Tokyo Soft Rice King.

Every step that Murasaki no Miyako took was exactly what Hitomi Anri had anticipated.

Why did you choose to establish a closer relationship with Kuroba on the first day of the cultural festival?

Was it really just an outburst of emotions that he couldn't hold back?

Although part of it was because of this, it was more to shut Hei Yuming's mouth.

Hitomi Anri knows that Akira Kuroba will be hosting Shion Murasakinomiya on the second day of the cultural festival, which is open to the public.

The students at the school... at least the first-year students, those who were watching the show from behind the scenes, all believed that Kuroba Akira was dating Anri Hitomi.

Then this 'rumor' will surely reach the ears of Shion Murasaki.

Then she would seek answers from Akira Kuroba.

At this point, Kuroba Akira will definitely tell her the truth, which is that he was just pretending to be her boyfriend.

Now that Kuroba Akira and Anri Hitomi have a secret relationship, he can no longer confidently explain to Shion Murasomiya that they are 'just pretending to date'.

He would choose to 'deceive', 'get away with it', or, least likely, 'honestly admit it'.

Anri Hitomi believes that given Kuroba Akira's personality, it is highly likely that he is either the first or second type, keeping Murasaki no Miyako Shion in the dark.

I already gave Kuroba Akira a heads-up yesterday. As long as he hasn't let his emotions cloud his judgment, he shouldn't be making things clear now.

Hitomi Anri knew that Akira Kuroba would fall for her, but not to the point of being 'unable to live without her,' and it was rare for someone to act so emotionally...

However, Shion Murasaki is a foolish woman driven purely by emotions.

Foolish love-struck.

They easily fell for their own trick.

What's wrong with giving you something to eat? Actually, you and Mingjun have already unlocked all the other interaction options besides home plate, haven't you?

Even after all that, she still managed to keep her first kiss, something Anri Hitomi hadn't expected.

It was your arrogance that made you pay an unnecessary price, Murasaki no Miyako Shion.

On that day, when the smug Shion looked down at Hitomi Anri from the window of Akira Kuroba's room, it provoked Hitomi Anri's anger and a full-scale counterattack.

Then, Hitomi Anri will use Murasaki no Miyako's reactive counterattack to make Akira Kuroba feel guilty and ashamed.

Then she continued to maintain the attitude of "I'm doing this for your own good," making Kuroba Akira owe her even more favors.

After the kiss, Ziyin felt relieved, but she was still not satisfied and became angrier the more she thought about it.

It was only after experiencing it that Shion realized how comfortable kissing was, and like Hitomi Anri, she immediately became addicted to using her mouth to obtain the sensation of bitterness.

So, my most precious first kiss was stolen... Such a wonderful thing, and the first person you had with my wise ruler wasn't me!

"Anri Hitomi...!"

Ziyin could no longer suppress her anger. The thought of her beloved man being defiled by the philandering cat in front of her finally made her lose her temper.

"You shameless...fish-stealing cat!"

She absolutely deserves a slap!

Snapped!

The sound of Ziyin's slap was crisp, but it didn't hit Anri Hitomi's cheek. Instead, it was blocked by Kuroba Akira's hand.

Although Kuroba Akira knew that there was probably no way for them to resolve their conflict through dialogue alone.

But we still can't just stand by and watch Ziyin hit the class monitor.

In any case, physical conflict should be avoided.

"...!"

Unable to succeed, Ziyin felt even more frustrated, but she wouldn't blame Kuroba Akira. Her love-struck mind made her infinitely tolerant of her man; whatever he did was right, so the one at fault was the philandering cat in front of her...

It's all Hitomi Anri's fault!

And Hitomi Anri also knew that if Shion Murasaki liked Akira Kuroba as expected, then she would most likely only target her.

"Ha...is this all the kind of woman you are? All you do is complain about others?"

"what……?"

"Heh, a philandering cat... Are you talking about me? Or about yourself?"

"You...! I was here first! I was the one who fell in love with Mingjun first!"

"Do you think this is like queuing for food? First come, first served?"

"Well……!"

"And if we're comparing it from the perspective of who came first, you're no match for me."

"What do you mean by that...?"

"Literal meaning."

I don't understand what you're saying!

Ziyin didn't want to talk to her anymore. Just seeing her face made her furious. She grabbed Heiyu Ming's arm again, trying to pull him away from the haunted house.

"I've already seen the scariest part! So let's go out now, wise ruler!"

Anri Hitomi naturally followed suit, taking Kuroba Akira's other arm.

