I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Hasumi Yoshinoko said with a hint of surprise.

A month after the start of the new semester, this otaku boy who came to her for help last year has changed a lot.

Declarations like preparing for the University of Tokyo entrance exam don't seem like empty words.

"If every student were like An Yi, I might look a few years younger!"

At this moment, Yoshiko Hasumi sighed.

In terms of self-discipline, Aki Tomoya demonstrates a higher level of self-discipline than most students at Toyonosaki Academy.

"After all, freedom is the school motto."

Aki Tomoya replied casually.

The private Toyonosaki Gakuen was founded less than ten years ago, but it is quite popular in Tokyo. What attracts students is probably the school’s exceptionally free atmosphere.

It's better than a typical public high school, but it still falls short compared to private high schools that focus on college entrance exams, sports, or even arts, given their more liberal school style.

However, if we're talking about what's bad, Toyonosaki Academy, even with its lack of foundation, is still better than those lower-ranked schools that are just coasting along. Students who don't choose to pursue further education but plan to enter the workforce can still get good recommendations from the school.

The phrase "not as good as the best, but better than the worst" is quite fitting.

However, there's nothing wrong with such a free school spirit. It's not like Toyonosaki Academy is the only one doing this. There are quite a few schools with this kind of free school spirit in Japan.

Furthermore, many high schools offer direct admission to universities, but not all direct admission to universities is bad; it depends on the major.

However, most of them went in to wait to get married.

"If only our school could maintain its free-spirited atmosphere and produce as many talented people as Asahigaoka in Aichi."

Aki Tomoya also made a remark.

Hasumi-sensei paused for a moment, then replied helplessly, "They're one of the top three families, after all..."

No, no, it's incomparable. Even Kanoko Hasumi knows that compared to schools with high college entrance rates, their college entrance rates are only average, or even a bit low, no matter where they are.

And Asahigaoka, which Aki Tomoya mentioned, is considered one of the top three high schools in Aichi Prefecture.

Comparing yourself to those kinds of schools is just asking for trouble, isn't it?

After all, Toyonosaki Academy isn't exactly a high school that leads to higher education...

"Aki-kun mentioned Asahigaoka, is he planning to transfer schools?"

Hasumi Yoshinoko teased.

"I only looked into it briefly."

Aki Tomoya shook his head. The two walked towards the audiovisual classroom. Outside the window, the club members' training had already begun on the large playground.

He just felt it was necessary to find out exactly who he was competing with.

The top three high schools in various regions, including the local powerhouses in Tokyo, such as Kaisei in Arakawa and Hachioji in the metropolitan area.

He's not the only one who wants to get into the University of Tokyo.

Besides, he couldn't possibly transfer schools to a school in Aichi Prefecture...

Even if Kaisei from Arakawa's side, even if Aki Tomo had the same idea, they probably wouldn't pay any attention to him.

"It seems that Aki-kun has really made up his mind."

Yoshinoko Hasumi noticed the thought in Tomoya Aki's eyes and confirmed that the boy who had asked her to borrow the audiovisual classroom last year had now grown into a determined man.

After helping Hasumi Yoshinoko move her things to the audiovisual classroom, Aki Tomoya asked again, "Hasumi-sensei, is there anything else I can help you with?"

"That's all. I can't waste Aki-kun's time. Good luck, don't leave any regrets!"

Hasumi Yoshinoko smiled gently and gave Aki Tomoya a thumbs-up as encouragement.

Don't leave any regrets...

Upon hearing this, Aki Tomoya suddenly burst out laughing.

"Huh? What's that? Is what the teacher said really that funny?"

When Yoshiko Hasumi saw that Tomoya Aki had actually laughed, she immediately puffed out her cheeks and looked at Tomoya Aki with some dissatisfaction.

It's rare to see her so enthusiastically encouraging a student...

"No, no, I'm just really happy. Thank you, Yoshino!"

Aki Tomoya quickly shook his head. He had just suddenly remembered that when he was in high school in his previous life, his homeroom teacher would say the same thing every now and then.

He simply felt a little nostalgic.

"It's about time I went to the academy, so I'll take my leave now, Mr. Hasumi!"

Aki Tomoya noticed the time, turned around and left the audiovisual classroom, and a few moments later a series of hurried footsteps could be heard outside the door.

