I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

"What do you mean?"

Eriri shuddered when she saw Aki Tomoya's new reply.

Although Kasumigaoka Utaha is much stronger than before, she's not that scary.

Is inviting Aki Tomoya really bad for that upperclassman?

Thinking about this, Eriri felt a headache coming on. Who knows what's going on between them?

"Just kidding. Have fun tomorrow. That senior probably doesn't want to see me. You two have a good time."

Aki Tomoya replied at this time.

It's awkward with him around, but not awkward without him. There shouldn't be any problems since it's just Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha.

"To borrow the words of my teacher at the academy, after the fireworks festival, summer vacation will be almost over, so enjoy the rest of your time."

"...Then good luck."

Eriri put down her phone, still completely confused.

Rather than feeling sorry that Aki Tomoya didn't have time to attend the summer festival, Eriri was more curious about his relationship with Kasumigaoka Utaha during the first semester.

"I just don't understand these two people..."

Eriri shook her head, deciding to simply stop thinking about it.

The temple fair and fireworks display tomorrow are what we should be thinking about.

I promptly lay back down in bed, maintaining my anticipation for tomorrow's fireworks display until I drifted off to sleep.

On the morning of August 15th, Eriri got up with her slightly spiky blonde hair.

After a while of being in a daze, I started preparing.

Should I take you to Senso-ji Temple?

Before noon, Sayuri Sawamura asked Eriri, who was already dressed and ready to leave.

She arranged to meet Kasumigaoka Utaha at Senso-ji Temple at noon.

"No need, you can go by yourself, it's still early."

Eriri shook her head; she could take the tram herself.

Moreover, there are still two hours until the agreed time, so I won't be late.

"Do you think Mom is too nagging? Oh well, have fun at the summer festival!"

Sayuri Sawamura pouted, pretending to be a little sad, but she was actually very happy that Eriri was able to recover her spirits.

Eriri is doing very well now, which has eased the worries of her mother, Sayuri Sawamura.

"I'm going!"

Eriri glanced helplessly at her mother, Sayuri Sawamura, before turning and walking out of the house.

Eriri arrived at Senso-ji Temple just before the agreed time, having traveled from her home there.

August is a festive month in Japan, with numerous festivals of all sizes taking place during this time.

The number of people outside Senso-ji Temple today is several times higher than usual.

It gets even more lively at night, and if you want to see the fireworks display, it's best to find a good spot in advance.

Eriri arrived at Senso-ji Temple half an hour early, thinking she was early enough, but she was surprised to see a stunning figure outside the temple.

"I didn't expect you to be so punctual, Sawamura."

Kasumigaoka Utaha's wine-red eyes moved toward Eriri's figure.

"You're here pretty early too... Lun's not free tonight either, it's just the two of us."

Eriri, not to be outdone by Kasumigaoka Utaha's imposing presence, retorted, then casually mentioned that Aki Tomoya couldn't come, so that he wouldn't have to ask about it later that evening.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, however, showed no surprise whatsoever upon hearing this.

Eriri's indifferent reaction made her wonder if her worries were unnecessary.

"I expected this."

The fact that Aki Tomoya couldn't come didn't surprise Kasumigaoka Utaha, because she had already expected it.

It would be strange if they came, and it would be so awkward if we actually went to a summer festival together.

"Yeah, that guy Tomoya goes to cram school six days a week now and doesn't get home until very late every day. Preparing for exams is really tough. You're also going to high school, right? Why are you two completely different?"

Eriri couldn't help but sigh at this moment. She didn't show any disappointment in front of Kasumigaoka Utaha, but she was very curious about why Kasumigaoka Utaha was so relaxed.

Compared to others who have to take college entrance exams, Kasumigaoka Utaha is ridiculously relaxed, and she even has time to work on her light novels.

