I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

"In that case, I don't know if I'll have time next month?"

After taking a shower and returning to his room, Aki Tomoya looked at the calendar on the wall and was still wondering if he would have time to go out with his friends next month.

After all, someone had already come to see him.

A boat trip to Hashima, Eriri, Sayaka Kudo, and her high school friend Yoshihiko Kamigo.

"However, what's really concerning is the body found today."

The true cause of death.

The bereaved family members who are unable to accept the fact of their relative's death.

Also, the hospital where the deceased was admitted before his death.

A standard medical dispute.

buzzing-

My phone suddenly vibrated. The caller ID showed Sayaka Kudo.

"What's wrong, Kudo?"

"Do you have time to chat for a bit?"

=

Chapter 196 I don't believe your lies! (2/?)

With a whoosh, the window was pulled open, and a cool night breeze gently blew in.

Aki Tomoya looked at the man leaning against the window and asked lazily, "What's wrong?"

Three months had passed since their last get-together, and when Kudo Sayaka heard Aki Tomoya's voice again on the phone, she laughed.

"Are you tired? I'm so tired too."

Having finally been accepted into her dream university, Sayaka Kudo uttered the word "tired" for the first time after entering Keio University.

I didn't tell my friends or my family, but I told Aki Tomoya over the phone.

Even though her words were tinged with laughter, a hint of weariness could still be heard in them.

"...I work part-time at the research institute. Today is my first day. Although I'm just a recorder, it's not easy, but it's very fulfilling. I was just thinking about how to arrange my time next month so I can hang out with you guys. Thinking about that makes me not tired anymore."

Aki Rin didn't know what was wrong with Kudo Sayaka either, so he could only tell her what was on his mind.

The first day was indeed very tiring, and he was so scared that his face changed color, but choosing to come to UDI because of the autopsy was definitely the right decision. Similarly, he remembered what Makoto Sakamoto told him: corpses are dangerous.

The rumored 7k is just one example.

After hearing his words, Kudo Sayaka remained silent for a while.

After about five seconds, she revealed that she was at Keio University because the gap between her and others made it impossible for her to relax.

She also found a part-time job before summer vacation.

I was helping out at the Metropolitan Library. Not only could I read books, but the work was also relatively easy. However, for some reason, I was still very tired.

It's even more tiring than when I was in the academy.

"The thought of having to catch up with others makes it impossible to relax. Even after entering university, there's still no chance to take a breather. Maybe I should think about inviting you guys out to play when I have free time during the summer vacation."

The first semester in the Faculty of Letters was fulfilling for Sayaka Kudo, but she also suffered many setbacks.

Where outstanding people gather, the differences become clearer; in Keio University, competition is also invisible.

Sometimes she couldn't help but think that the pinnacle of private schools was such a cruel place, where she could see many cruel realities, and the stark contrast made her feel powerless.

And what about Tomoya Aki, who stands at the pinnacle of Japanese high schools at the University of Tokyo?

Is Tokyo University good?

"...It's alright, but it's still the same. You have to be careful behind your back. Of course, I'm referring to the system of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at the University of Tokyo. The backstabbing and infighting aren't that exaggerated, but the disdain and contempt between elites are still everywhere. The good thing is that I've made some pretty good friends."

Aki Tomoya had thought beforehand about what kind of people he would meet in college.

He was quite lucky, as he met two top students, Takagi and Majima, who were compatible with him and came from vastly different backgrounds.

He got to know everyone he was supposed to know from his cohort, and even Suzuya, who was currently the top student in his cohort and whom Takagi didn't particularly like, was someone he had a nodding acquaintance with.

But after getting to know Suzuya a little, and hearing that he came from a family of doctors and that the small circle he had gathered consisted of people from the same family of doctors, Aki Tomoya realized that he was also a guy with ambitions for the White Tower.

"By the way, I get along quite well with the upperclassmen. Maybe it's because of you, but she's been very kind to me and helped me a lot."

From Aki Tomoya's few words, Kudo Sayaka could not fully imagine what the situation was like in the classroom of Tokyo University of Science 3.

However, he was still the same as before, as if everything was meticulously planned.

Even when faced with difficulties, she can figure things out faster than him.

While feeling envious, she couldn't help but want to seek solace in such a person; she didn't know how to describe this feeling.

But when she jokingly mentioned being taken care of by her senior, Aki Tomoya couldn't help but laugh: "The senior you're talking about, it wouldn't happen to be the one I'm thinking of, would it?"

"That's right, I've met him several times, and he seems like a nice person?"

Is it still a question?!

"Do you care?"

His gossipy nature was immediately revealed.

But he wasn't fooled; he knew his female friend, Sayaka Hijikata, very well.

Besides, it's nice to be taken care of by Kasumigaoka Utaha, isn't it...?

"I don't have that much ability, but my senior is really amazing. It wouldn't be bad for you to learn more from her skills."

"Hmph, don't you care whether she's getting close to me with ulterior motives?"

"If she had an ulterior motive, she wouldn't have contacted you."

They already talked it out at the last social gathering. Based on Aki Tomoya's understanding of Kasumigaoka Utaha, she would take care of Kudo Sayaka, so it probably has little to do with him.

Rather than saying she was interested in him, it's more likely she was just gathering material.

"Tch, can't I fool you?"

It seems there was no mistake; Sayaka Kudo herself can still distinguish whether those who approach her have ulterior motives.

My contact with Kasumigaoka Utaha was due to a short paper.

Because of the habits she developed at the academy, writing became a hobby, and Sayaka Kudo would occasionally write one or two articles in addition to her classes.

After hearing the whole story of how they met from her, Aki Tomoya jokingly said, "Why don't you become a writer in the future?"

"...Are you teasing me?"

"No, it's not a bad idea to try it in college. Try submitting your work. If a publisher takes a liking to it, you can become famous faster than you can make money working part-time."

Thinking about it, Utaha Kasumigaoka is probably making a fortune writing light novels by now. So, writing novels seems like a good idea.

However, in reality, for most people, writing novels is a dead end.

"You think I believe that?! Hahaha!"

Sayaka Kudo replied irritably that she was no novice; she had also broadened her horizons during her first semester of university.

The two then burst into loud laughter simultaneously on the phone.

"Writing? If I were to write, I would write down the stories of our time at the academy!"

"Hey, that's a great idea! Remember to write me as cool!"

"Pah! I'd rather spend more time writing about Professor Tsubota and Professor Harumi than write about you, you bastard who keeps putting me down!"

She also can't forget how Aki Tomoya often unintentionally belittled her during her time at the academy.

But precisely because of this, she can't forget the help and encouragement her deskmate gave her.

"Stingy woman!"

They talked until around 10 p.m. before hanging up and agreeing to meet up sometime.

After going to bed, he got up early the next day and went to UDI.

"The test results are in..."

After visiting the lab first, Makoto Sakamoto arrived at the office, opened the data, and placed it in front of Kei Nakado, who was rarely in the office at the time.

At the same time, the hospital where the deceased, Mr. Tadokoro Keiichi, had been admitted also visited the UDI Research Institute.

=

Chapter 197 Medicine and Poison (1/3)

Medical disputes happen everywhere, but in Japan, everything is resolved with an apology. If an apology doesn't work, you have to go to court. However, the success rate of medical dispute lawsuits is generally low, and it's difficult to win one in Japan as well.

Especially if the other party is a university hospital, don't expect doctors to gamble their future by appearing in court to testify.