I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

In the girl group that Kato Megumi joined, the other girls also referred to this pair as the "Otaku Front".

Kato Megumi has made some comments about this nickname, but no one really paid much attention to her words.

"It's just the midterm exam, and that guy is smug now. He'll be all smiles when he stays for summer tutoring."

Aki Tomoya shook his head slightly.

He was so happy just because he passed two more subjects, but he didn't think about what would happen if he didn't follow up and had to cram at the last minute before the end of the semester, failed the courses, and had to stay to study until he passed. At that time, Yoshihiko Kamigo would probably have a completely different expression.

Just thinking about his friend's desperate look made Aki Tomoya find it amusing.

However, compared to Yoshihiko Uego, his midterm exam scores in Japanese literature and Japanese history did not fall behind, as most of the material was already covered in his review.

How should we evaluate the midterm exams at Toyonosaki Academy?

Aki Tomoya thought about it and figured it was probably the kind of thing that didn't require much effort to deal with, meaning it wasn't very challenging.

However, similarly, if it is the final exam, like other schools, Toyonosaki Academy will make students who fail stay at school during the holidays for remedial classes until they pass.

"Is that so... Excuse me, I'll take my leave now, Aki-kun."

Kato Megumi nodded as she looked at the reference book in her hand, then turned to say goodbye to Aki Tomoya.

Her midterm exam results were average, but if she wants to get into a good university like the private Asuka University, she needs to be a little more focused and not too relaxed.

"take care."

Aki Tomoya nodded in reply, and casually pulled the reference book he was looking for from the bookshelf.

After completing the borrowing procedures with the librarian, Kato Megumi leisurely carried the book out of the library.

"I have a feeling that if things continue like this, Aki and Kamigo will become the most obvious contrast in the class."

Kato Megumi muttered to herself.

She knew very well what it meant to be admitted to the medical school. For example, her cousin, Keiichi Kato, became someone that everyone boasted about and was proud of because he was admitted to medical school.

She was the pride of all her relatives.

Therefore, if Aki Tomoya really does enter the medical school of the University of Tokyo one day, it will be quite cruel to compare him with his good friend from his student days, Kamigo Yoshihiko!

This is why Kato Megumi felt that if things continued this way, these two in the class would become the most obvious contrast at any future class reunion.

At least Kato Megumi can still see hope in Aki Tomoya, but as for Uego Yoshihiko, his enthusiasm for this midterm exam is essentially just a passing fad that will soon dissipate.

Unless the person behind them also undergoes a complete transformation, but that possibility seems rather slim.

The lunch break ended before we knew it, and the afternoon classes flew by.

After school, Aki Tomoya, as usual, spent time in the library until closing time, and then bought a bento box on his way back.

His parents called from out of town, saying they wouldn't be back until June, and asked if he had enough living expenses. They said they could ask relatives to send some if he didn't.

Aki Tomoya simply told them to focus on their work, as he didn't have any expenses lately.

As he rode his bicycle to his front door, Aki Tomoya suddenly noticed a black sedan parked at the street corner. He could only see the rear and couldn't make out the brand, but its sudden appearance there felt out of place.

"It looks kind of familiar, I have a bad feeling about this..."

Aki Tomoya muttered to himself unconsciously, not knowing why he suddenly had the feeling that someone was watching him.

As he parked his bicycle and prepared to go inside, a distinguished figure suddenly came into his line of sight.

Somewhat blinded by the light, Aki Tomoya looked up and to the side, where a mature woman dressed in an expensive kimono and exuding a dignified air appeared beside him.

"Auntie, what brings you here?"

Aki Tomoya's eyes twitched slightly as he asked Sawamura Sayuri, who had inexplicably come to his doorstep.

Sawamura Sayuri, just looking at her appearance, you can see a lot of Eriri's shadow in her pretty face, after all, the latter inherited her good genes.

Because of her good skincare, she doesn't look like a mother at all. If you put her next to Eriri, some people might mistake her for Eriri's older sister.

However, Aki Tomoya, who knows all about this aunt's background, has a somewhat complicated feeling because of her appearance.

To be honest, Aki Tomoya and Sawamura Sayuri didn't interact much. Compared to Sawamura Sayuri, he was better at dealing with Eriri.

"Isn't Aki-kun's 'middle-aged woman' a little problematic?"

Sawamura Sayuri pursed her lips and replied, her eyes seemingly showing some displeasure at being called "old lady."

“I was using honorifics very carefully, Aunt Sawamura.”

Aki Tomoya was certain that he was speaking to Sawamura Sayuri with utmost respect; he had done his homework on his tone.

