I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Aki Tomoya replied calmly.

How could he just add extra class hours so easily? From the start of the school year to the end of summer vacation, he had been paying for the tutoring three days a week in installments. If he were to pay it all at once, he would have to be able to sell all his treasures in a short period of time.

"You've really had a tough time..."

Yoshihiko Uehara clicked his tongue in amazement. Tutoring fees payable in installments?

Is learning really this expensive?

In fact, attending cram school for tutoring is indeed very expensive.

"But have you finished all those books you did before? That's so fast!"

"Not that fast."

Aki Tomoya didn't feel that it was fast.

I was even a little worried that this speed might be too slow.

The most effective way to consolidate and supplement essential knowledge points is nothing more than practicing problems, practicing problems, and practicing problems!

Although it can be said that this is only the first semester, without maintaining a high level of focus, it would be very difficult to get into the University of Tokyo in two years, and even worse, the hope would be slim.

Therefore, it is also very important to know how to make efficient use of limited time.

"Thanks, I'll be going now!"

After finishing his chores with Yoshihiko Uesugi's help, Tomoya Aki gave Yoshihiko a grateful look before picking up his bag and leaving the classroom.

Aki Tomoya changed his shoes, went to the bike shed to get his bicycle, and as he walked out of the school gate, he could still notice the curious looks from the students around him.

Just as Yoshihiko Uego said, the public opinion caused by the incident at noon can truly be described as a city-wide uproar.

This is what's called the celebrity effect, especially since both parties involved in the incident are two of the three most famous figures from Toyonosaki Gakuen.

And what's more, they happen to be Aki Tomoya and Kasumigaoka Utaha, who other students would never even think of having any connection with each other.

If Eriri had been replaced by Aki Tomoya in this incident, the current outcome would not have been possible.

Even though both of them are equally outstanding, and there is an element of same-sex repulsion, there is none of the strong sense of incongruity that exists when Aki Tomoya and Kasumigaoka Utaha are involved.

But if they knew that, besides Aki Tomoya from the past, those two were also homebodies, wouldn't the sky fall down?

So they're all just a bunch of idle people. Why don't they take care of themselves first instead of meddling in other people's business?

Because of them, Aki Tomoya thought of what happened at noon again, and couldn't help but purse his lips, muttering to himself, "Goodbye, my former favorite writer-senpai."

Aki Tomoya, having thought this to himself, suddenly felt nothing.

They're all gossiping about him. If Aki Tomoya had known a grumpy older brother in his past life, he'd probably be yelling at this point, "I'm your dad! Why are you so concerned about my affairs!"

Thinking of this, Aki Tomoya couldn't help but chuckle.

=

There were just too many people who sent monthly tickets, razor blades, and tips; I really can't thank them all. In short, I'm very grateful to everyone, but I'm also very sorry that I can't thank each of you individually. I can only express my gratitude here.

Chapter 23 What are you thinking about?

In late April, the first month of the new school year, which was also the most stressful month, was about to quietly pass by.

The upcoming Golden Week holiday will give both students and working professionals a much-needed respite.

Seeing that string of red numbers representing public holidays, perhaps this is what people live for...

"Sawamura-san?"

Inside the art studio, a member of the art club nudged Eriri, who was standing at the door of her private studio.

"Eh?"

Eriri, who was lost in thought, turned her head and looked at the member of the art club with a blank expression.

She stood at the door for about two or three minutes, but never went into her private studio. Finally, she attracted the attention of the other members in the studio.

Eriri scratched her face with her fingers and shook her head slightly, saying, "I'm fine, I was just thinking about something..."

After she finished speaking, she awkwardly pushed open the door and walked into her private studio.

The door closed, and Eriri's figure disappeared from the sight of the art club members.

"It's because of that Kasumigaoka-senpai, isn't it!"

Someone whispered that Kasumigaoka Utaha had just come to see Eriri, and the two of them went out alone and talked about something.

"Before it was Kasumigaoka-senpai and that Aki, now it's Kasumigaoka-senpai and Sawamura-kun, this..."

A group of girls started gossiping.

The rumors about Aki Tomoya and Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't subside until the end of last week.

