Such a good update, I liked tsundere blushing Gene! It was a nice contrast with the other LI.
I can see why MC likes to push his buttons. Their banter and his reactions are so fun to watch. The VA did so well on the barks!
Not you reading reader's mind, I got to the last scene and thought, is there no choice to satisfy the trope gods? And then I went back earlier in the branching and it really appeared 
The escape room part was also a nice addition
Although it was a bit confusing at the beginning because there were other same-length words in there too, but makes sense for it to be the one 