Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"Um... So, Ms. Miao and Ms. Tsukimi, did you two come here together?"

To ease the awkward atmosphere, Akira Kuroba took the initiative to bring up a new topic.

"Actually, it was Yiyi who was filming her last scene here. After the movie wrapped up, the crew disbanded on the spot. Then I asked Yiyi, and she said she didn't have any work scheduled afterward, so I rushed over immediately."

The reason the hotel was so empty was because the previous guests were all members of the film crew. After filming wrapped, all the rooms were empty except for the two people who stayed. And just then, Kuroba Akira and the others checked in.

"It's just that there aren't any projects I absolutely have to do right now, not that I'm not working. It's just that you insisted on coming to the hot springs with me, so I stayed."

"Seriously, even if you love your job, Yiyi, shouldn't you give yourself some rest time?"

"I didn't exhaust myself."

"You should also consider your manager. She works for you all year round without a break! Even a god would break down if he had to work all the time!"

Indeed! Kuroba Akira wholeheartedly agreed with what Senior Miao said.

It seems that Tsukimi Ryou is a complete workaholic... After all, she is a popular star, so it's normal for her to be busy.

"So that's why I sent her back to Tokyo first, right?"

Kuroba Akira interrupted and asked.

"Did the agent go back first?"

"Yes, because I came, the manager handed Yiyi over to me without worry and then went back. Although I asked her if she wanted to stay and soak in the hot spring, she said she wanted to go back and get a good night's sleep, so I didn't ask her to stay."

Kuroba Akira was also completely able to empathize.

After working overtime for a long time, I really don't want to do anything, I just want to go home and sleep, sleep until I'm completely exhausted.

However, this was the first time he had ever seen a manager who was being driven crazy by the artist they were responsible for.

Tsukimi Rii Ai... What an incredible top-tier office worker!

However, she works for her acting career, so she can't be considered a corporate slave. She should be considered to be striving for her dream.

You'd never guess she's such a passionate person.

"Senior Sister Miao, you are truly trusted."

"Mainly because the agent knows that Yiyi and I have incredible abilities, so we are generally not harassed by strangers."

"I see, you're an insider."

In a sense, they can also be considered insiders, referring to the circle of deities.

"Actually, it's been a long time since I've seen Yiyi, it's been about half a year, right? I originally wanted to invite Yiyi to the cultural festival to give everyone at school a surprise. Her entertainment company had already given permission, but unfortunately she was busy with other work at the time."

"If Tsukimi-san really performs at the school festival, the scene might get so popular that it gets out of control."

"Yes, it's a pity that plans can't keep up with changes. So as an alternative, I went to Takanashi's band. As you know, Kuroba-san, the band had an accident during the performance, so I went to find Makoto-san at the last minute. In the end, thanks to Murasaki-no-miya, the school festival was able to come to a successful conclusion. It was really full of twists and turns!"

"You've really gone through a lot of trouble..."

Knowing the whole story makes it easier to understand how much effort the student council president put into this cultural festival. After all, it was a cultural festival she organized as president, so she must have wanted to make it the best it could be.

After the start of the new semester, Senior Miao will be a senior in high school. In the spring, there will be an election for a new student council. After that, she will step down as president and start preparing for the college entrance exam.

However, a student as outstanding as her must have already received a university recommendation.

"Murasomiya... Speaking of which, you've mentioned her several times since earlier. Is Murasomiya related to her? You also mentioned Anri... You mean Anri Hitomi, the one you always told me you hoped would succeed you as the new student council president?"

"That's right, it's those two. They have a very close relationship with Kuroba-kun, right?"

Being publicly accused of his womanizing made Kuroba Akira even more embarrassed, but he still nodded in acknowledgment.

"Uh, um...yes."

Many students may not know about the love triangle at the cultural festival, but Senior Sister Miao backstage saw it and naturally learned about the relationship between Ming, Tong, and Zi.

Lan Yi frowned slightly, puzzled.

Are you dating two people at the same time? Are you openly two-timing?

Actually, considering that Kuroba Akira is entangled in a red thread, it's not surprising that he has two women with whom he has a close relationship.

But what's strange is that even Miao knew about it.

Generally speaking, shouldn't such things be known only to the person in question?

The women who were close to him probably didn't know about the other women; that's how they survived.

Otherwise, the emotional entanglements alone would have been enough to kill him dozens of times over.

It's important to understand that the red thread represents more than just romantic love; it signifies a bond that transcends life and death.

Yeah... those are all red lines... that's incredible in itself.

Because the red thread is not a thread that can be connected and dyed by money or appearance.

Moreover, Kuroba Akira doesn't seem handsome enough to make women ovulate on the spot just by his looks.

Although she gave a good first impression and didn't seem too excited when she learned that she was Tsukimi Ayane, which was a plus, the overly exaggerated red lines made Tsukimi Ayane feel physically uncomfortable.

But after the initial instinctive repulsion, she became curious instead. What had Kuroba Akira done to be able to connect with so many women? Could it be related to his abilities?

Kuroba Akira honestly admitted to being a scumbag.

"Well... if I had to put it that way, that's definitely true, so I'm not surprised that Tsukimi-san hates me so much..."