Using the imagination of a group of students, by comparing the reactions of the two people afterwards, they were able to conjure up many stories.

Now, at this time, Kasumigaoka Utaha has taken the initiative to find Eriri again, so what connection could there be between the two?

In the art club, the girl who couldn't stop Kasumigaoka Utaha last year was hiding in a corner, her mood quite unsettled.

A group of dull people seemed to have found a spice in this moment.

Meanwhile, one of the people they were discussing was sitting in her private studio, shaking her leg and deep in thought, separated by a door.

"Something's wrong!"

Eriri's emerald eyes flashed with a look of confusion.

That Kasumigaoka Utaha, and the woman who recently caused such a stir at school with her childhood friend, actually came to the art studio to find her...

she was--

What is intended?

"She kept asking me to do the illustrations for her new work, what was she thinking? Does she think I'm an idiot?!"

There's definitely a conspiracy, there's absolutely a conspiracy!

Although collaborating with Kasumigaoka Utaha sounds very appealing, I should put aside my feelings as a creator for now. It's strange that Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly contacted me.

We had a falling out shortly after the start of the semester, what's the meaning of talking about cooperation now?

In the end, what exactly happened between that person and Aki Tomoya?

Eriri became increasingly agitated as she thought about it; in her eyes, there was something wrong with this whole thing.

That kind of attitude during that period.

Eriri wondered, "Is this person really not here to cause trouble on purpose?"

The person who explained the pros and cons to her and then expressed his desire for Eri Kashiwagi to be the illustrator of his new work looked no different from usual, but Eriri felt an inexplicable sense of unease about him.

"Ugh, what on earth does that woman mean?!"

Eriri grabbed her hair, her head about to explode because of this.

After hearing that Aki Tomoya had taken the initiative to go to Kasumigaoka Utaha, Eriri had already heard many rumors on campus.

Although I understand that those rumors have zero credibility and other people's guesses lack logic and are untenable, they have still caused quite a stir at Toyonosaki Academy.

Even if we don't know exactly what happened between the two, it's definitely not simple!

There was another thing that made Eriri furious.

That is, when Aki Tomoya was mentioned, his eyes first showed anger, and then became full of mockery, and that mockery was undoubtedly directed at her.

Although she had seen such mockery before, something unusual happened. Normally, Kasumigaoka Utaha would have said something sarcastic at this point, but instead, she completely ignored her, her eyes filled with pity, as if she cared a lot about her feelings, and she pretended that nothing had happened.

At that time, Eriri seemed to be performing a one-woman show.

"Just thinking about it makes me furious!"

Eriri clenched her fists, still indignant about what had happened earlier.

She calmed down and carefully recalled what Aki Tomoya and Kasumigaoka Utaha had done in the days that followed that day.

It turned out that after that, Aki Tomoya continued to do the same thing as before, going to the library when he was supposed to and going to the cram school when he was supposed to.

As for Kasumigaoka Utaha, she goes to school and comes home normally every day, and there seems to be nothing wrong with her. However, there are rumors that when she sits in the classroom during her break time, her aura sometimes becomes quite strange and scary!

After that, Eriri didn't find out that Aki Tomoya and Kasumigaoka Utaha had any further contact.

So, did they reach some kind of secret agreement?

Eriri felt a little resentful at being excluded.

Of course, she didn't show this imbalance to Kasumigaoka Utaha. If she had, knowing Kasumigaoka Utaha as she did, that person would definitely have used it as an excuse to make trouble.

However, Eriri was unaware that the imbalance in her heart was quite dangerous.

If Kasumigaoka Utaha knew that Eriri was experiencing such unbalanced emotions because of that incident, she would probably be shocked.

Perhaps she wouldn't mock Eriri, but instead look at her with concern and tell the girl that her ideas are dangerous!

Eriri, who knows nothing about this, mistakenly believes that Aki Tomoya and Kasumigaoka Utaha have secretly made a deal not to include her in their play!

"However, Kasumi Shiko's new work..."

Eriri looked at the paintbrushes on the table, her thoughts drifting back to Kasumigaoka Utaha's new work.