Chapter 24: 24: How Absurd
In this simulation life, it's finally time to take action.
Chisato feels more alert.
[Eriri quickly opens the door. Her bright, smiling expression fades as soon as she sees you. She invites you in and bends down to fetch slippers for you.]
[You know who she's expecting, but unfortunately, you arranged for Tomoya Aki to work as a mascot at the cinema to create atmosphere.]
[By the time his part-time job ends, it will be early morning, so he won't make it to Eriri's birthday. Everything is according to your plan.]
How petty…
[After entering, you find that Eriri's parents are not home, and she is alone. You wish her a happy birthday and give her the gift, but she only smiles faintly at first, then remains sullen.]
[Seeing her like this makes you feel frustrated. You excuse yourself to the bathroom to freshen up and clear your mind.]
[In the bathroom, as you wash your hands, you accidentally catch a glimpse of some revealing personal items in the laundry basket through the mirror.]
[As you turn to look at the laundry basket, Eriri rushes over. Noticing your gaze, her eyes start to tremble with shyness.]
[She hurriedly moves to put away the underwear she had changed out of but loses her balance on the slippery floor. You quickly catch her around the waist to prevent a fall.]
[In close proximity, your heart races faster. You can't tear your gaze away from her clear blue eyes.]
[Her slightly open lips, showing a small tooth, and her soft body pressed against yours make your hidden feelings of infatuation erupt like a volcano. You prepare to…]
[1. Kiss her lips.]
[2. Kiss her cheek.]
[3. Kiss her eye corner.]
This is a classic romantic scenario from a manga.
However, such scenarios typically involve mutual feelings. Eriri clearly has someone else in her heart, making it an unconsented theft of her first kiss.
It's perverted, but he likes it.
Chisato's mischievous side emerges.
There's another chance for simulation, so if it doesn't work out, he can always try again.
The three options are quite similar, so he chooses the most exciting one.
Select 1.
[You hold Eriri in your arms. She's still dazed from the accident, and her face is very close.]
[You can even smell the pleasant shampoo from her recent shower. Unable to resist, you lean in and kiss her tender lips.]
Oh no.
The outcome depends on what happens next.
[Eriri's eyes widen in shock, and she remains motionless.]
[She doesn't resist, or perhaps she forgets to. She stays stunned until the kiss ends, seemingly unable to comprehend what just happened.]
[You gently press your lips together. It's your first kiss too.]
[Hormones make you excited, but in terms of sensation… honestly, it feels just warm and soft, not as thrilling as you imagined. You crave more, not just a brief touch.]
[As you try to savor the moment, Eriri finally reacts, pushing you away. She covers her lips with her hand, stumbling backward and leaning against the wall.]
[Blushing and stuttering, her reaction is somewhat comical.]
[Yet, at this crucial moment, you remain clear-headed.]
[You know your next actions will determine your future relationship, so you need a reasonable excuse for your impulsive behavior.]
[After a brief moment of thought, you decide on a preemptive strategy.]
[Before Eriri can question you, you preemptively say with a hint of dissatisfaction]
"What's so great about Aki?"
[Your unusually cold and detached tone causes Eriri, who was beginning to calm down, to freeze again.]
[She can't understand why, after you just forcibly kissed her, you can calmly question her.]
[Eriri's confusion gives you a moment to steady yourself. You continue,]
"Actually, Sawamura, you've never considered me a true friend, have you?"
[Under your deliberate guidance, her confused mind follows your lead. She subconsciously shakes her head, denying,]
"That's not it…"
[You seize the moment to press further,]
"Then why did you hide the fact that you draw adult content?"
[Eriri's eyes widen in surprise, and she reflexively asks,]
"How did you know, Suzumiya? Did Aki tell you?"
[She immediately covers her mouth, realizing she has said something she shouldn't have.]
[When two people have secrets between them, the one left out clearly feels excluded, right?]
[Your maneuver helps you turn the situation around. Eriri's initial anger from the forced kiss fades, replaced by guilt.
[After all, you've known each other for over three years since middle school, and friendship isn't something she can easily discard.]
[You didn't give her a chance to explain. With a look of despair, you left her house in a daze.]
Can there really be such an absurd move?
Eriri seems so clueless.
Chisato in real life didn't quite understand, but he was greatly shocked.
The current situation is that you successfully shifted Eriri's focus from the embarrassment of the forced kiss to guilt, avoiding an immediate fallout between the two of you.
However, no matter how you shifted her attention, what happened has already happened and cannot be erased by any post-event remedial actions.
Chisato strokes his chin.
To be honest, he can't predict how the next part of the story will unfold.
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