I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Kasumigaoka Utaha would never consider the option of repeating a lesson.

"Then let's not talk about that, let's talk about our cooperation!"

Eriri changed the subject, now displaying a slightly more assertive demeanor.

She remembered what Aki Tomoya had told her: when working with Kasumigaoka Utaha, it was best to take control of the conversation, since she wasn't working for Kasumigaoka Utaha.

"So, do you have any suggestions?"

"I wouldn't call it a suggestion, but I would appreciate it if Xia Shizi would respect my decision."

“I respect you very much, Ms. Kashiwagi Eri.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked surprised, not understanding why Eriri would say such a thing.

Machida Sonoko, standing behind, glanced at him and sensed something was amiss.

"If you respect me, please don't ignore me or take away my right to speak. I won't interfere with your story, but I hope you can listen to some suggestions. By the way, please remember that I am Kashiwagi Eri, not an illustrator working for you!"

Eriri finished speaking with great confidence, and then felt a surge of pride.

She memorized every single word that Aki Tomoya had taught her.

Having been unilaterally and forcefully suppressed by Kasumigaoka Utaha for so long, Eriri also harbored a lot of resentment. She was Kashiwagi Eri, not some unknown illustrator working for Shinazugawa Publishing or some author.

If Aki Tomoya hadn't reminded her, Eriri would have almost forgotten how influential she was in the industry.

"Eri Kashiwagi-sensei, please calm down. Let's talk this out!"

Machida Sonoko hurried over, knowing that if Eriri had a falling out, she would also be held responsible.

How did Machida Sonoko withstand the pressure back then?

On one hand, it was to vouch for Kasumigaoka Utaha's abilities, and on the other hand, it was because Kashiwagi Eri would be the illustrator.

Kasumigaoka Utaha stared at Eriri expressionlessly, their gazes meeting for a long time.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense, and just as Machida Sonoko was feeling troubled by being caught in the middle, Kasumigaoka Utaha finally spoke up.

"I understand. If Eri Kashiwagi has any complaints, I can apologize. Please also raise any concerns you may have about future collaborations."

After careful consideration, Kasumigaoka Utaha replied in this way.

Hearing Kasumigaoka Utaha's reply, Eriri breathed a sigh of relief, her joy barely concealed. With her hands on her hips, she replied smugly, "Then, we can discuss the next steps of the work with Ms. Machida now!"

After Kasumigaoka Utaha regained control of the conversation, Eriri felt like she was taking off.

"That's true, but..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes.

Still basking in her self-satisfaction, Eriri didn't notice the change in Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression, and instead looked at her in confusion: "But what?"

"nothing."

Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head, not revealing her true thoughts.

Eriri's imposing manner today surprised Kasumigaoka Utaha.

On the other side, Machida Sonoko also breathed a sigh of relief. No matter which side it was on, it concerned half of her life.

Eriri didn't think much of it, just muttering to herself that after regaining the right to speak, the next step was to do what Aki Tomoya said later: say things that Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to hear, and then ask questions at the end.

"Absolutely perfect, nice!"

Eriri sighed with joy in her heart.

Now, there shouldn't be any problems with either the work or the partners, right?

However, at that very moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha had already seen through Eriri.

"So easily becoming complacent and self-satisfied, you must have been taught those words by someone else!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha thought to herself, but she didn't say anything. If Eriri wanted a say, she would just give her that.

Just as the other party had said, she was collaborating with Eri Kashiwagi, not some unknown second- or third-rate illustrator.

Chapter 141 This is quite awkward (2/4)

By the end of February, the second round of exams for national and public universities will also be over. After the start of the new year, the college entrance exams can basically be declared over around this time.

March is not only graduation season, but also the time when Aki Tomoya and his classmates, who are about to enter their third year, will face their first national mock exam of the year.

"The dates for the mock exam have been set for March 17th and 18th."

The date for the first national mock exam has been set; it will be the first national mock judgment exam of the year.

Before the graduation ceremony, when the second year of high school was about to end.

