9: Effective Strategies

Watching the detailed execution of your plans in the simulation, Suzumiya Chisato in the real world felt excited and couldn't help but pat his thigh.

The techniques used were so skillful that he felt he could predict most of what would happen next.

Only Kasumigaoka Utaha knew his true nature, but after everything that had happened, would the overly trusting Tomoya Aki still believe her?

[After successfully helping the Visual Novel club and naturally integrating into it, your relationship with the members has grown deeper.]

[Over the next month, you provided significant support for Tomoya Aki's game-making efforts.]

[You borrowed a high-performance laptop from the computer club for him, and you even arranged for the president of the literature club to give an honest critique of your game script from an outsider's perspective.]

[You even started offering free tutoring to the members during your spare time.]

[The once chaotic and argumentative club has now become a harmonious and loving environment thanks to your efforts.]

[After the third month's midterm results came out, everyone showed significant improvement. But you noticed that Kasumigaoka Utaha was becoming more and more wary of you.]

[One day, you overheard a conversation between Kasumigaoka Utaha and Tomoya Aki.] 

[She warned him that you were a wolf in sheep's clothing and that he should be cautious of your hidden intentions.]

[However, Tomoya Aki angrily defended you, saying that you were the visual novel club's savior and a crucial part of his dream.]

[After witnessing Tomoya Aki's fierce defense of you and Kasumigaoka Utaha's darkened expression, you quietly walked away.]

[Seeing that scene, you planned to...]

[1. The time isn't right yet; more waiting is needed.]

[2. The time is ripe, and it's time to take the next step.]

This time, there were only two options.

Suzumiya Chisato was a bit surprised, but he also realized the importance of this choice.

He reflected on everything that had happened in the simulation so far. Three months of his second year had already passed.

Up to this point, no significant progress had been made between him and Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Patience is required when hunting prey, but carelessness must be avoided.

If he missed the perfect moment to strike, it could give the prey a chance to escape.

Considering the time, excluding holidays, Kasumigaoka Utaha only had less than half a year left before graduating from high school.

If he didn't make a move now, it felt like there might not be another chance in this simulation.

Suzumiya Chisato made up his mind.

He chose the second option!

[All the groundwork has been laid. As you walk back to the classroom, you already know exactly what you need to do next.]

[Under your subtle guidance, the president of the literature club shared with Tomoya Aki that he had won two gold medals and one silver in national youth writing competitions.] 

[He also expressed his love for game creation and volunteered to help write the game's script.]

[Kasumigaoka Utaha had always been responsible for writing the game's text.] 

[Tomoya Aki hesitated at first, but with the new member's persuasion, he was convinced that having another person to share the load would reduce Utaha's burden, especially since she was now in her third year, preparing for graduation.]

[Tomoya Aki agreed with the new member's reasoning and accepted the literature club president's offer.]

[As expected, the proud Kasumigaoka Utaha saw this as a sign that Tomoya Aki didn't trust her.]

[In front of all the club members, she angrily argued with him and stormed out of the club.]

[The old members urged Tomoya Aki to apologize, but the new members and the literature club president criticized Utaha, saying she was too self-centered.] 

[Caught in the middle, Tomoya Aki decided not to apologize, leading to a severe rift in his relationship with Kasumigaoka Utaha.]

[Everything is going according to your plan.]

[After comforting Tomoya Aki, telling him not to worry, you excused yourself, saying you had student council duties to attend to, and headed toward the rooftop.]

Switching to the first-person perspective.

Even though Suzumiya Chisato could predict what would happen next, he didn't want to miss the opportunity to witness it firsthand.

As he pushed open the door to the rooftop, he was greeted by an orange sunset, with fluffy clouds drifting lazily across the sky and a gentle breeze blowing.

Suzumiya Chisato walked over to Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was standing by the wire fence.

He looked out into the distance and casually spoke,

"Getting that angry isn't like you."

"…So, this was your plan all along?" After a long silence, Kasumigaoka Utaha finally spoke. 

She suddenly turned her head to glare at Suzumiya Chisato, her eyes filled with undisguised hatred.

"You're getting revenge on me for what happened before, messing up my relationships with the people around me, just to see me suffer. Is that what you wanted?"

[Kasumigaoka Utaha's sudden outburst made you secretly smile. Your goal had been achieved.]

[She easily showed her emotions, which meant she had lost her usual composure. This was the perfect time to defeat and control her.]

[You knew well that this was the beginning of her downfall.]

"When you argue with someone and then take it out on others, it's really unbecoming. Is this how you handle things?"

In contrast to the agitated Kasumigaoka Utaha, Suzumiya Chisato remained as calm as ever.

"Stop pretending to be a nice guy. I know you're behind all this." 

"If it weren't for you, none of this would've happened! Aki-kun and everyone else—they've all been deceived by you!"

"When problems arise, instead of reflecting on yourself, you just blame others. It's really disappointing to see you like this." Suzumiya Chisato took a step closer to Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Her previously strong demeanor instantly crumbled, and she instinctively tried to back away.

But Suzumiya Chisato didn't give her the chance. 

He grabbed her wrist and pressed her against the wire fence.

The two were face-to-face, so close they could feel each other's breath.

Looking directly into Kasumigaoka Utaha's trembling yet still beautiful crimson eyes, Suzumiya Chisato suppressed his excitement and spoke slowly,

"You say it's all my fault, but deep down, do you really believe that?"