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"How do you like this jacket?" Erina asked, holding up a simple, stylish outer garment.

Renz’s gaze narrowed. He pretended to examine the jacket carefully, hesitated for a long time, turning it this way and that, before finally saying, "This one. It’s really nice, I like it a lot." If he said he didn’t like it, Erina would just switch to another outfit and try it on repeatedly, perhaps even questioning his "aesthetic." The best response was to say he liked it; he was pretty casual about his clothing choices anyway. But he couldn’t just blurt out "I like it" either, or Erina would think he was being perfunctory. The best approach was to examine it for a while before giving his answer.

"Then go to the fitting room and try it on?" Erina asked.

"Okay," Renz agreed with a nod.

He headed toward the store’s fitting rooms, with Erina following closely behind. Mashiro Shiina innocently tagged along, and Hisako Arato, seeing this, had no choice but to follow as well.

At the fitting room door, Renz stepped inside. Erina tried to follow, but Hisako Arato unexpectedly reached out, took Erina’s hand, and stopped her. Erina was surprised, but seeing Hisako Arato’s serious expression, she suddenly understood.

It seems I’m acting too eager. Even newly confirmed couples don’t jump straight to helping each other change in the fitting room. On second thought, it was just a jacket, so there was no need to go in. Progressing too quickly, too aggressively, might easily raise Hisako’s suspicions. Slow and steady, no rush.

---

Inside the mall, Alice and Ryo Kurokiba stood at the entrance of the trendy clothing store. To aid in her "stalking," Alice had deliberately bought a pair of sunglasses and two bubble teas. Standing at the doorway, Alice mused, "What do you think Erina is trying to do by accompanying this ramen guy?"

"Recruit him," Ryo Kurokiba’s opinion was surprisingly consistent with Alice’s. Ryo Kurokiba had a deep understanding of Japan’s entrenched class stratification. In any case, dating was the first possibility to rule out. Scions of prominent families generally didn’t get overly involved with commoners. The stricter the family’s traditions, the more rigorous their scrutiny on this point.

Even if a commoner managed to connect with an influential family, they would first need a certain level of talent and ability, and second, they’d have to marry into the family. Don’t think that wealthy families would choose just any incapable commoner as a son-in-law; that’s a fairy tale from manga stories. Without ability, you don’t even qualify for adoption. And how could capable individuals wish to confine themselves to such a quagmire?

While marrying into a wealthy family might offer a short-term leap in social status, it could very likely turn one into a servant or employee within that powerful household. In other words, associating with those from influential backgrounds comes with many restrictions and limitations that most people cannot or are unwilling to bear. Both parties were probably well aware of this.

Therefore, the greatest possibility was recruitment. Even within Totsuki Culinary Academy, there were various cliques. There are many types of cuisine: those who study Western cooking don’t associate with those who study Eastern cooking, and those who study noodles don’t like to socialize with those who study sushi. Even within the Elite Ten, there are cliques. This made forming a team a relatively common practice. Since Ryo Kurokiba said so, Alice was even more convinced that Erina was forming her own team.

"Excuse me, are you two also customers here for shopping?" A new salesperson at the counter spotted Alice talking at the entrance and enthusiastically approached. She was new and eager to work hard.

This kind of job is very performance-based; the better her sales, the higher her salary. Seeing two people talking at the door, seemingly potential customers, she proactively went to greet them. Alice, not having experience in tailing anyone, didn’t know how to hide herself in such a conspicuous spot. She simply sat on a bench by the aisle at the clothing store entrance, analyzing the situation with Ryo Kurokiba, not expecting a salesperson to approach them.

It seemed the commotion at the entrance had caught Erina and Hisako Arato’s attention. Erina and Hisako both looked toward the door.

Alice? Why is she here? Alice also noticed Erina and Hisako’s gazes fixed on her, but she didn’t show any panic.

"Why are you here?" Erina walked out of the store unhurriedly and asked deliberately.

"Out shopping, is there a problem?" Alice maintained her composure, sticking to the story that she wasn’t tailing them. There would be no trouble then, as Erina had no proof.

"It’s just a bit of a coincidence," Alice added.

The next second, Renz emerged from the fitting room and saw Erina and the others gathered at the entrance. Renz’s eyesight was still very good; he clearly spotted his sister-in-law, Alice, among the crowd. In the future, his relationship with Alice would be quite good; she was extremely diligent in helping take care of their mischievous children. Because of this, both he and Erina had a very good impression of Alice. However, Erina had mentioned that when Alice was younger, she was an incredibly strange person. This made Renz quite curious about what kind of person Alice was now.

Seeing Renz approach, Erina frowned slightly. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder was kicking in.

"What are you doing?" Erina first adjusted the collar of Renz’s jacket, which was completely asymmetrical and looked uncomfortable. Her movements were exactly like those of a long-married wife. Renz remained still as Erina adjusted his collar.

Alice watched all of this. Heh. Her recruitment tactics are quite good. Alice narrowed her eyes, feeling like the entire situation was under her control. Erina’s actions were 100% aimed at winning people over. This ramen guy was probably utterly infatuated with Erina, following her like a puppy.

"Erina, is this the person you’ve set your sights on?" Alice asked, crossing her arms and scrutinizing Renz up and down.

Hmm? Erina paused. How did Alice know Renz was her boyfriend? Erina didn’t remember telling Alice about this.

"Hey, ramen guy, I’ve got my eyes on you too," Alice said with an extremely appreciative tone. Since he was a member that Erina wanted for her team, his skills must be good. Alice still enjoyed the feeling of opposing Erina. You want him for your team? Sorry. Now, I want him.

At this declaration, everyone present, except Ryo Kurokiba, fell silent.

"How about joining me?" Alice said with a radiant smile. "I don’t think I’m any worse than Erina, am I?"

Hisako Arato had a million question marks in her mind: Is the world crazy, or am I? Are you kidding me? Is this guy, Renz, really that sought after? Two Nakiri young ladies fighting over him? Is this the legendary "Romantic sisterhood"? Contending endlessly over one man? This plot is even more outrageous than in novels!

At these words, Erina’s expression immediately changed. A chilling aura erupted around her, and a thick black mist continuously spread out. Alice gulped. She had never seen Erina in this state before; it was terrifying! It was like an ancient beast, sealed away, had suddenly been unleashed.

No. I’m just trying to recruit someone for my team. Is there really a need to get so angry? Isn’t she being too petty?!

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