Tokyo Soft Rice King.

Doesn't that turn into extortion?

"Wait, class monitor, that's not what I meant..."

They've already disappeared.

Should we chase after them?

Forget it, I'll just explain it to her when she gets back.

The class monitor returned quickly, but instead of jogging when she left, she held her skirt with both hands, one in front of the other, and walked very slowly, her steps small, as if she were shuffling along the ground.

When she walked back to the vending machine, Kuroba Akira noticed that her face had also turned very red, perhaps from the heat, or perhaps from shame.

Actually, judging from the way she walked, Kuroba Akira could already guess what she was going to do.

It was just so absurd that he didn't want to admit it was reality.

However, in the end, the class monitor proved with his actions that a genius's thought process is indeed different from others.

She took something wrapped in a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to Kuroba Akira, then thoughtfully added some instructions.

"Um... because it's really hot today, the smell is a bit strong... If you want it clean, Kuroba-kun, I can wash it and bring it over tomorrow, but I heard that guys prefer it untouched..."

"Huh? What are you talking about, class monitor?"

Kuroba Akira simply pretended to be stupid.

The class monitor tilted his head and asked in return.

"Isn't this exactly what you wanted, Kuroba-kun?"

"..."

Do you want to buy it?

Is it really okay to accept it?

This seems even worse than extortion...

But this wasn't Kuroba Akira's suggestion; rather, she offered up her own personal clothing.

The previous conversation may have caused the class monitor to have a strange misunderstanding, thinking that Kuroba Akira came for this reason.

If people found out, they'd definitely think I'm a pervert.

No, if people found out that these were the summer limited edition sweat-stained used panties of the top-ranked class monitor, someone might offer a high price for them…

"No! Wait a minute! I guess I should just forget about it!"

While he was pondering this, the squad leader had already taken back the handkerchief and the inner lining fabric.

"Why did you suddenly give up? Have you finally picked up your sense of shame as a young girl?"

"Because you're planning to sell my underwear, aren't you, Kuroba-kun?"

"Uh……"

She noticed even though it was just a fleeting thought; her skill in reading people is quite impressive.

"If Kuroba-kun is going to use it himself, that's fine, but if he's going to sell it, I'll feel uncomfortable, so I'd better not."

"Where do you want me to use it...?"

"Hmm...for example, to make tea? To use as a face mask? As a material for spellcasting?"

"Class monitor... you're actually an old driver, aren't you? Looks like you've been sneaking peeks at 'study materials' quite a bit."

"I don't understand what you're saying, Kuroba-kun."

"Okay, if you say so, then so be it."

"Looks like I've lost my mind, actually thinking I could bribe Kuroba-kun with this filthy stuff... You should name your price, Kuroba-kun, except for this."

"Hey class monitor, you've seen my predicament, don't you know what I lack most right now?"

Kuroba Akira made a gesture as if asking for money.

money!

Money!

Give me the money!

I'm a student, so give me the money!

"Of course I know what Kuroba-kun needs."

Hitomi Anri held the 1,000 yen note that had been returned due to exceeding the time limit in her hand and showed it to everyone.

"I just don't think you can buy Kuroba-kun for 1,000 yen."

"So I'm actually worth that much. The more you offer, the happier I am."

"Although I have more money, I hope to buy Kuroba-kun with my own money, rather than relying on the money my parents give me."

"Okay, then let's not do a cash transaction."

Seeing that Kuroba Akira accepted it calmly, Anri Hitomi blinked in surprise and asked.

"Kuroba-kun, you agreed? I thought you would be disappointed and then cancel the deal."

"There's no way around it, this is a matter of principle."

You really shouldn't waste the money your parents give you on things like this.

"I see..."

Anri Hitomi felt somewhat happy and smiled.

"So, what do you want, Kuroba-kun? I'm willing to trade anything I can offer."

As she said this, another question actually arose in her mind.

What else can I offer?

This is actually a deep-seated self-doubt and self-denial that has always lingered in Hitomi Anri's heart.

Without relying on parents and family background, and without relying on innate physical value, what else can one have to offer?

Anri Hitomi herself couldn't have imagined it.

So she wanted to get the answer from him.

If you share the same perspective as your mother... you should be able to tell, right?

Please tell me.

Where exactly does my value lie?

Chapter Six: Geniuses and Mortals

Hei Yuming crossed his arms and looked the squad leader up and down.

Even if you let him name a price, you need to first determine whether the help you can provide is truly valuable.

"Let me ask first, how many people are there in the Literature and Art Department?"

The class monitor first held up three fingers, and then added his little finger.

"Currently, there are three of us including me. If you join us, Kuroba-kun, we will have four people."

"Even if I join, it won't solve the problem. The minimum number of members for a club is at least five, right?"

"Yes, that's true, but the Arts Department won't be targeted by the Student Council until the seniors graduate."

When do third-year students officially leave the club?

"Kuroba-kun wants to know how much time the Literature Club has left, right?"

"Yes, let's do a simple estimate."

"Well... most third-year students in other clubs retire in November, but our Arts and Literature Club doesn't have any major competitions to participate in, so the retirement time for third-year students will be a little later, but at the latest by the end of the second semester. Starting from the third semester, the seniors will no longer be considered active members of the Arts and Literature Club. As I just mentioned, the seniors are already focusing on their studies and are no longer coming to the club."

"Tomorrow is the start of the new semester, and there are still four months until next winter break..."

There is still plenty of time. As long as we find one more person within this year, we will have five people in total.

In other words, Kuroba Akira's joining was not at the critical juncture of the 'crisis of the company's demise,' and could only be considered as helping out in a small way.

Moreover, even if enough members are not found by next year, the class monitor can use his influence to find a bunch of people willing to help add members, since all that is needed is to write an application form, which is just a small favor.

"Suppose I join the Arts Club. Do you have a candidate in mind for the fifth person, class monitor?"

"not yet."

"Um……"

At this point, Kuroba Akira had already decided to join the Literature and Art Club, and now it was just a matter of seeing what benefits he could get from the class president.

In fact, even if you don’t want anything, it’s not bad to just do a favor.

Building a good relationship with the class monitor now is also an investment in the future.

While it's not true that being good at studying guarantees making a lot of money, having the ability to learn means that she will continue to improve.

Moreover, Anri Hitomi is very good at reading people and has excellent interpersonal skills. She is not the kind of person who only studies hard but is incompetent.

A person with such excellent interpersonal skills and a strong learning ability is bound to make a name for themselves in the future.

But Akira Kuroba was truly hungry.

He had no intention of letting go of the fat sheep that was being offered to him.

"Squad leader, can I take a look at my hands?"

"Hey?"

"I want to have my palm read before deciding what I want."

"Does Kuroba-kun also know how to tell fortunes?"

Kuroba Akira lied without even blinking.

"Understood."

"I see..."

Anri Hitomi was somewhat surprised and disappointed that someone would make a decision at this time using such an unreliable method as divination. Had she misjudged the person?