Kato Megumi: Don't Look Back, I'm Tomoya-kun

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Fortunately, after two lives as a human being, Izumi Yuu still had some self-control—though not much.

Izumi Yuu placed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and stared into the girl's clear and bright eyes. With a calm smile, he said, "It's truly an honor to be recognized by Kato."

"Eh? Recognized by me?" Kato Megumi tilted her head slightly, a hint of curiosity flashing in her otherwise calm expression. "That's true, I suppose. But 'honor' sounds a bit exaggerated, doesn't it?"

Hearing her response, Izumi Yuu leaned back into his chair, adjusting his posture to make himself more comfortable. His curiosity piqued, he asked, "What's the difference? Between me and Tomoya, I mean."

"When I'm with Tomoya-san," Kato Megumi began, her tone light but matter-of-fact, "I feel like I'm always just... listening. Listening to his dreams, his ideals, his endless opinions about the 'perfect heroine.' I do my best to embody what he envisions, striving to match his ideal version of a second-dimensional heroine. Yet... he's never satisfied. No matter what, he always finds some flaw, though he can't seem to articulate it. It's frustrating and exhausting."

Her tone shifted slightly as she continued. "Tomoya-san... he's dull sometimes. Oblivious to other people's feelings. He gets caught up in his ideas and doesn't realize how his words and actions affect those around him."

Izumi Yuu studied Kato Megumi quietly as she spoke. Her words were straightforward, but there was an underlying depth to them—a mix of disappointment and relief, perhaps? Then she looked up at him, her expression softening as she added, "But when I'm with Izumi-kun, it's different. I feel relaxed, natural... happy. I don't have to work so hard to be someone I'm not. With Izumi-kun, I can just be myself."

Her words concluded with a smile—gentle, serene, and genuine. It was the kind of smile that could touch people's hearts, unguarded and filled with quiet honesty.

Izumi Yuu's calm demeanor faltered for just a moment. Even though he'd spent two lives enduring internet scumbags and human relationships, something about her words moved him.

[Something is wrong. Very wrong. As someone who's spent years as a veteran in the battlefield of love, you immediately notice the signs: the girl in front of you has developed a liking for you. No, more than that—she's starting to covet you. You're sure she's planning her counterattack, ready to make you hers. But you're a seasoned player. You've encountered all kinds of women and conquered countless tricks. A simple reversal attempt like this? Laughable. At this moment, you should coldly tell her, "Woman, who gave you the illusion that I'm interested in you?" Then walk away, a true Sigma man.]

"Are you out of your mind?!" Izumi Yuu silently screamed at the narrator. "You've been nagging me to commit all kinds of atrocities, and now, when Kato's showing me affection, you want me to reject her? You just can't stand to see me doing well, can you?"

The sudden onslaught of conflicting thoughts caused Izumi Yuu to freeze momentarily, a subtle twitch in his expression. Was this narrator always this chaotic? Did it have some twisted dual personality?!

Regardless, the narration hadn't lied. Izumi Yuu trusted its instincts—Kato Megumi truly had shifted her feelings. Her admiration for Aki Tomoya had dissolved, leaving only faint remnants of friendship. It wouldn't take much for their connection to fade entirely.

People are like that sometimes, Izumi Yuu thought. They cling to an illusion until someone shatters it for them, leaving them no choice but to face the truth.

Smiling at Kato Megumi, Izumi Yuu said warmly, "Kato, you're gentle, thoughtful, and very kind. I also enjoy spending time with you."

His words were perfectly measured—not too overwhelming, yet suggestive enough to stir her thoughts. Izumi Yuu leaned back leisurely, quietly observing her reaction.

As expected, Kato Megumi's cheeks turned a delicate shade of red. She lowered her gaze shyly, murmuring, "T-thank you, Izumi-kun."

Her voice trembled slightly, and her usually calm demeanor was tinged with a mixture of embarrassment and elation.

Inwardly, Izumi Yuu smirked. Her heart was racing—no doubt about it. She was overthinking his words, trying to decipher their hidden meaning.

[Now's your chance. A little more sweetness, and she'll be like putty in your hands. Women are simple creatures. Give them a crumb of affection, and they'll stay loyal. It's time. Unzip your pants, show her your Kun—]

"Shut up, you perverted trash!" Izumi Yuu cut off the narrator's absurd suggestion with a mental scream.

At that moment, the restaurant staff interrupted, arriving with two steaming bowls of pork bone ramen.

"Hello, the meals you ordered are ready. Please enjoy your meal!"

"Thank you," both said simultaneously. The tension dissipated as the warm aroma of ramen filled the air.

After a brief silence, Kato Megumi broke into a smile. "I didn't expect Izumi-kun to like ramen. We seem to have similar tastes."

"Yeah," Izumi Yuu replied, nodding. "I was surprised you ordered ramen too. I thought you'd prefer something like rice."

The narrator didn't give any hints in this regard.

Megumi tilted her head slightly, her soft voice almost playful. "I like rice too, but ramen's my favorite—especially with an egg. It's even better that way."

Izumi Yuu chuckled. "I'm good at making ramen. Next time, I'll cook some for you."

Megumi's eyes widened in delight. "Really?! That would be amazing! Izumi-kun's homemade ramen..." A hint of disappointment crept into her voice. "But I have something to do tomorrow. Can I come over next week instead?"

After saying this, a fleeting look of regret appeared in Kato Megumi's eyes, one she couldn't quite hide.

Kato Megumi wasn't sure whether she felt disappointed because she couldn't visit Izumi Yu's home or because she wouldn't be able to taste his homemade ramen right away.

"It's alright. I'm usually free," Izumi Yu said with a faint smile, amused by Kato Megumi's cute expression. "As long as you let me know in advance, it'll be no problem."

Megumi nodded eagerly, her initial disappointment replaced with quiet excitement.

A slurping sound came from Kato Megumi as she dug into her ramen.

Izumi Yu couldn't help but smile as he watched her.

Unlike Eriri, who ate with an air of refinement, Kato Megumi lacked the elegance and nobility of a rich girl. Instead, she exuded a more down-to-earth and charming cuteness, with an authentic, unpretentious beauty.

[Looking at the girl slurping noodles so enthusiastically, an evil thought suddenly crossed your mind. Since she's so good at slurping noodles, she must be good at slurping... Kun as well. Considering she lives alone and not with her parents, she could easily stay out all night. You decide to invite her over to watch your Kun Kun, who's been perfecting bone-shrinking techniques for two and a half years, and give her a chance to slurp Kun Kun...]

What kind of twisted mind would come up with such an excuse to invite someone to stay overnight?

Izumi Yu quickly pushed away the disgusting thought prompted by the narrator.

But wait... doesn't Kato Megumi live alone?

That's some pretty useful information!

It could open up so many possibilities.

Izumi Yu realized that after successfully dealing with this trashy narrator, he had finally learned how to use it to his advantage!

Crime Manual (×), God's Eye (√)!

As long as he can make use of this horrible narration, his future looks promising. At least he won't have to settle for a boring, stable job at his age.

The two chatted casually and quickly finished their bowls of ramen.

Their shared love for food had subtly brought them closer together. After all, common interests always make people feel more connected.

"Huh... I feel like my stomach is about to burst," Kato Megumi said, rubbing her belly contentedly. She then glanced at Izumi Yu, who had drank every last drop of soup. "Izumi-kun, you ate so cleanly—there wasn't a single drop wasted!"

"Of course," Izumi Yu replied with a smile as he set down his empty bowl. "I hate wasting food. I always finish every drop of soup."

"Hmm... Izumi-kun, your dedication is truly admirable," Kato Megumi murmured, her voice soft. "I want to learn from you and drink up all the soup, too."

"Alright." Izumi Yu nodded, but then suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

[Looking at the girl in front of you, whose hidden attribute has just been activated, you feel an unexpected chill at your waist. Watching her drink the last bit of soup, you have a vague sense of foreboding.]

[Warning: Kato Megumi's hidden attributes have been activated. Current progress: 1/3. You feel a sudden chill down your spine. Proceed with caution.]

"Huh?!" Hearing the familiar narration voice in his mind, Izumi Yu froze.

Wait—what kind of attribute is this?!

Why does my lower back feel strange?

He glanced over at Kato Megumi, who was licking the corners of her lips clean with her pink tongue. For some reason, he began to feel like something was off about her clean, pure eyes.