Perhaps to outsiders, Aizono Moe's attitude hadn't changed all that dramatically. She still appeared timid, deferential to Kuroha Akira, and even a little clingy in that submissive way of hers.
But Shirai Shiori—who had been glued to her side since childhood—immediately noticed the shift.
Moe's attitude toward Akira-kun seemed different.
In the past, she'd never have responded so eagerly to something like high-fiving a boy. That involved touching hands, after all. And because the other person was a boy, she would definitely hesitate first, then lower her head in bashful silence, and finally… nothing would happen.
Even after she'd physiologically gotten used to Kuroha Akira, just a few days ago when he'd held her hand, she'd been a flustered, blushing mess. Yet now, she could actively respond to his high-five and didn't mind prolonged hand-to-hand contact…
This was way too much for Moe!
Then Shirai Shiori naturally thought back to yesterday's events.
Could it be that Kuroha Akira didn't just discover a disheveled Moe, but was actually involved in the process of her becoming that way? Just like how she herself had grown closer to him after shedding her clothes—and her inner pride—in front of him.
It's very possible Moe had an accident in front of him… And with Akira-kun's personality, he'd cover for her and help clean up the mess… Moe would then be immensely grateful, and her favorability toward Akira-kun would skyrocket…
That was likely the general course of events. Shirai Shiori still believed that, given Aizono Moe's personality, it was unlikely anything too extreme had happened. But still… did she have to keep it from her best friend?
She felt a flash of resentment at first. But Shirai Shiori quickly reconsidered: she hadn't shared what happened in her own room that day with the other two Literature Club members either. While her official excuse was "avoiding misunderstandings," it was undeniable that she also had a selfish desire to keep that incident a secret shared only between her and Kuroha Akira.
Looking at it that way, Moe must have experienced something equally embarrassing and hard to talk about. That's why she wouldn't spill the full truth.
So… does Moe feel the same way I do? Does she also want to keep it a secret between just the two of them?
Then… has Moe also developed feelings for Akira-kun?
Whose side should I be on?
No—before thinking about whether to support Hitomi or Moe… I can't even untangle my own feelings yet…
Why did adding just one guy turn the Literature Club's interpersonal relationships into such a mess…
In this extremely tangled state of mind, Shirai Shiori frowned and hugged her head.
Meanwhile, Kuroha Akira also noticed that Aizono Moe—whose hand still lingered after the high-five—seemed to be waiting for him to speak. So he simply praised her.
"Well done. Ganbatte!"
"Hehe…"
After receiving the desired praise, Aizono Moe let out a silly little giggle and finally withdrew her hand.
But mere verbal praise couldn't satisfy her appetite.
She wanted more rewards.
"Um… Kuroha-kun… since my drawing turned out well… could I maybe ask for a little 'reward' from you?"
This was the first time in Aizono Moe's life that she had actively made a request to a boy. Her little heart pounded—nervous, but also excited.
When Kuroha Akira heard the word "reward," his mind naturally jumped to money. So he said, rather bluntly,
"Don't rush. Royalties won't come until the novel is released. The contract says monthly settlements, so the earliest you'd get paid is December."
"Um… I wasn't talking about money…"
Unable to convey her meaning properly, Aizono Moe lowered her head awkwardly, fiddling with her index finger.
From the very beginning, Aizono Moe had never thought about making money from illustrations. Drawing illustrations was just her hobby. What she truly wanted to do was draw manga.
"The reward I mean is… is the kind that can be… redeemed right now…"
Seeing Aizono Moe's fidgety manner, Shirai Shiori immediately recognized the signs: her best friend had indeed completely opened her heart to Kuroha Akira.
Because this was a relaxed state that usually only appeared when Aizono Moe was at home, in her own room. At such times, she'd drop all her defenses and turn into a spoiled child—a state the internet would call affectionate and clingy.
