I, Tomoya Aki, am not a bootlicker

"We'd better leave quickly."

Eriri urged, subconsciously avoiding the sight of Tomoya Aki beside her.

This place is described as a holy land of comics.

Because many famous cartoonists once lived here.

Shiina-cho in Toshima-ku is called Tokiwa-so.

The reason why I chose this place is because of its reputation as a holy land of comics.

Bringing Eriri to a place like this is quite consistent with her nature as a stay-at-home girl.

"The artist who came ashore, Kashiwagi Eri, left her footprints in the holy land of manga in Teshima..."

"Why do you give me this kind of narration?"

Eriri laughed silently and looked at Tomoya Aki beside her.

Walking in Shiinachō, although it was not the first time I came to this place, it was rare for me to be with my childhood sweetheart, Tomoya Aki.

"Relax the atmosphere."

Aki Tomoya laughed casually.

If you cater to her interests, you might be able to find some common topics with Eriri by going to a place like this rather than going to an art museum.

At least, Tomoya Aki was still an otaku before.

"What are your plans for the future, Eriri?"

Thinking of just chatting casually, Aki Tomoya brought up a topic, but to Eriri it sounded like a very serious topic.

Ying Lili actually doesn't have any complete plan in mind as to how things will develop in the future. She just feels that things are good as they are now.

The instructors I met at Tokyo University of the Arts are very good and I can learn a lot from them.

When I was in college, I was doing what I loved and had the opportunity to hang out together like we do now.

"comics?"

Eriri looked down at her feet. She was now in the holy land of comics.

Anyway, I've already made it to the shore, so it would be nice if I have the chance to draw a serious comic book in the future.

"Is Kashiwagi Eri going to leave a legend in the girls' comics circle?"

Upon hearing this, Amano Tomoya replied jokingly.

And Eriri smiled sheepishly.

In fact, she had never thought about leaving a strong mark on girls' comics. She just followed Aki Tomoya's words and said the word "comics".

But when I subconsciously thought about it seriously, I wondered how nice it would be if I could always be happy and do what I want to do.

Eriri's idea is a beautiful one.

"However, if you go abroad to study in the future, for example, to Europe, you should be able to become a famous painter with your talent, right?"

Tomoya Aki never denied the talent of his childhood sweetheart.

Since childhood, the girl with blonde twin pigtails next to me has shown outstanding talent in painting.

If you develop well at Tokyo University of the Arts and then go abroad for further studies in the future, your future will be bright.

In other words, if Eriri had such an idea, whether it was because of her talent or because there were people paving the way for her, her chances of success would be very high.

"Does Ren think that's okay too?"

Eriri clenched her hands slightly and looked at the boy next to her seriously.

I studied with a mentor at Tokyo University of the Arts, and then went on to further studies elsewhere, while still continuing to paint.

She likes painting very much and wants more people to see her paintings.

"Wouldn't it be nice to let the whole world see your paintings?"

Not to mention the people all over the world who have made a name for themselves in that world, Eriri is a world-renowned painter.

Isn’t this a good development?

"…It's not bad…Ryou, you're in the medical department, so you'll definitely go to the hospital and work on the operating table…"

He must look very handsome when he saves people.

Ying Lili was thinking this, but she was not thinking about her own affairs. It seemed more like she was trying to change the subject.

Eriri has thought about going somewhere else, leaving Tokyo, but she wants to stay here more.

"more or less."

Aki Tomoya nodded and replied casually.

After finishing medical school, you will definitely go to the hospital.

He couldn't say for sure what would happen in the future. Maybe he would start dating someone and then climb in the White Tower.

"So you will stay in Tokyo?"

Eriri asked, and although the sentence was expressed in a questioning tone, her tone sounded somewhat matter-of-fact.

After hearing this, Amano Tomoya thought about it and muttered quietly, "Who knows..."

As for whether he would stay in Tokyo forever, he couldn't say for sure.

No one can guarantee that they will stay in one place forever.

"If I have the opportunity, I might go back abroad for further studies."

To be honest, we must enrich our own value.

A person can get as much as he or she is valuable, not to mention that medicine is advancing and updating every year.

"Your awareness is really amazing..."

Eriri understood what Tomoya Aki was thinking.

Unlike before when he was obsessed with the two-dimensional world, now Tomoya Aki pays more attention to reality.

In fact, Ying Lili also discovered it today.

