I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

"If you fail, you have to stay at school for remedial classes. If you fail, you have to stay at school for remedial classes..."

As if trying to convince herself, Eriri kept muttering to herself.

After about half a minute, she took a deep breath, her eyes showing a resolute look.

Like a warrior, Eriri took her first step, smoothly pushing open the door and entering the rooftop, fixing her gaze on the upperclassman who often occupied this place during lunch break.

"What a rare guest, Sawamura-kun."

Kasumigaoka Utaha, sitting on the rooftop bench, closed the book in her hand and raised her cool eyes to look at Eriri.

After Eriri gave her time to think things over in her studio last time, this was their first meeting since then, and it was Eriri who took the initiative to come to her.

Could it be that Eriri has already made up her mind?

I hope so!

"I want to make a deal with you!"

Eriri put her right hand on her hip and said, trying to appear calm.

"Oh?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice trailed off, clearly showing great interest in the word "transaction."

She looked at Eriri with interest and asked, "What kind of deal?"

Regardless of whether she should accept it or not, Kasumigaoka Utaha was simply very interested in Eriri's so-called deal.

"English..."

However, at this moment, Eriri faltered a bit, and the words she had prepared beforehand came out hesitantly.

"English?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha frowned, not understanding what Eriri was trying to say.

Under her gaze, Eriri bit her lip and turned her head away as if embarrassed.

"It's English!"

"So what do you mean by 'it's English'? This is confusing me!"

If you don't speak clearly, are you expecting others to fill in the blanks with their own imagination?

Kasumigaoka Utaha's eye twitched slightly.

"It's English tutoring, you need to help me improve my English!"

Eriri shouted excitedly.

What she was going to talk about wasn't anything else, but rather the biggest problem she would face before summer vacation—

The final English exam!

Eriri, who has a habit of procrastinating on her manuscripts, will have even less time to make up for it if she fails her English exam this time. She won't be able to manage her time!

Although Eriri hasn't been drawing much lately, she still wants to bring a new work to the summer commercial.

"So, I'm tutoring you in English, what are you going to give me in return?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed. "Isn't it enough to just explain things clearly?"

Furthermore, now that Eriri has stated her request, what about the reward?

Eriri, who was prepared for this, replied, "I officially accept your request!"

This is what Eriri calls a deal.

However, in Kasumigaoka Utaha's opinion, she seemed to have hit the jackpot.

She was somewhat tempted, but her face remained impassive as she asked, "Why do you insist on coming to me? Your childhood sweetheart has been working so hard lately, wouldn't it be better to ask him for help?"

When this matter was mentioned, Eriri's expression changed, and she frowned, somewhat displeased.

It's not that Eriri hadn't thought about it, but after thinking about it, she always felt really awkward.

After careful consideration, Eriri decided to try asking Kasumigaoka Utaha for help in preparing for her English exam.

She's been distracted lately and isn't sure if she can barely pass the English exam like before.

"alright, that's fine."

If all else fails, ask someone else for help.

Being good at studying is one of the reasons why Eriri sought out Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Another reason was the collaboration. Eriri wasn't sure if she could still create excellent works, but she was still excited about the opportunity.

"I never said I wouldn't agree, I just wanted to remind Ms. Kashiwagi Eri that I'm almost ready, and I hope you won't keep brushing me off."

Kasumigaoka Utaha also wanted to cooperate with Eriri, but if Eriri continued to deceive her as before, she could only feel regret.

Overturning the already nascent new work and starting from scratch to prepare a completely new one, Kasumigaoka Utaha, who signed with Shinazugawa, knew that Machida Sonoko, as the deputy editor-in-chief, had taken on half the responsibility from the moment she nodded.

Kasumigaoka Utaha has to consider more than just creative issues.

"I understand! But you have to promise me I'll pass this English exam, otherwise if I have to stay at school for extra tutoring, don't expect me to have any extra energy!"

Leaving behind those words, Eriri turned and prepared to leave the rooftop.

"Wait a minute, if we're going to have tutoring, let's talk about some things first. Don't try to show off, okay?"

But halfway there, Kasumigaoka Utaha called out to her in an annoyed tone.

Eriri awkwardly stopped in her tracks. The two then agreed on some details, agreeing to have tutoring during lunch break and after school starting tomorrow.

The next day during lunch break, the two met at the school library at the agreed time.

If you're looking for tutoring at school, this is naturally the most suitable place.

Similarly, as the end of the semester approaches, there are more students in the school library than usual.

Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha weren't the only ones planning to study in the library.

For example, Aki Tomoya's group.

After that chance encounter at the Tokyo Metropolitan Library, Aki Tomoya gained another member to his list of students preparing for final exams at school.

Compared to Yoshihiko Uego, Megumi Kato made Tomoya Aki understand the helplessness of being a teacher.

"Yoshihiko, you'll never become a Kamen Rider if you keep going like this!"

"I'm not a Kamen Rider fan, what's the point of telling me all this?!"

The two were talking quietly in the library, while Kato Megumi was diligently working on the questions provided by Aki Tomoya.

Meanwhile, Eriri, who had just entered the library, was secretly planning to escape after discovering Tomoya Aki.

"Don't run away! You're the one who kept saying you wanted tutoring. Let's start studying together, Sawamura-kun!"

Just as Eriri was about to escape, Kasumigaoka Utaha's merciless iron hand landed on Eriri's shoulder.

"Um, I'm not feeling well..."

"It's alright, I'll help Sawamura-kun find the cause of his illness later!"

Want to go?

No way!

Under Kasumigaoka Utaha's forceful control, Eriri was kept by her like a little lamb.

English exam?

No problem, Kasumigaoka Utaha guarantees that Eriri will pass smoothly after her special training!

"Come on, let's start learning!"

Chapter 53 The speaker meant no harm

How bad is Eriri's English?

Regarding the first impression of mixed-race people, most people think it's normal for them to be fluent in two different languages.

In fact, Eriri, who grew up in Japan, had worse English grades than Aki Tomoya.

"Sawamura-kun, you're of mixed race, so why is your English so bad?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha asked with a frown.

As a mixed-race person, shouldn't you have unique advantages?

Furthermore, given that her father is a British diplomat, English could be considered Eriri's other native language.

"This is a complete misunderstanding. Who says that people of mixed race have to be fluent in two languages!"

Eriri retorted excitedly.

Even though the father is British and a diplomat, they still communicate in Japanese at home.

Eriri hasn't really practiced English much.

So even though Eriri is of mixed race, she basically doesn't have many opportunities to use English in her daily life.