't know what I would've done without your help."

She truly meant it.

She'd panicked the moment she saw Uika outside the café.

If Haru hadn't instantly understood her signals and taken over brewing coffee in her place, she definitely would've been in trouble today.

"Haru, thanks for covering for me just now. Let me pay you for your shift."

She looked at him with gratitude and carefully reached into the worn brown wallet she pulled from her bag.

Even unopened, Haru could tell it had seen better days.

He quickly waved it off.

"No need. Just treat me to coffee sometime."

"…That won't do."

Seeing that Haru was trying to go easy on her, Sakiko paused for a second, then smiled warmly.

But as she recalled what Uika had said, her smile became a bit more subdued. Still, she stubbornly tried to pull out some cash.

She didn't want to owe him anything. She wanted to stand equal to him.

And Haru hadn't just covered for her.

While she was at the register, he'd sneakily applied both an employee and a student discount to her table, even tossing in two slices of cake under the excuse of "thanking Uika."

If things kept going like this, she wouldn't be able to repay him no matter what.

Haru, seeing the stubborn frown on her face, didn't press the issue.

Their bond was built on mutual support and equality. Someone like Sakiko, with her intense pride, would never allow herself to be in debt. If that balance was broken, the purity of their relationship would be, too.

"In that case, how about you treat me to dinner after your shift? I've got something I want to talk to you about, just the two of us."

After a bit of thought, Haru made the offer.

Even if Soyo hadn't asked Mutsumi to invite Sakiko to the live, Haru had already been thinking of asking her himself. But he wanted it to be her choice.

"…Just the two of us?"

Sakiko's eyes darted away.

Suddenly feeling nervous, she lifted her gaze, long black lashes fluttering. Her left hand clutched the hem of her skirt, and her petite figure lowered her head to hide the blush creeping onto her face.

Her thoughts were spiraling.

But she quickly tamped down the nerves. Gripping the strap of her bag, she replied softly, "Come to think of it… I know a really good ramen place."

Wait, which ramen place are you talking about now?

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