Romantic Date (4)

(In the end, we ran out of time yesterday without receiving a single OK.)

(“ALKALOID” was still flooded with work assigned to them by ES, so Tatsumi had to go tend to that.)

(“Crazy:B” wasn’t as busy, but HiMERU wouldn’t dare inform them that he wasn’t able to complete his tasks after trying countless things.)

(Any nonsense Amagi spews can easily be ignored, but the idea of Shiina and Oukawa thinking HiMERU is a “useless child” is unacceptable.)

(And so, HiMERU spent the rest of his day yesterday endlessly playing “Ai-stars” using “SSVRS”.)

(His goal was to first understand the type of game “Ai-stars” is by playing it. That way, HiMERU would be able to discern what exactly it is the producers want from him, and the “correct” answer would be in his grasp.)

(Still, it was awkward to have other familiar male idols whisper flirtations all night…but in order to keep HiMERUs reputation as a “perfect idol” intact, this is just a necessary obstacle to face.)

HiMERU-san, HiMERU-san! It’s morning~! You gotta get up soon or else you’ll be late for school!

Wait, HiMERU-san, do you even attend school?

No need to force him awake, Tetora-kun. HiMERU-chan was up late last night meddling around with something, so I think we should let him rest.

Augh~, now that you mention it, I did hear a lot of mumbling coming over from his bed. I couldn’t sleep because of how worried I was about it.

I didn’t take you for the type to worry about that kind of thing, Tetora-kun. Don’t be so nervous.

I’m jealous of you, Narukami-senpai, you’re always able to keep a calm head.

Oh, are you saying that I’m insensitive? Well, I was able to sleep fine last night.

…Good morning, everyone.

Oh, he woke up.

I’m sorry for waking you up! It’s alright if you want to go back to sleep~, we were just getting ready for school!

—Fumu. HiMERU was wondering why he was able to hear everyone but not see them, but it would appear he’d fallen asleep with the “SSVRS” headset on…

So he was laying in bed playing “Ai-stars” and fell asleep. Unbelievable.

“Ai-star”?

Ugh, that new game people keep talking about.

I’m not a fan of it since they changed up the script with things I’d never personally do.

Umy~u. Narukami-senpai, I guess you’re not too happy with the idea that your character model could fall in love with a woman.

Well, it’s just a game—a work of fiction. It doesn’t have anything to do with me and it has no connection to real life.

…

? What’s wrong, HiMERU-chan? You’re staring…

Sorry, I’m not judging anyone who likes “Ai-stars” or anything, even you. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been treated as some handsome idol.

No, HiMERU didn’t play “Ai-stars” because he liked it…hm?

…?

Narukami-san. What’s that mysterious text floating above your head?

Text? What?

Narukami-senpai doesn’t have anything written on her head though, HiMERU-san?

…? Nagumo, you seem to have similar text over your head too.

…? …? But, I don’t see anything?

Oh, HiMERU-chan, could it be that you’re still tired? Maybe we should get you back to bed, then?

It’s true though. There’s words above your head saying something about affinity.

??? If this is some kind of joke, it’s not funny y’know. I don’t get it…

(Seriously, what is this? An illusion? But it looks real…?)

Hello, is HiMERU-san here?

Nn? A visitor? You’re “ALKALOID“‘s Kazehaya-senpai, right?

That’s right. Good morning, sorry for the early visit.

Gooood morning~ HiMERU-chan is riiiight here, but there’s something wrong with him and I’m really worried, y’know?

Kazehaya-senpai, would you happen to know anything about this? HiMERU-chan said he was working with you and “ALKALOID”…?

Yes. I was actually here to ask him a quick question about it.

…

Ah, HiMERU-san! Good morning! Fufu, looks like you just woke up…~

HiMERU-san is always so perfect, so it’s really refreshing to see you so sleepy like this.

This is all so frustrating!

Eh?! I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to provoke you…

(Just what the hell is happening here? Has the world gone crazy, or have “I”?)