For example, why did her mother, Sayuri Sawamura, go from never opposing her to making friends with children from ordinary families to supporting her feelings and giving her advice behind the scenes?

The two are each other's first love.

Even Aki Tomoya himself admitted this.

From taking everything about herself for granted, it took Eriri a lot of brain cells to figure out how far she was from her childhood sweetheart.

"Thanks for the compliment."

Aki Tomoya smiled.

It’s more of a reality than an awakening.

To be able to enjoy something without working for it is something you would only dream of.

He even complained that compared to the protagonists in the novels he had read in his previous life, he didn't even have a system, which was so miserable.

But now he has surpassed many people and no longer has to complain. Moreover, he has the opportunity and time to enjoy himself.

"Toshima's manga mecca, as well as Ikebukuro, will have you have fun today."

Tomoya Aki turned to look at Eriri with a smile on his face.

Regardless of my own situation, being with Eriri now is much more relaxing than before.

"By the way, do you want to go to the shore to set off fireworks together tonight?"

Chapter 222 Things I Have Never Done (3/?)

light fireworks?

Hearing this, Eriri suddenly remembered that she wanted to invite Tomoya Aki on the 15th.

At that time, she was just thinking that it would be great if they could be together during the fireworks display.

When Tomoya Aki mentioned the word "fireworks" at this time, it seemed as if he was doing it specifically to make up for such a regret.

But it’s not just about fireworks displays.

But, don’t mention setting off fireworks together or watching fireworks together, we have never done such a thing.

When I was a child, it was very common to set off and watch fireworks with my playmates during festivals.

But such a common thing did not happen to childhood sweethearts Tomoya Aki and Eriri.

In other words, what should be a normal thing for childhood sweethearts is rare for them.

We knew each other in elementary school and had similar interests, so we could talk about anything.

But after the relationship broke down, they still maintained a distorted relationship, but the word "childhood sweethearts" must not be solid for them.

It looks more like an acquaintance who was forced to be there, with whom he has a bad relationship, or a familiar stranger. It would be more appropriate to describe it this way.

"Together!"

Eriri raised her hand, as excited as an elementary school student going on a field trip.

After this was agreed upon, Eriri gradually became more active.

Click!

Standing on Shiinamachi, Eriri held up her phone in front of her, while Tomoya Aki behind her turned sideways towards the camera, taking a selfie like this.

"In selfies, you're no different than any other girl."

He casually glanced at the photos on Ying Lili's phone. He was not interested in selfies.

And Eriri was enjoying it.

But seeing her so happy, Akitomo was a little infected by her.

After walking around Shiinachō, we returned to Ikebukuro. It was noon, so we had lunch at a restaurant and then went to West Exit Park, where we saw the place where the time capsule was buried.

"Time capsule, has Lun ever thought about what he would say to himself ten years later?"

This place used to be used as a black market, with a cold and dark atmosphere.

It was only after the art theater next door was built that new life was brought to this place.

In the 1990s, the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater was built here, and when the West Exit Park opened, a time capsule was buried in the park.

When seeing the time capsule, Eriri thought of writing a letter to herself ten years later. Many people would do this in the past and now.

"Unfortunately, I haven't thought about it, but if possible, I would like to send a message to myself ten years ago."

Aki Tomoya pushed up his glasses and smiled at Eriri beside him.

She looked at the boy curiously and couldn't help asking, "What what?"

Unable to resist Eriri's curiosity, Tomoya Aki helplessly looked at the place where the time capsule was buried, under the statue made of iron pillars and stones.

"Aki Tomoya, I persisted until my second year of high school and never felt bad about my identity as an otaku. I used to be an otaku, but I returned to reality. I love the two-dimensional world."

To be honest, these words are a bit embarrassing to say.

But at the same time, after saying it, I feel an indescribable sense of relief in my heart.

He did not continue to struggle in the world of the second dimension, thinking of reaching the top of the industry, but at the same time, he always had a goal in his heart.

"Now I am good friends with Eriri."

This is the sentence that Tomoya Aki most wanted to tell himself when he was in despair.

Eriri wanted to say the same thing, and now the relationship has been repaired.

We stayed in West Exit Park for an hour and then went to the nearby Tokyo Metropolitan Art Theater.

"We've never had a good time together like this before!"

Walking in front, Ying Lili suddenly turned around and sighed, her face was full of smiles at this moment.

This is the first time that this has happened.

For Tomoya Aki, this was indeed the first time for him to do this with his childhood sweetheart.