Tokyo Soft Rice King.

She knew the answer was: no.

Because she was the woman 'picked up' by Kuroba Akira.

If it weren't for Kuroba Akira, she might not even know what she wants to do or what she can do. She might still be homeless, or she might have become a so-called "divine servant girl," making a living by selling her body.

Therefore, Kuroba Akira is her greatest asset.

However, Anri Hitomi directly banned her backer, turning Kuroba Akira back into a 'neutral monster'. This made Shion realize that she had only been 'borrowing the tiger's power' before.

Because I have gained Kuroba Akira's favor, because I possess the talent that he values, because I have done many intimate things with him, because I live with him, share a room, and sleep in the same bed... I feel that he will be on my side.

But when Anri Hitomi appeared and told her the 'truth,' she was forced to realize that none of these things were 'exclusively hers,' and all the reasons mentioned above were untenable.

If Anri Hitomi wanted to, she could achieve the same results.

Today's date went like this; I ended up doing the things she had already done after she provoked me to my defiance. To put it bluntly, I was just following in her footsteps, getting the leftovers.

Therefore, Ziyin had to find her own area of ​​advantage.

But after carefully considering it in her mind, she felt even more desperate.

Because she realized that Anri Hitomi was right; she was indeed a woman who only knew how to live off a wise ruler.

In reality, up to now... have I done anything to help the wise ruler?

Nothing at all.

On the contrary, they received help from wise rulers time and time again...

It was he who persuaded Grandma Kobayashi to let him stay, and then he helped her develop a training plan, and even invited Ms. Hongxiang to be her manager. He even personally guided her to become a voice actress.

He would also massage himself, bringing himself a pleasurable sense of pleasure, letting his mind go blank, and experiencing the most wonderful sensations...

All I can offer him now is my body; nothing else.

But his body isn't a privilege reserved for anyone; any woman can provide it to him.

Moreover, it is precisely because 'Kuroba Akira doesn't care much about appearance' that Shion cannot simply assume 'because I am the most beautiful, he will definitely choose me'.

Even considering the physical appearance that Shion once despised the most, she realized that she still didn't have any 'features that would absolutely attract Kuroba Akira'.

Shion Murasaki remained silent, her eyes gradually losing focus, as if swallowed by a dark abyss. In contrast, Hitomi Anri revealed a witch-like, joyful smile.

"Heh... So you've finally realized your 'incompetence'?"

A genius favored by a wise ruler...

That's all there is to it.

Even if someone has genius-level talent, their mentality is still just that of an ordinary person.

Take a good look at the 'feeling of defeat' and 'feeling of powerlessness' that I experienced before.

Although I lack talent and dreams, and thus cannot gain the attention and support of a wise ruler, as a woman who supports him, I will make you understand...

Innate talent is not the only factor that determines victory or defeat.

Especially you, Murasaki no Miyako no Shion.

You are not special at all.

You are merely one of the 'geniuses' supported by a wise ruler.

Don't cross the line.

"enough!"

Seeing Ziyin being thoroughly criticized by the class monitor, Kuroba Akira still couldn't stand idly by and stood up, pressing down on the service counter table.

"Class monitor... what you said is too much."

This kind of "exploiting the information gap" is just too unfair.

Kuroba Akira left the service counter, walked to Shion's side, and put his arm around her shoulder.

"In the end, Ziyin never owes me anything. I invited Ziyin first, and I didn't help Ziyin unconditionally. We have a relationship of mutual support and moving forward together."

For Ziyin, this was undoubtedly a ray of salvation.

She gently rested her forehead against Kuroba Akira's chest, her body leaning slightly forward, like a flower struggling under the weight of its weight seeking support.

A few strands of hair slipped down her cheeks, clinging messily to her slightly pale face, making her look even more pitiful.

At that moment, Kuroba Akira's embrace was the safe haven of her entire world, shielding her from all the storms and harm.

"Of course I know that, wise ruler... Putting aside what she wants to get from you, what you want to get from her is simply money, right?"

Anri's gentle voice reached Ziyin's ears, filling her with immense fear.

She wasn't going to let herself off the hook... She wanted to tear off the last shred of decency from herself!

"If you, wise ruler, want money, I can give it to you."

The Great Demon King, Anri Hitomi, extended an alluring invitation.

"What money could you possibly bring him! You're just a high school student! If it's money from your family, Mingjun won't accept a gift for no reason!"

Anxious Shion provided the answer on behalf of Kuroba Akira.

