My Simulation… Why Is It Turning into a Real Romance?!-Chapter 383 - 174: Who Are You Calling Jealous?

"Looks like there aren't any stars tonight either."

Misumi Uika's voice carried a hint of wistfulness as she raised her eyes to the pitch-black sky, a sky that seemed to seal off the world beyond. Snow swirled and fell in silence, veiling even the faintest traces of starlight.

But she remembered something.

The first time she tasted Haru's cooking, when he personally walked her out, the night had looked much the same. Back then she had been torn and fragile, too afraid to admit the seed of emotion already buried in her heart.

Who would have thought that in such a short time, everything between them would change so completely?

And most importantly, this time she wasn't walking back to that hollow, freezing apartment where warmth never reached. She was heading toward a home that overflowed with warmth and joy, a place that made her heart glad.

"Thinking about me?"

Haru tilted his head under the pale umbrella, his teasing words bringing a blush to Uika's face. She nodded with uncharacteristic honesty, replying shyly,

"Mm. I was remembering things we've been through."

"Like when you said you were only 'evaluating' me for Sakiko, and ended up stealing me for yourself?"

"That's not how it was…"

Uika waved her small hands, flustered, but before she could explain further Haru reached out and caught her fingers, wrapping her icy tips in his palm. His touch was gentle, as if coaxing a startled fawn.

It felt like cupping a snowflake in his hand, letting it melt slowly against his skin.

It had been a while since they held hands.

As lovers, this wasn't their first time. Her fingers always carried a subtle coolness, but beneath it there was a warmth, like spring water flowing between them. Tonight, she squeezed his hand back with more strength, her lips curving faintly.

"I was just wondering… if I had said I liked you earlier, what would we be like now?"

She brushed her shoulder against his, timidly inching closer. She had every right to be spoiled like the other girlfriends, but Uika always carried herself with polite restraint.

"Mm?!"

Suddenly, warmth pressed against her shoulder. Haru's strong arm wrapped around her, drawing her close until even the umbrella seemed to widen around them.

It felt like being embraced by moonlight itself.

"What do you think? You'd already be completely mine by now."

"Eh…"

Her violet eyes wavered as she turned aside. Of course she knew what the others were like—how even the blunt Kaede occasionally flushed with silent longing, or how Sakiko, with her delicate pride, struggled to hide it.

Haru grinned at her reaction, the mischievous smile of a boy pulling pranks just to catch a girl's attention.

"Your hand's been cold this whole time. How about now? Still chilly?"

"S-still… a little cold?"

She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. Heart pounding, she raised her flushed face, cheeks hot enough to melt the snow around them, and confessed anyway.

She was being greedy again.

"Really now. Even after I'm holding you like this?"

Haru's playful voice brushed her ear. Uika shook her head in a panic, blurting, "No, no, it's fine! I was just kidding earlier—"

Her words were cut off.

Soft warmth pressed against her lips, sunlight flooding into her chest. Her pulse surged, breath mingling with his in white puffs against the frigid air.

"…"

Pinned against the wall, Uika forgot the cold entirely. When he finally pulled back, she felt an ache of loss. Her trembling fingers betrayed how shaken she was, her thoughts in complete disarray.

She covered her burning cheeks with both hands, violet eyes hazy as they met his.

"How about now? Should I lend you my scarf too?"

He watched her like one admires a work of art, amused at her cuteness. Her body trembled as she covered her mouth, face blazing.

"I-I'm fine. Not cold at all anymore."

"But… if possible, I'd like… a little more warmth."

That made Haru blink. Her cheeks were crimson, but her eyes were steady.

"Didn't expect you to be even greedier than you look."

The words made her whole body jolt. Heat surged through her veins, face so red it hurt, until she lowered her head in shame.

"Sorry. I'm just a selfish, bad girl."

"I don't see it as a bad thing. Actually, I'm glad you're greedy for me." Haru chuckled, tugging her warm ear. Before she could smile, his gaze sharpened.

