My Simulation… Why Is It Turning into a Real Romance?!-Chapter 386: V6 Final - [Perfect Score]

Hiding under the covers, Sakiko's eyes trembled as only her steam-red little head peeked out.

Uika's whimpers rose and fell, then stopped eerily for a few seconds, only to be followed by Taki's broken pleas for mercy. The escalating sounds pierced through Sakiko's ears again and again, making sleep completely impossible.

"…Didn't I just say this earlier?"

Soyo, lying in the bed with her back turned, spoke softly. Her sideways posture seemed stiff and unnatural. She was trying to maintain her usual calm demeanor, but the flush spreading to the tips of her ears betrayed her.

Sakiko remained silent, still unwilling to waver.

Soyo's fingers clenched the sheets so tightly her knuckles went white. The octopus plushie in Sakiko's arms was squeezed out of shape. When another muffled cry tore through the walls, Soyo suddenly threw back her blanket.

"Where are you going?!"

"Just thirsty. Going for a glass of water."

Sakiko's amber eyes widened slightly at that reply. Under the moonlight, Soyo's honey-colored hair shimmered faintly. Barefoot on the carpet, she walked like a spirit stepping across moonbeams.

"Soyo, you're not thinking of disturbing Uika and the others, are you!?"

"…Heh, who knows~"

Soyo narrowed her sapphire eyes toward the wall. The teasing lilt in her voice turned Sakiko's cheeks crimson, but she shook her head quickly, brushing away the temptation, and grabbed Soyo's wrist.

"I—I won't let you bother Uika!"

"…But it looks to me like Uika's already at her limit, you know?"

Catching that brief moment of hesitation, Soyo gently shook her hand free, brushing her silky hair behind her ear as she added casually.

"Relax. I won't be the one to interrupt."

"But what the others decide to do… that, I can't say."

Leaving those words behind, she stepped out. Sakiko, trembling under the blankets, was left behind. As Soyo pushed open the door, the sounds grew louder, clearer. Her face reddened, but after a pause, she exhaled and walked toward the kitchen.

Only to nearly collide on the stairs with Mutsumi, dressed in light green pajamas.

"Soyo, can't sleep?"

Mutsumi held a steaming cup of milk. Her doll-like face remained calm, but the blush burning at her ears spread across her snow-white cheeks like clouds tinged by sunset.

Soyo's heart skipped, Mutsumi's silent steps had startled her. She crossed her arms, speaking with a strained tone: "…Of course I can't sleep. What about you, Mutsumi?"

"Couldn't sleep either. Wanted something to drink."

Blushing, she raised her cup of milk as proof of her innocence.

But her flimsy excuse shattered the moment Taki's hoarse "I can't anymore" cut through the walls. Mutsumi's hands shook violently, splashing drops of milk onto her nightgown in pale white blotches.

Soyo, understanding perfectly, said nothing. In this situation, who could stay calm? Thirst, dizziness, a brain spinning out of control... it was only natural.

"…I'm guessing Tomori didn't sleep either, huh?"

"..."

Mutsumi only nodded shyly, her palms sweating, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes. Calm was far beyond her.

Silence stretched, broken only by the ever-present rhythm from beyond the wall.

Just as Soyo was about to speak, a cool voice like ice shattered the tension:

"What are you three doing, awake in the middle of the night?"

They turned to see Yahata Umiri, her frosty face lit by the dim light. She frowned at the two silent girls, but Soyo wasn't cowed. She calmly lifted her gaze.

"We just wanted a drink of water. What about you, Umiri?"

"…Water."

The three stared at each other.

The iceberg beauty fell silent, her reply soft and fluffy, almost embarrassed:

"I was a little thirsty too."

And then...

"Me too. Couldn't sleep."

The new voice startled them. Standing behind was Ryo, expressionless. Soon, more faces appeared as bandmates, pink-haired brats, Nekos. Half of the harem had gathered in the hallway.

"S-so nobody's sleeping, huh?"

"…Come on, Bocchi. With all this noise, how could anyone?"

Hitori's tiny voice shook as she spoke, cheeks burning. Beside her, Anon forced a veneer of calm, though her trembling betrayed her. She even shot Soyo a mocking smile, silently teasing her for breaking her "early sleeper" image.

Flustered, Soyo could only blush deeper, unable to argue back.

"Didn't think it would come to this," someone muttered.

"So what now? Should we all hang out in the living room?"

Nyamu scanned the group. Apart from the penguin and the stray cat who had stayed in their rooms, nearly every girlfriend was here. Even the self-styled "adult" was left at a loss.

"…Do as you like. I'm going back to bed."

"Ryo?"

Ryo stretched with a lazy yawn. Nijika gawked, wasn't Ryo the one stirring trouble earlier? Yet now, in front of everyone, she seemed docile.

No. Something was off.

Nijika knew her too well. Blushing furiously, she could only watch as Ryo, with deadpan calm, opened Haru's door and slipped inside. The entire hallway froze in silence.