On one hand, she was afraid that Kuroba Akira would actually agree. On the other hand, she believed that Kuroba Akira was a principled person who would not be blinded by greed and accept ill-gotten gains. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to make money by cultivating herself.

"Oh dear, you didn't know? Mingjun has already accepted my investment, and we're partners now, okay?"

"Why……?"

Ziyin looked up at Kuroba Akira, hoping he could tell her 'this isn't true'.

But Kuroba Akira's helpless expression made her feel even more desperate.

"Hehehe, Shion Murasaki, do you think you're the only one who can help him make money?"

“There are many geniuses like you who have the support of a wise ruler. The other two people in the Literature Club you just met are geniuses just like you... Shion Murasaki! You are never the ‘only one’!”

"Even wise rulers started developing their own careers because they thought you were too slow, so what need do you have to exist?"

Akira Kuroba had never seen the class president show this side of himself before.

He seemed to emanate an invisible aura, a powerful sense of oppression like the dark clouds hanging low before a storm, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts, inspiring awe and making them dare not disobey in the slightest.

A terrifying woman... she even seemed somewhat 'manic'.

"No! I didn't take this alternative route because I thought it was too slow; it's because I discovered something worth doing, which is why I'm trying it!"

Kuroba Akira refuted the class president's words once again. Even though almost everything she said was true, Kuroba Akira would not admit it in front of Shion.

However, what Kuroba Akira was really thinking is no longer important.

Anri Hitomi has achieved her goal. Her words have completely penetrated Shion Murasaki's heart, making her realize that she is now of almost no value to Akira Kuroba.

Before today, Ziyin could have been confident that Kuroba Akira would choose her, but now she was not so sure.

Even she herself began to wonder, 'Why did this wise ruler choose me?', and began to doubt herself.

When faced with a huge threat, people are enveloped by fear and anxiety, and all their senses and functions are mobilized in order to seek a glimmer of hope in this life-or-death moment.

If one cannot withstand the pressure, one will despair, collapse, become depressed, and escape reality.

Once they regain their spirits, they can unleash far greater energy than before, transforming and being reborn.

This process is called a 'challenge'.

At this moment, Ziyin's resolve is being tested.

Anri Hitomi pulled her out of her comfort zone and ruthlessly slapped her in the face, telling her 'you are nothing'.

Ziyin realized that Anri Hitomi was not an opponent she could defeat on her own.

If you only put in half the effort, you won't have a chance of winning at all.

Why did you choose to become a voice actor if you didn't want to show your face?

Do I still have that kind of leeway?

If you don't give it your all, you'll definitely lose in this battle for love.

This can't go on!

We'll lose!

You have to give it your all... talent, looks, family background...

Make the most of everything you can to prove your worth!

This is no longer the time to care about your own pride and concerns!

Moreover, we must find a path even greater than voice acting, a path that will impress a wise ruler!

Shion Murasakimiya, whose mind had been consumed by love, cleared a part of it at this moment, and began to seriously consider her future.

While comforting Shion in his arms, Kuroba Akira looked at the smiling class president with mixed feelings.

Only when things reached this point did he realize the class monitor's true purpose, and that he had been forced to cooperate with her in this charade.

The class monitor wasn't jealous.

It wasn't that he wanted to defeat Shion.

She was simply fulfilling her promise to herself, helping him achieve his dream, and supporting their dreams.

However, Shion Murasaki was blinded by love and her mind was occupied by emotions. Her efforts were to win over Akira Kuroba and to satisfy her ever-growing sexual urges.

The path to becoming a voice actress was merely 'the goal that Akira Kuroba gave her' and 'the method to achieve financial freedom'.

Shion Murasaki possesses the highest level of talent, yet she has not yet nurtured her own dream.

Without dreams, how can you offer support?

Even Takanashi Mirai, under Kuroba Akira's guidance, tried to do things that interested her. However, Shion Murasaki, because she was too well cared for by Kuroba Akira, became a parasitic succubus attached to him, only eating rice but not producing rice.

This would bury her talent, making her mediocre and utterly boring.

Therefore, Anri Hitomi's method is an extreme treatment that forcibly weanes the baby off swaddling clothes.

Everything she said to Ziyin was meant to make her feel threatened, and then use that opportunity to push her to develop herself.

Simply put, Hitomi Anri is responsible for playing the bad cop, and Akira Kuroba is responsible for playing the good cop.

Indeed, Akira Kuroba has always felt it was a great pity.