I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Takagi brought them to Kyoto for his blind date, ostensibly to ruin it, but in reality, Aki Tomoya and Mashima just came for fun.

The other person's father didn't care about the outcome of the blind date at all; he just wanted Takagi to come back.

"You guys are really boring. Since Kyoto's nightlife doesn't appeal to you, how about Kabukicho in Tokyo, or the clubs in Ginza?"

Takagi wore a knowing look on his face.

However, Aki Tomoya and Mashima looked at him strangely, constantly winking and making faces at him, as if trying to remind him of something.

"Zai, what have you been doing in Tokyo?"

Upon hearing this voice, Takagi's breath hitched.

It was Takagi's mother. She didn't know when she had returned, but she happened to overhear Takagi bragging to Aki Tomoya and the others.

It seems Takagi has stepped on a landmine and been caught red-handed.

"I'm just kidding!"

Chapter 256 Is it necessary? (1/2)

Takagi rejected the blind date, and his mother seemed a little unhappy.

After hearing him spouting nonsense and bragging, I came up and scolded him a couple of times.

After being slightly reprimanded by his mother, Takagi immediately restrained himself.

After returning home together, Takagi, who had failed in his blind date, was mocked by his sister.

Even before going to bed that night, the three of them were still talking about Takagi's arranged marriage in Aki Tomoya's room.

However, after Takagi left, she talked to Aki Tomoya about something else, about how her friend Aki Tomoya had run into a girl he knew on the street that day.

"Aki-kun, you're very popular."

"Here we go again. I feel quite ashamed to be told that by you."

Whether the other party was just being gossipy or had other intentions, one thing is certain: Majima seems to have some advice to offer.

"Speaking of which, I heard something interesting during this trip to Kyoto. What do you think of Sawamura's son-in-law, Aki-kun?"

"...Do you know my childhood sweetheart?"

When that inexplicably attached label was suddenly brought up again, Aki Tomoya frowned slightly.

I always feel like the other person cares a lot about my affairs.

"No, I was just guessing, and then I felt like I should get to know you better."

Majima is half serious and half joking.

Aki Tomoya was quite bothered by the other person's comment that he should get to know him better.

"Well, we've known each other for about half a year now, haven't we? We've been friends since we entered the third year of science. Do you need to get to know me again?"

Aki Tomoya countered with a question.

We should always try to find out what the other party means.

To be realistic, I will only have more and more contact with Majima, while my contact with my high school friend Yoshihiko Kamigo will gradually decrease due to our different circumstances.

Now, can we say that even so, the friendship can last?

Aki Tomoya really wanted to say that; at least he hoped that, no matter what, their friendship wouldn't change.

"No, it's just that suddenly finding a real-life version of Goro Zaizen in front of you feels a bit strange, doesn't it?"

"So, after suddenly discovering that I'm someone who wants to climb the social ladder and find powerful backers, Majima looks down on me?"

After Aki Tomoya asked the question again, both of them burst out laughing.

Majima first shook his head, then replied very seriously, "But here's the problem: if that's really the case, it's obvious that you could just pick up a ready-made one, right? A lot of people would be willing to do anything to get close to such a beautiful young lady, but Aki-kun isn't very cold to you."

"...That was just my childhood sweetheart."

After replying to Mashima, Aki Tomoya fell into deep thought, pondering whether there was any misunderstanding.

"Finding a rich and beautiful heiress who catches your eye is indeed not bad. I used to use this phrase to motivate myself when I was in school, praying to be noticed by some rich and beautiful woman, hehehe..."

"So skinny!"

Majima smiled and expressed her understanding.

I've heard phrases like "study hard, become a CEO, marry a beautiful and wealthy woman," and "reach the pinnacle of life" many times when I was in school.

If you analyze it carefully, it's actually quite reasonable to study hard, climb to the CEO level in a big company, be appreciated by others, and marry the daughter of a big boss.

The prerequisite is to finish the book, then have the real ability to climb to that position, and then you will have the value to be appreciated.

Otherwise, it depends on luck; such wonderful stories do happen...

