Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"A friend of a friend..."

So his motives were probably to repair his girlfriend's interpersonal relationships and to help the literature and art department recruit people.

Since the goal isn't the real orange...

"If you want me to believe you, you have to promise me that you won't lay a hand on Zhencheng."

"Huh? No, Bingchuan, what are you thinking?"

It's ridiculous that they actually thought they were going for Saionji Mato.

This is way too much of a 'sister-protecting maniac'!

However, in order to convince Hikawa Makoto, Kuroba Akira still placed his right hand on his chest and swore an oath.

"I swear I have absolutely no improper thoughts about your sister; I simply want you to join the literature and art department."

Then he continued to explain.

"You've probably heard that our Literature and Art Department only has four members right now. If we don't get five people by next year, we might have to shut it down. I noticed that you seem to be quite interested in novels, and you even work at a bookstore, which is why I invited you to join."

Kuroba Akira's long explanation was basically the same as Hikawa Makoto's thoughts, so he lowered his guard a bit and said.

"If you can help Hitomi Anri and Makoto regain their friendship... I can consider joining the Literature Club."

"Okay! It's settled then!"

There are still two months until next year, so there's plenty of time.

This matter is actually easy to handle. Kuroba Akira already knows that the class president broke off her friendship with her childhood friends because of her mother. Since that's the case, then just shift all the blame to the class president's mother and portray the class president as a 'victim'.

Then, in the future, she can act as if she and the class president have already made up and become close. If that's not enough, she can also call Sumitomo Ryota. In this way, in terms of numbers, both of her former childhood friends have made up with the class president, so Saionji Mato should also be willing to restore her relationship with the class president.

As for that robust Mitsui... Kuroba Akira isn't really familiar with him, so let's just skip him for now.

"Then, let's talk about joining the Literature and Art Department after you 'produce results'."

After saying that, Hikawa Makoto was about to turn and leave, but Kuroba Akira called her back.

"Wait a minute, Bingchuan, as proof that our agreement is valid, could you shake my hand? I'm afraid you might go back on your word later..."

"I would never go back on my word!"

Even if you say that…

"Tsk..."

Hikawa Makoto clicked her tongue in annoyance, but still switched hands to hold the book and then extended her right hand to Kuroba Akira.

Kuroba Akira simply wanted to take this opportunity to see if Hikawa Makoto had any talent.

So, Kuroba Akira turned his head slightly to look at her palm.

【Styling Design A】

[Absolute Pitch A]

Another multi-talented genius!

However, what concerned Kuroba Akira more was that these were two completely unrelated talents.

The situation is the same as Ziyin's.

Is this the general situation?

Indeed, in reality, some people are all-rounders who can do everything very well.

But if that's the case, why not a versatile talent like that of a class monitor?

Moreover, judging from Kuroo's previous feigned ignorance, Kuroba Akira felt that there must be something wrong here.

When Hikawa Makoto saw that Kuroba Akira didn't immediately come to shake her hand, but instead stared at her hand, she felt very uncomfortable and got goosebumps. So she shouted loudly.

What are you looking at!

"Oh, it's nothing, I just thought your fingers were so long and slender... No wonder you play the guitar so well. But it seems like long fingers are more suitable for playing the piano, right?"

"Hmph... I can play the piano too."

"Wow, that's amazing! It seems you, like Mirai, are truly passionate about music."

"...Takanashi Mirai, she can play the piano too?"

"I saw an electronic keyboard in her room, so she probably knows how to play. But pianos and electronic keyboards are probably not the same thing, right? I'm not really sure about the difference between the two."

Upon hearing this, Makoto Hikawa became concerned about another detail.

Room?

This guy even went into Takanashi Mirai's room?

Even if they're friends, it's not a casual thing for a guy to enter a girl's room, is it?

However, if he went with Hitomi Anri, then it makes sense...

Am I overreacting...?

Because of her parents' divorce and her relationship with her mother, Hikawa Makoto has developed a deep distrust of men and is therefore very wary of them.

If Kuroba Akira hadn't mistaken her for Saionji Makoto in his first words, she probably wouldn't have wanted to talk to him at all.

She would try to find out anything related to Zhencheng, after all...

They are 'sisters'.

Kuroba Akira never showed any particularly lewd behavior from beginning to end, so even though Hikawa Makoto disliked men, she had no reason to lash out. So after shaking hands with him, she immediately let go and said...

"Is this alright?"

Kuroba Akira looked at the new talent he had copied, the design was A, and didn't feel any change at first, so he nodded to indicate that there was no problem.

"Okay, then wait for my good news. I'll make sure your sister and Tong reconcile."

"...I hope so."

This conversation could finally end. Makoto Hikawa, who had originally planned to turn and leave, couldn't help but take out another insurance policy due to her inner worries.

"By the way, even if you plan to reconcile Anri Hitomi and Makoto, it's best not to have too much contact with Makoto."

"what?"

No, why are there any restrictions?

How can I get her to reconcile with the class president without having any contact with Saionji Machi?

The difficulty level has suddenly increased several notches. How can you use your verbal skills without making contact?

Are they operating behind the scenes, and then it all depends on the class monitor's performance?

Hikawa Makoto thought that Kuroba Akira didn't understand the specific meaning of 'contact', so she gave him a real-world example.

"It's fine if it just so happens that I'm the one you run into this time, but if you happen to run into Zhen Cheng next time, you'd better not pretend to be an acquaintance when you greet him."

"This... at least give me a reason? Why is it best to avoid contact with your sister?"

"Zhencheng... is not normal."

"what?"

Kuroba Akira was completely bewildered again.

The younger sister says her older sister is abnormal. Does she like or dislike her older sister?

Or perhaps this is actually a way to prevent men with ill intentions from seducing the older sister, so they deliberately belittle her...

But it feels a bit redundant, doesn't it? After all, I just made an oath.

If they really don't trust themselves, why don't they just reject their own suggestions?

Akira Kuroba was completely bewildered and couldn't quite understand what Makoto Hikawa was thinking.

Women's thoughts...the relationship between sisters...it's all so complicated.

"I'm only warning you once: if you insist on contacting Zhencheng... you'll bear the consequences."

After saying that, Hikawa Makoto ignored Kuroba Akira and turned around to walk back to the cashier.

When Kuroba Akira saw her glancing at the light novel in her hand, he couldn't help but ask.

"Didn't you say you never buy books?"

"……snort."

Hikawa Makoto blushed slightly, but after a cold snort, she remained silent.

She still wanted to finish reading the novel, and only bought a copy to show her support because of Kuroba Akira.

Kuroba Akira quickly covered his mouth, indicating that he had said too much, and then shrugged.

"Anyway, it was a pleasure to meet you, Bingchuan. Remember to tell me your thoughts next time we meet."

"..."

Next time...

Hikawa Makoto suddenly realized that she hadn't said the word "farewell" in a long time.

"……goodbye."

"Okay, see you at school."

Kuroba Akira waved and left the bookstore.

After watching him leave, Makoto Hikawa returned to the cashier and sat there in a daze for a while.

She had no classmates she could call friends at school and always kept to herself.

I thought I had long since adapted and no longer needed such fragile relationships as friendships, but now it seems I still have some regrets.

"Literature and Art Club... Kotomi..."

She quietly closed her eyes, and the past came flooding back like a tide.

Those little things from the past, those memories long buried deep in my heart, have now quietly surfaced and reappeared before my eyes.

It seems that the 'past' is something that can't be shaken off... it always comes back in unexpected ways.

However, she will never regret her decision.