Moreover, it's not actually about having two boats at the same time, but more than eight, and currently it's already ten boats involved.

However, Makoto, Mirai, and Shiori haven't lost their virginity yet, so they're still within the eight-ship range.

But there's a high probability that things will still go on in the future... it's actually a low-probability event if things don't happen.

"Ah, so Yiyi, you're being so cold to Kuroba because you doubt his character? Hehe, then I think you can rest assured. Kuroba isn't the kind of frivolous guy who would casually lay a hand on a girl, right?"

"Well, I don't think I'm frivolous, it's just that, um... I'm a bit too popular with women."

Kuroba Akira's words sounded quite self-aggrandizing, so Tsukimi Riran snorted coldly.

"Hmph, the fact that he couldn't choose his true love just proves that he's an indecisive man, otherwise things wouldn't have turned into such a tangled mess."

"But Kuroba-kun didn't hide it from the two of them either. It's an open and aboveboard love triangle. Don't you think that's romantic?"

"..."

Tsukimi Ryou was speechless, and Kuroba Akira was also quite surprised.

You actually think it's romantic? Senior Miao's thought process is really unique... Could it be that she's watched too many idol dramas about love triangles that make her feel nauseous?

"And to be honest, I have absolutely no idea whether Anri-san or Murasaki-miya-san will be the ultimate winner. I have a feeling that the three of you will likely maintain this complicated and subtle relationship for a long time. This trip you all took together proves that point."

"Yes... Senior Miao, you're amazing, you even guessed that."

"Hehe, I may not have any particular strengths, but my intuition is pretty accurate."

Tsukimi Ryoui's feelings were somewhat complicated. First, she was surprised by the public love triangle itself, and then she found it hard to understand the two people involved in the love triangle.

Tsukimi Ryoui didn't know much about Anri Hitomi, but since she was someone Miao Xiang had chosen, she must be an exceptionally outstanding woman. And how could such a woman fall in love with Kuroba Akira to the point of having a red thread tied between their hearts...?

What she found most incomprehensible was Murasaki no Miyako Shion.

She had never met Shion Murasaki; she only learned of her existence after watching the performance video of the cultural festival sent to her by Yomi Myōen.

Then, at that moment, Tsukimi Ryou realized it.

If this woman were to enter the entertainment industry, she would become his biggest rival in his acting career, without exception.

With looks comparable to her own, a heavenly voice that touches the heart, and a breathtaking performance.

She already has the potential to become a legend.

She then asked her agent to investigate and found Shion Murasomiya's name on the list of newcomers who had not yet debuted in a voice actor agency called Shiki.

He's just a voice actor?

I thought he'd become a singer...

No, voice acting is now a comprehensive idol career. She's probably just using voice acting as a stepping stone and will eventually become a singer.

Does that mean you don't want to rely on your looks and want to achieve great things just by relying on your singing voice?

If it were her, she might indeed become a national diva, or even an Asian superstar.

But this approach is too extravagant. Appearance is also a weapon; to have unique talents but not use them is a waste of talent.

If she doesn't show herself, she could never be as good as him.

And now I think that way even more: what good is a woman who is obsessed with men and doesn't know her own value, even if she is exceptionally talented?

Ultimately, she's no different from those superficial women who love talking about romance.

It's a pity... I thought she would come to me and become a worthy opponent, but now it seems that this man will become her biggest obstacle.

While Tsukimi Ryou felt regretful, Kuroba Akira thought of a crucial question and said it to Myōen Yomi beside him.

"By the way, Senior Miao, could you extend your hand to me? As your agent, I can see your experience."

"Does it refer to the number of times you've had sex? That's quite an erotic ability. Won't Kuroba-kun find out I'm still a virgin? How embarrassing!"

You don't seem shy at all, and you said it yourself... This is flirting, isn't it?

"Uh, no, what I can see is skill proficiency and talent."

"Sure, but the agent's abilities don't work on the agent, right?"

Myōen Yomi said this while still spreading her hands out to Kuroba Akira.

"That's right, I can't see it after all... but how does Tsukimi-san see the red thread on my body?"

"Hmm... I'm not really sure about this either, Yiyi, can you explain it to me?"

An agent's abilities cannot be revealed to ordinary people without the permission of the gods, but since Kuroba Akira is also an agent, there's nothing to hide. Tsukimi Ryoui simply spoke up, also wanting to take this opportunity to tell him just how absurd his actions were.

“I can see the threads of fate on everyone’s body. The threads connect the two ends, so to be precise, I don’t see the red thread on you, but rather the red threads connecting other people to you.”

"The red thread... Speaking of which, what is the red thread? Does it refer to the kind of red thread that signifies being destined to be together?"

"You wish. No one is born with a red thread. The red thread is also an evolution of the ordinary thread of fate, and it is the final form."

"The ultimate form of fate, uh... what does that mean?"

"The number of times people meet in their lifetime is limited. The thickness of the thread of fate determines the number of chance encounters. However, people's encounters are not purely accidental. Active actions can prolong the relationship or end it prematurely. The red thread represents that 'both parties can definitely meet if they want to,' and it is the only kind of 'non-naturally formed thread of fate.'"

So that's how it is; there's no such thing as destiny.