Just as Kuroha Akira was starting to get a headache, Asato Hitomi continued her analysis.
"I think Shiori's share is fine—reasonable, not too much. But Moe's portion is definitely too much. With her personality, if she takes that much, she'll feel anxious. And anxiety will turn into guilt, which might even develop into a full-blown psychological burden."
"Is Moe-chan really that delicate…?"
Fragile. Sensitive. Like a little bird afraid of its own shadow.
"Akira-kun, everyone has a different capacity. It's not always better to take more. Some people only feel happy when they receive exactly what they deserve—anything extra just makes them uneasy."
"Capacity, huh…?"
Kuroha Akira understood the words, but he couldn't quite relate. If it was money obtained through illegal means, sure, holding onto it might make you nervous. But this was legitimate income! There was no reason to feel uneasy at all.
"It's the same with Moe-chan. Only when she feels, 'I've received the compensation I've earned,' will that little spark of happiness light up inside her."
"Amazing… Class President, you really know how to read people."
"Hehe, I've only scratched the surface."
In the end, it all came back to Aizono Moe's borderline personality and her low self-worth—that was the root of this psychology.
Kuroha Akira felt a twinge of regret. His original intention in giving Moe so much money was to bribe her—to make her willing to work exclusively for him. But if spending all that cash didn't produce the desired effect, or worse, backfired completely, then it would be counterproductive.
He scratched his head, looking troubled. "But I already promised to split it half and half with her…"
At this point, Kuroha Akira was stuck. The main problem was that he'd already made the promise. If he suddenly went back on his word and tried to claw back part of Aizono Moe's share, he'd look greedy. And his actions would definitely seem a bit ugly.
In any transaction, trust was the most important currency. Breaking your word was the fastest way to lose it. If he lost Aizono Moe's trust over a little money, it wouldn't be worth it at all.
So Kuroha Akira certainly couldn't go back on his promise. Asato Hitomi had naturally thought of this too, so she smiled and offered him a suggestion.
"It's fine, Akira-kun. Just keep the distribution as you originally told them. But afterwards, I'll talk to Moe-chan and ask her to donate a portion of the money to the Literature Club as activity funds."
"Uh… is that really okay? Won't that hurt your relationship?"
Talking about money could poison friendships. When conflicts of interest arose, even siblings could turn on each other. Kuroha Akira didn't want this to drive a wedge between the three best friends in the Literature Club.
"The current situation is that giving Moe-chan too much will hurt the relationship, you know? A typical illustrator gets about 2% royalties. But with Moe-chan's skill level, getting 3% isn't surprising."
"She's actually getting 3%… the editorial department already approved her illustrations."
"I see. Then explain clearly to Moe-chan that an illustrator can receive 3%—a share that only excellent illustrators can get. Then just give her exactly 3%. That way, Moe-chan can accept the compensation with peace of mind."
"What about the leftover money? Class President, are you planning to embezzle it?"
Kuroha Akira was joking, of course. He knew the Class President would never do something like that. But Asato Hitomi replied very seriously,
"I wouldn't do that. That money will be temporarily held by me as club president. When we graduate, if Moe-chan feels she deserves that money, it'll be given to her. If she still doesn't want it, then it'll go back to you, Akira-kun. How does that sound?"
"No problem. I fully support that."
Kuroha Akira raised both hands in agreement.
Leaving it to the Class President to manage meant he didn't have to worry about any funny business. Again, given her family background, there was no reason for her to skim off such a small amount.
Plus, if Aizono Moe ended up refusing the money in the end, he'd get even more back. That was just another free bonus!
In the end, the Class President is making a profit for me!
The Class President is too virtuous! I kind of want to marry you!
Of course, he only dared to think such thoughts in his heart. On the surface, Kuroha Akira still asked his original question.
"So what about your compensation, Class President?"
"I don't need any compensation. But… if I can persuade Moe-chan to give up more than the 3%—specifically, 3.5% of the royalties—I hope to use that extra 0.5% as the Literature Club's activity funds. Is that alright, Akira-kun?"
The final question, combined with Asato Hitomi's deliberately performed kawaii pleading pose—hands clasped together, head tilted—made it absolutely impossible for Kuroha Akira to refuse her.
"Yes! Absolutely! That's perfectly fine!"
Kuroha Akira was practically moved to tears by the Class President's selflessness.
She could forgo her own compensation, but she wants to set aside funds for the Literature Club. In the end, she's still benefiting everyone.
What selflessness!
The main thing was that the rest of the money could be divided however they wanted—as long as it didn't touch the slice of cake in Kuroha Akira's own hand, he didn't care at all.
"Hehe, then it's settled~"
And just like that, Asato Hitomi easily and happily persuaded Kuroha Akira, obtaining his permission to levy.
Then, she could—in Kuroha Akira's name—make Aizono Moe willingly hand over part of her remuneration.
And the true control of that money would now be in her hands.
Asato Hitomi appeared to not take a single yen for herself. But in reality, she had effortlessly taken a large chunk from her own club member—and still managed to make everyone think she'd done them a favor.
This was the invisible hand inherited from her mother: seeing through everything, guiding it, and finally drawing it all into her grasp.
"Young miss, we have arrived."
Their conversation ended. The car had already pulled up to their destination. The female butler stepped out first and opened the door for the Class President.
Today, they were taking the Class President's private car to visit Takanashi Mirai. Takanashi's house and the Class President's home weren't far apart—both in the same upscale neighborhood.
Asato Hitomi said to the female butler as she got out,
"Thank you, Rui-san. You can head back first—no need to wait for me. It's not far from home. I'll walk back."
"Understood. I wish you a pleasant time."
Rui-san, the female butler, smiled back at the Class President and bowed respectfully.
Kuroha Akira watched her curiously as he climbed out of the car. The Class President had just said "Rui-san" using the Chinese pronunciation, not the Japanese one.
Was this female butler also from his home country? But she seemed to be a native of this world. Coming to a foreign land and becoming the personal butler of a famous Tokyo family—that was quite a legendary life.
Rui-san also noticed Kuroha Akira's gaze. She nodded at him and said,
"I'll leave the young miss in your care, Mr. Akira."
"Uh… alright…"
What sharp eyes… She's called a female butler, but maybe she doubles as a bodyguard too?
In any case—next mission: Save Takanashi Mirai!