Tokyo Soft Rice King.

Chapter Ninety: The Class Monitor's View on Love is Very Realistic

During lunch break, Anri Hitomi once again brought a deluxe bento box and asked Kuroba Akira to eat with her in public. This time, Kuroba Akira was too lazy to put on any show or explain himself.

Now that things have come to this, it's like mud has fallen into your pants—it's a problem even if it's not a big deal, so you might as well just give up and let it go.

If the class monitor doesn't care about being misunderstood, then Kuroba Akira definitely doesn't care either.

After greeting Fujiyoshi Michio, Kuroba Akira got up and went to eat with the head cook.

The class monitor said with some surprise.

"I thought you would invite Fujiyoshi-kun, because Fujiyoshi-kun always seems to eat alone. Kuroba-kun, you should be his first friend in the class... It feels like I stole you away from him, I feel a little bad."

Kuroba Akira spread his hands and said.

"Ha, I did think about bringing him along. After all, Fujiyoshi is probably the only one in the class who knows that I'm not dating you, class president. But bringing him along would only cause him trouble."

"That's true. If we invite him to dinner with us, people will definitely ask him about gossip afterward. Given Fujiyoshi's personality, he'll definitely give vague answers and cover for us. As a result, everyone will think he's boring, and it will become even harder for him to integrate into the class."

She didn't need to explain to the class monitor; she could instantly understand what Kuroba Akira meant. Such conversations were very comfortable.

"Absolutely correct, the squad leader is brilliant."

"What a pity. I thought Kuroba-kun just wanted to be alone with me. It seems I was just being presumptuous."

"Haha, well, I guess you could say I have that thought. After all, seeing the envious and jealous looks from the other students in my class makes me feel really good."

"So, Kuroba-kun just sees me as a beloved toy to show off?"

"How dare I disrespect the sacred class monitor? I'm just the kind of person who enjoys watching others suffer setbacks."

If a man could have a perfect girlfriend like the class monitor, a top student and a beautiful school beauty, he would naturally want to show off, just like a fisherman who occasionally goes home empty-handed and wants the whole world to know that he caught a big fish.

"And there's no need to worry about Fujiyoshi at all, because Sumitomo Ryota will probably include him in his little circle. Judging from his previous persistence towards you, he seems to be the type who values ​​friendship a lot. Since he's already calling Fujiyoshi by his first name, it's probably not just for show. He'll definitely invite him to meals too."

"Yes... but I'm worried about whether Fujiyoshi can adapt to their social circle, since Sumitomo's circle is built around him."

Is there a problem with this?

"Simply put, people in that circle have a high level of affection for Sumitomo, but they are not necessarily good friends with each other."

"Wow... that guy really is a true social butterfly."

This means that everyone in Sumitomo Ryota's circle has an arrow pointing at him, but there are no arrows pointing at each other among the others.

If Ryota Sumitomo were not present, the level of excitement would drop to the lowest level, and the party might even break up on the spot.

The interpersonal relationships within this kind of "social circle" formed around one person are not very reliable; they probably won't stay in touch after graduating from high school.

But it's good that we can have fun together during these three years of high school; it's better than the lonely myth of being alone.

"Because Sumitomo is very straightforward, both boys and girls can get along with him openly, so he is very popular."

"It's touching to see straight men being popular one day..."

But the main reason is probably because Ryota Sumitomo is lively and cheerful, knows how to have fun, and is also quite handsome.

Today, the class monitor chose a bench in the school's central courtyard as the dining spot, which is one of the most popular dining spots for couples besides the rooftop. When Kuroba Akira and the others arrived, there were already two couples eating their bento boxes together.

However, for some reason, after seeing Kuroba Akira and Anri Hitomi, the other couples nearby got up and left shyly.

Why are they avoiding us?

The squad leader answered Kuroba Akira's question while spreading a mat on the bench.

"Perhaps in their eyes, our level is too high."

"grade?"

"After all, in their eyes, we have already reached home base in the fourth stage, and we have already reached the end. Even if we successfully confess and become a couple, only a few couples can successfully complete the four stages. According to statistics, the breakup rate of high school couples is as high as 70%."

Akira Kuroba was aware of the four-stage concept, which was a metaphor used in baseball.

First base, hold hands; second base, kiss; third base, cuddle and play; finally, returning to home plate results in a score... which is basically just a quick slap.

After the class monitor sat down, he patted the seat next to him, signaling Kuroba Akira to sit down as well, and continued speaking.

"Moreover, it's quite a bold act to celebrate each other's graduation in the school infirmary. After all, if the teacher finds out, they will definitely be suspended or even expelled. So, this must be a remarkable achievement for current couples, since only foolish couples would show their love in any situation."

"So the rumored couple aura faded away... How childish."

After Kuroba Akira sat down, the class president began to open the lunchbox, and then he discovered that today's menu had changed again.

Is the class monitor planning to change the menu every day? That's so thoughtful of her.

"You mean, class monitor, you knew that going to the infirmary with me would turn out like this, but you still came along..."

Hitomi Anri nodded honestly, handed the lunchbox and chopsticks to Akira Kuroba, and continued to pour him tea.

