I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

"What's there to say? I rest when I need to, and I replenish my nutrition when I need to. I'm not forcing myself. If you think someone like me is a monster, then in the whole of Asia alone, there are probably tens of thousands of monsters more ruthless than me."

Aki Tomoya knew that he was only benefiting from having a foundation; if it were the situation he faced during his college entrance exams, it wouldn't have been easy at all.

He did all the practice questions on the market and occasionally took some kind of stimulant. When he finally developed neurasthenia, he couldn't help but wonder, what was the point of pushing himself to that extent?

High school is truly the peak of one's knowledge, and then, like some others, I completely abandoned that knowledge after starting work.

"Is Tokyo University really that great?"

Uesugi Yoshihiko muttered to himself that he hadn't made many plans for his own life. He figured that after graduating from high school, he wouldn't consider further education and would probably just get a job with a school recommendation. Then he would move out of his family home and become a corporate slave, and then go on blind dates around the age of thirty.

As for Tokyo University, all he knew was that adults said getting into it was a matter of bringing honor to one's ancestors, as if the people there lived in another world.

"Yoshihiko, have you ever visited the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Keio University, or Waseda University?"

Aki Tomoya rested his chin on his hand and looked back at Kamigo Yoshihiko, his eyes seemingly filled with reminiscence because of his friend's words.

Do I look like the kind of person who would be interested in that kind of place?

Uego Yoshihiko chuckled awkwardly.

Actually, it wasn't that I didn't have those thoughts. When I first entered junior high school, I did have those thoughts, but they quickly faded away.

"have you been there?"

Uego Yoshihiko then asked in return, thinking that Aki Tomoya had visited such a place at some point and was looking forward to hearing his thoughts.

To his disappointment, Aki Tomoya shook his head.

“I didn’t go to those places.”

Isn't that obvious? Before his second year of high school, he was an otaku. The place he went to most often was Akihabara and doujinshi conventions. How could he possibly have the leisure to visit a university?

"Eh……"

Yoshihiko Uego looked disappointed upon hearing this answer.

I originally thought that Aki Tomoya had secretly gone there!

But thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. If it weren't for the sudden change in his second year of high school, who would have thought that his friend would decide on his major during this period, and that it would be an impossible goal?

"What's there to be disappointed about? I really haven't been to those universities."

Aki Tomoya couldn't help but chuckle.

He has never been to the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Waseda University, or Keio University, whether in his past or present life.

However, he was fortunate enough to visit Tsinghua University only once.

That place is like the University of Tokyo in Japan; it's a legendary place in the minds of both adults and students.

Perhaps some pretentious people scoff at that place, but for him, after going there, he realized what it's like to be in such an environment.

Ironically, he failed the exam that year despite his great ambition.

It's just one step away, but that step seems unattainable.

The regret of being so close yet unable to cross that distance remains vivid in my memory.

But it's just a regret. Even if he couldn't get into Tsinghua University, he still got into a very good university. Life isn't just about having Tsinghua as an option.

"The top university, the dream of so many people. Even if I don't get into the University of Tokyo this time, Keio University's medical school is still pretty good."

Aki Tomoya also joked about himself in this way.

That's what he was thinking, but before even taking the mock exam for the University of Tokyo, other schools were not even in his consideration. Although he had set his sights on the highest possible option, he was not without a backup plan.

Moreover, if one truly wants to gain a foothold in a society like Japan, becoming a doctor, lawyer, or police officer are the best options.

As for the medical school, its status at the University of Tokyo is completely different from that of other universities; they are two entirely different concepts.

Tomoya Aki was thinking about getting as close to the optimal choice as possible while still having options.

"Xi Yan, you should also plan your future properly."

"I have my two-dimensional waifu, that's enough!"

I don't think Aki Tomoya ever said that.

=

=

Why do people always like to go to the rooftop to discuss things? (Chapter 34)

"Ms. Kashiwagi Eri, what's your decision? Could you please give me an answer now?"

On the rooftop of Toyonosaki Academy, two beautiful girls stood facing each other under the twilight.

Two equally popular girls at school, their relationship has a competitive edge.

