Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"Is that really the case? Do you really only want to profit from Shiori, Momo, and the person at home?"

"...Class monitor...you really see right through everything..."

That was another kind of emotion that Akira Kuroba sensed.

If 'admiration' is for the class monitor, then 'longing' is for them.

"I want to witness with my own eyes the moment when their talents blossom and their dreams come true."

Chapter 237 A Cultural Tribute to Romantic Affairs, Part Nine

Initially, it was just because he "happened" to obtain this kind of cheat, so he thought of "taking advantage" of the buried genius to make a profit for himself.

Therefore, Kuroba Akira's plan to cultivate goodwill while maintaining a proper distance was all in order to end the relationship cleanly and decisively after cashing in on their talents.

Up to this point, everything was planned perfectly well, all for his own benefit.

However, without realizing it, I was drawn to them.

The key to the term "buried genius" is not the genius itself, but the fact that the genius was buried... that is, "not being appreciated" or "being unknown".

So wanting others to recognize them, wanting people to know their value, wanting them to be 'globally famous'—that's the selfish desire of a 'fan'.

Just like Shion, Akira Kuroba is not only her 'producer' who guides her, but also her 'number one fan'.

That's why I wanted to help her realize her dream.

Even possessing sufficiently advanced talent is no longer a barrier to realizing one's dreams.

After meeting 'experts' like Akiko Takanashi, who have climbed to the top in a single, specific field with only meager talent, Akira Kuroba felt incredulous and his previous mindset was overturned.

Take Shiori Shirai for example; her talent is 'memory,' which has no direct connection to the dream she pursues.

However, Akira Kuroba still wanted to see her write works that surpassed his imagination, and to see her become a literary giant who would go down in history, rather than just a minor light novel writer.

For example, Aizono Moe, Kuroba Akira initially only used her as a tool to illustrate his light novels, but after learning that she had been used in the past, he wanted to try to help her return to the field of manga that she loved most, because that was her original dream.

After witnessing the light (dreams) and warmth (enthusiasm) they radiate, how could one not be influenced?

This is something that Kuroba Akira has lost for a long time.

He graduated from 'teenager' to 'adult' when he completely said goodbye to his first love.

Now, the image of my first love in my mind has become very blurry, but the feelings I had at the time have not been completely forgotten; they have just been relegated to the farthest corner of my memory.

That was simply admiration and longing.

So that's why I fell in love with my first love back then.

It wasn't just because she was beautiful, but also because she was a shining girl chasing her dreams, and I was inspired by her at that time.

The reason I chose to work as a screenwriter and copywriter was because I wanted to realize my dream with her, right?

To Kuroba Akira's utter disappointment, she abandoned their promise to achieve their dreams together and even forgot his name.

That's why I felt so disheartened.

Being forgotten by her is more painful than being explicitly rejected by her.

Kuroba Akira didn't resent her. He felt that he had been presumptuous and that in the end, it was his own fault for not managing the relationship well. After years of no contact, it was only natural that he had been forgotten.

However, in the end, you'll feel very regretful.

Because I was unable to collaborate with her on creative projects again, unable to be there to support her, and unable to witness her achieve her dreams...

This is all black... Bai Yuming's regrets of youth.

After transmigrating to this world, he has always been thinking about things in an adult way.

Hitomi Anri allowed him to relive the feeling of youth and helped him rediscover his original boyish heart.

And so this longing was rekindled.

Although your first love is no longer in this world, there is still a chance to make up for this regret.

However, after hearing Kuroba Akira's declaration that he wanted to help others realize their dreams, Anri Hitomi showed a regretful expression.

She had unearthed a corner of Kuroba Akira's heart and had guessed such a possibility, but when she actually heard him say it, she couldn't help but ask him further.

"And what about yourself, wise ruler?"

"Myself..."

There are things I want to do.

For example, wanting to obtain enough money to leave one's job.

For example, wanting to see one's parents in this world.

For example, they might try to explore the origins of cheat codes and the truth behind time travel...

But these cannot be called 'dreams'.

"Like you, class monitor, what I want to do is support others."

"I see……"

Looking at it this way, we really are a good match...

Anri Hitomi gripped his hand tighter, her lips pressed into a straight line, and the reluctance in her eyes spread to every corner of her face.

"What a pity... I was thinking that if you had given a different answer, today would have been a 'relationship anniversary' worth commemorating for a lifetime..."