"If needed and if it's appropriate, I might become someone like Goro Zaizen."

He had seen "The White Tower," but if he had to say something, if he wanted to be like Goro Zaizen, he should learn from the good aspects of the show.

He actually admired idealists like Satomi.

"If there's a need, then that's how it is. It sounds helpless, but has Aki-kun even considered the possibility of being unable to do what he wants?"

Majima said with surprise, which was a further addition to his understanding of Aki Tomoya.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Aki Tomo retorted with a smile: "What if it's not out of his control? Why does it have to be out of his control? There are also situations where two people are in love and both sides support each other."

Such a situation, where everyone is fine, does exist. The world doesn't have to be so cruel, and what they're saying isn't really that cruel; in fact, it's quite reasonable, and in some ways, it's a good thing.

“But Aki-kun seems to prefer living his life his own way, doing what he wants, regardless of whether it’s necessary or not. I can understand why you were so cold to your childhood friend.”

From the moment Eriri first appeared, observing her reaction, and then later when Aki Tomoya and Eriri went to meet him separately, including the things they said on the phone, Majima asserted that Aki Tomoya's attitude was somewhat cold.

Do what you want to do, and get what you want.

Just like seducing a rich man's daughter, it depends on whether you need to do it right now. Does Aki Tomoya need to do this right now?

He fixed his gaze ahead. He didn't have that kind of requirement for the time being, and Dongda University was truly a great platform. He was getting to know more and more people. While it wasn't time to talk about building connections, he was happy to cultivate good relationships. He was still enjoying constantly enriching himself.

Should I try to get on good terms with Eriri?

Isn't that good enough? The childhood sweetheart relationship has returned to normal. What more could you want?

Even though he says he wants to marry a rich heiress, half of it is just talk, but he doesn't need to right now, and he doesn't like Eriri.

Ultimately, how Aki Tomoya chooses to live is his own business; it depends on whether he wants to, whether the circumstances allow it, whether he has the opportunity, and whether he needs it.

But if needed, or if he really takes a liking to a young lady, he will try to win her over even if he doesn't need to.

But now...

Among the girls around him, Aki Tomoya hadn't really considered Eriri much.

"Aki-kun looks so engrossed in something. I think I've done something wrong?"

"No, you've reminded me that I should keep my distance."

Rather, he should thank Mashima.

Eriri was so proactive, I didn't pay much attention to it before, and I thought she was making up for past regrets as a childhood friend.

But now it seems that the sentiment is still there.

"I did like that person, but that was when I was a child. Some things happened during that time, but I don't feel the same way now. Knowing how to maintain a proper distance is an art."

Perhaps we should reconsider Eriri?

I'm sorry, I don't feel that spark. My beliefs are deeply ingrained, and it's hard for me to change my long-held views.

Chapter 257 If you treat her as a man (2/2)

It's actually a very simple question, if you were to ask Aki Tomoya to answer it.

"If I happened to like someone who's a rich girl, I would definitely pursue her, but if I were to compromise myself by going to someone who's a mistress... I don't think I've reached that point yet..."

Now, through hard work, I'm gradually getting what I want and living a life that I believe is feasible and ideal. That's great.

Studying at the University of Tokyo wasn't as tough as I imagined, but it was definitely not easy either.

As a medical student, I also worked part-time and studied at places like UDI during the summer vacation.

Tired?

It's tiring, but to say I hate it is completely inappropriate.

He thinks more about ensuring that everything he does has value in the end, that he reaps the desired results, and that he has the opportunity to choose what he wants.

"Although I don't know much about the details of your relationship with your childhood sweetheart, it seems quite complicated..."

"It's not complicated, but it's not simple either."

"This ambiguous statement sounds really perfunctory to me, as I don't know the details."

But at least I've had a heart-to-heart talk with my friend, right?

Mashima was actually unsure about these topics when he brought them up with Aki Tomoya, but after considering him a friend, he wanted to learn more about him.

The reason is simple: they will spend a long time together, it's hard to say how many years.