I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

"Your optimistic attitude is a little enviable! Are Shunda University and our medical school your backup options? You're someone to be envied!"

These people completely ignored how hard Aki Tomoya had worked to prepare for the exam, and only heard that he decided to take the Tokyo University of Science 3 exam in his second year of high school, and then he passed it.

Just thinking about it makes me so envious.

I wanted to get into the University of Tokyo, and I got in...

They might try to say such things, but in front of someone who actually does them, they'd rather not.

"Right? This guy is pretty good. Have you guys heard of Toyosaki Academy?"

Takagi spoke in an exaggerated tone, completely disregarding the feelings of her male classmates from other schools, and enjoying the attention of most of the girls along with her comrades at the University of Tokyo.

So, if you want, the reputation of Tokyo University is attractive enough, especially since Majima hasn't joined yet.

"At this point, it would be even more interesting if someone from Kyoto University or Keio University's Faculty of Medicine were there."

Majima drank his juice alone, looking at the men from Keio and Soji with disappointment.

Why don't you guys dare to fight those two from Dongda University?

At the same time, Majima felt even more regretful when he thought about how Takagi, a Kansai native, was particularly uninterested in Kyoto University, because people from Kyoto University wouldn't come all the way to Tokyo in the Kanto region just to participate in a social event.

"Toyonosaki Academy? Isn't that the same high school as Kasumigaoka-senpai, who's in her second year? Do you know each other? What's your relationship like?"

Surprisingly, at this moment, Sayaka Kudo came over with a gossipy look on her face, taking the initiative to start a conversation at the beginning of the social gathering.

She whispered to Aki Tomoya, and the students from the literature club next to her were also ignited with gossip.

After leaving behind a legend at Toyonosaki Academy that had been overshadowed by Aki Tomoya, Kasumigaoka Utaha had already planted her flag on new soil.

"Aki, you knew someone at Keio University? You should have told me sooner!"

Takagi put his arm around Aki Tomoya's shoulder, his face showing the same curiosity, and he also gestured to him with his eyes that since he had already taken the initiative to start a group for the University of Tokyo, he should quickly add another point for them.

However, at this moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha turned her head and said calmly, "I know him, of course I know him, Aki Tomoya, he's very famous in my high school."

Seemingly surprised that a second-year student from Keio University would join in the conversation about the first year, Aki Tomoya and the others were slightly taken aback.

"Kasumigaoka-senpai is still more amazing. She only studies casually, yet she consistently ranks first in her grade and can get into any of the three top schools in Hayate."

Aki Tomoya pushed up his glasses and began to boast without reservation about how amazing Kasumigaoka Utaha was back then.

"Aki-kun is still more impressive. He didn't study much before his second year of high school and only started preparing for the exam in his second year. My achievements are still slightly inferior to yours."

"Kasumigaoka-senpai is the kind of person who can sleep in class, casually flip through a book after class, and still get into Keio University."

"The humanities are strong, but compared to national universities that emphasize all-round development, they are still quite lacking."

"You remain as humble as ever."

"Humility is what Aki-kun should be like."

It's impossible to tell whether they have a good relationship or a bad relationship.

However, with each of them claiming the other was better and neither willing to back down, the atmosphere between them seemed slightly awkward to others.

Takagi and Majima exchanged a glance, both seeing a deep curiosity in each other's eyes.

After a stalemate, the two stared at each other for a long time. At this moment, Takagi asked curiously, "Keio's senior, you and our Aki University are quite close?"

"generally."

"Generally speaking, this is also a matter of fate. Reuniting at a social event of prestigious universities has a special charm."

Takagi looked at Aki Tomoya and Kasumigaoka Utaha with an ambiguous gaze.

It was fate that brought us together. We met such interesting friends while we were taking the exam and during the entrance ceremony. It was truly wonderful!

Tokyo is great!

"Takagi-kun, don't let my senior's modesty fool you, she's actually a very talented literary woman."

"Speaking of modesty, Aki-kun is more modest than anyone else. Shouldn't we say that he truly lives up to the reputation of the University of Tokyo?"

The relationship between the two seems to be getting more and more complicated. Takagi has no regrets about coming to today's social gathering.

It's said that Keio and Waseda are competitive, but it's also common for the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Medicine to clash with Keio's Faculty of Medicine.