That's why Eriri knows two people who are both preparing for university entrance exams, but their personalities are so different.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed upon hearing this, shook her head, and explained, "It's just that you didn't see me studying. Besides, my first choice, Waseda University, is a private university, not a national university. If I had chosen a national university, do you think I would still have time to play around with you?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha wasn't worried about getting into high school because she got an A in the last mock exam. But the teachers at school were counting on her to get into Hayate School, and if her grades dropped even a little, they would call her in for a talk, which was incredibly troublesome.

"...No matter what, the art styles are really different."

Eriri's lips twitched.

That's what geniuses are like, they don't have to worry about exams.

"Hey, if that guy doesn't come, are you still interested in going to the summer festival today?"

At this moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha asked the question that concerned her the most.

Eriri invites her to stroll through the temple fair on the day of the fireworks festival, which initially surprises her.

However, after seeing that Eriri also planned to invite Aki Tomoya, Kasumigaoka Utaha began to doubt Eriri's motives.

Thinking about it later, this guy probably had ulterior motives!

"Huh? Why aren't you interested? Do you have something else planned for today?"

However, Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with a puzzled expression, not understanding what the other person meant.

Even if Aki Tomo doesn't come, and it's just her and Kasumigaoka Utaha, she was planning to relax today anyway. What do you mean she's not interested just because that guy isn't coming?

Seeing that Eriri's expression didn't seem fake, Kasumigaoka Utaha asked somewhat strangely, "Didn't you just want to invite Aki, and then call me along to cover it up, wanting me to be your wingman?"

Meanwhile, anticipating that Aki Tomoya probably wouldn't come, Kasumigaoka Utaha agreed to come in order to avoid embarrassing Eriri.

"..."

Eriri frowned, and was taken aback when she heard Kasumigaoka Utaha's words. After she had a better grasp of what was going on, her face darkened instantly.

Why did I do that?!

Eriri, feeling extremely frustrated, replied loudly.

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri, who was looking sullen, and her expression gradually became a little awkward. At the same time, she took the opportunity to slowly say, "Don't you like that guy?"

=

Chapter 72 Literature is Heaven! (4/6)

huff…

Aki Tomoya rubbed his nose, feeling a persistent urge to sneeze for some reason.

I wonder who's praising him for being handsome now.

"An Yi, your time is up. I'm here to collect your papers."

Harumi Junko arrived right on time and took away Aki Tomoya's test questions.

Harumi Junko took the test paper from Aki Tomoya, who was rubbing his nose and looking a little strange, and asked with a puzzled look, "Aki-kun, are you feeling unwell?"

Upon hearing this, Aki Tomoya shook his head, explaining that his nose was just a little itchy, not that he was feeling unwell.

"You still need to take care of your health. Although the preparation period is very stressful, try to stay healthy while studying. Are you getting enough rest?"

Harumi Junko reminded him patiently at this moment.

Although I used to be a somewhat irresponsible tutor, I have seen many students who didn't take care of their health when preparing for exams.

Having a fighting spirit is not a bad thing, but whether going overboard can achieve the desired results is questionable.

After spending several months together, Harumi Junko also gained a certain understanding of Aki Tomoya's situation.

He attended private school at his own expense, relied on his first semester's grades to gain his parents' support, and had an extraordinary determination to achieve his goals.

He was able to adapt quickly after the tutoring sessions were changed from three days a week to six days a week, which shows that he is usually quite self-disciplined.

Harumi Junko admires people like this who move towards their goals with their own will. As a top student in her school days, she also aimed for the University of Tokyo, but everything, including her goal of getting into the University of Tokyo, was arranged by her mother.

All of my studies were arranged by my mother.

The University of Tokyo was less of Junko Harumi's goal and more of a goal set by her mother based on her expectations of her.

This is why, in a moment of impulsiveness, Harumi Junko ran after Aki Tomoya and told him that she wanted him to get into the University of Tokyo, and even boasted about it to Kudo Sayaka later.

Perhaps there was an element of making up for the regrets of that year, but more than that, it was the first time Junko Harumi had ever thought of doing this.