Then came the familiar voice from within.

"That girl! She's at it again!"

Nijika hissed her protest, but didn't have the courage to drag Ryo out.

Yet Ryo's boldness was contagious. The mood shifted instantly. The restless crowd grew rowdy, their gulps audible in the quiet hall.

"Ahaha~ W-well, I'm going back to bed too. Night, everyone!"

Kita Ikuyo's bright smile couldn't hide the crimson in her ears. Waving hurriedly, she dashed inside after Ryo, disappearing behind the same door.

...Wait, that's no "good night!"

Nijika stared, dumbfounded. Her bandmate had betrayed her in an instant, leaving her alone with Bocchi. Her heart pounded, shaken further.

Anon pressed her palms to her cheeks. According to the "girlfriend code," as long as you didn't sneak behind others' backs, it was fine. And Ryo and Ikuyo had acted openly. No rule broken.

"Anyway… I'll head to bed too. I wonder if Rikki's asleep yet."

With those words, Umiri brushed back her hair, slipping off her fluffy robe to reveal pale shoulders. Her cool, blushing face vanished into the room, thinning the ranks yet again.

"…It's hard to sleep alone."

"I—I'll go get Tomori then!"

Anon bolted into Mutsumi's room, dragging out a drowsy Takamatsu Tomori. Hand in hand, they walked openly into Haru's room under everyone's eyes.

The swelling numbers only fueled the chaos. With no attempt at restraint, the rising chorus inside grew clearer, harsher. The four girls left outside exchanged helpless glances.

"…Forget it!!"

Nyamu finally dropped her mature facade, grabbing a red-faced Bocchi and dragging her inside. Nijika's eyes widened, her bandmate had been taken, leaving only herself in the hall.

Sakiko, drawn out by the noise, froze at the sight. Even she couldn't keep calm.

"W-what is going on!? Just now, Nyamu and Bocchi..."

"As you can see, Saki-chan."

Soyo's voice was oddly flat. Her honey hair fell across her flushed face, unable to hide the blush spreading from her eyes.

"They went into Haru's room. And before that… Ryo with Ikuyo, then Tomori with Anon. Which means, Sakiko, Nijika, and I… we're the only ones left."

"U-uh!"

Nijika's face burned as she looked at the others. Sakiko's eyes shook violently, though Mutsumi somehow managed to keep her composure.

"Sakiko, Soyo…"

"…Shall we?"

Mutsumi's timid voice broke the tension. From within, Anon's muffled pleas rang out, proof the pink-haired brat had already been overwhelmed.

The rhythm of the bed frame against the floor was like storm waves battering a ship's hull.

Sakiko shuddered. Her words trembled: "T-this is too much! Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"Sakiko…"

"…Sounds fun~"

Before Mutsumi could persuade further, her hand was seized. With a sly grin, Raana appeared out of nowhere, dragging her along straight into the room.

The hallway was left with only Soyo, Sakiko, and Nijika. The final three holdouts, the last "defenders" of their bands.

But each of them knew. This fragile triangle would collapse the moment one of them took a step.

And then...

The door creaked open. Ryo emerged, disheveled, cheeks flushed, walking barefoot across the wood. She reached out and grabbed the stunned Nijika.

"Nijika. Ikuyo's already down for the count."

"…Now it's your turn."

"E-eh?! W-wait a sec—!"

Not paying attention to Nijika's shy protests, Ryo half-dragged, half-guided her into the room. That completely collapsed the fragile [triangle] faction that had been holding back, but this time, even Nagasaki Soyo had no intention of just waiting around anymore.

"Don't just stand there. Let's go too."

Soyo gave a curt snort, then glanced at the dazed Sakiko beside her.

"Th-that would be far too shameless! W-wait… Soyo, what are you doing, don't… don't take off my jacket!"

The tips of Sakiko's ears glowed red as she tried desperately to cling to the last traces of "dignity." Her stunning face, like a delicate peach blossom bathed in the warmth of spring, brimmed with dazzling beauty, so vivid it was almost irresistible.

Her flustered cries echoed out just as the room's door finally closed shut, completely.

…

The next morning.

Early dawn.

The faint light of morning washed across the sky like ink spreading on white paper.

A cool crispness lingered in the air outside, carrying with it a trace of floral fragrance. The black-haired boy's lashes trembled, and after a few moments' hesitation, he slowly opened his eyes. His deep onyx irises stared quietly at the ceiling.

"…Was it just a dream?"

The noisy calls of birds outside slowly cleared his muddled thoughts. Haru sat up and glanced at the tangle of snow-white bodies around him. He immediately had to cover his nose, taking several deep breaths before he could calm down at all.

Beside him, Taki clutched tightly to his right arm. Traces of dried tears still shimmered faintly at the corners of her eyes, accentuating the beauty mark by her eye. Her delicate cheeks still seemed to glow with a fading blush.