"Huh? Class monitor, you mean..."

Hitomi Anri looked out the window. Makoto Hikawa's singing voice echoed throughout the campus. The song she was singing was called "My Favorite," and the lyrics were full of longing and waiting.

“My lord, we are not in a relationship. No matter what others think, you and I know very well that we are just friends.”

"We can be more than just friends."

"If I confessed my feelings to you now, would you accept?"

"I think I will... no, I should be the one to confess to you."

Thank you for your support and for everything you've done for me. I hope you can continue to be by my side.

Akira Kuroba wanted to tell her these words of confession.

But Hitomi Anri didn't give him a chance to confess. She looked intently into Akira Kuroba's eyes and asked a more practical question.

"Even if this prevents you, wise ruler, from continuing to realize your dreams?"

"Uh, there shouldn't be any conflict, right?"

“There will be conflicts. Once our relationship is made public, they will no longer see you as someone to rely on, and they may even turn against you.”

"..."

Kuroba Akira fell into a brief silence.

If they were all men, it would be fine. For example, the business he was doing with Hijikata Isamu and Nishimura Tatsuya was not affected by their relationship.

However, Kuroba Akira currently only supports girls, and once he publicly dates the class president, his relationships with other girls will definitely change.

Especially Shion, Kuroba Akira was even a little worried that she might do something rash. If things escalated to the point of "it's either you or me," and then the class president stood up for him, the BGM of "To the One Who Feels Sorrow" would probably start playing.

However, even so.

Kuroba Akira didn't want to let go of the hand he was holding at that moment.

He didn't want to miss out again.

"...Even so! I can..."

"No, you can't."

"...Hitomi!"

"I have already said that I do not want a wise ruler to make sacrifices."

Just like how Hitomi Anri didn't invite Akira Kuroba to dance, it was because she didn't want Akira Kuroba to have to make a choice.

"If you give up yourself for me, then everything I do for you will be in vain."

"Wouldn't that make it seem like you're making a sacrifice for me?"

After thinking for a moment, Anri Hitomi shook her head and denied it.

"Hmm... From my perspective, I don't think it's a sacrifice, because as I just said, what I want to do is help you accomplish what you want to do, so I'm actually also satisfying myself."

"So, you're saying that dating me isn't part of your sense of self-satisfaction?"

"Yes, probably because I've never really cared about status. I've always felt that the difference between friends and girlfriends is just a matter of how you address them, and that relationships aren't that reliable unless they're 'relationships with marriage in mind'... But even in that kind of relationship, there are a lot of uncertainties, and even marriage isn't absolutely reliable."

"If that's the case, then there's no reliable relationship at all..."

“Yes, that’s why I never really valued these kinds of formal relationships before… But recently I’ve changed my mind and realized the difference between a ‘girlfriend’ and a ‘friend’.”

"Oh?"

"The identity of a girlfriend is not 'internal' but 'external'. It's about announcing to others, 'We've started dating,' so that others will give up the idea of ​​getting involved. Marriage is the same; it's actually a kind of 'identity mark.'"

"Identity imprint...that might really be true."

"That's why I said it's a pity. Because what you want to do, Mingjun, is to support their dreams. When I brand you with this identity, they will distance themselves from you, and I will become an obstacle on your path to your dreams, which will make me feel regretful."

"Uh……!"

"Because at first I was just curious about you, wise ruler, then I was attracted to you as we spent time together, and now I want to witness your 'ending' as well."

It was only then that Akira Kuroba realized that Hitomi Anri's feelings for him were the same as his own feelings for his first love.

Her feelings for love stemmed from longing, and probably also from curiosity.

Now that Akira Kuroba has made it clear that what he wants to do is help them realize their dreams, Hitomi Anri will continue to help him.

So, it wasn't that she didn't want Kuroba Akira to make sacrifices for her because she felt sorry for him, but rather that Anri Hitomi would lose interest in him if he gave up his dream.

I admire 'you who pursue your dreams', not 'you who compromises with reality'.

Akira Kuroba's sacrifice was not permitted by Hitomi Anri.

Once he does that, he will no longer be the man she loves.

At this moment, Kuroba Akira felt that fate was playing tricks on him, and he felt that he was a huge fool. Why didn't he think things through before answering the class monitor's question?

But... if what I said wasn't the truth, the class monitor would definitely find out...