I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Although he couldn't draw any motivation from this person, Aki Tomoya, as the other person's former best friend, should at least offer a few words of blessing.

"So, what are you thinking about giving up the power you've built up and your ideals?"

Iori Hashima looked at Tomoya Aki with a puzzled expression.

"You started studying in your second year of high school and even set your sights on the University of Tokyo. I really don't know whether to say you're as naive as before or that you're overconfident. Is what you're pursuing now a bit unrealistic?"

Iori Hashima finds it hard to understand Aki Tomoya's change.

With his unique advantages, he could have easily fulfilled his past declaration to reach the pinnacle of the otaku world. But has he ever seriously considered giving up all that to compete with those so-called social elites?

"Your investigation into me is quite thorough. But then again, if it were you, the fact that you could find out that Kashiwagi Eri and Kasumi Utako were both at my school is quite in line with your personality."

Aki Tomoya knew what Hashima Iori was talking about, but his words now sounded incredibly awkward to him.

Why should I do those things according to your expectations of me?

Immediately afterwards, Aki Tomoya replied without holding back.

Is he reminding himself from a friend's perspective?

Perhaps there was some, but what Aki Tomoya saw more in his eyes was resentment.

Deep down, the other person seemed to regard him as a destined rival, which put Aki Tomo in a difficult position.

"I just can't understand it."

Iori Hashima calmed down.

He did investigate Aki Tomoya's current situation and his focus on places like the University of Tokyo.

"I'm already close to that peak. You clearly have that potential, so why don't you come over?"

"I just chose a safer path."

"Safe? I don't think the path of getting into the University of Tokyo can be considered safe at all!"

Iori Hashima couldn't help but retort.

In his eyes, the path that Aki Tomoya was going to take was even more brutal and could not be called safe at all.

"See? This is the biggest difference between you and me right now. Are you afraid of so-called elites? Even in the world of otaku, you're considered one of the elites, aren't you?"

Aki Tomoya's tone was somewhat teasing.

"...So what do you think about Kashiwagi Eri and Kasumi Utako collaborating? Anyway, I'll try to get them into our club!"

"Change the subject? Iori, you too... Tsk, never mind. Since you asked me what I think, I want to remind you to give up this idea as soon as possible. I'm not trying to discourage you, but the outcome is already decided. You might have a chance if you let Akane Kousaka handle it herself, but you're still too green."

Aki Tomoya shook his head and laughed.

Iori Hashima has the qualities to impress many people, but his current capital is only enough to give him a semblance of prestige.

The moment the other person showed confusion, Aki Tomoya didn't intend to hide his current opinion: "Don't be unconvinced. You're Akane Kousaka's number one subordinate. Tighten your tail a bit. You still don't have enough trump cards. But that being said, I don't know how cruel your world is."

=

Chapter 62 A Little Greedier Than You (4/12)

Aki Tomoya didn't know how competitive the otaku world was, because based on his past understanding, it was simply a matter of love for anime and manga.

Therefore, Aki Tomoya now understands Hashima Iori's desire to climb to the top of the otaku world, and his actions are commendable.

Among her peers, there aren't many who can reach the level of Iori Hashima.

However, achieving success too early is not entirely a good thing.

The problems exposed by Iori Hashima are also quite obvious.

"Iori, you are very capable and popular wherever you go, but it's not a bad thing to keep your tail between your legs. Perhaps I misjudged the competition in the otaku world, but no matter who you are, there will be times when you have no choice in the matter. I look forward to the moment when you climb to the top and look down on me."

Aki Tomoya patted Hashima Iori on the shoulder, because this person was too easy to understand, always getting along with everyone and being popular everywhere. He was afraid that this former best friend would suffer someday.

When you use others, aren't they using you in return?

When Iori Hashima was in junior high school, she had already built up connections in the otaku world by leveraging her own strengths.

Without a doubt, he is excellent.

Having such a friend is something to be happy about.

"Always be on guard. You can never be completely sure whether the person smiling in front of you wants to help you or harm you. Including me, when you look at me as if I'm reminding you, can you really figure out if I'm actually laughing at you right now?"

Aki Tomoya patted Hashima Iori on the shoulder with an incredibly gentle smile on his face.

Someone might kick you in the back, while someone else might genuinely want to remind you.

Having confidence is a good thing, but being blinded by it is not.