Haru stiffened, then turned his gaze further.

The supposedly "reserved" Togawa-san lay at his right, while beside her the little "penguin" was curled up like a kitten under the covers. As for Nijika, she lay against his chest, apparently one of the warriors who'd held out until the very end.

Though the floor was layered with rugs and blankets, nothing could hide their current "states." It was hard to imagine just how "rock-and-roll" last night's all-out battle had been. Haru couldn't help rubbing his temples.

"…We're supposed to have preparations this morning… what am I supposed to do now?"

The calm winter morning outside contrasted sharply with the chaos inside. Last night, pushed to his limits, he had long since lost restraint. In the end, he hadn't let a single challenger go unpunished. Anyone who came against him had been thoroughly... defeated.

Not only that, he'd chased them down like a battle god until they broke down crying.

At this point, there was nothing to be done. He couldn't bring himself to force them awake after exhausting them like this. With a flat expression, he simply lay back down, gathered the soft little penguin into his arms, and dozed off again.

That year's Christmas, it seemed, ended just like that.

The following days were tinged with a certain awkwardness. Whenever they tried to speak, strange silences would settle over the group. Pretty understandable, since memories of each other's most embarrassing moments still lingered fresh in their minds.

But there were benefits, too.

That "rock-and-roll" Christmas party had undeniably brought everyone closer together. Even if arguments arose again, they only had to tease each other by recalling those moments of surrender to break the tension.

In short~

After a few days, everyone returned to normal. What had happened could even be joked about over meals. Still, the more "reserved" girlfriends would turn crimson and fall silent, becoming easy prey for the others' teasing.

And so, before they realized it, New Year's Day had arrived.

Haru's calm face passed beneath the bright red torii gates. His black hair fluttered in the breeze as he raised his dark eyes, tossing a coin into the offertory box.

Clink. Clink.

He pressed his palms together softly and bowed.

"Time really does fly… It's already the New Year."

"In reality, it's been less than a week, hasn't it?"

"Ahaha, well… considering what everyone's been up to these past few days…"

The chatter of the girls behind him grew lighter. When Haru turned, he caught sight of Kita's flushed cheeks as she waved her hands frantically, while Anon beside her wore a sheepish grin.

He could only smile wryly.

"Alright, alright...come on, line up and take your turns praying."

Behind him stood fourteen girls in dazzling kimonos, forming a stunning sight along the shrine's New Year's path. Naturally, with him at the center as the only male, he drew the stares of countless onlookers.

"Haru, why so impatient? Already looking forward to tonight's New Year's party?"

Ryo's teasing tone carried a sultry edge that made the nearby "Shimokitazawa Angel" Nijika glare with wide crimson eyes. Her face aflame, she scolded:

"Ryo! How can you say things like that in front of the gods?!"

"That's right, that's right! S-so indecent!"

The bashful Lady Togawa immediately chimed in, and Ryo only smirked knowingly, pretending to zip her lips, though her smile never faded.

"Still, if I recall… Sakiko was way less restrained than any of us a few nights ago, wasn't she?"

"T-that was…"

Umiri's merciless jab turned Sakiko's face scarlet, while Soyo beside her chuckled softly, twirling her hair.

"Umiri's right~ That echo still lingers in my ears~"

"Don't say that! If Sakiko gets upset, next 'party' she'll just shove Haru at you in revenge, and then he'll be the one tormenting you instead."

Nyamu's remark made everyone blush as chatter erupted again. What should have been a solemn New Year's visit had devolved into chaos, leaving Haru [The true culprit] unable to get a word in.

Only Takamatsu Tomori blinked, smiling warmly as she watched them.

"Tomori, what's on your mind?"

Haru ruffled her soft hair. Mutsumi, standing nearby, frowned and grabbed his other hand, pressing it atop her own head. Haru could only give a helpless smile.

Tomori waved her hands nervously, her tone flustered. "N-nothing. I just… seeing everyone all together like this, I felt…"

"Happy?"

Hitori blurted it out with a blush, shrinking into her kimono sleeves. Tomori froze for a moment, then nodded like a little bird pecking grain, making Uika chuckle beside her.

"I… I'm happy. Being with everyone like this makes me really happy!"

She pressed her little fist against her chest, her heartfelt words making Hitori blush too. But before she could say anything, Taki suddenly stepped forward, face earnest, and clasped Tomori's hand.

"Me too! Tomori, I feel the same!"

"Next year, if we can still be like this… that would be wonderful, wouldn't it?" Tomori whispered hopefully. But Raana leaned over her shoulder and simply added, "For life."

Haru closed his eyes, a bright smile spreading across his face.

So that's it.

He finally understood why, even after everything, he had never once achieved a perfect 100 score in the [Ultimate Love Simulator]. At that moment, he only laughed, completely at peace.

"You're right..."

"From now on, for life… I'll be in your care."