Including March, there are still more than ten months left.

"Rinya and your friend who's going to take the Keio exam probably aren't worried about this mock exam."

Yoshihiko Uego put down his reference book and looked up at Tomoya Aki with envy.

The thought of taking the exam felt like heading to the execution ground.

The fear and anxiety associated with exams were particularly pronounced in Yoshihiko Uego.

Especially as the first national mock exam approached, Yoshihiko Uego became increasingly nervous and began to fear the outcome.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Kudo isn't much better than you."

In fact, all the students taking the mock exam this year were more or less nervous about it.

However, after the results were released last month, everyone in the academy was quite optimistic because of the good news brought by the three seniors.

"Well, after all, they're going to Keio."

When Yoshihiko Uego realized that Sayaka Kudo was going to apply to Keio University, he could understand why.

Compared to those who aim for prestigious universities, he, who only applied to ordinary universities, felt much more relaxed after this comparison.

“My tutor told us that we should treat the mock exams as regular tests, and the official exams will be next year.”

"It's next week already. Speaking of which, the third year is almost over, right? That Kasumigaoka-senpai got into Keio and Sophia, that's amazing."

Envy is something you can't have in the end. At this moment, Yoshihiko Uego is not so much envious of Kasumigaoka Utaha, but rather nervous about his final year.

Even Yoshihiko Kamigo was on edge during his final year of third grade.

The first mock exam of the year will begin on the 17th, followed by the following Saturday and Sunday. After the mock exam, there will be a graduation ceremony, and then students will enter the third grade in April.

"If I didn't get dragged along by Tomoya, I guess I could have had a blast during my last year, right?"

Yoshihiko Uego looked at Tomoya Aki and smiled.

After entering Toyosaki Academy, Yoshihiko Uesugi first met Tomoya Aki, an otaku friend. Uesugi planned to enjoy his three years of school life and then get a job through the school's recommendation.

As for ambitions, Yoshihiko Uego hadn't given them much thought.

Now, he has some aspirations for the future and has started to fantasize. With the help of his friends, he has begun to work hard.

"Do you regret it?"

"No, on the contrary, I'm quite grateful that you didn't let me continue to live a life of idleness and waiting for death. At least I can still see some hope."

Even if he's far from being as good as his friend Tomoya Aki, he's still better than before.

Yoshihiko Uego had no regrets, but he felt that his days were numbered.

Ding ding dong dong——

"Class is starting, I'll stop talking now."

Before we knew it, the bell rang, and the last English class of the morning began. The teacher walked into the classroom.

Their courses have entered the review phase.

"After graduating from Kasumigaoka in three years, you'll be going to Keio University. Good luck to you all tomorrow too."

First, she used the three years of Kasumigaoka Utaha's story to encourage the students. The English teacher's gaze swept around the room, finally lingering on Aki Tomoya.

This year, Kasumigaoka Utaha was admitted to Keio University, and next year, in the eyes of the teachers, the person most likely to contribute to the school again is probably Aki Tomoya.

……

As the semester draws to a close, the atmosphere in the second grade is not relaxed, with at least half of the students still facing the pressure of entering higher education.

In contrast, the third-year students, who had just finished their exams and were about to graduate, were much more relaxed. No more classes were scheduled for them. After spending the last two weeks and holding their graduation ceremony, they would leave the campus.

Late March is graduation season in Japan, when cherry blossoms begin to bloom, and spring break ends in early April before school resumes.

"Representatives of current students and representatives of graduates—we can already guess who they are."

As Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had been delayed for a while, walked out of the classroom in the corridor at noon, she overheard people talking about the graduation ceremony.

At the graduation ceremony, the student representative had already confirmed that it would be her, almost without a second thought.

Kasumigaoka Utaha is undoubtedly the representative of the third-year graduates.

Meanwhile, regarding who will represent the current students at the graduation ceremony, most people in the school already have a candidate in mind.

"boring."

Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced indifferently at the people still talking about the graduation ceremony, then turned and went downstairs towards the rooftop.