Chapter 299 Wanting a Different Ending
"The final choice is actually in your hands."

In my hand?

Sakurai Shio's words left Shimizu Ken completely puzzled.

"Actually, to be honest, I'm also worried about Yao's studies. Although I can help her with her studies, you should know that the textbooks and exam scopes will change every year, so the exam questions and experience I did back then are probably not very useful now. The best situation is of course to find a student from the same class to tutor her."

"In other words, Senior also hopes that the president can help Haruka with her studies?"

Shimizu looked up at Ayase Kotone in front of him. Under his gaze, Ayase Kotone seemed a little uneasy.

Although Sakurai Shio had asked Shimizu Mi to help tutor Sakurai Haruka before, and he did try to go to Sakurai Haruka's house on weekends to help her with her studies, but when a man and a woman were in the same room, in the end some unspeakable things would always happen, making it impossible for them to concentrate on their studies.

In addition, since Shimizu started working at the bar, he has even less time to tutor Sakurai Haruka.

"But will Yao agree to such a proposal?"

Shimizu looked at Sakurai Haruka on the other side, only to see her puffing up one cheek with an unwilling look on her face.

"Don't worry, I will try to convince her. After all, Haruka will definitely want to go to the same university as my junior in the future."

Ever since the last night in the Hokkaido hotel, the relationship between Sakurai Haruka and Sakurai Shio has gradually improved, so Shimizu Mi is not too worried about this.

"So, the right of choice you just mentioned is..."

"About that, have you decided which university you want to attend in the future?"

"……not yet."

To be honest, Shimizu Mi has not yet decided which university to apply to in the future.

After all, taking college entrance exams is a big deal and one must consider it carefully. If one's grades are good enough, one would of course choose famous schools such as the University of Tokyo or Waseda University.

However, Shimizu is still in his second year of high school, and there is still more than a year before he goes to college, so he still has plenty of time.

"I think it would be better for you to decide as soon as possible."

Shimizu was still wondering why Sakurai Shio was suddenly urging him so anxiously, then he felt three gazes in front of him and suddenly understood.

To put it bluntly, no matter whether he chooses to apply to a prestigious university or choose an ordinary university, at least Sakurai Haruka and Ayase Kotone will definitely apply to the same university with him without hesitation.

And Shimizumi will start school a year later than them, so it's up to him to decide which university to go to.

Just like Sakurai Shio said, the final choice still lies with Shimizumi.

Originally, Qingshui Jian was the object that was being snatched away by both sides, but at this moment, the situation suddenly reversed and the initiative was in Qingshui Jian's side.

No matter who it is, they all want to go to the same university as Shimizu Mi in the future, but if Shimizu Mi keeps it a secret, even if her grades are good enough, she will not be able to get into the same university.

In front of him, the three girls' eyes were all fixed on Shimizumi.

Because only when Shimizu decides which university to apply to will they have a specific goal.

But even if they kept staring, Shimizu couldn't make a decision all at once.

"If you don't make a decision soon, I think they will be troubled."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Senior."

What Sakurai Shio said was indeed correct, but he certainly couldn't make a decision so easily on his own about going to university. He had to at least discuss it with Hoshino Akiko.

"By the way, junior, by the way, you only get one chance in life."

On the other end of the phone, Sakurai Shio suddenly smiled slyly.

"Why are you suddenly saying this?"

"Since this is a rare opportunity, we should experience different kinds of women, right?"

"..."

Sakurai Shio's seemingly casual yet meaningful words left Shimizu speechless for a moment, and he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

However, Sakurai Shio did not go on to say more, and instead said, "Then when I return to Tokyo next weekend, I want you to pick me up in person."

"Um……"

Shimizu came back to his senses from his thoughts, responded, hung up the phone, and returned the phone to Sakurai Haruka.

Sakurai Haruka took the phone, looked at the thoughtful expression on Shimizu's face, and asked, "What did your sister say last time?"

"nothing……"

Qing Shuijian coughed softly.

And Ichinose Shiki seemed to have noticed something from the phone call just now.

"I didn't expect that Mr. Shimizu and Ms. Sakurai's sister would also..."

After receiving this information, Ichinose Shiki chuckled and made a gesture of pressing his two thumbs together.

"But I only care about Kotone-chan. Has Mr. Shimizu decided on the university?"

Hearing this, Sakurai Haruka and Ayase Kotone both looked at Shimizu Ken and stared at him seriously.

"I'm sorry, I haven't made up my mind yet, but I will make a decision as soon as possible before you go to college."

