They All Said This Wasn't a Life Simulation Game!

Finally, she sighed, seemingly having made up her mind.

"Actually..."

Then, her demeanor became a bit shy again, as if embarrassed.

"Oh my? Oh my, oh my?"

Elysia's eyes curved into crescents, and with a knowing smile, she leaned close to Sakura's ear and whispered.

"It's about Xi Wang, isn't it~?"

"...Mm."

Sakura nodded gently, then took a small bag full of candies from her nearby backpack.

It was a small pink bag that suited Sakura very well, with cherry blossom patterns on it. The design was unique, though it looked a bit rough, not like a mass-produced item. It seemed to be a handmade craft, and moreover, the work of an unskilled beginner.

...Hmm? Handmade? Unskilled? Beginner?

Giving something you made yourself to someone you like... Ah~ how romantic~

Elysia felt like she was about to jump for joy with the excitement bubbling in her heart.

Elysia had thought that her reunion with Xi Wang would create a rift between him and Sakura, but after talking with Sakura, she realized that wasn't the problem at all. The real issue was how to get them to take that next step.

But now... Sakura was making the first move? Xi Wang really... letting a girl make the first move, how unfair~ But he better not disappoint Sakura's feelings then~

"So~ what do you need my help with, Sakura?"

"...I hope you can help me deliver it."

Sakura averted her gaze slightly.

"But wouldn't it be better to give something like this to them in person?"

"..."

Sakura didn't reply, just turned her head away, and nudged the small bag in her hand further towards Elysia.

"Hehe~ As expected, Sakura is so cute~?"

Seeing Sakura like this, Elysia didn't press further. She took the small bag from Sakura's hand and carefully put it away.

"Thank you."

Sakura said in a faint voice.

"Then~ can Sakura grant me one small request?"

"Please say it."

"After this, Sakura, you have to talk to Xi Wang properly, okay~?"

"...Alright."

"And~ I want to hear what kind of songs Sakura usually listens to~"

"That's two requests, isn't it?"

"Please~ I'm just curious~?"

Elysia shook Sakura's arm, then quickly reached out and held down Sakura's other hand, which was trying to change the song.

"No changing the song! Sakura always secretly changes it, but Detective Elysia always notices!"

"...Okay."

"Yay~?"

Sakura stopped moving, and Elysia celebrated her small victory.

Then, Elysia slowly leaned closer to Sakura, tilting her head slightly, and placed her ear against Sakura's neck, listening carefully to the song that Sakura had subconsciously turned down.

"..."

Although Sakura wanted to remind Elysia that this distance was too close, she didn't say anything in the end, just waited silently.

"Mhm mhm~ I can hear it~ The song inside, hmm... hmm?"

Elysia felt that the melody reaching her ears seemed a bit off.

Uncertain, she listened more carefully.

"..."

Her eyelids lowered, Elysia concentrated for five seconds... no, less than five seconds, her expression turned strange. She quickly straightened up, stood up from Sakura's side, and took half a step back as if startled.

"You... you listen to this kind of music?"

"Is there a problem?"

Sakura asked, confused.

"Ah... um... of course not. Everyone has their own tastes. I just thought... well... you might not get along with a friend of mine... I... I'll be going now~ I'll deliver the gift for you~"

Elysia, uncharacteristically awkward, turned around quickly and hurried away.

"..."

Sakura silently watched her retreating figure, a hint of loss flashing in her pupils.

She subconsciously raised her hand, gently touching the cherry blossom pendant hidden beneath her clothes, remaining silent.

In the end, she simply put her headphones back on and played her favorite music.

It's probably impossible to find someone willing to accept me again.

A certain person's image flashed through Sakura's mind. Her body gradually tilted, and she finally leaned against the side, closing her eyes and immersing herself in her own world.

...Meanwhile...

"Knock knock~ Xi Wang, I'm here to play with you~"

Elysia mimicked the sound of knocking on the door and called out from outside Xi Wang's room. After speaking, she took out the small bag Sakura had given her and looked through it.

Hmm, hmm... What will Sakura give him~ If it's just candy, don't they often give each other that? Or maybe there's something else hidden inside~ Hmm... Like a love confession note or something~ After all, the only thing that could make Sakura too shy to come over is something like that, right?

Elysia thought this, but even though she was curious, she didn't open the bag to look. After all, this was a little secret between the two of them~ She couldn't be the one to see it first~

"...Xi Wang?"

But Elysia waited for a long time and didn't see Xi Wang open the door. She called out again uncertainly and knocked on the door again.

But there was still no response.

That's not right. He should be in his room at this time. I didn't see him when I passed the training room, and he wasn't with Sakura... Could he have secretly gone to that place?

As Elysia thought this, she quietly pressed her ear against the door, as if trying to hear if there was any sound inside, to confirm if anyone was there.

Then, Elysia heard faint struggling sounds and Xi Wang's pained gasps.

"Xi Wang?!"

At first, Elysia was a little unsure. After listening carefully again, she realized it was indeed Xi Wang's voice. This made Elysia a little anxious. She gripped the doorknob, directly twisted and turned it forcefully, breaking the lock, and burst into the room.

"...Elysia?"

Xi Wang slightly raised his head, his vision blurry as he looked at the person who had barged in and asked in a somewhat weak voice.

"I'm sorry for letting you see me in such a state."

"..."

Elysia looked at Xi Wang, who had locked himself in a corner, completely drained and mentally unstable, and was stunned into silence.

"You..."

"Sorry... Can... Can you get that for me?"

Xi Wang interrupted Elysia's words, and at the same time, he pointed to the candy box on the table in the distance. The chains binding his hands clinked as a result.

It was only then that Elysia noticed the direction he was facing, the direction he had always wanted to move towards but was restrained by chains, was the candy box placed in the distance.

"..."

Elysia silently brought the candy box in front of him. Xi Wang then took it with trembling arms.

Clearly, he was trying his best to control himself and not appear frantic and impatient in front of Elysia. However, after getting the candy box, he couldn't help but become anxious. He quickly rolled a handful of candies out of the box, without even counting how many there were, and stuffed them directly into his mouth. He chewed them briefly before swallowing, and only then did his expression relax slightly.

"..." x2

Silence filled the space between them.

"...What is that?"

"Candy."

"Just candy?"

"Just candy."

Xi Wang replied softly, casually placing the candy box aside. He then fumbled for a key from the nearby corner and unlocked the chains that bound him.

"...Sorry, Elysia, I can't go out with you today."

After putting away the chains and remaining silent for a moment, Xi Wang said while soothing his wrists.

"Ah? Ah... It's nothing. Rather, I should be the one apologizing. After all, I barged in without permission and broke your door... I'll pay for it~ So, please forgive me, okay~?"

Elysia seemed to have recovered slightly, her tone and expression returning to their usual cheerful demeanor.

"Okay, I forgive you."

Xi Wang responded almost immediately, as he wouldn't blame Elysia for something like this.

"Oh right, I came to bring you Sakura's gift today~ Please accept it with gratitude~ And remember to go see Sakura later~?"

Elysia handed the small bag to Xi Wang.

"I received it, and... I will."

"Then I'll be waiting for good news from you two~ Hehe~"

"..."

"But you look like you still need to rest~ So I won't disturb you any longer~ Get some good rest~"

Elysia said as she retreated towards the door. Just as she was about to close the door and leave, she poked her head back in and said to him.