I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

"Okay, that's exactly the twentieth time... If you're not sure, why don't you ask Ms. Machida? She's a professional editor, she should be able to give you some advice?"

If you really care why the opening was rejected and you genuinely don't understand why, then Machida Sonoko, the dignified deputy editor-in-chief, can surely offer you reasonable advice after reading it.

but--

"You're telling me to die!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha slammed her hand on the table.

She couldn't very well tell Machida Sonoko about this; she couldn't very well tell her that she wanted to change careers, could she? No way!

"Also, has Aki-kun checked it for Kudo?"

The sudden mention of his good friend Sayaka Kudo left Tomoya Aki somewhat bewildered.

How did this get dragged into this again?

"what happened?"

"You've seen it."

"So what have I seen?"

"...The novel, her novel!"

Have it?

Aki Tomoya frowned and thought carefully for a moment.

It seems, it appears, it seems...

Yes, that's true.

"You really are a mascot, aren't you?"

"Miss Kasumigaoka, I personally find that statement very objectionable!"

How did he become a mascot? He didn't even see anyone he knew who had won the lottery or made a fortune at the horse farm.

He doesn't want to be a mascot!

"She submitted her application along with mine, and she passed, but I didn't."

"That logic is very flawed. Kudo read a lot of books during his two years of high school, and as far as I know from your first year of high school, you read light novels the most. I suggest you read Keigo Higashino's 'Journey Under the Midnight Sun' first."

Having gotten used to writing light novels, it's inherently problematic to try writing popular fiction. How to adapt, how to begin, how to conceive the plot, how to plant foreshadowing, how to create twists, how to structure the writing, how to organize the plot's logic...

Japanese people have a fondness for printed books, but the traditional novel market is not like the light novels that come with illustrations and free toilet paper these days.

Sayaka Kudo tried writing something, and Tomoya Aki did read it, and his evaluation was simply, "It's pretty good."

Who would have thought that she would actually pass the initials test?

"Um……"

Kasumigaoka Utaha began to think.

She looked Aki Tomoya up, down, left, and right carefully, and realized that her most loyal reader had gone to another junior female student, which made her somewhat unhappy.

As a writer.

However, it must be admitted that she was too focused on light novels, and this failure was justified, just as Kudo Sayaka's success was also justified.

"To some extent, I was a bit too lazy, and I will remember this taste of failure!"

This momentum looks pretty good; it's like they're getting stronger after setbacks.

The setbacks she experienced in the traditional market led her to reassess her abilities, realizing that being overconfident in one's own capabilities is not a good thing.

"It's about time, let's go find Eriri."

Aki Tomoya glanced at the time and reminded the two not to forget why they came today.

Eriri's artwork should be displayed by now.

At the Ueno Museum of Art, her works will be exhibited alongside those of her mentor at Tokyo University of the Arts.

They arrived at the art museum together, and upon entering, they immediately spotted Eriri, whose face was covered by a mask. If it weren't for her blonde hair, she would have looked like a suspicious person.

Eriri led her to the exhibition area first, and as a student being taken care of by her mentor, she still enjoyed quite a few privileges.

Everyone else could only wait outside, surrounding her mentor and listening to a long string of meaningless words.

"This way, this way!"

Eriri pushed Aki Tomoya's shoulder and eagerly led him into the exhibition area to where her work was located.

She only had one work, and ultimately, it wasn't because of her mentor's favor; it was someone else's exhibition. But she was already lucky to benefit from it.

"This is it!!"

Eriri pointed to her work, her face full of pride, with a hint of showing off, looking very proud.

Her appearance amused Aki Tomoya.

It's something to celebrate that the works of childhood sweethearts are exhibited here.

Eriri, who entered Tokyo University of the Arts with dignity, can honestly say that she won the favor of her mentors through her own abilities.

That's why she wanted to tell the people around her.

"Oh right, let's take a picture, to remember this moment!"

Eriri hurriedly took out her phone, hesitated for a moment in front of Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kato Megumi, and finally asked Kato Megumi, who was in the same class as her in the third year of high school and had a good relationship with her, for help.

"Rinya, let's go first."

"……All right."

The two stood together with their backs to the artwork. Kato Megumi held up Eriri's phone, about to tell them to get ready and have a laugh, when Eriri made another move.

She turned her head, smiled, and waved to her childhood sweetheart, saying, "Come closer."

Aki Tomoya took a small step.

However, Eriri was not satisfied and pouted, then waved her hand again.

He took another small step closer.

"Closer, closer!"

The discontented voices made Aki Tomoya chuckle. He shifted his position slightly, feeling that he was about to completely block out the artwork behind him.

But Eriri was still not satisfied, and finally took a small step toward him, shoulder to shoulder.

"That's all, Kato-kun, please!"

"...I can't do anything with you!"

Aki Tomoya was a little uncomfortable at first, but when he turned around and noticed Eriri's enthusiastic smile, he sighed inwardly.

Compared to when she was in elementary school, Eriri is easier to approach now.

Kato Megumi took a photo of the two of them, but before Eriri could even look at it, Kasumigaoka Utaha hugged her neck and had Kato Megumi take another one.

In the end, Kato Megumi and Eriri were together, and everyone took one more picture. People from the art museum ran over and were already urging Eriri, as her mentor was looking for her.

"Rinya, are you free on the evening of the 15th?"

The 15th? The day after tomorrow?

Chapter 211 seems like a good deal (1/?)

"Eri Kashiwagi-sensei is really amazing?! (???????)?!"

After taking pictures of Eriri's work and sending them to his junior, Hashima Go-on, Aki Tomoya quickly received a reply from her.

Among the people he knows well, one who is good at drawing is Eriri, and the other is Izumi Hashima.

Actually, Eriri and Aki Tomoya seemed to have had a lot of fun at the CM doujinshi convention a few days ago, out of consideration for him, even though Aki Tomoya didn't go.

"I'm sorry you invited me. I couldn't go to CM last time, but I've seen the work you sent, and it's very good."

Aki Tomo didn't go to the CM doujinshi convention either, for no particular reason, but because he had to make up for his attendance at UDI in July.

And to be honest, if you asked a non-otaku like him to go there, he'd probably just sit there chatting, and there wouldn't be anything that interested him.

"Also, forget about Ms. Kashiwagi Eri, you already know her real name..."

"Aki-kun, you've been fiddling with your phone the whole time. Who are you chatting with?"

While he was chatting with Hashima Ikkai on Line, Kato Megumi, who was sitting next to him, asked a question.

While strolling around the art museum with two women beside him, Tomoya Aki didn't seem particularly interested in his surroundings; his phone seemed to be more intriguing.

“Aki-kun is still very busy.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at the phone in his hand, wondering who he was chatting so happily with at this hour.

He shook his head indifferently: "So-so."

As he toured the museum with them, Aki Tomo didn't have time to look at much. He glanced at Eriri's work from all angles, but he wasn't particularly interested in the works by her mentor in the exhibition area.

"Speaking of which, Eriri is probably still waiting for someone's reply, right?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha then muttered something next to Aki Tomoya.