"Don't run in the hallway, sigh..."

Hasumi Yoshinoko said helplessly.

Unfortunately, Aki Tomoya had already run far away and couldn't hear her reminder at all.

Walking to the window, looking at the students on the playground and those leaving the school gate one after another, a few minutes later, Hasumi Yoshinoko noticed Aki Tomoya pushing his bicycle away.

"Youth is wonderful! Looking at him is like going back to when I was preparing for exams!"

Hasumi Yoshinoko stretched lazily without regard for her image, and then sighed.

The way Aki Tomoya was working so hard reminded Hasumi Yoshinoko of the time when she was preparing for her exams.

Every day, I was on edge, having to work hard at the academy just like other students preparing for exams. Even during summer and winter breaks, I had no time to breathe.

"Good luck, Aki-kun... But if he really gets into the University of Tokyo, I guess I can brag about it at future class reunions!"

Hasumi Yoshinoko murmured jokingly at the ever-shrinking figure.

Don't leave any regrets. That's what I was trying to encourage the child, but is less than two years really enough?

Hasumi Yoshinoko was a little worried, but then she thought that if she set Tokyo University as her goal, she would have to rely on her talent and work harder. Even if she didn't get into Tokyo University, as long as she could stand out in the national mock exams in the future, private universities would take notice of Aki Tomoya.

but--

"You absolutely must get into the University of Tokyo, Aki-kun!"

Chapter 27 What to Write Today

When Aomine Academy arrived, there were already several students there.

Good afternoon, An Yi.

Mr. Tsubota nodded to Aki Tomoya, then skillfully pulled a test paper from under the table.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Tsubota."

After exchanging greetings with Mr. Tsubota, Aki Tomoya took his seat in the corner with his schoolbag.

At the same time, Mr. Tsubota also came over with the exam paper.

"The first mini-test of the day."

Mr. Tsubota pushed the exam paper in front of Aki Tomoya.

Mr. Tsubota knew that he didn't need to waste any more time with Aki Tomoya; this student, who was preparing for the University of Tokyo entrance exam, had very precious time left.

"We can start now!"

Aki Tomoya nodded, having already gotten into the zone in the shortest amount of time.

After receiving his reply, Mr. Tsubota picked up the timer on the table and set the time: "Fifteen minutes."

Once he was in the zone, Aki Tomoya quickly glanced at the A4-sized paper and then started writing.

The sound of the pen tip scratching across the paper was exceptionally pleasant.

Fifteen minutes isn't much time; in the tense atmosphere of the academy, it almost passes in the blink of an eye.

After Aki Tomoya finished the short test arranged by Mr. Tsubota, the other students preparing for the exams at the academy arrived and began intensive tutoring under Mr. Tsubota's guidance.

How should we describe the other students who chose Aomine Academy? They're about the same level as Aki Tomoya before. But since they've chosen this place, whether it's for family reasons or personal reasons, Mr. Tsubota won't give up on any student.

In Japan's cram schools, students' academic performance is highly valued. After all, if a cram school produces students who go on to prestigious national universities like the University of Tokyo or Kyoto University, or private universities like Keio or Waseda, it's like advertising for the school.

There are many cram schools in Japan, and the competition is fierce. Students choose cram schools, and famous cram schools also select outstanding students.

Aki Tomoya chose this place for a simple reason: firstly, he was just starting out and didn't have the money to attend those expensive private schools; secondly, he had made a promise with his parents that he would ask them to support him again after seeing his results in the first semester.

Therefore, in the first semester, Aki Tomoya's initial plan was to supplement the necessary knowledge points, strengthen the knowledge that could be strengthened, and catch up with the school's pace if possible.

Therefore, Aki Tomo, who was not picky about the subjects when choosing a school, chose Aomine School.

However, after meeting Mr. Tsubota and receiving a lot of help from him, Aki Tomoya felt that he was quite lucky and did not encounter any of those shady schools.

"An Yi, please start writing your essay!"

Mr. Tsubota walked over and put away Aki Tomoya's test questions, while placing the manuscript paper in front of him.

"Is today another short essay?"

Aki Tomoya sighed as he spoke, "Another short essay, another short essay."