"By the way, shouldn't our Literature Club be putting on some kind of program too? This seems like a perfect chance to score some affinity points with the Student Council, right?"
The Cultural Festival wasn't just for individual classes—lots of clubs could participate too. This was basically the second big recruitment opportunity after the start-of-year new member drive, so all the major clubs were fired up, hoping to pull in another wave of members.
"Hmm, actually, the third-year seniors did come talk to me about it. But aren't we in the middle of finalizing your light novel, Akira-kun? Shiori and Moe are also completely invested in this project right now. Nobody has any spare energy to devote to the Cultural Festival."
Kuroha Akira was currently the definition of a hands-off manager. He'd already finished his part—heck, he'd even completed the outline for volume two. So out of everyone in the Literature Club, he was the most relaxed person by far.
Watching the three beautiful girls of the Literature Club bustle around on his behalf, Kuroha Akira felt a strange mix of emotions wash over him. It was like he'd somehow transformed into a capitalist factory foreman sitting back while his workers slaved away.
"Oh... so this is my fault, then?"
"I'm not blaming you at all. I also think getting a light novel published is way more important. If we can pull this off, it'll definitely make the Student Council and the teachers see us in a whole new light."
How could Asato Hitomi possibly blame Kuroha Akira? Everything he'd done so far had already made her more than satisfied.
First, he'd dealt with Sumitomo Ryota. Then he'd helped her escape those troublesome class social obligations by acting as her "substitute boyfriend." After that, he'd resolved the friendship issues between Shirai Shiori and Aizono Moe. And finally, he'd found a meaningful activity that could prove the Literature Club's worth—a club that previously had basically zero activities to their name...
All of this had made Asato Hitomi's high school life run so much smoother.
That's why she could now sit here comfortably and happily discuss Cultural Festival matters with him. Otherwise, just managing all those interpersonal relationships would be enough to drive her crazy.
Asato Hitomi genuinely felt that becoming friends with Kuroha Akira was one of the best decisions she'd ever made in her life.
She even felt that making bento for him every day wasn't enough to repay him. She wanted to do even more. That's why she'd added those extra little perks—feeding him, giving him lap pillows.
Friendship needed give and take to last, at least in Asato Hitomi's book.
"Besides, no matter what we propose, the News Club is definitely going to come out and try to block us. I was already thinking about avoiding the whole mess entirely. So this time, our Literature Club won't be participating in the Cultural Festival."
"That's good. Saves a lot of headaches."
Once the Literature Club continued to grow, conflict with the News Club would eventually become unavoidable. But right now, the Literature Club was still too weak. Avoiding disputes was a pretty smart move.
After polishing off the last bite of rice, Kuroha Akira wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb.
"Anyway, about what program our class should put on for the Cultural Festival... I can't think of any good ideas right now. When's the deadline for submitting proposals?"
"Friday this week. Next week we'll start preparations. Then the Wednesday of the week after that—October 16th—is the actual Cultural Festival."
"Today's October 2nd, so that gives us three days... I think we should hold a class meeting and ask for everyone's input."
"Yeah, I was just about to do that. I'll go discuss it with Kobayakawa-sensei later, and we'll have the class meeting tomorrow."
Asato Hitomi had come to ask Kuroha Akira in advance specifically to give him special treatment. She wanted to use her class representative authority to propose whatever program he wanted to do, so he could have a fun Cultural Festival. It was also her way of repaying his kindness.
Even if Kuroha Akira had said he wanted to open a maid cafe—something the Student Council had explicitly banned—she would still try to fight for it. She wouldn't even mind wearing a light, flowing maid outfit just for him to see.
But since Kuroha Akira didn't have any particular ideas, they'd proceed with a democratic vote instead.
"No matter what we end up doing, I'll fully support you, Class Rep. Feel free to order me around."
Kuroha Akira's attitude toward the class rep mirrored her attitude toward him. He followed her lead. If the class rep said one, Kuroha Akira would never say two.
Being able to eat such delicious bento every day, having someone feed him, occasionally getting a lap pillow—Kuroha Akira felt this was already way too extravagant. Not to mention the author-and-artist duo he'd met thanks to the class rep, which had further advanced his dream of "living off a woman."
So Kuroha Akira also really wanted to do more for the class rep. Otherwise, he'd genuinely feel guilty.
A strange dynamic had formed between them—both constantly thinking about how to help the other.
After lunch, they'd normally head back to the classroom together. But today, after the class rep finished packing up the bento box, she held Kuroha Akira back.
"Oh, Akira-kun, there's one more thing I wanted to discuss with you."
Kuroha Akira, who'd just stood up, immediately sat back down. He placed his hands on his thighs and asked seriously,
"Yes! Speak your mind! Whatever the problem is, I'll help you brainstorm solutions!"
"I feel like you've already assumed that whenever I come looking for you, it's because there's trouble... Have I become some kind of bad-luck charm?"
"What are you saying, Class Rep? You're my lucky star!"
After all, every time the class rep sought him out, there was a task involved. Kuroha Akira had gotten completely used to being summoned for discussions.
But the rewards were always really good, so Kuroha Akira was more than happy to serve the class rep.
"It's my duty to help a friend solve problems. I regret nothing!"
This attitude put Asato Hitomi in an excellent mood. Her smile curved even wider than usual.
"Hehe, I knew Akira-kun was the most reliable. This time, what I need your help with is a personal matter."
"Personal matter? What kind?"
"About a friend. Akira-kun, do you remember I mentioned before that one of my childhood playmates is also at our high school?"
"Oh, I remember. Her name's Takanashi."
Kuroha Akira recalled the gothic lolita girl with twin tails he'd met at the family restaurant. She'd been dressed super cutely, wearing striped knee-high socks and an eyepatch. She'd left quite an impression. Her full name should be Takanashi Mirai.
"I heard from Saionji Makoto that you two happened to meet once at a family restaurant?"
Ding—!
His instinctive crisis-avoidance ability immediately fired off an alert. Kuroha Akira went on high alert.
Had Saionji Makoto contacted the class rep? What did she say? She wouldn't have mentioned Shinomiya, would she?
If the class rep found out that he'd taken in an incredibly beautiful girl at home and they were living together... the consequences would be unimaginable... right?
...Would they?
Actually, thinking about it again—it didn't seem like that big of a deal, did it?
He'd been pretty nervous at first, but Kuroha Akira reconsidered. Even if the class rep found out about Shinomiya, so what?
The reason Kuroha Akira hadn't wanted to mention the class rep to Shinomiya was that he was afraid Shinomiya's favorability would drop and she'd become rebellious, which would affect his cultivation plan.
But he wasn't dating the class rep, nor was he "cultivating" her. So he didn't need to care about the class rep's favorability, right?
The class rep herself had even said he could have a girlfriend—though he didn't have any intentions on that front for now. Otherwise, he wouldn't have turned down Big Sis Kohaku's hints.
Besides, Shinomiya wasn't a student at this high school. She wasn't even attending school anymore. So there was no risk of classmates thinking he was two-timing. And the class rep's reputation wouldn't get damaged either.
So why was he so nervous? There was no need to feel guilty, right?
Seriously... false alarm~