[Simulation count 1 acquired]
Though he hadn't done a simulation with Anon yet, that didn't stop Haru from quietly "mining" her.
For so reason, being close while teaching music gave him a bonus simulation count, twice in a row.
With the previous rewards, he now had three simulation attempts total!
Not quite enough to serve as "revival tokens," but more than enough for a proper simulation, such as a single route dedicated to Nijika-mama.
Of course, only if he didn't activate [VR].
"My mom's gonna be back soon! If you're still here when she gets ho, it's gonna be a disaster!"
"T-Today's lesson ends here!"
Suddenly wide-eyed, Anon jumped up and pushed Haru toward the door in a panic.
She'd only ant for him to stay an hour or two, but she got completely swept up in his gentle voice, his warm energy, and his careful explanations.
Before she knew it, they'd spent three to four hours on music theory!
Aaaaaaah, how dumb can I be?!
She got so into it that she didn't even realize how much ti had passed. It was already almost 7 PM!
If Haru hadn't stretched and noticed the ti from his phone, they might've gone even longer.
Even if her mom was coming ho late tonight, this was cutting it close.
"Anon, don't forget to review everything we went over today."
"For now, just focus on mastering chord transitions. We'll move on based on how you do."
Haru had spoken so much, his throat was dry and his voice scratchy, but the effort had been worth it.
Anon's mindset had changed completely. She was no longer stuck in avoidance mode, she could now face her weaknesses head-on.
And most importantly, she could now read guitar scores.
Outside a few tough guitar techniques that needed ti, she was doing fine.
"I'll head out then."
"Wait!"
Just as Haru turned to leave, he felt a tug on the back of his hoodie.
He turned, Anon was holding onto his sleeve.
She looked up at him, her cheeks faintly pink, eyes bright and playful.
Her smile sparkled under the lights, long lashes fluttering as her little fang caught the glow.
Her cherry blossom-pink hair shimred beautifully under the soft glow.
Full of youthful, springlike charm.
In a careful, almost whispery voice, she asked:
"Haru-haru~ Will you co... again tomorrow?"
Why did this feel like they were sneaking around behind soone's back...?
Haru blinked, stunned, unsure how to answer.
He silently repeated the phrase "Why are we playing Haruhikage" in his mind three tis to calm himself down.
It had to be the result of too much ti alone and her overly cute visuals, ssing with his head.
For a mont, he'd actually thought... she was cute and maybe... that she liked him.
But even Haru knew, it was just one of life's three big illusions: "She likes ."
"...I'll try to make ti. As long as no one else is ho."
He didn't want to risk awkward misunderstandings with her parents.
"Also, start carrying your guitar with you every day. That way, you can practice even during breaks at school. Nightti practice alone won't be enough to level up quickly."
When she heard he'd be coming again, a gleam of joy lit up Anon's eyes.
Without hesitation, she gently pinched the sleeve of his hoodie, staring at him with pure seriousness.
"You really an it, right? You better not break your promise!"
"Of course. We agreed. I'll accept paynt."
Oh right, there was still that "lesson fee."
With all the band stuff going on, Kazami Haru didn't have ti to work at the café anymore. So that "fee" might just be his ticket to three als a day. As long as he stuck to ¥300 per al, he could survive.
If things got worse, he might ask Taki if he could pick up shifts at RiNG.
But glancing at the slightly goofy look on the pinkhead's face, Haru decided to ask just in case: "Let ask first... what exactly are you planning to pay ?"
"This much?"
Chihaya Anon paused for a mont, then raised her right hand in an "OK" gesture.
The unclear signal made Haru raise an eyebrow.
Three fingers? Was she offering thirty thousand yen?
Pretty generous for a high school girl. Still felt a bit much though.
He was about to respond when she bead and added cheerfully:
"Three thousand yen."
"...Huh?"
"Per lesson."
"What?"
