I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

At this moment, Aki Tomoya couldn't help but laugh.

From the moment she entered until now, Aki Tomoya has shown no ill intentions. Even when she wanted the fan website he had created, he felt that her request was perfectly reasonable.

But because what he said was true, it probably reminded the other party of the unpleasant incident from last time.

"That was so hurtful. An Yi-kun was so hurtful last time. Until just now, he kept calling you Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor-in-Chief. What happened between you and Ms. Xia Shizi? Should I be blamed?"

Machida Sonoko, her breath reeking of alcohol, finally spoke her mind, fueled by the alcohol.

She felt ashamed to act like that in front of a student.

Chapter 118 Life is a Matter of Choice (Progress 3)

The room, which should have been bustling, was unusually quiet at this moment.

The others looked at Aki Tomoya and Machida Sonoko facing each other, and even the delicious food on the table could no longer attract them.

"They all seem unrecognizable now. Are young people these days really that capable?"

Machida Sonoko uttered a very mature sentence.

I have a feeling that a lot of things changed after that night.

Especially Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had always been in charge, felt as if she had done something wrong every time she faced her after that.

"Over thirty years old, deputy editor-in-chief, should I have graduated from university long ago? I've even forgotten whether I graduated properly from there."

Machida Sonoko poured herself a glass of shochu, watching the sloshing liquid bobbing around, her eyes half-drunk and half-awake.

She had indeed studied hard and was admitted to the Faculty of Literature at Waseda University, becoming an elite in the eyes of others, but now she felt unusually tired during this New Year's Day.

"What's the difference between dropping out of the Hayao Literature Department and graduating from it? Is Ms. Machida one of those female writers who find their goal along the way, as is customary?"

Aki Tomoya asked with great interest.

In the Faculty of Letters, especially in Faculties of Letters like Waseda and Keio, it's not uncommon for students to drop out.

Most people only remember the famous writers and consider it a good story.

"If it's the former, then I've definitely failed. I'm really far behind Akane."

Whether Sonoko Machida graduated properly from Waseda University seems to be a mystery surrounding her, with ambiguous statements leaving people confused about the answer.

The name she mentioned was particularly intriguing.

"Elite students from prestigious universities, does An Yi-kun want to join their ranks?"

Machida Enko asked mockingly.

"Someone like me, who has never been in a relationship and is still unable to find a man after turning thirty, can only devote himself to his work."

"Well, Ms. Machida has given me a good warning."

"You really don't hold back at all when you talk. If I'm not careful, I'll really become the loser you're talking about."

Machida Sonoko is undoubtedly a success. She only needs to solidify her position, and the position of editor-in-chief is practically guaranteed for her.

Can you say that climbing to this position was all due to luck?

"But then again, it was really scary that she suddenly said she was abandoning her original new work and going to work on another one. Authors who keep talking to themselves like that are a real headache. She even dared to cancel the scheduled promotion. In that case, I, as the deputy editor-in-chief, really have no dignity left."

The New Year's party suddenly turned into a complaining session by Machida Sonoko.

The pent-up resentment in his heart finally burst forth.

"That person told me to handle it properly, and made excuses, saying that I've always been in charge. In the end, I lost face in front of the editor-in-chief and had to compromise in front of the authors. So, as the deputy editor-in-chief, I only get half the credit if I'm creditworthy, and I don't have to take the blame if I'm not. I'm just a pawn that the editor-in-chief can discard at will."

This kind of pyramid is built on a publishing house like Shinazugawa Shoten.

"So, Ms. Machida, your taste is commendable."

At this moment, Aki Tomoya praised the other party without reservation.

Have you seen it? Xia Shizi's new work?

"No, I just heard about it."

"Hehehe, we did bet right, but it felt like we'd lost half our lives. The editors below were all staring at the half-corpse in the director's office like hyenas."

Machida Sonoko smiled, a victorious grin spreading across her face.

She would show off in front of a student, and she herself didn't understand why.

