I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

"I'm sorry too, Eriri, for making you isolated. I'll take half of it."

It wasn't just Eriri who had to say those three words; Aki Tomoya also had to say them.

Because of their shared hobby and everyone's prejudice, Eriri was isolated, and Aki Tomoya was left all alone. That feeling of helplessness was probably the most memorable time for the two of them.

The regrets caused by various factors have been settling in our hearts. Now that they are out in the open, who knows if we have truly let go of them?

However, what Eriri wanted to say at that moment was: "Tomoya, I think I've been dumped..."

Her words made Aki Tomoya bite his lip.

If that's the case, Eriri could be considered Aki Tomoya's first love.

"I just broke up with my boyfriend too. You mustn't end up being more pitiful than me."

Aki Tomoya replied in an exaggerated tone.

Don't make people laugh, you idiot!

Eriri replied listlessly; at this moment, she was completely unable to smile.

However, this was probably the most relaxed they had ever communicated since elementary school.

This was also the closest I've ever felt to it.

The two childhood sweethearts, on the day they went to a fan convention together, both experienced heartbreak.

The two looked at each other in silence, until Aki Tomoya finally broke the silence and offered to take her home.

After safely delivering Eriri to Sayuri Sawamura, it was already completely dark.

"I'll take my leave now."

Aki Tomoya bowed slightly to Sawamura Sayuri.

"It's so late, why don't you stay the night?"

Sawamura Sayuri spoke politely, subtly observing Aki Tomoya and her daughter's expressions.

Before Aki Tomoya could respond, Eriri said irritably, "Mom, you're being really annoying!"

It's a wonder she even came up with such a suggestion; Eriri has already been embarrassed enough today.

At this moment, Aki Tomoya replied, "I appreciate your kindness, but I won't bother you any longer. Goodbye."

After saying goodbye, Aki Tomoya left without lingering.

Sawamura Sayuri had originally intended to ask someone to see him off even if he didn't stay overnight, but Aki Tomoya didn't give her any such opportunity.

After closing the door and turning back to see Eriri's dejected appearance, Sayuri Sawamura seemed to understand something. At that moment, she leaned close to Eriri, cupped her face, and said, "You'll become ugly like that, smile!"

"I don't want to laugh, I feel like I'll start crying if I do..."

Eriri puffed out her cheeks, her face slightly flushed.

Seeing her like this, Sayuri Sawamura, who had already noticed something amiss, was deep in thought.

After a while, she asked cautiously, "Heartbroken?"

Eriri didn't answer, but judging from her expression, Sayuri Sawamura could already tell the answer.

As her mother, Sayuri Sawamura wanted to say that Eriri was strong enough not to cry in front of others.

But right now she wants to hug Eriri even more.

While holding Eriri, Sayuri Sawamura asked about the events of the day.

With her mother's concern, she didn't hide anything and told Sayuri Sawamura what had happened before she returned, in a weak tone.

Telling her mother about those things eased Eriri's burden somewhat.

"A breakup also means a fresh start. Eriri has never lost to anyone!"

As Sayuri Sawamura said this to Eriri, Sayuri Sawamura began to have some doubts about Tomoya Aki.

It's understandable for her to vent her frustrations about her own daughter's breakup.

"It's really painful to lose to yourself..."

Eriri sighed in Sayuri Sawamura's arms.

It's not that I lost to others, but that I lost to myself. There's not much to say, but I'm very unwilling to accept it.

Especially after realizing that she had only been running away recently, Eriri truly faced everything. While experiencing the feelings involved, she also thought about her collaboration with Kasumigaoka Utaha.

That was probably the happiest thing that happened to me recently: being able to collaborate with a light novel author I admire.

"Oh right, the fireworks display is coming up soon, let's think of something happy, the fireworks display!"

At this time, Sayuri Sawamura also tried to distract Eriri from her sad thoughts, which made her feel much better.

However, it would have been better if she hadn't mentioned the fireworks festival. As soon as she did, Eriri thought about how there would definitely be a party at home that day, and she would have to wear a mask again.