However, compared to Eriri's obvious wariness, Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression remained unchanged. She stood there gracefully, as dignified as a flower on a high mountain.

"Putting that aside, is it really necessary to come to the rooftop every time you ask me to come?"

They met on the school rooftop at dusk after school; anyone who didn't know better would think they were doing something shady.

The place where Kasumigaoka Utaha spent the most time alone was probably the school rooftop.

"Ms. Kashiwagi Eri, do you think what we're about to discuss is something that can be made public? Or is it something we can let others know that the famous blonde heiress at school is actually an 18+ artist?"

If the identity of the famous Kashiwagi Eri from the Otherworld were revealed here, it would definitely cause a huge uproar.

At that time, the school will be thrown into turmoil like a tsunami.

"Whether it's writing or speaking, you're quite skilled, Xia Shizi!"

Eriri naturally wouldn't take Kasumigaoka Utaha's words as a threat, because she needed to be clear about one thing.

When it comes to staying at home, Kasumigaoka Utaha can't deny that fact either.

The remarks they just made were nothing more than a routine bickering between them.

However, that's not the point. The real question is why the up-and-coming light novel author, Shizuko Kasumi, sought to collaborate with her.

So weird!

When they officially met last year, their relationship was still not at the point where they could have a proper conversation.

However, as creators, even if they are in different fields, there is still a mutual appreciation between them at times. If Eriri really wasn't interested in Kasumigaoka Utaha's so-called collaboration proposal, she could have rejected her from the very beginning.

In short, when Eriri heard that her favorite author, Kasumi Utako, wanted to collaborate with her, her stance as Eri Kashiwagi's illustrator was much more honest in her actions than in her words.

"You suddenly come to me seeking collaboration, and your new work doesn't even have an outline. I really don't understand what gives you the audacity to talk to me about collaboration!"

Eriri doesn't hold back at all when it comes to words.

Talk about cooperation?

Okay, where's your outline?

No character design, no outline, and you said you've scrapped your original plan for the new work and have a new idea?

Please consider the readers who are looking forward to your new work. After "Love Metronome" ended, I wonder how many readers like Eriri are looking forward to Kasumi Utako's new work.

Furthermore, last month, the official Shinazugawa website ambiguously revealed that the new work by the currently popular up-and-coming light novel author, Kasumi Utako, is in preparation and will be released soon!

Seeing that Fushigawa is about to start large-scale promotion and allocate resources to Kasumi Shiko, wouldn't this ambiguous move make readers who have always supported Kasumi Shiko feel full of expectations?

When Kasumigaoka Utaha came to visit, her first words were about collaboration.

To be honest, Eriri would be willing to consider it if she could see the first draft first.

However, Kasumigaoka Utaha tells her that her long-awaited new work has been scrapped, and she has a new project!

A new project?

What a load of bullshit new project! What a load of bullshit better ideas?!

You've been slacking off for months, and now you're talking about some new ideas, even overturning your previous plans for a new project.

The key point isn't here; hearing that the other party has a better idea is actually quite exciting.

However, the key point is that the outline for Kasumigaoka Utaha is not yet complete, and there is only one male protagonist in the character design. Moreover, doesn't the character design of that male protagonist feel a bit too familiar?

Just looking at that awful premise makes my stomach churn! Who on earth is that scumbag?!

Do you all know each other?

Eriri felt a chill run down her spine just from the fact that the character's background wasn't fully confirmed. Was this really an author who wrote youth romance novels?

Eriri is devastated!

"You only have one unfinished male protagonist design on hand, and you come to me with this to discuss collaboration? Even a child wouldn't be fooled by an unscrupulous author like you!"

After Eriri finished speaking, she proudly raised her snow-white neck.

While collaborating with Kasumigaoka Utaha is certainly something to look forward to, Eriri finds nothing convincing about what Kasumigaoka Utaha has to offer.

Kasumigaoka Utaha frowned, as if deep in thought.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Eriri sighed inwardly, thinking that Kasumigaoka Utaha might have suffered some kind of shock recently, which was why she was making such an unprepared move.

Before discussing cooperation, we need to consider capital first, and then sincerity.

Even if Eriri didn't want to admit it, she did see the persistence in Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes.