No—seriously, he was just being polite. Normally, wouldn't a regular person politely decline and say something like, "I'll just go find a hotel"?
Well, whatever. If she didn't mind, what was the harm in staying one night?
Asai Yu nodded. "If you don't mind, then it's not a problem."
"Of course I don't mind! Sorry for the trouble, Asai-kun!" Misumi Uika stood up and gave a small bow.
And then…
And just like that, Misumi Uika ended up staying there.
When Misumi Uika had contacted him a few days ago, Asai Yu had never imagined things would develop like this.
After taking a sip of coffee, Asai Yu sat in front of his computer, opened his software, and began refining the composition of Ren'ai Circulation.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Wait, isn't it already 11 p.m.?
Asai Yu went over and opened it, only to find the blonde girl standing there with an adorably sweet smile.
"Do you need something?"
"Not really… I just couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd come chat with you for a bit, Asai-kun."
The moment she said it, Misumi Uika suddenly regretted it.
She didn't know what was wrong with her. While staying in the guest room, just knowing that Asai-kun was in the nearby room made an inexplicable impulse surge up from somewhere deep inside her.
And once that thought took over, she had come straight here.
She had even used such an embarrassingly flimsy excuse…
Asai Yu also felt it was a bit strange, but he didn't think too deeply about it. Coincidentally, he was composing anyway. "Come in."
The moment she got his permission, Misumi Uika instantly threw her earlier regret out of her mind, replaced instead by pure relief.
"Mm, sorry for the intrusion."
As she spoke, she followed him inside.
Asai-kun's bedroom was unexpectedly clean and tidy as well!
Misumi Uika kept glancing around, but quickly realized that was rude and hurriedly pulled her gaze back.
She then walked briskly over to Asai Yu. "You're still awake this late—are you busy with something?"
"I'm composing. It's that love-themed song. Want to listen?"
"Huh? Really? Can I? I really want to hear it!" Curiosity sparkled in Misumi Uika's eyes.
When the boy handed her the headphones, she put them on without hesitation.
The backing track began to play.
With just the intro alone, Misumi Uika was instantly drawn in.
She felt like she could remember this melody after hearing it only once—how amazing.
And in just the first twenty seconds, she could already feel an overflowing sense of youthful romance pouring out of the song.
Once it felt like enough, Asai Yu pressed pause. "The later parts aren't fully polished yet."
"It feels amazing! Um, do you have lyrics? Could I take a look?!"
Misumi Uika couldn't hold back her excitement.
Asai Yu opened a document—it contained the lyrics to Ren'ai Circulation.
So the song is called Ren'ai Circulation…
Seeing this, Misumi Uika restarted the song while carefully following along with the lyrics.
Relying on the musical intuition she had built over many years since her debut, she softly began singing along to the backing track—and matched it almost perfectly.
She really does have solid vocals. No wonder she can team up with that Miss Donut.
Asai Yu thought to himself.
But singing is one thing—why are you squeezing closer and closer to me?
And why did she suddenly shiver?
Asai Yu clearly felt pressure on his shoulder. He stood up immediately and moved behind her.
Does this blonde girl have ulterior motives?
The suspicion crossed his mind, but after thinking about it, he felt it was unlikely.
After all, they'd only known each other for about a month, and their actual time together was minimal.
At this moment, Misumi Uika's cheeks were gradually turning red, yet she still pretended to be seriously listening to the song and reading the lyrics.
About five minutes later, she took off the headphones.
Only after hearing the lyrics and backing track together did Misumi Uika truly realize just how perfect this song was.
And this was only a half-finished version. If it were fully completed…
She didn't even dare imagine it.
This was absolutely on the level of a breakout hit!
Even if it were given to a brand-new rookie, it might be enough to push their popularity up to sumimi's current level.
In the end, Misumi Uika couldn't help but exclaim, "This is incredible. It's practically a god-tier masterpiece. It's the best love song I've ever heard."
"Can this song really be sold to sumimi?!"
To be honest, she felt a little anxious now.
"If I said I'd sell it to you, I won't go back on my word," Asai Yu replied.
"Thank you—thank you so much!" Misumi Uika bowed deeply once again.
With Ren'ai Circulation backing them up, sumimi would definitely explode in popularity again!
At this point, she could somewhat understand Sumita Mana's way of thinking.
How should she repay Asai-kun?
Seeing that it was already late, Misumi Uika felt it would be inappropriate to keep bothering him. Carrying that question with her, she returned to the guest room and lay down on the bed, deep in thought.
A few minutes later, another question surfaced in her mind.
Has Asai-kun slept here before?
Misumi Uika buried her face into the pillow, then pulled the blanket over herself and took a few deep sniffs.
She couldn't really smell anything—so maybe he had slept here?
Then the image of her unconsciously pressing closer to Asai Yu earlier flashed through her mind again.
He definitely noticed it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have moved behind her.
Thinking about it, Misumi Uika's cheeks instantly flushed red.
She didn't know what was wrong with her. Listening to Ren'ai Circulation, with Asai-kun standing so close beside her… it just happened without her realizing it.
No, no—next time she absolutely can't do that again. Otherwise, won't Asai-kun think she's some kind of easy girl?
Misumi Uika sternly warned herself in her heart.
Then she buried her head under the covers and went to sleep.
Time quickly reached the next morning.
Since she needed to catch a train, Misumi Uika woke up very early and left around 6:30 a.m.
For the same reason, Asai Yu was also up early.
After exchanging goodbyes with her, he went into the guest room and began cleaning up.
The moment he stepped inside, he caught a whiff of the faint fragrance left behind by the girl, mixed with a subtle, strange scent.
Hard to judge.
He'd leave the cleaning to himself when entering immersion mode.
Asai Yu opened the system.
[Life Experience Target Selection:]
[1. Togawa Sakiko]
[2. Chihaya Anon]
[3. Wakaba Mutsumi]
After thinking for a moment, he chose Chihaya Anon.
Mainly because the security situation over in the UK still worried him.
He also needed to check on the aftermath of the bullying incident.
Wakaba Mutsumi could wait until tomorrow.
As for Togawa Sakiko—she'd been particularly good at huffing lately. Best to let her cool off for now.
After a brief flash of darkness, Asai Yu arrived within the body of the pink-haired girl.
"Yu? Is that you? Yu?!" Chihaya Anon's excited voice suddenly rang out in his mind.
"It's me. What's wrong? Why are you so worked up this early in the morning?" Asai Yu asked, puzzled.