"Yes, this time I really think it's good to be considered a couple with Kuroba-kun. The troublesome social engagements have decreased, and my school life has become more relaxed."

The squad leader smiled and picked up a thick omelet to feed Kuroba Akira.

"So I'm really grateful to Kuroba-kun, you've become my safe haven in class, so please let me reward you properly, come on, ah~"

Kuroba Akira unceremoniously opened his mouth and ate the food that was put into his mouth... Oh, it was a sweet tamagoyaki. The class president is a sweet tooth.

"Besides, I find talking to Kuroba-kun much more interesting than talking to other people, and I can spend more time with my good friends. It's all benefits and no drawbacks, right?"

"There's another downside, class monitor, you won't be able to get a boyfriend if you keep doing this."

"I never intended to have a boyfriend in high school."

"Oh? So, class monitor, you're one of those who believe 'high school students shouldn't date'?"

"I just thought about it carefully and realized it was pointless."

The opposing class monitor began to explain her point of view.

"As I just mentioned, the breakup rate in high school is as high as 70%, and even among the remaining 30%, 20% will break up after graduation for various reasons."

"Of the remaining 10%, only a handful will actually walk down the aisle. Parents might disagree, or the couple might fall in love with someone else. And even without these obstacles, recent graduates often lack the financial means to make their partners happy."

"So in the end, most high school couples are just impulsive relationships and can't last a lifetime. Is it really necessary to engage in such a relationship that is destined to leave regrets?"

Kuroba Akira had nothing to say, because everything she said was true.

But... it's all too real!

Class monitor, aren't you being a bit too realistic? A little too realistic!

This is quite a blow to those who believe that romance is an integral part of youth!

Chapter Ninety-One: Friends Who Are Even More Nauseating Than Lovers

"...As expected of the class monitor."

In the end, Kuroba Akira could only sigh and say, "That's so typical of the class president."

However, Akira Kuroba felt that this kind of thinking was too rational... and too unromantic.

From an adult's perspective, the class monitor's statement is indeed impeccable, but even if there are regrets, the youthful experience of high school can become a precious memory.

Many people reminisce about their student days because the feelings developed during that time were the most genuine and unadulterated.

It's hard to find this kind of genuine affection after entering society.

However, Kuroba Akira had no intention of arguing with the class president, nor did she want to change her mind; she just said it casually.

"But isn't there a saying that goes like this? All reasons for not wanting to find a partner are just excuses; it's just that you haven't met the right person yet."

"Does Kuroba-kun believe in love at first sight? I don't. So-called love at first sight is nothing more than sexual attraction caused by the other person's appearance and hormones."

The class monitor put it very tactfully, so here's Kuroba Akira's translation: It means he was either obsessed with sex or infatuated.

"Just like my desire to get along well with Kuroba-kun wasn't something that I suddenly had the idea of ​​'I want to be friends with this person!' the moment I saw him. It was only after observing him for a semester and a summer that I realized that Kuroba-kun was someone worth getting to know."

"Class monitor, you're being really careful..."

"After all, you're looking for a lifelong friend, so of course you have to choose carefully."

Perhaps because the criteria for choosing friends are already quite weighty, the class monitor's caution is understandable.

"However, if Kuroba-kun has someone he wants to date, he can dump me, okay? I... um... I probably won't mind, so don't worry about my reputation. Kuroba-kun, go find the woman you like."

Isn't that just being really bothered by it?

It's probably because if a good friend gets a girlfriend, it's harder to maintain friendships with the opposite sex.

After all, his girlfriend would definitely be jealous, so he needed to avoid suspicion.

"I don't really care. Finding a girlfriend is too much trouble, and I don't have any money, so things are fine as they are now."

Although Kuroba Akira has regained his youth, it is not the youth he remembers. He can never get his youth back, and he has no intention of making up for it.

If it were a rebirth back to the past, there might be an urge to make up for regrets, but as for time travel... it's more important to get rich as soon as possible.

The squad leader seemed relieved and let out a long sigh of relief, patting his chest.

"Really? Phew... That's wonderful, really, really wonderful."

"That's too much..."

She actually said "really" three times. Just how much does she care?

"To pay the highest tribute to Kuroba-kun's resolve, I've decided to reward you with another piece of my best tempura. Here, ah~"

Kuroba Akira shamelessly ate it in one bite.

"Mmm, Kuroba-kun is so great! Want more? I can feed you all of these!"

"..."

It's a bit like training a dog... I feel like I've really become the dog that the class monitor is raising.

However, it was quite nice not having to feed himself, so Kuroba Akira simply put down his chopsticks and let the class monitor feed him.

But if I continue like this, will I become useless...? Will I develop 'class monitor dependency syndrome'?

However, this is actually a kind of "perk" that the class president gives to his friends. Shiori Shirai and Moe Aizono should have enjoyed it too, just like a lap pillow.

Come to think of it, you didn't invite those two?

Just now, Kuroba Akira thought the class monitor would take him to the Literature and Art Department for dinner.

"Speaking of which, class monitor, don't you go out for lunch with the members of the arts and literature department during your lunch break?"

"We weren't going to eat together anyway, come on, ah~"