It seems like the Faculty of Letters at Tokyo University, University of Science and Technology of Japan, and Keio University are really going at it? Interesting!

And they're even senior and junior colleagues! Awesome!

On the surface, Takagi is polite, kind, elegant, and witty, but he is more restless than anyone else. After coming to Tokyo from a family of doctors in Kyoto, he is like a wild horse that has been set free.

"It smells like gunpowder."

Majima leaned closer and whispered something in a voice only he and Takagi could hear.

"Yes, the smell of gunpowder."

Takagi nodded slightly.

At that very moment, Aki Tomoya skillfully poured tea for Kasumigaoka Utaha and they chatted.

"It's been a year since I last saw you. Senior, you're still as stunning as ever. The talented girl from Toyosaki University back then should now be called the talented girl from Keio University. I didn't even have a chance to help you get into Keio University back then. Now, I, your junior, can only express my respect with a cup of tea."

Aki Tomoya recalled the message the other person left on Line in February, and took this opportunity to send his belated congratulations a year in advance, as a way of thanking Kasumigaoka Utaha for her unique "concern" back then.

"I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet."

As Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke, she seemed to relax, and her tone softened considerably.

She had a headache for a long time just thinking about how to greet Aki Tomoya, whom she had reunited with at the matchmaking event where she originally planned to gather material.

To be honest, it was a little awkward at first.

Seeing Aki Tomoya sitting at this prestigious school's social gathering, Kasumigaoka Utaha imagined whether Aki Tomoya would be here now if he were still that simple otaku.

Even when she first saw her, Kasumigaoka Utaha found it hard to believe that the TAKI from back then was now someone who made everyone present hesitate to approach after learning that they came from the Third East Dali.

If Aki Tomoya were still the same TAKI he was back then, he wouldn't have a place here at all.

Chapter 188 We're Even (1/?)

Two years ago today, would Aki Tomoya have dared to guarantee that he would attend a prestigious university social event with such a prestigious University of Tokyo title?

I've imagined getting accepted, but I absolutely can't say something like "I'll definitely get accepted." It would be funny if I made a promise and then failed to keep it.

To be honest, Aki Tomoya has a good impression of Kasumigaoka Utaha, but he is also reluctant to date her.

However, now that I'm on the same level as this senior, I feel quite good about her.

"You said some rather harsh things to me two years ago."

Kasumigaoka Utaha really wanted to say that to Aki Tomoya, but it was clearly inappropriate in this situation.

"I'm going outside for a bit of fresh air, I'll be back in a bit."

As the atmosphere grew increasingly enthusiastic, Aki Tomoya excused himself to use the restroom.

However, when he came out of the restroom, he ran into someone he knew in the hallway.

"Could I interrupt for a moment?"

As I passed by the senior student, she suddenly spoke up.

Aki Tomoya stopped and turned to look at her. After a moment's thought, he nodded.

"please."

"There's something I want to confirm... You didn't need to say such outrageous things two years ago."

Mentioning something that happened two years ago made Aki Tomoya somewhat embarrassed.

He could sense some displeasure in her tone, and he knew that the incident must have been a bad memory for this senior.

Should I apologize?

"You're really good at brushing me off. Do you think I'm that difficult?"

"I was a bit too love-struck back then."

Therefore, Aki Tomoya didn't want to say anything that left room for interpretation.

Moreover, by doing it that way, she was essentially shifting all the blame onto herself. When Kasumigaoka Utaha heard such hurtful words, she didn't even need to think about anything else, let alone feel any remorse.

However, it was somewhat surprising to Aki Tomoya that the two were able to talk about the past in a relatively calm manner at this moment.

"Can I ask the real reason? After all, it's my first love."

"I am terrified!"

Aki Tomoya looked at her in surprise.

He thought for a moment and then replied, "To put it simply, two years ago today, I couldn't have guaranteed that I would be standing here today, participating in such a social gathering. And I don't want to end up like Ms. Machida. As your editor and the deputy editor-in-chief of the publishing house, she already had enough of a lack of dignity in front of you."

It would be very difficult to date Kasumigaoka Utaha from two years ago.

Although I do have a lot of feelings for her, one side is too dominant, so how should the other side deal with it?

He had already begun preparing for the exam under pressure and didn't want to think about anything else or endure any more hardship.