Chapter 31: Your Dream Is Missing the Required Data.
...
As a devoted believer in pure love, Kihara had absolutely no reason to reject a beautiful girl throwing herself at him.
More importantly.
Akane Shinjo choosing him like this meant one thing:
He held a significant place in her heart.
And just so happened.
He needed to pretend he remembered nothing.
Which meant…
He could naturally experience something he had never had before.
A sweet, youthful high school romance.
With one of his favorite "2D waifus."
Just thinking about it was enough to make his blood boil.
"Ahem… Shinjo-san… I don't remember us being a couple at all."
He looked away slightly, voice softer.
"I know that must hurt you… but I don't want to keep hurting you either."
"So… can we start over?"
This was exactly what Akane had planned.
Even though she had replaced Rikka's role in the dream.
That didn't mean she needed to imitate her.
They were completely different people.
Blindly copying her would only create inconsistencies in the dream.
All she had to do.
Was be herself.
"…Alright."
Akane wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and forced a small, brave smile.
"I'll help you remember everything we had."
"And even if you can't…"
"…it doesn't change the fact that I'm your girlfriend."
Kihara, who had been single his whole life, was completely unprepared for this level of emotional attack.
His mental defenses nearly shattered on the spot.
He pressed his lips together and turned his head.
"…Um… are you hungry? I'll go cook something."
"Oh?" Akane's eyes lit up.
"Are you… blushing?"
"I'm not! I'm just hungry!"
"Don't turn away—let me see your face!"
"Shinjo-san, don't—!"
"Call me Akane."
...
In the dream—
Akane smoothly took over all of Kihara's time.
At first, they just passed notes in class when the teacher wasn't looking.
Then—
As they grew closer, Kihara suggested skipping class.
Akane agreed without hesitation.
After that—
They practically stopped going to school.
They visited every arcade in the city.
Every photo booth had their faces in it.
At first, their shoulders barely touched.
Then they stood closer.
Closer—
Until eventually.
They were cheek-to-cheek in the photos.
Over time, Akane realized something surprising:
They didn't actually share that many interests.
She loved tokusatsu monsters.
While he preferred magical girl anime.
But strangely—
That didn't drive them apart.
If anything—
It made things easier.
When Akane bought a new monster figure, she could excitedly explain what she loved about it.
Without arguing over power levels.
Kihara was a perfect listener.
And after hearing her out.
He would bring out magical girl figures or manga.
Then the two would excitedly debate:
What if a magical girl fought a kaiju?
Who would win? How would they fight?
That kind of absurd "what-if battle" discussion.
Was exactly Akane's thing.
She would even pull out detailed stats.
Compare them seriously.
Build a miniature city battlefield.
And simulate battles like a strategy game.
Halfway through—
At Kihara's encouragement.
She would change into a magical girl cosplay.
While he wore a monster suit.
Then they'd switch sides.
And fight each other.
"Ahh~ That was fun… though it's kinda hot…"
Akane stretched lazily, unbuttoning her collar slightly and fanning herself.
Today, they had just finished another intense "battle" at Kihara's house.
This time—
Her magical girl barely won.
After all—
Monsters relied on raw stats.
Magical girls relied on skill and luck.
She had to carefully build momentum.
Piece by piece.
To win.
"If you're hot, have a drink."
Akane glanced at the cola Kihara handed her.
Then puffed her cheeks and said sweetly:
"I can't open it. Help me~"
"…Seriously? You were tearing apart model kits with your bare hands yesterday."
"…"
She clicked her tongue.
"Are you actually dumb or pretending?"
"…Dumb? What dumb?"
"…You really are a blockhead."
She shot him a charming, exasperated glare.
Over this past year in the dream.
She had dropped countless hints.
Trying to get him to confess.
But he…
Responded like an NPC.
One whole year together in the dream.
Only half an hour in reality.
They had walked through nearly every corner of the city.
Hand in hand.
Creating memories everywhere.
To Akane—
They were already more like a couple than any real couple.
And yet—
He still hadn't confessed.
Maybe…
It's because we haven't even kissed yet…
After an entire day of hesitation.
She made her decision.
Take the initiative.
After another game—
The moment Kihara removed his monster suit.
She pounced.
"Akane!?"
"Shh…"
She pressed a finger gently to his lips.
Her eyes softened.
Her lips pursed—
And she leaned in slowly.
Their lips met.
But—
There was nothing.
No sensation.
Not even the faintest touch.
Because dreams are built from memory.
And Akane—
Had never experienced a kiss before.
Just like those frustrating teenage dreams.
That always end at the crucial moment.
She lacked the "data."
Kissing data missing.
Panic flashed across her face.
The dream itself began to destabilize.
...
Meanwhile—
Rikka Takarada lived a quiet, uneventful version of reality.
She skipped class sometimes.
Went to the infirmary.
Met Akane—
And became friends.
Days passed peacefully.
Ordinary—
But not boring.
Sometimes—
She would unconsciously cook too much food.
Then stare blankly at the empty seat beside her.
As if, Someone was supposed to be there.
"Heh… looks like Akane's memory lock isn't perfect after all."
A cloaked figure appeared in her room out of nowhere.
Blue flames flickering above his head.
Rikka immediately stood up, grabbing her phone.
"Who are you?! Why are you in my house?!"
"Me?"
He smiled.
"My name is Alexis Kerib."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Rikka."
"Get out! Or I'm calling the police!"
"…Heh."
"Once I devour this world…"
"I wonder if you'll still have that spirit."
Just as he finished.
CRACK—!
Space itself shattered.
A furious voice echoed through the room.
"I'll devour your damn grandma instead!"
A figure burst through the distortion.
Now transformed into Kamen Rider Faiz.
Kihara stood protectively in front of Rikka.
His tone turned cold.
"…What the hell are you?"
"You've already ruined my pure love route twice."
"…Looking to die?"
.....
Thank you for reading.