Tokyo Soft Rice King.

If it can save my sister, I don't care even if she resents me.

She had even figured out the specific steps involved.

"In short, I first act like I look down on Zhencheng and think she's a burden, and deliberately mock her. Then, you 'thoughtfully' tell her that I stole her talent and offer her 'advice' to take back the talent that rightfully belongs to her. Zhencheng should be able to accept that."

After all this, it's no longer a case of the older sister giving charity to the younger sister, but it also eliminates the inferiority complex of the incompetent younger sister towards her genius older sister.

"That's right, but Makoto, can you really accept this outcome?"

"If the price of sacrificing my talent and being disliked by my younger sister is enough to get Makoto's life back on track, remove the older sister persona, regain her confidence, and return to her true self, then I can totally accept it."

Hikawa Makoto frowned slightly, her eyes revealing an undeniable determination.

Kuroba Akira nodded. Now that Hikawa Makoto had agreed to the plan, the next step was to discuss the details.

"But before that, we need to discuss one more thing, which is to teach Makoto which of your talents we should teach her... I've already told you about your talents, one is perfect pitch, and the other is design."

She was quite decisive in the beginning, but when it came to choosing which talent to give to Saionji Makoto, Hikawa Makoto was in a dilemma.

"To be honest... I think either one is fine, I wouldn't even mind transferring both talents to Zhencheng... Is that possible?"

"I haven't tried it either, but it's best not to, I feel like there might be problems."

The reason why Akira Kuroba wanted to try talent transfer on the two sisters was because Makoto Hikawa happened to have two unrelated talents. Even if she lost one of them, the impact on her should not be too bad, just like a person who has lost their left hand can still use their right hand.

However, if both arms were removed, it would really affect daily life.

Talent is a thing that carries karma. If you transfer both talents to someone else, and end up turning Hikawa Makoto into an empty-hearted cripple, and then let Saionji Mato be devoured by karma, then Kuroba Akira would have done more harm than good.

But then again, doesn't she really cherish her own talent at all?

Kuroba Akira asked, puzzled.

Do you think you don't need talent?

"It's better to have it, of course, but it's okay if you don't. That's my view on talent."

"Aren't you underestimating the impact of your talent? In fact, the piano awards you won as a child, the praise you received from your father, and other related skills you acquired were all due to your talent, or rather, it was because of your talent that you achieved success at a young age. If you didn't have that talent, you would just be like your sister..."

Hikawa Makoto glared at Kuroba Akira and retorted angrily.

"So what? Do you think I only like playing the piano? Does my father's praise matter to me? I don't care at all!"

Kuroba Akira had already placed his hands in front of his chest, signaling her not to get agitated.

Hikawa Makoto didn't want to argue with Kuroba Akira, so she composed herself and asked.

"Kuroba Akira, do you even have any talent yourself?"

"No."

"Then what was your purpose in creating this light novel?"

"For money."

"..."

Hikawa Makoto rolled her eyes. She hadn't expected Kuroba Akira's answer to be so corny, but it seemed quite reasonable.

"Okay, I'm such an idiot for asking you this... I just wanted to say that I didn't become a fan of music because I have perfect pitch or am good at it."

Kuroba Akira immediately understood what she meant; it turned out that Hikawa Makoto was the kind of person who 'had dreams'.

She has things she likes and things she wants to do, and these have nothing to do with talent.

"Whether you're writing a novel or a song, the most important thing is never talent, but the urge to create. If you're a 'true creator,' you should understand this too."

"Heh...indeed...you're right."

Kuroba Akira smiled with relief, realizing that Hikawa Makoto was just like him and Shirai Shiori.

"But what if ordinary people without talent eventually reach their limits and fail?"

"It's okay to fail. Why do we have to succeed? Sometimes, failing a lot can even become a symbol... Do you know a horse in horse racing named Chun Wulala?"

Because Akira Kuroba had played Uma Musume in his previous life, he knew the story of this horse. As a racehorse, it had 113 races and 0 wins in its career, never winning a single one, but it became famous because of this.

Failure itself is not shameful, but the spirit of getting back up after failure and becoming stronger with each setback is worthy of praise.

"Okay, okay, I knew what you wanted to say when you said that..."

"I just want to leave my own mark on this world, even if no one cares."

How dashing!

The soul is completely free from worldly constraints.

She cherishes the voice within her heart, bravely chooses the lifestyle she desires, and freely writes her own chapter in life.

Hikawa Makoto is not only a caring older sister, but also a very strong person, which makes Kuroba Akira look at her with new respect.

"It seems like only now do I see your true colors... Hikawa Makoto."

"Tch... Anyway, it doesn't matter which one you choose, I don't care. Since it was your idea, you can decide."

