At this moment, Chisato suddenly felt an inexplicable sense that he was a flashy, seductive person.
The two girls sitting beside him seemed to be the typical characters seduced by beauty, caught up in jealousy and competing for affection, commonly referred to as "simps."
Thinking about this made him chuckle internally. Was this what the "evil path simulator" wanted to see?
Chisato's expression subtly changed as he quietly ate his ice cream. When he had taken them to buy ice cream earlier, Utaha likely had such thoughts in mind.
She had deliberately ordered an extra scoop, leaving one untouched, which made it seem like they were sharing an indirect kiss.
Next to him, Eriri was visibly displeased, her annoyance written all over her delicate face.
However, her frustration wasn't directed at Chisato; it was aimed at Utaha.
After their meeting, the two exchanged veiled barbs, and Chisato chose to observe quietly, harboring his own thoughts.
He wanted to confirm and understand a few things: how much the real-life versions of them resembled their simulated counterparts, the level of affection they might feel for him, and their current thoughts and future plans.
After all, he had only met them a handful of times, although they often chatted through messages and occasionally called.
The information gleaned from those channels wasn't as clear as face-to-face conversations. Many aspects of their relationship needed to be explored further.
Chisato had a vague sense of this shift, but he was reluctant to admit it.
With each session in the simulator, his personality and thoughts had gradually evolved. His perspective broadened, and his desires grew.
He could clearly sense this change but didn't resist it.
Some people say that human greed knows no bounds, and the secret to longevity is to maintain a simple and unambitious life—being sincere and true to oneself without flattering or competing with others.
Others argue that desire keeps the heart passionate and is the elixir of youth.
Previously, Chisato leaned toward the first belief.
He thought life was long, and the journey of life had no end; no matter how hard one worked, it was merely a few steps higher on the ladder.
Instead of exhausting himself, it was better to stop at the right moment, finding happiness in the companionship of family, a beautiful and gracious wife, and obedient children.
However, now he leaned toward the latter viewpoint. In today's society, where survival depended on human connections, even the most basic needs like food and water had to be earned through work.
Once employed, it was impossible to live without flattery or seeking favor.
When one cannot change their situation, it may be acceptable to lay low, but if one has the ability to advance yet chooses to remain stagnant, that's unacceptable.
He wanted more, not just to be satisfied with the present.
This realization hit him during yesterday's session at the recording studio, where he had held Hitori close, kissing her as if she were his little kitten.
Her soft lips were similar to what he experienced in the simulator but brought a sense of genuine fulfillment he couldn't find there.
Today, sitting next to Kazusa, watching the beautiful Kazusa elegantly play the piano, made these thoughts even clearer.
Now, surrounded by the two exquisitely dressed girls, feeling their warmth and the scent of their hair, with their thighs casually brushing against him, Chisato felt his heart race and his desires flare.
Teenage boys are like volcanoes, ready to erupt at any moment—how could he possibly handle this situation?
He couldn't be bothered to argue that it wasn't him but rather the world that was at fault. Instead, he chose to confront his own desires honestly.
Everyone is shaped by life, transitioning from diverse individuals into less distinct personas, and he was no exception.
He wanted it all, even if it came with risks, but it didn't mean he would act as recklessly as in some extreme scenarios from the simulator.
He wanted both physical and emotional connections, and ideally, he hoped the girls could accept each other without conflict.
—It was a bit challenging, but worth trying.
The taxi drove for over forty minutes before reaching their destination.
The Tokyo Haruki Yama Hotel, built during the Meiji era, is far from the city center, surrounded by lush greenery.
Guests can enjoy views of expansive forest gardens while receiving top-notch service.
The three of them got out and were led by a waiter into the lobby.
Eriri walked up to the front desk to check in and returned to find Utaha naturally linking her arm with Chisato's, clearly acting as if she were his partner.
Unable to express her frustration while the waiter was present, Eriri waited until they were seated at the restaurant.
Under the table, her small foot kicked Utaha fiercely at the opportune moment.
Utaha, prepared for this, shot her a defiant look while resting her hands on the table, wearing a provocative teasing expression.
Chisato watched the shaking table with exasperation.
In a sense, these two had been his companions in the simulator for a lifetime, yet now they were at odds.
His earlier hope that the girls he liked could understand each other seemed a distant dream.
However, their interactions had mostly been minor skirmishes; nothing truly harmful had occurred.
Could this also mean they were capable of managing their boundaries and enjoying the interaction process?
"Alright, that's enough."
Having silently observed their antics since their meeting, Chisato finally intervened.
When he got out of the taxi and saw the upscale hotel that combined dining, entertainment, and accommodation—far from the city—he began to understand.
For the ambition in his heart, he had to take control with Utaha and Eriri at his side.
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