"I bought a bunch of new clothes and makeup recently, so I've only got a little pocket money left. Until Mom gives next month's allowance, that's all I can afford~"
As if to prove her point, she casually pulled out two ten-thousand-yen bills from her skirt pocket, like it was nothing.
The emotional whiplash nearly broke Haru's brain.
Usually, a two-hour beginner guitar lesson only cost around ¥2,000, and here was a high schooler casually carrying tens of thousands in cash and here was Haru, struggling just to buy lunch.
He really had underestimated this pinkhead.
Then again, Anon had studied abroad, just up and left for the UK when she wanted, then just as easily dropped everything and flew back when she felt like it. A rich girl through and through.
She just blended in with everyone too well. Her silly deanor made it easy to forget.
If he ever truly couldn't afford food anymore, maybe he'd just have to mooch off her.
An.
"Money feels... a little too formal."
"Eh? Then what do you want as paynt?"
When Haru shook his head and refused the "lesson fee," Anon blinked in confusion.
"A kiss."
He said it so casually that Anon froze, eyes wide.
"...Huh?!"
And then her face exploded in red, the blush crawling all the way to her ears like wildfire.
Her gaze darted everywhere. Her finger nervously twisted a strand of her silky hair. Her shining gray eyes looked like they were doing loops.
She slowly raised her chin, lashes trembling.
She instinctively avoided Haru's eyes, was it nerves? Or maybe... sothing else she hadn't noticed herself?
"I an UCC's 'KISS' canned coffee. Also, I want you to stock up on more sweets for . And sotis, grab a couple chocolate twist breads at school. That's enough for paynt."
Haru had a hunch what she'd been thinking, and explained calmly.
This pinkhead might act simple, but her instincts were sharp.
Last ti he missed going to RiNG because of work, she'd noticed. From that alone, she probably figured out he worked all the ti because of money.
She was likely just trying to find a way to help him without saying it outright.
Still, he didn't want to actually take her money.
As a bandmate, helping her with guitar and music theory was just sothing he wanted to do.
Asking for "paynt" was really just to make it easier for her to accept the help, Haru had no intention of taking a large sum from her.
Better to take small stuff like snacks or drinks, things that wouldn't cost her much at all.
"Ugh! Haru↑-haru↓! You big dummy! What are you even talking about?!"
Hearing his explanation only made Anon even more flustered, and she puffed up her cheeks in frustration, her cute little fang flashing as if she was ready to bite him.
She'd completely misunderstood, but it's his fault!
Why would he phrase it like that?! So embarrassing...
"Well fine! If you won't take money, then don't you dare complain about what I do give you!"
If she was going to repay him, it was going to be her way.
"Next ti, I'll have snacks ready for you! And that KISS coffee or whatever!"
"I'll even start making bento for you and bring it to school sotis! Eating cafeteria food or convenience store bread every day is super unhealthy. You might look fine now, but even I might beat you in stamina!"
"No turning it down!"
Haru looked at her flustered face and realized she'd completely misunderstood him.
But if he pointed it out now... knowing her, she'd probably flip out and hit him with a "turtle punch," or worse, try to actually bite him.
"..."
He wanted to say sothing.
But the fire in her eyes made him hold back.
Looks like this ti... he really had no choice but to accept.
...
By the ti he left Anon's house, the sky had already darkened.
Unlike the usual quiet neighborhoods, this wide street was bathed in warm neon even after sundown. People bustled back and forth under the glowing signs, the scenery vibrant and alive.
Haru walked slowly, brushing past the crowd, his black eyes narrowing toward the horizon.
The noise around him seed to fade, like he was wearing a plastic wrap helt, muffling the world.
Really, it was just hunger. He was dizzy.
"...Co to think of it, I still haven't eaten dinner."
"Should've at least grabbed a cup of coffee from Taki earlier."
