Tokyo Soft Rice King.

So, as if to respond to a toast, she raised her teacup, tilted her head back, and drank the tea in the cup dry. Then, she hurriedly stood up, raised her hand, and declared.

"Um, I need to go to the restroom!"

Kuroba Akira wanted to cover his face in embarrassment.

Aiyuan-kun, Moe-chan, you're so cute...

You're going to the toilet, not to the battlefield. Do you really need to make such a big deal out of it?

The other two will definitely notice something's fishy now...

So, will it pass?

If you want to spend some time alone with Aiyuan Moe, you have to get past your best friend first.

Chapter 160 They Helped Provide Strategy Guide

This isn't just a matter of poor acting skills; it's more accurate to say there's absolutely no acting skill to speak of.

It looks suspicious no matter how you look at it.

However, the other two did not show any particular surprise.

Anri Hitomi maintained her feigned smile, while Shirai Shiori glanced at her best friend and nodded.

"Okay, go ahead, but be careful not to fall."

"Uh-huh!"

After Aizono Moe walked out of the activity room with stiff steps, Kuroba Akira slowly stood up, supporting himself on the table with both hands, and said.

"Well then, I'll go to the restroom too..."

Then he was grabbed by the shoulders by Hitomi Anri and Shiori Shirai, one on each side.

"Wait, Your Majesty, don't rush out yet."

"Tong is right, we still have something to tell you."

Kuroba Akira rolled his eyes.

As expected, those two saw everything! They knew perfectly well, but chose not to say anything!

After being pushed back into the chair, Hitomi Anri and Shiori Shirai sat on either side of him, as if they were escorting a criminal.

However, their purpose in keeping Kuroba Akira here was not to 'interrogate him,' but rather to pass on some important information to him.

"Mengmeng is so adorably naive sometimes. She actually thinks that this way she can secretly meet with you, Mingjun, without us knowing..."

With a helpless smile, the class monitor couldn't help but criticize Aiyuan Moe's terrible acting skills.

"That's just how Mengmeng is. Right now, she's probably adjusting her breathing and feeling happy that she did it..."

Shiori Shirai's guess was absolutely correct. At that moment, Moe Aizono was indeed outside the activity room, touching her breasts, which were certified as the largest in the Literature Club, with both hands and clenching her fists.

"Anyway, she probably doesn't know that we already know she wants to talk to you alone, so it's okay to let her wait outside for a little while."

Shiori Shirai gave a loving analysis of her best friend's adorable psychology before quickly getting to the point.

"However, if we keep you here for too long, even Mengmeng will find it strange and come back. So let's keep it short. We're keeping you here to give you a heads-up, to prevent you from being too blunt and 'bullying' Mengmeng to tears."

"Oh!"

Oh, so you weren't there to catch them cheating... Never mind then!

That is to say, it was not a guilty matter like cheating. Kuroba Akira only responded to Aizono Moe's invitation and is currently in an unfulfilled state. There is no legitimate reason for them to detain him!

Moreover, judging from their appearance, they are actually here to provide assistance, giving Kuroba Akira more detailed information so that he can better 'persuade' Aizono Moe later.

It felt like he had gone from acting secretly to acting on orders, and Kuroba Akira immediately straightened his back.

"Then hurry up and tell me, I'm listening."

Then Anri Hitomi immediately punished his arrogant attitude by stepping on the back of his foot with her bare foot.

"Wise ruler, please take this seriously."

Actually, this was more like a reward for Kuroba Akira, but he still grinned and pretended to be in pain.

"Although Shiori and I have great faith in your eloquence, you don't know about Moe's past yet, right? So you might say something hurtful to her, and Moe is a very sensitive person, so we hope you can be careful."

"So now you're telling me in advance what sensitive topics are best avoided when talking to Moe-chan later, right?"

"That's right. So, Mingjun, do you know why Mengmeng has this kind of personality?"

"This one……"

Kuroba Akira raised an eyebrow and glanced at Shirai Shiori sitting to his right.

Isn't it just because a certain strong-willed literary girl is overprotective of her best friend?

Shiori Shirai nudged Akira Kuroba's arm with her elbow in dissatisfaction, but also admitted it.

"It's true that it's partly because of me, but I also want to protect Mengmeng because I don't want to see anyone taking advantage of her anymore!"

Kuroba remained outwardly calm. Although he himself was also using Aizen Moe, he distanced himself from the situation.

"Oh...so, someone took advantage of Moe-kun before?"

"Yeah, Mengmeng joined a manga club in junior high. During that time, she was taken advantage of by other members. Those scoundrels who called themselves seniors tricked her into drawing a lot of R18 doujinshi under the guise of club activities. Then they sold these doujinshi for money. Not only did they not share the profits with Mengmeng, but when the school found out later, they pushed Mengmeng out to take the blame, which almost caused Mengmeng to be suspended from school..."

Goodness, Aiyuan Moe has already simulated what it's like to be a low-level corporate slave who's used and discarded by a heartless company.

