Tokyo Soft Rice King.

Akiko Takanashi used her seasoned acting skills to pretend to be completely unaware, and said with a troubled expression while touching her cheek.

"Huh? It's an alcoholic beverage? I didn't even notice... Did the store give me the wrong one?"

Then, another actress, Anri Hitomi, who was also a very skilled actress, chimed in.

"Maybe they just think of us as college students. After all, holding a celebration party at an izakaya is very much like a college student group."

"You should at least ask!"

Motoko Kobayakawa was still angry, and in order to appease her, Hitomi Anri clasped her hands together and apologized to the teachers.

"I'm sorry, Professor Ohno and Momoko-senpai... but it was just an accident. Could you please turn a blind eye?"

Junko Ohno didn't really care, but she felt a little strange. She had clearly drunk a non-alcoholic beverage... Could it be that the shopkeeper thought she was more like a child?

Damn it! It seems reasonable! But I'm so angry!

Wait, something's not right. Why is the drink Takanashi Mirai is alcoholic? Do I look younger than her?

Motoko Kobayakawa was initially so angry that she wanted to complain to the store, but she wasn't a teacher now, but Peach Sauce, and her best friend held her back, so she could only swallow her anger.

After all, the parents found the restaurant and the students made the reservation. The restaurant even vacated a private room. Even if there was a small mistake, it shouldn't warrant a complaint.

At this point, Junko Ohno, the only teacher present, was quite troubled. After what had happened, it was unlikely that they could go a second time, so she decided to play the peacemaker and let everyone disperse.

"Okay, okay, I know, I'll pretend I didn't notice. Anyway, it's winter break, and nobody's drunk..."

Then she glanced at the only drunk boy and raised an eyebrow, making a sarcastic remark.

"No, there's still one victim... It seems Ming is the type who can't hold his liquor, then..."

Junko Ohno originally wanted to suggest that she and Motoko take Akira Kuroba home, since teachers have an obligation to look after their students.

But Anri Hitomi, as if she had already guessed what she was going to say next, interrupted her with a smile.

"Don't worry, Mr. Ohno. As I just mentioned, Akira is currently staying at my grandmother's house, so we will take care of taking Akira home."

In the future, her face flushed from the alcohol, she spoke with excitement.

“That’s right! Mr. Ohno, leave it to my mom! She’s the nanny for the Kobayashi family now! So she’ll definitely be able to get Akira back ‘unharmed’!”

I will definitely return it.

But... when to send it is up to us.

"Yes, Mr. Ohno, I have a key to Kuroba-kun's house, I'll drive him home."

As she spoke, Akiko Takanashi took out the key to the Kobayashi family's front door that she had obtained from Granny Kobayashi, and everyone else cast envious glances at her.

Compared to the oblivious Motoko Kobayakawa, Junko Ohno was much more perceptive; she could see the hidden desires in the girls' eyes.

If the drunken Kuroba Akira were entrusted to this group of high school girls in their adolescence, it would probably turn into a random multi-person situation that even she, as a teacher, had never experienced... Let alone random multi-person situations, she had never even enjoyed one-on-one interactions... Sigh, it's all tears when I think about it.

Seeing them makes me feel like I wasted my student days; it's truly sad.

But since a parent is responsible for dropping someone off, that situation shouldn't have happened, right? Besides, they have the key, so they can definitely deliver it to the house.

After exchanging glances with her best friend, Motoko Kobayakawa nodded in approval, indicating that she could accept the arrangement. She trusted Akiko Takanashi and considered her a very responsible single mother.

"I understand, then thank you for your help... What about the others? It's getting late, teacher, shall I take you all home with Peach Sauce?"

The remaining few people all wore expressions as if they had been caught by the teacher playing on their phones in class.

If I'm sent back here, how am I supposed to attend the Takanashi family's party? Should I go home and then sneak out again?

You definitely have to go with them from the very beginning!

Shiori Shirai waved her hand and said.

"No need to trouble you, teacher. The tram is still running, we can just take it back."

"Yes, yes..."

Aiyuan Moe knew her acting was terrible and that she was likely to make mistakes if she talked too much, so she simply lowered her head and remained silent.

"but……"

At this moment, everyone's Hitomi Anri stepped up again. With an impeccable smile, she uttered the words that would save everyone.

"Momoko-senpai's car can't fit all these people, right? So I've already asked my family to send a car to take them home. So, Ohno-sensei, why don't you go back with Momoko-senpai?"

She could have simply stood by and let the teacher send the other people who were in the way home, but she still lent a helping hand to them.

Not one can be missing!

But considering what might happen next, it might be better to have fewer people?

Makoto's expression was somewhat subtle; she still didn't know what Hitomi was thinking, while Makoto seemed lost in thought.

With everything arranged so well, Junko Ohno had nothing to say. Thinking that she should at least pay the bill, she got up and took out her wallet from the pocket of her white coat as she spoke.

"Alright then... let's call it a day then, I'll pay the bill."

Akiko Takanashi quickly got up to stop her.

"How could I let you, teacher, spend so much money? Since I was the one who found the shop, I'll take care of things here..."

Then, without giving the two a chance to compete to open their wallets, the accountant, Shirai Shiori, said with a bit of a laugh.

"You two should stop arguing, because the wise ruler has already paid in advance, and you will only receive the remaining refund when you go there."