Unable to make up her mind, Hikawa Makoto once again threw the question to Kuroba Akira, just as she had asked him to help Saionji Makoto choose shoes.

"Hmm... then let's give the styling design to Zhencheng. I think you prefer music, right? Putting aside achievements and such, having music-related talents would be more convenient for you, wouldn't it?"

"...It is quite convenient."

"Okay, it's settled then. The talent for styling will be transferred to your sister, so..."

Just as Kuroba Akira was about to continue with the next question, Hikawa Makoto suddenly asked hesitantly.

"Hey, Akira Kuroba, do you think what we're doing... counts as deciding Makoto's future?"

This woman is decisive and resolute when it comes to her own affairs, but indecisive and worried when it comes to her sister's affairs... she's just like me.

Akira Kuroba found that he could make decisive decisions about his own affairs, but when it came to women, he would overthink and worry more and more...

To put it kindly, this could be considered a case of being overly concerned.

But from an outsider's perspective, it's truly speechless.

It seems I need to reflect on myself. Sometimes, being overly concerned can lead me into a cognitive trap.

This time, Kuroba Akira, as an observer, can offer a clearer perspective.

"It doesn't count."

Explain it to me clearly!

“If she has no ideas of her own, then we are indeed arranging her life. But if she has things she wants to do like you, then even if she acquires new talents, she won’t be limited by them, right?”

“That makes sense…but…Makoto doesn’t have her own opinions.”

"It's just that it hasn't happened yet. This brings us to the next issue I wanted to discuss with you earlier: how to get your sister interested in styling design. This is also part of the 'cleanup work' after the talent transfer."

"?"

"Iceberg Makoto asked, puzzled."

Is there any follow-up work to be done?

"Of course there are. If someone receives a talent that doesn't originally belong to them, and they don't have a strong will, they will be 'swept away' by that talent."

Kuroba Akira originally wanted to say "devour," but to avoid Hikawa Makoto worrying about her sister and changing her mind, she used a more neutral term.

"To be coerced...does that mean you'll be led by the nose by talent?"

"Yes, the reason is actually quite simple. When you don't have anything you want to do, and you suddenly realize that you are actually very good at doing something, you will unconsciously start doing what you are good at. This is human laziness, and people tend to stay in their comfort zone."

"I see……"

Hikawa Makoto crossed her arms and nodded.

"So this situation becomes a case of us interfering with the future of Zhencheng, is that what you mean?"

"Yes, if we don't want Zhencheng to end up like this, the ideal approach is for us to find a way to make her interested in this career related to her talent, and then let her 'spontaneously' embark on this path. In this way, it's not us deciding her future, but her own future, and we're just providing some 'assistance' in her career development."

"Hmm... I feel like our discussion of this makes us look like con artists, completely framing Zhen Cheng..."

"So I said from the beginning, 'Just don't let her know,' so you and I are basically... well, accomplices."

Kuroba Akira suddenly recalled his secret conversation with the class president and the arrangements he made for Shion, which is why he used the term "accomplice."

This operation is actually the same as that one; both are 'guiding' an unsuspecting person onto a path they have laid out for them.

This time, however, the woman who conspired with Kuroba Akira was Hikawa Makoto, and the woman who was arranged to be her younger sister, Saionji Machi.

"Accomplices... Ha... It seems we really are 'big bad guys' after all."

"It doesn't matter, as long as we achieve our goal."

"really……"

Hikawa Makoto shook her head with a wry smile, then looked back at Kuroba Akira with the same gaze she would give to her companion.

“I will become your accomplice, Kuroba Akira… no, let me just call you Akira.”

"Have you finally accepted me?"

"At least I know you're not here to pick me up."

"..."

Kuroba Akira rolled his eyes, utterly speechless.

"Heh... Anyway, let's work together on the matter of collecting [the goods]. As long as Zhen Cheng can return to normal, then..."

Hikawa Makoto paused, then gave a slightly lewd look that seemed off-putting to girls, making obscene gestures as she spoke.

"Can I have sex with you then?"

"Who wants that kind of stuff!"

Kuroba Akira scoffed.

Hearing Kuroba Akira say that, Hikawa Makoto blushed and, filled with shame and indignation, pounced on him, tucking Kuroba Akira's head under her armpits, punching his head while yelling fiercely.

"You bastard! How dare you describe a young girl's virginity as something like that! That's going too far!"

"You were the one who brought it up first... What?! You think you can just get rid of me with one shot? You think too highly of yourself!"

"What did you say?! I'm still an original product! I'm very valuable, you know! Apologize to me for my once-in-a-lifetime virginity!"

"Cough... I've tasted virgins before... uh..."