"But that aside, there's something else. Nyamu had all kinds of dirt on me when she came at me before, every strike going straight for the weak points. I've been wondering ever since… who told her?"

Who else could it be?

Uika stiffened. She wasn't good at lying. When Nyamu had pestered her back then, she'd caved. After all, Nyamu loved Haru too, so maybe sharing a little wouldn't hurt, she'd thought.

That small weakness had led her to spill far too much.

"S-sorry!"

She lowered her eyes, staring at the dangling ends of their scarf, still carrying strands of their tangled hair.

The guilt pressed her down until even her bones softened.

She had once been a girl desperate for love, willing to investigate everything about Haru to win his heart. She had schemed, changed her image, attacked relentlessly. She had been sly, clever, even manipulative.

"So I was right. It was you feeding her info?"

Uika nodded, cheeks flaming.

The culprit was revealed at last.

Because of her loose lips, Nyamu had hammered Haru with perfect precision. And so, Haru had already decided that there had to be some form of punishment.

He arched a brow, voice laced with humor.

"Since you never warned me, I think a little punishment is in order, don't you?"

"…I understand."

Uika only nodded, her cheeks glowing red, as if steam were rising off her head. Her adorable expression made Haru chuckle, so he leaned in with deliberate teasing.

"Aren't you worried I might go too far with you?"

"…P-please, punish me however you want."

She pressed her wrists together in front of her chest, like a criminal waiting for shackles. The helpless, unresisting pose of a flower laid bare sent a strange heat through Haru's body despite the frosty snow all around them.

What?

A little Sumimi idol daring to act this bold?

Clearly she assumed Haru wouldn't truly do anything, and she had the nerve to test his patience this way. But Haru was no longer the man he used to be. The thought stoked his restlessness even more.

He casually pulled a few black hair ties from his pocket and wrap them, loop by loop, around her delicate wrists.

…

It didn't take long.

After all, they were on the way back to the Christmas party, so Haru couldn't keep her too long. But he still gave the brazen Sumimi idol a taste of "punishment," enough to leave her properly flustered.

Walking at his side, Uika's eyes shimmered faintly red, yet her lips curled into a radiant smile. Unlike the reserved politeness from earlier, she now clung tightly to his arm, holding it to her chest.

So much for punishment.

In fact, she looked happier, eerily similar to how Kita Ikuyo reacted in certain situations. Haru had the strange feeling he'd just awarded a gold medal to a champion guitarist on the podium.

"Mm…"

Uika tilted her head softly, her eyes glowing like a gentle lamb.

Her knees trembled, her steps on the snow unsteady, yet inside she felt a fullness she'd never known before. Almost instinctively she wrapped her arms around Haru's neck, as if seeking something to anchor her.

Haru gave her a look caught between amusement and disbelief. She noticed, biting her lip.

"S-sorry… Sakiko and the others must be waiting."

Her voice carried a guilty edge, as though ashamed of her own actions.

And yet she was smiling!

Haru rolled his eyes, ready to retort, but Uika suddenly stopped walking. She lifted her violet gaze, eyes that seemed to tug at his very soul.

"…Still, I think I've made a serious mistake."

"Just this little bit isn't nearly enough to make up for it. It feels too light. I… I think I should be punished more harshly. So maybe… we should continue later?"

"What do you think, Haru?"

Now she was eating the cake and asking for seconds.

He had only meant to tease her, but somehow he was the one being pushed along. Before, when he called her greedy, it had been half a joke. Now it was undeniable truth.

Raising a brow, Haru replied flatly, "Then how about this... Your punishment is not being allowed to talk to me for a whole week."

"…T-that one's impossible!"

Just moments ago she had been all shy expectation, gazing at him with soft eyes. Now those same violet eyes widened in panic, trembling with guilt, as though they might fill with tears any second.

Anyone else would forgive her instantly, no matter the crime.

Seeing her that way, Haru sighed and abandoned the prank. He pinched her nose lightly, then drew her back into his arms. His voice softened.

