I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

"You are kidding me!!"

Perhaps the other side was startled by Aki Tomoya, because their response speed was much faster than before.

"I'm serious."

He wasn't joking. If the other party could take over all of these things, it would mean that the wages he had earned from all those jobs over the years could be withdrawn after investing in these products!

Moreover, given the other party's previous display of generosity, such a lucrative target is not something that can be found every day.

"I'm preparing for exams now, and cram school costs a lot of money. We used to be very good friends, right? Aren't you willing to support me? (laughs)..."

Is friendship something that can be measured in money?

"Friendship is more important than money, isn't it?"

Since friendship is more important than money, then hurry up and pay for it, you bastard!

"...Let's finish the figure transaction we agreed on for now!"

"Oh, that's all, I'll log off now."

Since they couldn't reach an agreement, they decided to let it go. Aki Tomoya closed the chat window, regardless of whether the other person still had something to say.

Afterwards, Aki Tomoya got up from his computer desk, turned around and took out the figurines he was going to sell from his treasure cabinet.

"please forgive me!"

Next came the issue of packaging, and Aki Tomoya spent some time packing the figures.

"The address seems to be in Tokyo. When did that guy move back?"

Aki Tomoya suddenly remembered a very important detail: the delivery address was Tokyo, which meant that Hashima Iori had moved back from Nagoya?

Forget it, it's none of his business whether they move back or not.

Aki Tomoya stopped thinking about Hashima Iori moving back. Why should he care where that guy is?

To be fair, Iori Hashima helped him recover some money; this guy is really rich now!

=

Thank you [墨雨丿青天之下] for the monthly pass.

Thank you [elder archer] for the razor blade.

Thank you [骚年灬小浩] for the February vote.

Chapter 18 Helpless

Aki Tomoya met Hashima Iori in middle school. They shared similar interests, and no one would have guessed that this true "normie" was also someone with a deep understanding of anime and manga.

At that time, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe their relationship as best friends or sworn brothers.

As for why they broke up, it wasn't because the other person was a "social butterfly" (a person who is outgoing and successful); to be honest, it was simply because they had different values ​​and couldn't work together.

The key to their break was the conflict and rift caused by their differing ideologies.

Later, during her junior high school years, Iori Hashima's family moved to Nagoya, and they haven't been in contact since.

"Just thinking about being secretly watched by a man sends chills down my spine!"

After carefully wrapping up the figure he was going to sell to Iori Hashima, Tomoya Aki returned to his computer desk and opened Instagram. Iori Hashima, whose profile picture featured a photo of herself from elementary school when she left for the sea, had left him many comments.

He thought he would never have any contact with this guy again, but now Aki Tomoya has discovered that his former best friend is still secretly observing him.

Just thinking about it is disgusting!

Regardless of whether the other party admits it or not, Aki Tomoya is certain that this guy is Hashima Iori.

I wonder how this guy has been all these years?

"Thinking about it carefully, this kind of person would be successful no matter where they are."

Aki Tomoya shook his head, thinking about Hashima Iori's abilities and outstanding appearance; this guy was always successful wherever he went.

Instead of worrying about this former friend, we should think about how to get this big fat sheep to take over all his treasures.

There's probably nothing else to talk about with Iori Hashima, besides this matter.

Upon opening the message the other party left him, Aki Tomoya didn't even read it and replied perfunctorily, "I've already packed the figure here, and I can mail it to you after you pay the deposit."

Although both are in Tokyo, the two could easily meet in person to conduct the transaction.

However, the other party did not want to admit their identity, and Aki Tomoya did not want to meet them in person, so it was better to stay online.

After sending a message to Iori Hashima, Tomoya Aki planned to log off.

But just when he was about to quit Instagram, someone contacted him.

"This note is from Shinazugawa, the deputy editor-in-chief..."

Tuk-tuk-tuk——

Thinking of Machida Sonoko, Aki Tomoya slowly tapped his hand on the table, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Why would the deputy editor-in-chief of Kasumigaoka, Shiwa, who is in charge of Kasumigaoka Utaha, come to find me at this time?