Maybe it's because I'm really too tired.

"It's good to have ability, to have confidence. Even though I'm just an author whose first book became a hit, there are still doubts about whether I'm a one-hit wonder. But I have to compromise, and I have to worry about other people's love life. I even accidentally got caught in the middle. It's too tiring."

Honestly, it's a real headache to encounter authors like this.

Moreover, it often reminds Machida Sonoko of her friends from university.

"Isn't the reason why she can't find a man simple and clear? When Ms. Machida can finally breathe a sigh of relief, or when her enthusiasm for work diminishes a bit, plenty of men will be lining up at her door."

"Thank you for your kind words. Would you like a drink?"

Machida Sonoko raised her sake bottle as she spoke, intending to shout "Long live understanding!"

But the next second they were met with a look of bewilderment from Aki Tomoya and others.

"You're committing a crime, Ms. Machida!"

Aki Tomoya loudly reminded him.

Inciting students under the age of 20 to drink alcohol could lead to a PTA scandal at Shinazugawa Publishing!

The fact that Machida Sonoko can say something like that makes one wonder if she's completely intoxicated.

Machida Sonoko paused for a moment, then looked at Aki Tomoya with a surprised gaze and said, "You're suddenly so easy to talk to. I almost forgot you were a student. It's much easier to get along with you now than with a capable author."

"You actually harbor resentment towards Ms. Xia Shizi, it's really unexpected that you're such a good editor."

Aki Tomoya remarked, but upon closer reflection, he realized that if it were him, things probably wouldn't have been much better.

However, if one is ruthless enough, it is possible to squeeze every last bit of value out of Xia Shizi.

Therefore, it cannot be denied that Machida Sonoko is a good editor.

"After all, I'm still human. If I'm always so willful, I'll get annoyed too."

Machida Sonoko said without any hesitation.

"Comfortable!"

After venting all her grievances, Machida Sonoko finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Whether they graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Hayakawa University or not, the deputy editor-in-chief of Shinazugawa Shoten, the troublesome authors, the disgusting pyramid scheme—they should all just go to hell!

A glass of soju is enough for now.

How wonderful it would be if everything could be cleaned by this thing.

"What was that saying again, Aki-kun?"

"...Are there always times in life when we are not in control of our own destiny?"

"You really know a lot, Aki-kun. So you're not so bad after all!"

Such undeserved praise made Aki Tomoya shake his head. He had just said it casually; who knew it would hit the bullseye?

Machida Sonoko no longer felt troubled when she looked at Aki Tomoya. Even though they had a bad time last time, they had a proper chat, and it would be a real shame not to have a drink now.

"What a pity, Aki Tomoya is still a minor!"

"Then let's replace the bar with tea."

"Great idea! Has Aki-kun already decided on his major?"

"Well, that's a pity. I have no intention of going to Waseda University."

The two clinked glasses, and Machida Sonoko drank her glass, feeling incredibly refreshed.

At this moment, the room finally felt like a New Year's Day party, and Iori Hashima breathed a sigh of relief.

"why?"

Machida Sonoko didn't know how good Aki Tomoya's academic abilities were now, but she could tell from his tone that he was reluctant to attend Waseda University.

"If I become Ms. Machida's junior, I will never be able to hold my head up in front of you again."

Chapter 119 Hongsaka Akane·Zhen (1/4)

Only those who are excellent and capable have confidence; this is a principle that Machida Sonoko has long understood.

The author, a newcomer, became a bestselling author after her first work became a huge hit, precisely because her abilities were enough to make Machida Sonoko set aside her pride.

Despite the pressure, the results lived up to expectations, and Machida Sonoko has now recovered half of what she lost.

He has a quarter of his life left, and it remains uncertain whether he can survive.

"If it were Aki-kun, after seeing her work, she would probably also notice the fatal flaw."

After complaining for a while, Machida Sonoko said with a hint of sarcasm, shaking the wine glass in her hand, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes.