My Romance Simulation with Them

"..." Futaba Rio.

Rio Futaba didn't answer Nango's obviously teasing remark; she just glared at him with her beautiful eyes.

Because she clearly knew just how 'sci-fi' her reason sounded to others.

Did you fall in love with someone just because of a 130 yen red bean bun?

The reaction from Nanxiang was actually quite good.

If I told my classmates, they might become a laughing stock and spread the next day.

On the other side, Nanxiang was not only a little surprised, but also a little curious.

I wonder who this Kunimi Yuma really is?

Is it good-looking?

Could someone possibly be better looking than him?

不 ...

That's probably impossible.

Nanxiang shook his head.

His appearance score is 9, which is already considered quite terrifying.

Even according to the original work, Kunimi Yuu is a sunny and handsome young man.

Its appearance score is at most around 7 to 8 points.

It's simply impossible to compare yourself to him.

But Rio Futaba fell in love with Yuuma Kunimi because of a red bean bun...

but--

Does that really count as 'liking'?

Even now, Nango Toki still has doubts in his heart.

All Kunimi Yuuma did was hand the red bean bun to Futaba Rio, who was somewhat at a loss at the time.

Compared to the arduous long-term relationship.

Nango felt that Rio Futaba's feelings for Yuma Kunimi were more like gratitude and admiration for someone who had helped her.

For teenagers in their adolescence who are experiencing the hazy feelings of love and romance.

This kind of thing actually happens quite often.

Especially Rio Futaba's personality...

Nango looked at Rio Futaba.

Beneath her seemingly strong 'science girl' exterior lies an introverted, withdrawn personality, and a deep sense of unease about changes in the outside world.

She had an indescribable sense of inferiority about her precocious breasts.

This has shaped her personality, which is characterized by confusion, fear, longing for the sun yet worrying about being burned.

under these circumstances.

As long as someone lends her a helping hand, it doesn't matter whether the person is Kunimi Yuma or not.

The bespectacled girl in front of him would probably 'like' him.

But is this kind of 'liking' really 'liking'?

This kind of 'liking' is far too cheap and too fragile.

But that's all I could think of.

I started having headaches when I was in Nanxiang.

Is it true that the simulator girl is good at choosing her people?

It seems that the subjects she chooses to simulate are all rare, troubled girls.

And troublesome girls like Rio Futaba, who have their own set of theories and perspectives... are even more difficult to handle.

but...

Forget it.

All he could do was remind Rio Futaba, that was all.

Thinking of this, Nango looked up at Futaba Rio and said, "Futaba-kun."

"Ok?"

"There's only one thing I want to ask right now."

"...you say."

Do you really 'like' Kunimi Yuma?

He emphasized the pronunciation of the word 'like', and his gaze remained calm during his visit to Nanxiang.

What are you trying to say?

Rio Futaba couldn't help but frown again.

She was somewhat dissatisfied with Nanxiang's question.

but--

"I'm not trying to sow discord; frankly, doing this would do me absolutely no good."

Nanxiang continued speaking without pausing or beating around the bush:

"I just hope you think carefully and don't confuse the two different feelings of 'longing' with 'liking'."

"..." Futaba Rio.

Are you confusing 'longing' with 'liking'?

Who?

Her?

That's impossible.

Recalling her reaction when Kunimi Yuuma handed her the red bean bun...

Rio Futaba instinctively wanted to refute Nango Toki's statement.

But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to say the words of rebuttal.

Rio Futaba could inexplicably sense the hesitation in her heart.

"This actually happens quite often."

Nanxiang's dark eyes seemed to see right through her thoughts.

"..."

Rio Futaba lowered her head, unsure how to answer.

Can't even be sure of your own feelings?

Nanxiang rested her chin on her hand and sighed softly.

I have a feeling that he's trying to poach my girlfriend for no reason.

But what needs to be said still needs to be said.

As an observer, he saw things much more clearly than Rio Futaba does now.

He continued in a calm tone: "I believe that when you are at a loss, and Kunimi lends you a helping hand, you will feel good towards him... This is a very normal human emotion."

"But has Futaba ever considered that while admiring someone and liking someone are very similar, they are completely different things?"

He held up two index fingers.

Just as love at first sight may indeed exist in the world, there are definitely not that many cases of love at first sight.

That's about all I have to say.

Nanxiang briefly summarized, standing up: "Whether you truly like someone or decide to pursue them, ultimately, these things are none of my concern."

"But before you take action, I still need to tell you this: don't confuse the feelings of longing with the feelings of liking."

"If you still decide to get the secret to being popular from me later... that's fine too. Let's add each other on LINE."

Nanxiang spoke calmly and casually, summarizing the whole matter in just a few words, while also preparing follow-up measures.

This decisive and unwavering attitude made Rio Futaba nod in agreement and log his LINE account into her phone.

'Tokyo's most handsome boy'.

Looking at the new LINE friend nickname that appeared on my phone screen, besides Azusagawa Sakuta and Kunimi Yuma, I saw a third one.

Rio Futaba remained silent.

Nanxiang's LINE nickname, just like his attitude, can be described as extremely confident.

"Then that's settled."

Nanxiang glanced at the time and said, "I need to go to the gym to pack up the equipment later, so I'll head over now."

"...good."

Rio Futaba didn't know what to say, her fluffy hair swaying slightly as she watched Nango Toki leave.

Then.

She looked at the beaker in front of her and the still-burning alcohol lamp.

"...Do you 'look forward to' and 'like' it...?"

She muttered to herself.

The topics of conversation with Nango had long since deviated from her original intentions.

But what the other person said did bother her.

Regarding Kunimi's feelings...