He had only met Machida Sonoko a few times, but it was during those few encounters that Aki Tomoya developed a deep impression of this career woman.

I was fortunate enough to get to know this deputy editor-in-chief in the light novel industry because of Kasumigaoka Utaha. He specially created a homepage to help promote "Love Metronome".

It was probably after the publicity took effect that the novel's sales increased, and around that time, Aki Tomoya also met Machida Sonoko.

"can I help you?"

After thinking about it, Aki Tomoya felt that ignoring it would be impolite, so he replied.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Machida Sonoko, she got straight to the point and asked how he was considering the request made in the email he had sent earlier.

"Email delegation? What email? What delegation?"

Aki Tomoya was completely confused; he couldn't recall having any recent interaction with Machida Sonoko.

Since the start of the semester, he has been busy with tutoring and has had no time to contact these people. He also doesn't know what the email request Machida Sonoko mentioned is.

"Didn't you receive it? That's strange, I definitely sent an email request to your homepage..."

Send an email to his homepage?

That homepage is blocked, so what's the point of talking about it!

Aki Tomoya took a deep breath; now that he heard that, he did have a vague recollection of it.

He did receive many emails, but apart from those emails from people who were interested in receiving his treasures, all the other emails were considered "spam" by Aki Tomoya.

After announcing his preparation for exams and his decision to quit being a homebody in a suggestive tweet, Aki Tomoya knew that many people were concerned about why he made such a decision, and he had answered them all on the tweet several times. Therefore, he did not feel the need to reply to those who still had doubts about him one by one.

"I'm sorry, I'm currently preparing for an exam, so if you have any requests for assistance, please find someone else."

Aki Tomoya replied helplessly.

His homepage clearly states that he is currently preparing for exams and has no time to consider other things. He doesn't know whether Machida Sonoko saw it or pretended not to.

"Really? That's so sudden!"

Machida Sonoko sighed, expressing her astonishment in words.

Her reply made it seem as if she genuinely knew nothing about it.

In Aki Tomoya's view, the smooth development afterward should be that Machida Sonoko, the deputy editor-in-chief of Shinazugawa, after learning that he is currently preparing for exams and has no time to consider such a request, will exchange a few polite words and then find someone else.

However, Machida Sonoko's next message made Aki Tomoya frown.

"But could you please listen to my report about this request again?"

Perhaps thinking that Aki Tomoya hadn't yet understood the details of the request, Machida Sonoko wanted to discuss it further at this point.

Aki Tomoya laughed, though he was angry.

However, in order to show that he was well-mannered, he felt he should still act as if he was moved but refused.

After replying to the other party asking for details of the request, Aki Tomoya finally understood why Machida Sonoko had contacted him.

It's about Kasumigaoka Utaha's new work. They're planning a Q&A interview, but they haven't been able to find a suitable interviewer.

So, in order to ensure the interview could be completed smoothly, Machida Sonoko thought of Aki Tomoya.

Aki Tomoya pursed his lips. He had gotten into a complicated relationship with that senior because of Kasumigaoka Utaha's debut work, "Love Metronome". How could he possibly have anything to do with her new work now!

"I'm very interested, but unfortunately, I'm currently preparing for exams and simply can't find the time!"

The first few words made Machida Sonoko's mood soar, but after reading the following text, her mood plummeted as if she had descended from a high mountain.

Machida Sonoko remembers that Aki Tomoya is a die-hard fan of Kasumi Utako, the author of their paperback series. Shouldn't she have agreed to this request immediately?!

But the current outcome is giving Machida Sonoko a huge headache.

"Is there really no room for further discussion? This interview for the new work is really important! And Aki-kun knows, right? Kasumi-sensei's personality is a real headache!"

Machida Sonoko's refusal to give up perfectly demonstrates just how far an editor can go for an author's future.

Aki Tomoya pushed up his glasses, and through the reflective lenses, his eyes were filled with impatience and a hint of anger.