"I'm tired, I'm going back to my room."

Although Eriri hates that day coming, she understands that it's something that has to be done.

Looking at Eriri, who is still very strong, Sayuri Sawamura's eyes were full of worry.

Only Eriri knows what she's like when she's alone.

Chapter 68 That's how we got through it all (10/12)

The CM doujinshi convention lasted three days. Although Aki Tomoya only went for one day, he was able to relax a bit thanks to his junior's boat trip to Hashima.

Adding to what happened later, August 12th is a day that Aki Tomoya will probably remember for the rest of his life.

On Monday, as usual, he arrived at the academy early. To his surprise, Aki Tomoya found that there were other students who had arrived even earlier than him.

"Good morning, Kudo-kun, you're here so early!"

After greeting Mr. Tsubota and Junko Harumi, Tomoya Aki took his seat and, while greeting Sayaka Kudo next to him, remarked with a sigh.

Sayaka Kudo looked at her with squinted eyes, as if she hadn't slept well: "Aki, can you not use honorifics? We're the same age."

When speaking to people her own age, Sayaka Kudo doesn't seem to like using honorifics.

"Whatever makes you happy, Kudo."

Aki Tomoya nodded, saying that it was fine not to use honorifics, which would save some troublesome formalities.

"Great, that sounds much better."

A satisfied smile appeared on Kudo Sayaka's face. Hearing Aki Tomoya speak in plain language made her feel much more comfortable.

It's too much trouble to have so many formalities with people your own age!

"You've been working really hard lately. Either I'm the first one to arrive, or you are. Are you really determined to get into Keio University?"

Aki Tomoya asked with great interest.

After the start of summer vacation, Kudo Sayaka's period started earlier and earlier each week.

It's clear that her interest in learning is steadily increasing.

However, this morning, Aki Tomoya also noticed on her face that she seemed somewhat unhappy about something.

"Come closer..."

Sayaka Kudo, leaning on her desk, beckoned to Tomoya Aki, signaling him to come closer, as if she wanted to whisper something to him.

This behavior aroused Aki Tomoya's curiosity. Could it be that there was another reason why the other party came to the academy so early?

After Aki Tomoya leaned down and got close, Kudo Sayaka whispered, "I told Tsubota-sensei and the others that I've been doing really well lately, but actually I came out early so I wouldn't have to listen to that old geezer's nagging!"

After hearing her explanation, Aki Tomoya nodded in agreement.

However, leaving home early and going directly to the academy instead of elsewhere showed a degree of self-discipline.

Just as Aki Tomoya was chuckling to himself, Kudo Sayaka suddenly started complaining again: "He keeps telling me to give up Keio, but even if he didn't say it, I know it's impossible. It's so annoying, that old geezer..."

Rather than saying that Kudo Sayaka was complaining to Aki Tomoya, she was more like talking to herself.

"It's Mom who paid for the tutoring, but he only cares about that Ryuta guy and even bosses Mom around. It's infuriating!"

She muttered to herself, repeatedly tapping the cap of her pen on the table as if it were someone's face, as a form of protest.

From her words, Aki Tomoya roughly understood the situation.

Not everyone in Kudo Sayaka's family supports her going to university, especially Keio University.

Even the tuition fees for the private school were paid by her mother. Her father had absolutely no expectations of her, let alone any support.

"Every family has its own problems."

Aki Tomoya exclaimed.

The mother who sent Sayaka Kudo, who was about to be suspended from school, to study here has at least never given up on her. This is one of Sayaka Kudo's sources of motivation at this moment, and also the reason why she came to the academy so early.

"So I really admire you, you actually paid for your own cram school for your first semester!"

Sayaka Kudo turned and looked at Tomoya Aki with admiration.

In terms of paying for her own private tutoring, the boy next door was several times more enlightened than her.

It is precisely because of this awareness that he chose the University of Tokyo, which is even more unlikely than Keio University.