"Don't let your efforts benefit others. It must have been tough to get to this point, but be careful that one day you discover there are eyes watching you, or everything will be reduced to ashes."

Aki Tomoya's words sounded outrageous and alarmist.

In fact, he was just trying to scare Iori Hashima.

His understanding of competition in the otaku world is not as good as Iori Hashima's, so his evaluation at this time is just nonsense.

But it must be said that Iori Hashima was really frightened.

Based on Aki Tomoya's tone, he probably imagined some kind of scene.

"You were so easily scared by me, Iori. Why don't you give me a couple of rebuttals like you did before? Not the kind of impotent rage, but something reasonable and convincing, and try to convince me with a smile!"

Aki Tomoya shook his head, saying that it wouldn't do to be so intimidated by someone his own age.

"Iori, you're just working for Akane Akasaka at best. To be honest, you're kind of like a fox borrowing the tiger's power."

To put it bluntly, we're all still the lambs to the slaughter, and nobody has the right to laugh at the other.

When Aki Tomo said these words to Hashima Iori, he was also thinking about how they used to be best friends, and that Hashima Iori was being dishonest, even though she had looked after him before.

"You are a very likable person, but once you become annoying, you are truly annoying. The way you are now is just like the way I didn't understand you back then."

Initially, I didn't understand why Iori Hashima, who also claimed to want to climb to the top of the industry, eventually concluded that we had different paths and could not work together, so we broke off our relationship.

Looking back now, Iori Hashima was more mature than most people at the time, and there was nothing wrong with what he did.

He still considered him a friend, and Aki Tomoya naturally still considered him a friend as well.

"Back then, I didn't understand why you used anime to promote yourself, just like you don't understand why I quit being an otaku to prepare for exams. You said you wanted to reach the top of the industry, and you weren't joking. I also didn't want to joke about getting into the University of Tokyo."

Aki Tomoya's tone softened, and from his expression, it was clear that he actually felt quite regretful about what happened in junior high school.

If people could understand each other, the world wouldn't be so complicated.

"What kind of look is that? Do I scare you?"

Aki Tomoya nudged Hashima Iori, whose eyes clearly showed fear of him, which made Aki Tomoya laugh.

Iori Hashima had never shown such an expression in front of him before.

He looks like his confidence has been ripped apart.

"I'll be going to the Summer CM Doujinshi Convention the next day. It'll be my first time exhibiting as a creator on the day I set sail. You, as my older brother, will also be there. Let's talk then. I've been quite busy these past few days, and I haven't had time to entertain you since you came back from Nagoya. Let's talk then."

Aki Tomoya checked the time; it was getting late. The other person must have a lot to do, and he also needed to prepare for summer vacation.

I reckon the only chance we'll have to meet up recently is at the Summer Comic Con.

Iori Hashima is Izumi Hashima's older brother and a member of Akane Kousaka's circle. He will likely attend the CM doujinshi convention.

"Then why would you want to go to a more brutal place?"

Iori Hashima looked at Tomoya Aki, who was about to leave, with a complicated expression.

Aki Tomoya, who was about to leave, stopped, turned around and thought for a moment, then said frankly, "Maybe I'm a little greedier than you."

"...But I still want to win those two over."

Iori Hashima avoided Aki Tomoya's gaze, and at this moment, she expressed her desire to win over Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha, who were currently causing a sensation in the industry.

Aki Tomoya understood the other party's thoughts, but still maintained his previous opinion: "I still say the same thing, if Akane Kousaka doesn't appear, save your old tricks for other people."

There's nothing wrong with using methods that others have already used; after all, they've been proven over time.

But for someone like Iori Hashima, her skills are still a bit too immature.

Eriri already harbored a prejudice against Iori Hashima, and Utaha Kasumigaoka was not easily fooled. Aki Tomo also didn't think he had the ability to sway those two.

"Let's talk again at the fan convention. See you later."

Aki Tomoya pushed his bicycle and rode away.

Watching Aki Tomoya's departing figure, Hashima Iori realized she had really made a mistake, and a bitter smile appeared on her face.

"You scare me, Tomoya..."

Iori Hashima sighed heavily.

Perhaps, as Aki Tomoya said before, they were never the same kind of people.

Today, standing in front of my former best friend, all my past confidence seems to have been completely shattered.

"And you're not just a little greedy, are you? Competing against a group of elites, you're doing much better than me..."

With these deep sighs, Iori Hashima realized that she was truly frightened.