Ziyin was extremely annoyed, but she couldn't show it too much in front of Heiyu Ming. She didn't want to reveal her image as a jealous and wicked woman, which would lower Heiyu Ming's opinion of her.

And so, the three of them left the haunted house together, turning into a trio that gave Kuroba Akira a stomachache.

Fortunately, today is the cultural festival. Although Kuroba Akira and his trio look very eye-catching, passersby who don't know the inside story just glance at them out of curiosity. In addition, Anri Hitomi is wearing a red wedding dress, so they think it's just a performance at the cultural festival. Little do they know that this is a real love triangle drama.

Kuroba Akira tried to ease the tension between the two, but they were like mortal enemies, competing with each other in every way.

Kuroba Akira felt as if the joints between his shoulders were about to be torn off. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he took the two of them to the activity room of the Literature and Art Club.

The main purpose was to get the class monitor to change out of her overly conspicuous wedding dress, and also to separate the two of them so they could both calm down.

Just then, Shiori Shirai and Moe Aizono arrived at the Literature Club's activity room; perhaps they had also come after hearing the news.

"Wow...it's quite lively here."

"Shiori..."

Kuroba Akira breathed a slight sigh of relief. Finally, someone had come to help. With more people, Shion probably wouldn't target the class president alone.

Shiori Shirai came to check on the situation after seeing the school news. She happened to see the three of them walking towards the club building and knew they were going to the Arts Club's activity room, so she quickly brought Moe Aizono with her.

At this moment, Shion clung tightly to Kuroba Akira's arm, looking wary as if she was afraid of being taken away. Shirai Shiori then knew that the transit point was currently unable to communicate.

What did Tong do to provoke her like this?

This is like a wounded female animal baring its teeth at someone with full of vigilance... Is this the face of the woman who is currently making the fastest progress?

She's clearly prettier than me, but her expression is so terrifying. What a waste of that face.

Because she was aware of her own beauty, even though Shiori Shirai had put on a plain-looking makeup, she could still tell that Shion was the excessively beautiful woman she had seen at the door of Akira Kuroba's host family.

Since Ziyin didn't speak, Kuroba Akira had to help with the introduction.

"She is Shion Murasakinomiya, who is..."

“I know, we’ve met before. My name is Shirai Shiori, and the person behind me is Aizono Moe. We are both members of the Literature Club, just like him.”

"Hello..."

Aizen Moe peeked out from behind Shirai Shiori and weakly greeted her.

She was a little hesitant to approach, mainly because Ziyin was radiating a terrifying aura.

Because of the threat posed by Anri Hitomi, Shion has become somewhat paranoid and sees enemies everywhere. She also shows strong hostility towards the two girls she had met briefly at Kobayashi's house before.

Shiori Shirai could probably understand why she looked like that.

Having previously held an absolute lead, their mindset became distorted when they felt threatened in ways they had never experienced before.

Jealousy really can change a woman beyond recognition.

Shiori Shirai seemed thoughtful; this was a lesson for her.

It seems that being a 'leader' isn't all good; you also have to bear the corresponding pressure.

Once you can't handle the pressure, you'll lose your mental balance and end up like this.

If I were to tear off all pretenses and fight with Hitomi, would it end up like this...? That would be too tragic.

Shiori Shirai used Shion as both 'novel material' and 'negative example'. She discovered that feelings of love have two sides: when you have them, you are very happy, but if you are swallowed up by them, you become narrow-minded and blind.

But it was precisely because she met Shion and saw her own reflection in her that Shiori Shirai was finally able to be certain...

She had indeed fallen in love with Kuroba Akira.

Realizing this, Shirai Shiori glanced at Kuroba Akira with mixed feelings, only realizing her own feelings when he was entangled with two women...

Let's not get involved in this battle for men. Let Tong go and fight on the front lines. I'm just a 'civil servant'.

Where is Tong?

"Change your clothes inside."

"Oh, then I'll go in and take a look."

"Me too!"

The original trio of the Literature Club gathered inside, while Kuroba Akira, who joined later, could only stand outside...

Kuroba Akira wanted to let out a long sigh, but Shion was still beside him, so he had to hold back.

Was bringing Shion to the cultural festival a mistake...?

In fact, Shion had already suggested that he leave Anri Hitomi behind, but Kuroba Akira said that he would at least wait until the class president came out before deciding what to do next.

"Sorry to keep you waiting..."

A short while later, Anri Hitomi, having changed her clothes, walked out of the activity room with her signature smile.

The other two girls from the Literature and Art Department didn't come out with her; they just watched her from behind with worried expressions.

"Let's continue."

Continue with what?