"Really? I have a feeling that Aki-kun has some kind of misunderstanding. Maybe I'm just overthinking it."

Chapter 45 Sorry to bother you, he's drowned (Bonus Chapter)

Aki Tomoya was deeply impressed by Sawamura Sayuri.

It wasn't just because the other person was her childhood sweetheart's mother, but also because her innate demeanor left a deep impression on people at first glance.

The diplomat's wife, whose family seems to have a powerful background, played a crucial role in Eriri's development into an otaku. When Eriri was creating works as Kashiwagi Eri, her works were represented by this couple at doujinshi conventions.

Eriri inherited excellent genes from her parents, and her small breasts are definitely a result of the love she received from her mother, Sayuri Sawamura.

It's safe to say that if Sayuri Sawamura changed her hair color and wore colored contact lenses, she could be mistaken for her daughter...

As for the twin tails, Aki Tomoya actually has a lot to say.

"You're such a grown-up, is it really necessary to pretend to be a young girl?"

He might be thinking this to himself, but Aki Tomoya would never show it.

After all, the other party is an elder, so we should be polite.

Moreover, being beautiful means you can do whatever you want. Whether it's due to good skincare or makeup skills, she certainly has the right to look younger.

"It's been a long time. How have you been, Aki-kun?"

Sawamura Sayuri held a folding fan, and the long sleeves of her gorgeous kimono trailed in beautiful waves, making one sigh that she was truly very suited to wearing a kimono.

If only my figure were a little better, not too much, just a little bit more curves would make the curves accentuated by this kimono almost perfect.

"Thanks to your blessing, may you be healthy and well."

Aki Tomoya replied politely, showing that he was becoming increasingly adept at such everyday pleasantries.

Today, due to Sayuri Sawamura's unexpected visit, Tomoya Aki is quite flustered!

"Unfortunately, my parents are busy with official duties. As their son, I have not been able to entertain them properly. Please forgive me."

Since we're going to be polite, Aki Tomoya will give you the full set.

He still had a lot of polite things to say, as long as Sayuri Sawamura didn't find it troublesome.

Seeing Aki Tomoya being so polite, Sawamura Sayuri could also sense a hint of awkwardness.

Over the past decade or so, Aki Tomoya has had quite a bit of contact with Eriri, but his opportunities to interact with Sawamura Sayuri have been extremely limited.

Regarding Aki Tomoya and Eriri's relationship, Sawamura Sayuri and her husband did not interfere with their interactions.

Since Eriri is essentially a homebody, it's inevitable that she'd need someone like Tomoya Aki, who shares the same hobby and is also her childhood friend.

Simply put, the two children were playing there, engaging in normal interpersonal interaction, and did nothing out of line. Why should we interfere?

However, their friendship has encountered a minor problem, and she feels it's necessary to step in.

In short, Sayuri Sawamura is currently just a mother worrying about her daughter's friendships.

"No, that's not true. My daughter has always been taken care of by An Yi-kun, so I should be thanking you instead."

Whether it comes from the heart, is just polite talk, or is implied, it doesn't matter.

In short, what Aki Tomoya saw was a mother's smile tinged with a hint of trouble in front of her daughter's childhood friend.

Upon seeing this, Aki Tomoya couldn't help but sigh, thinking to himself that Eriri was truly a worry.

So, for her daughter's friendship dilemma, Sawamura Sayuri, as a mother, came over.

"What are you talking about? I've known your daughter for over ten years. How should I describe it? Childhood sweethearts? But occasionally, some issues do leave me feeling a bit awkward."

Aki Tomoya maintained the same formal and respectful tone he used when speaking to Sawamura Sayuri.

It's also a way of telling the other person that even though they're childhood friends, he doesn't understand Eriri as well as her mother does.

So, can we now put aside these formalities and get straight to the point?

Although he hated this kind of polite and troublesome way of communicating, he had nothing to say when he realized that he was the one who started it.

"Is this a convenient time for you, Aki-kun? Would it be possible to take up some of your time?"

Sawamura Sayuri stared into Aki Tomoya's eyes and asked, giving the boy in front of her a new look.

Unlike the Aki Tomoya she knew in the past, this boy in front of her, even though they had known each other for over ten years after leaving the otaku world, exuded an aura of unfamiliarity in their interactions now.

Just thinking about how Eriri turned and buried herself in her arms, then clutched her phone, recalling the comments she saw from Aki Tomoya on LINE, made Sayuri Sawamura realize that she couldn't judge Aki Tomoya by the standards of the past.

"We certainly have time to entertain you, please come in."

Aki Tomoya nodded calmly, took out his key, opened the door, and invited Sawamura Sayuri inside.