Hearing what Shimizu Ken said, both Sakurai Haruka and Ayase Kotone looked relieved and felt more at ease.

No matter which university Shimizu Miki applies to, I will apply to the same one no matter what.

"Haruka, let the president help you with your homework from now on, okay?"

"Yes, but..."

Sakurai Haruka looked at Ayase Kotone beside her with some concern.

"With the help of the president, I can definitely help you improve your grades."

"I'm not worried about that..."

"what is that?"

"..."

Sakurai Haruka was silent for a while before speaking softly:

"What does Jian think...about going to college?"

Sakurai Haruka's question was a little unclear, but Shimizu Mi understood what she meant more or less.

He gently placed his hand on Sakurai Haruka's head and rubbed it.

"Of course I also want to go to the same university as Haruka. That's why I hope the president can come and help you with your homework."

Shimizu Mi did this not only for him, but also for Sakurai Haruka herself to be able to get into a better university in the future.

As Shimizumi stroked her head gently, Sakurai Haruka's expression gradually softened.

"I know, I heard it..."

Not only her expression, but Sakurai Haruka's voice also became soft and sweet, like a little wife.

"Mr. Shimizu really has the talent to start a harem."

Ichinose Shiki, who was standing by, saw this and couldn't help but tease him in a low voice.

Shimizu didn't care too much and looked at Ayase Kotone in front of him.

"President, do you have time later?"

Judging from Sakurai Haruka's current performance, it would probably take some time to tutor her and help her achieve significant improvements.

Ayase Kotone also serves as the student council president, so her schedule may be a bit tight.

"Well...if Sakurai-san doesn't mind, I can tutor her on the weekends. The student council will more or less do its duty to help students improve their grades."

Ayase Kotone did not refuse and agreed very readily.

"Thank you, President."

Shimizu pulled Sakurai Haruka and asked her to thank Ayase Kotone as well. "So, from today on, Kotone-chan is Shimizu-san's girlfriend."

Ichinose Shiki clapped her hands cheerfully.

"Who said that?"

Sakurai Haruka immediately asked back.

"Eh? Isn't that the condition we just agreed on? I'll keep your relationship with Mr. Shimizu a secret, and Kotone will help you with your homework. In return, Kotone and Mr. Shimizu will date."

Ichinose Shiki's words made Shimizu Mi and Ayase Kotone look at each other. After their eyes met, Ayase Kotone quickly looked away.

"Otherwise, you can't ask us, Kotone, to tutor you for free, right? Or does the eldest daughter of the Sakurai family want to go back on her word?"

Ichinose Shiki crossed her arms over her chest. It must be said that she was quite eloquent. Her series of rhetorical questions made it impossible for Sakurai Haruka to find any point of rebuttal.

"I... I'm not the kind of person who goes back on his word..."

Sakurai Haruka pursed her lips tightly, as if she was squeezing out the sound from her throat with great reluctance.

"I understand...but, it's only on even-numbered days, and once tutoring is over, President Ayase will have to break up with Jian."

Considering that she would have to be admitted to the same university as Shimizumi in the future, Sakurai Haruka's weak tone revealed a hint of compromise, but at the same time she also made her bottom line clear.

Anyway, as long as I improve my academic performance as soon as possible, I can separate Shimizu Mi and Ayase Kotone as soon as possible.

"Eh? Isn't this a bit too cunning, Ms. Sakurai? Aren't you just taking advantage of Kotone-chan?"

"Okay, Shiki, I volunteered to teach Sakurai-san, it has nothing to do with Shimizu-san's affairs..."

Ayase Kotone, who was standing by, blushed and pulled Ichinose Shiki's hand, asking her not to continue.

"Really?"

"Um……"

Ayase Kotone lowered her head and uttered "hmm" softly.

"Well, since Xiao Qinyin has said so, I can't say anything more, but... Mr. Qingshui, do you have to do something next?"

Noticing that Ichinose Shiki turned his gaze towards Shimizumi, Sakurai Haruka stepped forward to block the way.

"What do you want to do?"

"Why are you so nervous, Ms. Sakurai? Since Kotone is Mr. Shimizu's girlfriend now, of course we have to do things that couples should do."

What should couples do?

Sakurai Haruka was slightly startled, and then a blush appeared on her face.

"...You, don't be too pushy."

Sakurai Haruka glared at Ichinose Shiki for a moment.

However, Ichinose Shiki said innocently, "Ms. Sakurai, have you forgotten what day it is today?"

"Today is……"

"That's right, today is Saturday. It's an even-numbered day, so of course it's Xiao Qinyin's turn."