"Then tell me, Uika. If it were up to you, what should I do?"

She stayed quiet for a long moment.

"…I'll take care of myself today. And tonight, I'll come to your room."

Her tentative words brushed his ear. Haru blinked, stunned, not expecting her to say that. The air between them fell silent, their eyes meeting, her lips trembling with words she couldn't say.

"Th-this isn't okay?" she asked weakly.

"…No, nothing like that. Then we'll do it your way."

What else could he do?

Uika had made her intentions clear. For her, punishment wasn't nearly as sweet as reward. And after Haru's repeated half-stops and teases today, even the "professional idol" known for her calm smile must have reached her limit.

"I understand…"

Haru's instinctive reply made a flicker of joy shine in Uika's eyes. She shyly twisted a strand of golden hair that had fallen against her shoulder, her beautiful face flushed with both expectation and embarrassment. The air between them fell quiet once more.

So the question was, what should he do now?

…

Holding her small hand, Haru suddenly felt sweat prick his back. At her words, the freezing winter air no longer felt cold. The problem was, tonight he didn't exactly have an empty schedule, he had already arranged for Taki to come by around midnight.

And now, with Uika suddenly added into the mix, his plan was thrown into chaos.

…

Time was short, and there was no way he could stagger the two of them.

Unable to think of any neat solution, Haru drew in a sharp breath. Looking at Uika by his side, he closed his eyes firmly as if reaching a decision. Even his black eyes, when they opened, carried a hint of resolve.

It had come to this, so he would eat what came to the table.

If one came, he'd take one. If two came, he'd take both.

Worst case, he would just let Uika and Taki show up together. It wasn't something anyone could really avoid at this point, so moving things up a little wasn't the end of the world. In fact, it was probably the best option left.

At the moment, only one word fit the situation.

Battle.

…

By the time the two returned home, the Christmas party decorations were already complete.

Not only the living room and the entryway, but even the hallways had been hung with colorful streamers and glowing lights. Almost all the work was finished. Even Soyo, who had been in charge of cooking, now stood at the door with a towel in hand, waiting for them.

"You two are way too late. Everyone else has already arrived."

Nagasaki Soyo looked calmly at the pair holding hands as they came in. Her brows knit gently, like a worried wife, as she stepped forward to wipe the snow from Haru's hair and clothes. Her tender, capable motions carried a grace that could only inspire admiration.

"The snow piled up on the road and slowed us down. I'm really sorry we're late…"

Haru apologized with a faint smile. Seeing him like that, Soyo only sighed softly, then rose on tiptoe and sealed his unfinished words with a kiss. Blushing, she stepped back at last.

"Well, I suppose there's nothing to be done."

Her casual words shifted as she turned toward Uika. Just as she moved to brush the snow from her as well, Uika realized what was happening and quickly released Haru's hand. Her goddess-like features flushed with shame and apology as she bowed her head.

She hurried to speak first.

"Th-that's alright, I can do it myself! And I'm so sorry! I didn't help at all with the Christmas preparations… and we even came back so late and kept everyone waiting. I'm really, really sorry. If there's anything I can do to make up for it…"

"Uika-chan, that's not what Soyo-chan meant!"

From the living room doorway, Nijika peeked out, her face warm with kindness. She frowned just slightly, scolding like a mother. "But Haru, honestly. How could you let a girl stay outside so long? What if Uika-chan caught a cold?"

In front of Nijika, the best option was always to admit fault.

"That's right, that's right, Soyorin's just jealous~"

"…Who are you calling jealous?"

Anon's carefree jab only deepened Soyo's blush. She tried to deny it, but her voice was weak, her attitude lacking firmness, making her protest sound like nothing more than stubborn lip service.

"Well, everyone's finally here! Let's get started!"

"…My stomach's already empty."

"Haru, come sit with us too~"

The chatter of the girls in the living room rose at once, filling his ears. With fifteen people crowded into the small space, even Haru couldn't keep up his aloof act. A faint, helpless smile spread across his pale cheeks.