Between the crash course in theory and the 1km chase after that damn pinkhead, he'd burned a ton of energy. And the matcha mochi he bought earlier had been snatched by said pinkhead.
He hadn't eaten a single thing in hours.
Even the pricey Roland keyboard he spent ¥150,000 on was still at RiNG. Hopefully Taki would keep an eye on it.
It was already too late for supermarket discount bento.
His future was looking bleak.
"Guess I'll have to eat out after all..."
Haru began scanning store signs when one caught his eye and wouldn't let go.
"...Yeah. Ran it is."
"Mm. Let's eat."
"Two bowls shouldn't break the bank... but..."
Haru rolled his eyes and looked to the side.
There, walking confidently beside him, was a white-haired girl with catlike charm, sniffing the air.
Her soft pink lips curved into a hungry smile. Her mismatched eyes stared up at him like a curious kitten.
They say stray cats will sotis follow you ho, sensing who's worth clinging to.
Once they've decided you're a steady food source, they'll stick like glue, owing pitifully until you give in.
That was the vibe Haru was getting now.
"Why are you here? And where did you even co from?"
"Played with cats. Got lost."
...That actually tracked with his ntal image of her.
"Raana, you're a middle schooler, right? You shouldn't be out this late."
Of course, his lecture went in one ear and out the other.
Her odd-colored eyes sparkled as she tilted her head, a soft pout on her lips. She held her tummy and looked up at him with pitiful eyes.
"...Hungry."
Yup. She wasn't listening at all.
"...Fine. We'll get ran. But you're going straight ho after."
At last, he gave in. His wallet let out a silent cry.
"Yay~"
Raana's joy was obvious. She moved in close, way too close.
No sense of personal space. Like a girlfriend snuggling up to her guy.
Haru had noticed before, Raana was unusually attached to him.
But really, she was just a snack-loving kitten. No ill intent whatsoever.
If it were Ryo... he might actually start to worry.
"Why are you standing so close?"
"You sll like sunshine. It's nice."
Raana answered plainly, with zero hesitation.
She loved lounging in the sun—on park benches, rooftops, wherever. The warm rays always helped her relax.
Being near Haru felt the sa. Warm. Safe.
...
"Here you go! One soba and one tonkotsu ran!"
Soon, two steaming bowls arrived at their table.
Sa old "Shiba Seki Ran." Even the sa booth.
Only this ti, he was with a different girl. The ran chef shot him a look but said nothing.
"...Mmm."
Raana leaned over her soba, staring at the steam with a sad little expression.
She held her chopsticks but didn't dig in. Haru slurping away couldn't help but glance at her, confused.
"Sothing wrong? Not hungry?"
"...It's really good."
Still frowning slightly, Raana replied seriously.
"I usually only eat it cold..."
"It's too hot this ti. I can't eat it."
So... she had a cat's tongue, huh?
Raana began gently blowing on her noodles in small puffs, but even with all that effort, the steaming soba in front of her wasn't cooling down fast enough.
And if you left steaming noodles to sit too long, they'd get soggy, and the texture would be ruined.
For soone like Kazami Haru, letting hot, fresh noodles just sit there was practically torture.
"Can't be helped..."
"If you wait too long, they won't taste good anymore."
Haru reached out and took Raana's chopsticks, employing the age-old thod of "manual cooling" to help bring the temperature down. Without wasting a second, he started feeding her the noodles himself.
When the broth dripped a bit from her lips, he even wiped her mouth gently with a clean napkin.
He was starting to feel less like a high school boy and more like a doting dad.
His own tonkotsu ran had gone mushy by now, but seeing Raana's satisfied, content smile—eyes half-closed in joy—made him feel it was worth the sacrifice.
That cute cat-like smile was paynt enough.
"Haru."
After a few bites, Raana slowly raised her head and looked at him with a mischievous, feline grin. Her hands propped under her chin, she stared straight at him.
Then, in the most casual tone, she spoke.
"I like you~"
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