This state usually occurred after Aizono Moe suffered a heavy blow or experienced immense joy. The main symptom: being very clingy. Physically clingy. Like a kitten actively seeking pets and hugs, actively seeking closeness.
Throughout their years of friendship, this was a side that only Shirai Shiori had ever witnessed. Not Hitomi, not even Moe's own family had seen it. Because she often visited Aizono Moe's house, Shiori knew that Moe's mother was quite traditional. She didn't exactly support Moe's focus on drawing—she'd rather Moe focus on her studies. Perhaps in Aizono Mama's eyes, Asato Hitomi was the perfect daughter.
But because Aizono Papa doted on his daughter, Moe was able to continue pursuing her drawing hobby. Still, Moe knew her mother didn't approve, so she rarely drew at home and always behaved obediently—even though inside, she felt quite suppressed.
So when Shirai Shiori visited, Aizono Moe would often slip into that state. That was also why Moe was particularly attached to Shiori and always followed her around—not just because Shiori protected her, but because Shiori was her only outlet.
Therefore, this was the first time Shirai Shiori had seen Moe so relaxed in front of an "outsider."
As a good friend, she understood at a glance: Moe wanted to act spoiled toward Kuroha Akira.
Ah… it's honestly painful to watch.
Finally, Shirai Shiori couldn't hold back. She sighed and said to Kuroha Akira,
"Akira-kun, for Moe's reward… a head pat will do."
"Ah? Head pat… like this?"
Kuroha Akira raised his hand and placed it on top of Aizono Moe's head, making a gentle stroking motion.
Seeing Shirai Shiori nod, Kuroha Akira asked the blushing girl in front of him,
"Moe-chan, is this kind of reward enough?"
Aizono Moe hadn't expected Shiori to help her ask for a reward—or to see right through what she wanted. She felt both embarrassed and grateful. Finally, a little shyly, she lowered her head and admitted,
"Ah, um…! Y-yes… Thank you… Um… please… proceed!"
Why is she using honorifics now…? And why is she looking up with such a determined expression, even closing her eyes? Is she asking for a kiss? It's just a head pat, right?
But it's a head pat again. Why "again"?
Because Kuroha Akira had already given head pats to the Class Rep and to Shirai Shiori. Now, the Head Pat Achievement for all three Literature Club members was unlocked ahead of schedule.
Since she said he could proceed, Kuroha Akira naturally didn't hold back. He patted her head.
Very nice. Her hair was soft, very thick, and the natural curls felt interesting.
"Hehehe… hehehe…"
Aizono Moe couldn't help but let out another low, silly giggle. This time, the smile lingered on her face—she was grinning from ear to ear.
Meanwhile, the other two watched this scene, their expressions outwardly calm, but their insides churning.
The more Kuroha Akira favored the other members, the stronger Asato Hitomi's sense of defeat grew.
I'm the club president, yet I'm being outshone by my own members… It stung.
Shirai Shiori, on the other hand, felt a creeping worry.
She knew her best friend—the one she'd grown up with since childhood—was very slow to mature, especially when it came to emotions. So she believed Moe probably wasn't sure yet, like herself, whether this "good feeling" was actually love. Moe might not even have recognized it as such.
Right now, Moe was just instinctively drawn to Kuroha Akira, like a small animal approaching a human for warmth.
But Aizono Moe couldn't think as rationally as Shirai Shiori. She was driven by emotion. So when Moe finally realized she liked Kuroha Akira… Shirai Shiori didn't even know what she would become.
My best friend… is going to change into someone I don't recognize because of a man…
Kuroha Akira—the man Hitomi brought back—and he claimed he wasn't here to open a harem! He's way too popular!
But the most infuriating thing was…
Shirai Shiori now actually found it quite normal for him to be this popular.
After all, he really was that good.
And it would probably be hard to find another man quite like him… because true friends were hard to come by.
Now Shirai Shiori could finally understand the feelings of those heroines in romance light novels who loved a man to the point of self-destruction.
It's… the worst.