The King of Tokyo Freeloaders [154]

“Speaking of which, shouldn’t our Literature Club do something too? It’s a good chance to earn some points with the Student Council.”

Besides class activities, clubs could also put on events during the Culture Festival. This was their second-best opportunity—after the initial recruitment rush—to draw in new members, so each club typically went all-out.

“Actually, our third-year senpai did approach me about it,” Class Rep replied. “But we’re all busy working on your light novel right now, Akira-kun. Shiori and Momo are putting all their focus into it, so we really can’t spare the time for the festival.”

Akira had become something of an absentee overseer by this point. He’d already finished his portion—even the Volume 2 outline was ready—leaving him as the club’s resident loafer.

Seeing the Literature Club’s three beauties diligently working away for his sake filled Akira with equal parts guilt and satisfaction—like he’d suddenly become some kind of exploitative capitalist.

“Oh…so you’re saying it’s my fault?”

“I’m not blaming you! Publishing your light novel is definitely more important. If we pull it off, even the teachers and Student Council will be impressed.”

Of course Hitomi wasn’t blaming him. Everything Akira had done so far had made her life at school much smoother.

First, he’d resolved the situation with Ryouta by becoming her “stand-in boyfriend,” ending her troublesome social problems. Then he’d helped repair the rift between Shiori and Momo, and even revitalized the Literature Club by giving them a real sense of purpose.

Her school life had become dramatically easier thanks to him.

That’s why she could now chat about Culture Festival preparations with him so cheerfully. Otherwise, she’d still be stuck sorting out messy interpersonal conflicts.

Hitomi genuinely believed becoming friends with Kuroba Akira was the single best decision she’d ever made.

Even making him daily bentos didn’t seem enough repayment. She felt she owed him more—which was partly why she’d gradually escalated to feeding him and giving him occasional lap pillows.

Friendships needed balance and reciprocation to last—that was Hitomi’s sincere belief.

“Besides,” she continued, “no matter what we propose, the Journalism Club will probably cause trouble. I figured it’d be easier to skip it altogether. So our Literature Club won’t participate in the Culture Festival this year.”

“That’s fine too. Avoiding unnecessary trouble is always wise.”

Once the Literature Club became stronger, confrontation with the Journalism Club would be inevitable, but right now they were far too weak. Avoiding conflict was the smart choice.

Swallowing his last bite of rice, Akira wiped his mouth with his thumb.

“Anyway, I can’t think of any good ideas for our class event right now. When’s the deadline to submit our proposal?”

“This Friday,” Hitomi answered. “Preparations start next week, and the Culture Festival itself is on the following Wednesday—October 16.”

“Today’s the second…so we have three more days. How about we hold a class meeting to gather everyone’s opinions?”

“That’s what I planned to do anyway. I’ll speak with Kozaikawa-sensei later today and arrange a class meeting for tomorrow.”

Hitomi had actually approached Akira privately today to give him special consideration, hoping to use her authority as Class Rep to push for whatever idea he preferred, giving him a more enjoyable festival experience.

Even if he’d insisted on the banned maid café idea, Hitomi would have gladly tried her best to push it through. She wouldn’t even mind wearing a cute, frilly maid outfit herself if it meant Akira was happy.

But since Akira didn’t seem to have a specific preference, democracy it was.

“Well, whatever you decide, Class Rep, I’ll fully support you. Consider me at your command.”

Akira’s attitude toward Hitomi mirrored hers toward him—she said jump, he wouldn’t even ask how high.

He was spoiled rotten by delicious bentos daily, fed by hand, and even given lap pillows now and then. It felt incredibly luxurious. Not to mention, thanks to Class Rep, he’d met Shiori and Momo—the artistic duo who brought him one step closer to his dream of living off talented girls.

Feeling he still owed her greatly, Akira was determined to repay Hitomi somehow.

This had created a pleasantly strange dynamic, each constantly wanting to support the other.

After lunch, they usually returned to class together, but today Hitomi stopped Akira just as they were about to leave.

“Ah, wait, Akira-kun. There’s one more thing I wanted to talk to you about.”

Akira immediately sat back down, placing both hands earnestly on his lap.

“Yes! Please speak freely! No matter what trouble you’re facing, I’ll do my utmost to help!”

“You seem to have decided that whenever I approach you, it must be trouble… Have I become a harbinger of misfortune now?”

“What nonsense is that? Class Rep, you’re my lucky star!”

Every time Hitomi sought him out, it usually meant another task, so Akira had grown accustomed to these private consultations.

But since each came with great rewards, he was always happy to oblige.

“Helping a friend is my duty. I’d never complain!”

Hearing Akira’s cheerful declaration, Hitomi felt her mood rise, her smile softening even more.

“Hehe, I knew I could count on you. But this time, it’s about something personal.”

“Personal? What kind of thing?”

“A friendship matter. Do you remember that I mentioned one of my childhood friends attends our school?”

“Oh, yeah, Takanashi, right?”

Akira recalled the goth-styled, bob-haired girl he’d briefly met at the family restaurant.

With her striped thigh-highs and medical eyepatch, she’d definitely left a strong impression—her full name was Takanashi Mirai, if he recalled correctly.

“Right. Mao mentioned you ran into each other by chance at that family restaurant.”

Akira’s internal danger alarm immediately went off, his instincts screaming caution.

Saionji Mao contacted Class Rep? What did she tell her exactly? Could she have revealed something about Shion?

If Class Rep found out he’d secretly taken in a stunningly beautiful girl and was living with her… things could get ugly, right?

…Or would they?

Actually, thinking about it again, what was he even worried about?

He’d initially kept Shion a secret from Hitomi only because he feared Shion’s affection might drop if she got jealous, potentially ruining her development plan.

But it wasn’t as if he was dating Hitomi, nor was he raising her into anything. Why should he worry about Hitomi’s affection points?

Besides, Hitomi herself had once said he could get a girlfriend—though he had no immediate plans for that, hence why he’d gently rejected Benika-san’s advances.

Also, Shion wasn’t even attending school anymore, let alone their own, so no classmates could accuse him of two-timing. Class Rep’s reputation wouldn’t suffer either.

Then why was he so nervous just now? Wasn’t he overreacting?

Geez, I panicked for nothing.

—

T/N: ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM oh dont mind me just an alarm going off

This is a fan translation of 东京软饭王 by 夜幕下的鬼 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!