"Mengmeng is just too kind, kind like a fool. She works so hard and lets them do whatever they want, even fainting at school from exhaustion... So I have to protect her! Because she can't protect herself!"

When Shiori Shirai spoke of this past event, her face was very gloomy, and her eyes flashed with a cold light, like two sharp blades.

Shirai Shiori probably feels like she wants to kill those scumbag seniors for daring to bully her best friend like that.

"At that time, it was Hitomi, who was the student council president, who stepped in to help Mengmeng and stopped me from taking any extreme revenge. That's when our friendship started."

"I see... So that kind of thing actually happened."

It turns out that these three people came together because of Aiyuan Moe's matter.

Anri Hitomi nodded and gave Kuroba Akira a warning.

"Yes, so Mingjun, you'd better not bring up topics related to drawing comics or doujinshi with Mengmeng. I think she's still bothered by the painful past of being taken advantage of by respected seniors..."

"OK, drawing comics is an out-of-class topic, I'll remember that."

She then offered a warning.

"Then, Mengmeng probably feels she owes us too much, so she never argues with our opinions and always keeps her thoughts to herself, but this is actually not a very healthy way of interacting..."

Anri Hitomi said worriedly, holding her cheek.

"Therefore, I suggest that you, Mingjun, should not spoil Mengmeng too much. Don't let her feel that she owes you too much, otherwise she will become very indecisive when facing you... Although Mengmeng probably already considers the fact that you asked him to draw illustrations a great favor."

Shiori Shirai nodded in agreement and elaborated on Hitomi Anri's words.

"Actually, just say what you think. Mingjun, you were going to criticize Mengmeng for her poor coloring, weren't you?"

"Well, it's not exactly criticism, it's just that it didn't quite meet my expectations..."

"Alright, no need to be so tactful. I know you didn't say it too bluntly because you were considering her feelings, but if you don't say it, she'll feel even more uncomfortable once she realizes you're thinking of her. Otherwise, why do you think she specifically asked you to go out? She just wanted to give you an environment where you could speak freely."

"I see... So, Moe-kun wants me to be more direct?"

"Yes, just like when you commented on my novel the other day..."

When the topic came up, Shiori Shirai blushed and felt a little embarrassed, her exhibitionist tendencies kicking in, but she understood that her best friend also wanted this kind of 'most authentic feeling'.

"So why don't you just criticize her directly, even if it's harsh? That might actually make Mengmeng feel better and give her more motivation."

"Got it, you want me to be even more sarcastic, right?"

Kuroba Akira noted down these two key pieces of information.

First, don't talk about comic creation; it will give her PTSD.

Second, don't worry about her feelings; just scold her if you need to.

The devilish mother touching her younger sister... Why does it inexplicably feel like she's about to train a masochistic hen...?

Is Aizen Moe actually a masochistic girl?

Chapter 161 Don't even think about escaping my grasp

After explaining Aizono Moe's strategy for avoiding potential problems to Kuroba Akira, Shirai Shiori continued to share her innermost thoughts.

“My lord, I think you should know very well that Mengmeng is different from me. She has outstanding talent, but she is completely unaware of her own talent and has always underestimated herself and lacks self-confidence.”

"Well..."

Although in Kuroba Akira's eyes, the Literature Club trio consisted of two Bs and one A, all genius girls with talents in their right hand.

However, from their personal perspectives, neither Hitomi Anri nor Shiori Shirai considers themselves geniuses. Only Moe Aizono's talent is highly relevant to what she is doing, and it also has the greatest impact on her proficiency.

Although Hitomi Anri and Shiori Shirai both wanted to perform better in front of Akira Kuroba to prove their own worth, they also acknowledged that Moe Aizono's talent was the most dazzling.

Shiori Shirai grasped Akira Kuroba's right hand with both of hers and earnestly made the request.

"Actually, it was because I had Mengmeng by my side and was inspired by her undiminished enthusiasm that I was able to keep writing... So I hope that you, Mingjun, can help her regain her confidence and make her proud of her talent and hobby once again."

"You really think I'm some kind of motivational speaker... Anyway, I can't say I can definitely do it, but I'll do my best to encourage her."

"Okay! Please help me!"

Hearing Kuroba Akira's words, Shirai Shiori felt a sense of relief. In fact, she had now become just as trusting of him as Anri Hitomi, believing that as long as she left things to him, there would be no problem.

After she released Kuroba Akira's right hand, Anri Hitomi imitated Shirai Shiori by grabbing Kuroba Akira's hand and holding onto both of his hands tightly.

What he said were just formulaic platitudes.

"Mengmeng is an indispensable member of our Arts and Literature Department. Now, as the head of the Arts and Literature Department, I entrust you with the important task of bringing her back, wise ruler."

"Yes Yes Yes……"

It wasn't that Kuroba Akira wanted to be perfunctory; it was just that they were taking it too seriously, making it feel like a departure ceremony, which made him a little nervous.

Is it still Aizono after all?

If I fail to complete my mission and end up making Aizono Moe cry, my two best friends might launch a joint manhunt...

Now the pressure is on Akira Kuroba.