The two were stunned and looked at Kuroba Akira, who was slumped over the table. Did he pay in advance because he guessed that the adults would rush to pay the bill?

This kid... he's quite worldly-wise.

Shiori Shirai took out two million yen in banknotes that she had prepared earlier and said.

"The bill was paid with the money I earned this time, and this is half of the money I earned, totaling two million yen. Myeongjun told me to share it with you."

Junko Ohno stared in disbelief at the nearly two-centimeter-thick stack of banknotes.

"Half is too much! One-tenth is enough! Just give me the money for the reprint... You are the creators, how can you let me take more!"

However, Shiori Shirai insisted on stuffing the money into Junko Ohno's hand.

"Since the wise ruler has already made this decision, please accept it."

"No, but... uh, none of you have any objections? Especially Ai-en-kun, you're the main artist for this manga, right? You've put in the most effort, so you should get the lion's share, shouldn't you?"

"Huh? Me? Me... I..."

Of course, I'll obey my master completely... To be honest, it doesn't matter if I don't get a single penny... The money should all belong to the master anyway...

Moe Aizono had absolutely no idea that she was the creator of this manga. On the contrary, she felt that she was able to set up her stall entirely thanks to Akira Kuroba and the other club members.

The act of short selling itself gave her a huge sense of accomplishment, and the money she made was not so important.

However, when Junko Ohno mentioned "taking the lion's share," she was reminded of the time when Akira Kuroba insisted on giving her the lion's share of the light novel royalties.

I was terrified because I only drew some illustrations!

I absolutely cannot take the lion's share this time! I can't even sleep soundly!

"No, no, no, no... I think everyone is important. For example, without everyone, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to create such a wonderful work... So this money should belong to everyone... I think it depends on everyone's opinion!"

The topic was then posed to other people, and their reactions were as follows.

Shiori Shirai: "This manga was conceived and designed by Hitomi. I didn't participate in any of the other aspects, so this money has nothing to do with me."

Hikawa Makoto: "It doesn't matter. I only helped because I wanted to. Besides, there's nothing I want to buy right now. Akira already bought it for me."

Makoto was already satisfied with the guitar that Akira Kuroba had bought for her; all she wanted now was to bring Akira Kuroba back to Takanashi's house for a party.

Saionji Machi: "I wasn't originally a member of the Literature Club, so I'm only here to join everyone for the celebration party because I'm being treated so well."

Takanashi Mirai: "It's already an exception for a newbie like me to be qualified to participate in the production of manga. Being able to see the birth of manga in such a close place is already a great achievement. I'll use the money as club funds."

Hitomi Anri: "The club's activity funds are already quite sufficient... If no one has any need for them, I can help manage and invest them in a good place. Just come to me when you need them."

Anyway, just throw everything into Shinchi Co., Ltd., which was founded by Akira Kuroba and his group. That would be considered as investing in Akira Kuroba.

Junko Ohno was dumbfounded.

As the organizer, she has seen countless groups break up over the distribution of rewards; money disputes are arguably the most common conflict in this circle.

But they showed absolutely no interest in such a large sum of money? That's nearly five million yen!

Each person would receive 400,000 yen, which is a huge sum for students, right? Even for adults, it's not a small amount; it's equivalent to two months' salary for a teacher.

Are they still immature about money because they are students? Or are these rich young ladies from well-off families simply not short of money?

No... this is more like...

Junko Ohno glanced down at Akira Kuroba, who was slumped over the table, and thought: Is he the one who calls the shots...? This guy is the core of the Literature Club.

The idea of ​​splitting it in half was probably to avoid owing favors. It's likely that they had already decided to decline Sesame Dumpling's invitation, but changed their minds after discovering that Ohno-sensei was actually Sesame Dumpling.

With that in mind, Junko Ohno knew what to do.

"Alright... I'll accept the money, but I won't use it myself. Consider it as funding for setting up the new club."

Seeing that Junko Ohno actually accepted the money, Motoko Kobayakawa behind her was somewhat surprised, because she knew that her best friend was very serious about money, and that the amount should be exactly what it should be, not a penny more or less, so she would usually not accept such an ambiguous distribution, but this time she actually accepted it.

After putting the money away, Junko Ohno said to Hitomi Anri.

"After Ming wakes up, please tell him to think of a name for the new club... He can be the club president, you all should agree, right?"

"Of course, that's what everyone hopes for too."

No one refuted Anri Hitomi's statement, and Ohno Junko thus confirmed the last thing: what would happen to Kuroba Akira after they took him away... But it's best not to interfere with them, or they will hold a grudge.

After the event ended, Junko Ohno sat in the passenger seat and looked through the car window at Akiko Takanashi, who was helping Akira Kuroba into the car.

As expected, Mrs. Takanashi... the way she looked at the boy was not at all like the way one would look at a 'daughter's friend,' but more like the seductive gaze of an adult with lustful desire...

Although it sounds absurd, considering the 'unity' of these girls, perhaps even Mrs. Takanashi is an 'accomplice'...

The shop owners are innocent; the alcoholic beverages were arranged intentionally by them.

The fact that he needed to be made drunk indicates that the young man was not acting voluntarily, and may even have been resisting.

And they're going to such lengths to bring him back...?

Is he really that good?

After fastening her seatbelt, Junko Ohno slid back in her seat and murmured to herself.

"I just can't understand it..."