In fact, to be precise, it is now 11:55 pm on Saturday night, and there are less than five minutes left today.

Feeling that she was being tricked by Ichinose Shiki, Sakurai Haruka bit her lip in regret, but everything had already been agreed upon and it was too late to regret now.

"Alright, alright, let's not disturb them. Let Mr. Shimizu and Kotone do whatever they want in the remaining five minutes."

Ichinose Shiki deliberately emphasized the word "do", then put on her clothes, and forced Sakurai Haruka to leave the room together, leaving Shimizu Mi and Ayase Kotone alone.

The door of the room was closed with Sakurai Haruka's unwilling voice.

After Ichinose Shiki and Sakurai Haruka left, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.

The two of them argued in each other's ears all night, and this made him feel a little uncomfortable.

Without Ichinose Shiki around, Ayase Kotone and Shimizu felt a little uneasy seeing the two of them being alone in this quiet environment, and they unconsciously hugged tightly the clothes in front of them that were covering their bodies.

"President..."

As soon as Shimizu opened her mouth, Ayase Kotone interrupted her hastily:
"Yes, I'm sorry, Shimizu-san. It's all because of Zhixi's nonsense. It caused you a lot of trouble. Shimizu-san, you don't have to take her words seriously. If you were dating someone like me, you would definitely feel troubled. So, don't take her words seriously..."

Ayase Kotone desperately spoke a long string of words with a hint of fluttering in her eyes, but even she herself didn't know what she wanted to express to Shimizu Mi. Just when she felt at a loss, Ayase Kotone felt her body being embraced by someone.

"...Qi, Shimizu-san?"

Ayase Kotone's face flashed with surprise when she was suddenly hugged by Shimizumi.

"The president's body is very hot."

"Yes, I'm sorry..."

"There's nothing to be sorry about, right?"

"Sorry……"

Ayase Kotone lowered her head and said it again subconsciously.

"If I date the president, I don't want to hear him say sorry to me every day."

"……Eh?"

Upon hearing this, Ayase Kotone raised her head, her eyes full of surprise and confusion.

Shimizumi slightly loosened his grip on Ayase Kotone and looked at her face which was flushed with shyness and surprise.

"What Shimizu-san just said..."

Ayase Kotone confirmed carefully, fearing that she had heard it wrongly.

Because of what Shimizu Mi just said, the expression on Ayase Kotone's face was a mixture of complex emotions such as joy, shyness, surprise and uneasiness. Her eyes wandered across Shimizu Mi's face, full of disbelief.

Come to think of it, last week when Shimizu Miki confessed his love to Ayase Kotone, she had the same expression.

Just now, what Sakurai Shio said reminded Shimizu Mi that the original intention of this game was to allow players to immerse themselves in the experience of conquering each heroine.

But in fact, Shimizu Mi had only really completed the ending with Amamiya Iori as the single heroine. Even in the last episode, it was only the single ending of each of the five heroines, so let alone all the heroines, even two heroines have never been achieved.

Although I just thought of this as a game at first, after living with it for such a long time, it is impossible to say that I have no feelings for it.

And what Sakurai Shio just said is that life only comes once, and one should take this opportunity to experience different kinds of women. Although her words may sound outrageous, she is indeed right about one thing.

After uninstalling the system, Qingshuijian's life could never be restarted.

If this is only the last chance, then in this round, Shimizu Mi wants to experience a different ending from the previous ones.

Shimizu looked at the wide-eyed face in front of him and extended his hand to Ayase Kotone.

"Please give me more guidance in the future."

There was a hint of hesitation on Ayase Kotone's face, but when she saw Shimizu Mizumi's outstretched hand, she shook it without hesitation.

Looking at each other, a smile appeared on both of their faces.

Ayase Kotone looked at Shimizumi in front of her, as if she was overlapping with a face in her memory.

It’s not the one outside the examination room in junior high school, but a more distant memory.

When Ayase Kotone came to her senses, she found that she could not take her eyes off Shimizumi's lips.

When Qingshui felt it, he lowered his head slightly and kissed her.

Ayase Kotone did not refuse. Although her movements were clumsy, she still responded to Shimizumi's kiss.

Although this was her first time kissing someone, Shimizu Mi was very caring towards her and all his actions were exceptionally gentle. The moist touch on her lips brought her an almost heavenly pleasure.

The girl's lips were fragrant and soft, with a hint of mint coolness, dispelling the last bit of heat in late summer.

This time, Shimizu Mi hugged Ayase Kotone even tighter than before, and Ayase Kotone felt unprecedented happiness in his arms.

(End of this chapter)