I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Calling it the Cold War is not quite accurate.

During that period, we weren't even considered childhood sweethearts, let alone ordinary friends.

Even when they reconciled later, they weren't exactly like-minded friends.

If we're talking about like-minded people, then those you meet at Qingfeng Academy are truly like-minded.

He wanted to get into Tokyo University, Sayaka Kudo wanted to get into Keio University, and Fumino Furuhashi wanted to fulfill her childhood dream.

Everyone was giving it their all, shouting under the fireworks that they were determined to get into that university.

That year, Eriri and Utaha Kasumigaoka were thinking about their new collaboration at the fireworks festival.

On the rooftop of Qingfeng Academy, everyone looked up at the magnificent fireworks in the night sky. For the mock exam and for their goals, they shouted towards the fireworks, which was not only an encouragement but also a way to release pressure.

Eriri has never truly experienced how arduous the preparation for exams is.

Because she was different, with her innate talent, the awards she won in art exhibitions during high school, and her background, she could easily get a recommendation to the Tokyo University of the Arts.

At that time, the C or B grade in the mock exams was still putting considerable pressure on Aki Tomoya.

"Preparing for exams is really tough..."

Eriri watched half of it and said something from the bottom of her heart.

When Kudo Sayaka was preparing for her exams, she slept very late every day.

Her time was so limited, not to mention Aki Tomoya, whose goal was even more difficult.

No one preparing for the exam can say it's easy; only those who have gone through it truly know the hardships involved.

Of course, if they are geniuses, their world is different from that of ordinary people.

Just as Eriri knows, Kasumigaoka Utaha changed her first choice for Waseda University to Keio University and easily got in after taking the entrance exam.

But the world is mostly made up of ordinary people.

"We've already made it through, so what's there to suffer for? Next year, we'll see how Gu Qiao does. He'll finally get into the place he's been longing for."

Aki Tomoya smiled casually.

They had already weathered the storm of preparing for the exam.

Of all the people I know now, only Fumino Furuhashi remains.

One of the things they are still concerned about is whether she can get into Yuzuru University next year.

"I'll be the one to contribute to the first sale!"

Aki Tomoya closed the book and shook it in front of Kudo Sayaka.

Before the other party could say anything, he had already taken the book to pay the bill.

"And I!"

With some already vying for first place, Fumino Furuhashi, a close friend of Sayaka Kudo, accepted second place.

Sayaka Kudo smiled sheepishly at this.

However, what relieved her was that Fumino Furuhashi didn't say anything that would make her feel ashamed.

This genius friend has a really good eye for things.

After buying the books at the bookstore, I wasn't in a hurry to leave.

"Kudo, are you trying to secretly see if anyone buys your novel?"

Turning to look at Sayaka Kudo, I saw her peeking at the door.

Her eyes would change slightly with each person who came in.

Noticing this detail, Aki Tomoya easily deduced what the other person was thinking at that moment.

The number of people in this bookstore who have bought her novels can be counted on one hand.

Or rather, there's no need to count; it's just the four of them.

As the author of the novel, Sayaka Kudo herself also contributed to the sales.

"No, I was just looking to see if there were any novels that interested me!"

"...There are light novels all around here. Which one would you like to read? This one, 'Love Metronome'?"

Aki Tomoya picked up a light novel, not thinking that Kudo Sayaka would be interested in it.

She'll stay here and see if anyone will buy her novel.

"Kasumi Shiko... just seeing that name inexplicably reminds me of someone!"

Sayaka Kudo glanced at the author's name on the cover.

The pen name Xia Shizi gave her a sense of déjà vu.

"This one is selling quite well. It's by a popular author in the light novel industry. With the popularity of the new book, the sales of his older books have also been boosted. This is your future goal. When it becomes a hit, the book can sell out!"

Aki Tomoya drew a promising future for Kudo Sayaka.

When Kudo Sayaka becomes famous, and her novels sell like hotcakes, and all sorts of adaptations are made, that will be incredible!

"It's not as exaggerated as you make it out to be..."

Sayaka Kudo chuckled softly.

That kind of future isn't bad. A popular female writer—it doesn't matter if she's famous or not. If she makes a lot of money, she can buy everything she ever wanted before!

As she was thinking this, Aki Tomoya glanced at the book "Love Metronome" in his hand again.

As far as he knows, the author of this light novel, who has switched to a different identity, will also be releasing a new work next month.

To this day, Kasumigaoka Utaha still doesn't know the name of his new work, which represents a shift in his career path.

"They're here! Someone wants to buy it!"

Kudo Sayaka suddenly grabbed Aki Tomoya's shoulder excitedly.

She spoke softly, watching someone who was flipping through his novel, waiting to see if that person would actually make a move.

I don't know how much time passed, but the person who was reading the book suddenly closed it and hesitated about whether to buy it or not.

"I won't buy it!"

At this moment, Aki Tomoya retorted.

"I'll buy it!"

Sayaka Kudo retorted defiantly, now emboldened by Tomoya Aki's confidence in her novel.

"Bought it!"

In the end, Aki Tomoya lost, and the person who had tried the book still bought it.

"A good start, someone likes your work!"

Chapter 266 Utilitarian Milk Supply is Undesirable (4/4)

The group stayed at the bookstore in Shinjuku for at least an hour and a half.

Aside from reading and buying books, I basically just followed along and secretly observed how many people would buy Sayaka Kudo's novels.

"In the end, there were only ten people left. Without including us, there were only ten people. What is this feeling that's gathering in our hearts now? It's defeat, that's right! It's a deep sense of defeat!"

When she left, Sayaka Kudo was filled with a sense of defeat.

I spent over an hour in that bookstore, and in the end, I only saw ten people buy her books.

"It's not just one bookstore. Let's see how much it sells in the first week. The publisher probably won't have too high expectations for a newcomer like you."

They only visited one of the bookstores that had books for sale today.

Looking at just one publisher isn't very useful; ultimately, look at the first week's sales, which the publisher will compile.

Besides, they're all newcomers, so the publishing houses they sign with won't set too high a standard.

"That's what I say, but I'm still a little nervous. It's one thing to be publicly executed today, but we still have to wait a week to see the first week's sales. I just hope they don't give me a death sentence then!"

"When did you become so pessimistic? What if you become famous?"

"This isn't pessimism. As long as your expectations aren't too high, you'll be pleasantly surprised!"

"...You're right, but let me give you a piece of advice: utilitarian milk powder is not advisable!"

The group played in Shinjuku until about 4 p.m., after which they went to Aomine Academy to visit the two teachers who had helped them a lot in the past.

Since this matter didn't have much to do with Eriri, they went back first.

While transferring lines at the subway station and waiting for the train that hadn't arrived yet, Eriri's mind was still filled with the image of Kudo Sayaka and her childhood friend getting along well earlier that day.

"Such formidable fighting power! I used to think that woman would be my lifelong enemy, but I never imagined that the real enemy was here!"

Only four words can express Eriri's feelings at this moment—

Horror!

If only she possessed such terrifying combat power.