Tokyo Soft Rice King.

Shiori Shirai shrugged and said.

"It's nothing, it's just that after hearing what Makoto said, I felt that I shouldn't waste my precious first time now."

Anri Hitomi was the first to notice her thoughts and spoke up.

"If it's the first time, I'd still prefer a 1v1."

"That's right, partly because of that, and partly because... I'd rather earn his approval myself."

Shiori Shirai has always been fair and square, and she never makes excuses when she loses.

This is the woman who, even though she was incredibly ashamed, still accepted her loss and appeared completely naked in front of Kuroba Akira.

"This was an opportunity you fought for. If I accepted it, I'd just be following along without getting his approval, and I'd even avoided a direct response... But I know that a wise ruler won't run away from things, and he'll definitely take responsibility for me afterwards... That's why I'm doing this 'made it a fait accompli' approach..."

Shiori Shirai looked at everyone with utmost seriousness and spoke.

"I do not like."

These words made everyone look at her in a new light.

Shiori Shirai must be the type who never gains weight, since she's a woman of her word and would never overeat because of her gluttony.

"And if I can't hold back now, I'll feel like I've lost to you all... Since Hitomi, Shion, Makoto, and Aunt Akiko, you all progressed to a new stage with him while he was sober, I don't want to get away with it."

Her competitive nature also made her feel ashamed of needing help in her romantic relationships.

And there was another reason she didn't say...

If a wise ruler doesn't react at all, isn't he practically a corpse?

If this is acceptable, then it's a bit too horrifying... Well, I'm talking about these shameless women in front of me.

It's practically like an ice fetishist... Seriously, does that even exist? A pervert who only likes corpses...

If the body doesn't decompose, it's still usable, but if only bones are left, it's completely unusable.

……Um?

You'd like it even if it was just bones?

Even if it means death, I would still love you?

So this is love that transcends the mundane to the extreme?

No, no, no, how could I have started to understand this without my permission? That's terrifying. I don't want to become like them.

To be honest, Shiori Shirai was somewhat tempted to try it, since many literary figures had described the taste of forbidden fruit, which was a common element in classic works.

But she envisioned a more romantic process, not like this... like a pornographic film set... uh, terrible atmosphere.

That being said, it's a bit odd to jump straight to home base without even having confessed yet, isn't it?

With these thoughts in mind, Shiori Shirai sorted out her feelings and spoke her true feelings.

"And then about wise rulers... to be honest, I might actually like one."

He acknowledged his feelings for Akira Kuroba.

"But I also respect him very much. He is my mentor, so I want to write a novel that he would sincerely consider a 'masterpiece' and gain his approval... So, perhaps what I am pursuing is different from a lover, but more like a 'male confidant'?"

Shion Murasaki's discourse on "the differences between me and you" made Shiori Shirai realize that what she was pursuing was not just physical pleasure, but a resonance of souls.

Then there was another person present who looked similar to her.

Shiori Shirai looked at Akiko Takanashi and said with an understanding smile.

"Aunt Qiu and I are probably the same type of people. Compared to the things we want to do, other things don't seem so important."

"Or rather, I'll think about other things after I've achieved my goal..."

"Did Aunt Akiko only start pursuing happiness as a woman after she achieved her dream?"

Akiko Takanashi also remarked with a gentle and loving smile.

"Yes... I've only now achieved my dream, and through my beloved, I'm 'compensating' for all the things I've lost in life until now..."

"So it's never too late to start pursuing a woman's happiness. Your life experience has taught me this. Thank you."

"As a parent, I don't wish you to be as stubborn as I am... but from my personal perspective, I will support you."

"Thank you."

"But Auntie, I still hope you don't wait until you're my age to start pursuing happiness, okay? After all, there are risks involved in pregnancy when you're older."

"It's okay. Anyway, the normal life of getting married and having children isn't the life I want."

To realize one's dreams, one must have the courage to dedicate one's entire life. However, every effort must be rewarded, and Shiori Shirai does not want to be Icarus.

"Of course, I'm a woman too. If I have the chance to develop that kind of relationship with that guy in the future, I won't hesitate."

Anri Hitomi smiled again, this time with a hint of satisfaction and approval.

"You want both dreams and men... Shiori, you're really greedy."

Shion Murasaki looked directly at Shiori Shirai's face, memorizing her beauty, which was almost as striking as her own, and her name, before asking a question.

Is this a declaration from a woman who steals fish?

"I'm not a cheater, I also hate being outdone by others, and I get along better with Mingjun, so why don't you give me the first place?"

"Keep dreaming about that kind of thing... Shiori."

The two most beautiful women with long, straight black hair smiled at each other, and from today onwards they will be both partners and rivals.

"..."

Looking at her best friend beside her, Aiyuan Moe felt that her figure had become even taller.

Shiori is always like this; even while she's still hesitating, she takes another step forward...

But this time, should he follow her around like before?

Shiori Shirai turned her head and asked.

"Moe, what do you think... do you also want to develop that kind of relationship with Mingjun?"

"I……"

Aiyuan Moe bit her lower lip.

In the past, I would have said "I don't know" or "I'm with you".

However, this time, Aizono Moe felt that she could no longer rely on Shiori.

If you don't express your thoughts properly...

There's no way I can be friends with them!

"I think so too... but I might... think differently from everyone else..."

At this women's meeting, after hearing what others thought of Akira Kuroba, Moe Aizono finally realized that she was different from the others.

The idea of ​​wanting to be a slave and be dominated by a master is 'abnormal'.

But so what if it's abnormal?

I can probably understand what they're saying...

Kuroba-kun... If it were Kuroba-kun, I would definitely be able to accept it.

And this time, the opponent is... Kuroba-kun, who is drunk, unable to move, and not in a conscious state.

If you miss this opportunity, you'll probably never have another chance to be 'on top'.

After all, when facing a sober Kuroba-kun, all she wanted to do was obediently listen to him, and she would never have the slightest thought of offending him.

Therefore, even though it was a highly disrespectful thing, Aizono Moe didn't want to miss this opportunity.

"...I want to go."

As if to encourage herself, she emphasized it again.

"I want to go upstairs!"

Shiori Shirai glanced at her best friend in surprise, but quickly gave her a smile that was both understanding and tinged with loneliness.

Really... Mengmeng, you've made up your mind too?

Hikawa Makoto yawned and said.

"Okay, so Shiori's out, Moe's in, what about the rest? Does anyone else want to quit?"

The words from someone close to her brought her to her senses immediately.

Saionji Machi also refused.

"I'm not going upstairs either."

Hikawa Makoto immediately woke up and quickly hugged her younger sister beside her, pleading with her.

"Huh?! No way! Come on, little sister! I've been looking forward to this for so long!"

Saionji Machi pushed her sister's face away with a hint of disgust.

"There are too many people, I'm a little... If it were just my sister and me, it would be barely acceptable..."

Makoto Hikawa's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed excitedly.

"Zhencheng, do you mean you only want to be with me, and not with everyone else?!"

"Saionji Machi said somewhat shyly."

"It's not that I look down on others, I just don't want to make a fool of myself in front of them..."

She remembered how she had tried to get revenge on her sister in the bathroom, only to end up fainting herself, and she was even more determined not to embarrass herself in front of others.

"But if it's you, sister, then we're family..."

"Zhen Cheng~~~ My dear little sister! I love you the most~ Come here and let me give you a kiss~"

"Stop getting so close. What about Kuroba-kun, who says he loves me the most?"

"You're the girl's favorite, and he's the boy's favorite, but that's separate. I'm open to both, okay?"

"Hmm...maybe I should take back what I just said...I guess I'm better off alone."

"No! I've remembered this! When I find a chance to ask Ming out, you have to come, okay? You absolutely have to!"