I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

In addition, being an otaku, Eriri isn't enthusiastic about studying. Basically, as long as she passes her courses and doesn't fail, she's content with staying late for tutoring during holidays.

Now that she's in charge of helping Eriri with her studies, Kasumigaoka Utaha has realized just how terrible Eriri's English is.

"This is nothing to brag about, Sawamura-kun. Do you understand the saying 'shame is the mother of courage'? Don't lose to others!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha said helplessly.

Eriri, sitting opposite her, asked with some suspicion, "Are you sure you're not just competing with me?"

As Eriri said this, she subconsciously glanced at Aki Tomoya's table not far away.

It's not surprising to run into Aki Tomoya at the school library; both Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha know he's a regular there.

With final exams approaching, it's quite common to run into each other here while studying at the library.

Eriri wanted to run away before because she still didn't know how to face her childhood friend of more than ten years.

Since Aki Tomoya started school, especially their most recent exchange, Eriri has been quite shocked.

Eriri is now feeling quite lost.

"You're the one who asked me for help. If you want to pass your English exam, I advise you not to think about anything else!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha replied without changing her expression, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

Eriri blinked, her expression somewhat subtle.

It wasn't that she wanted to overthink things; she was just still curious about what had happened between Kasumigaoka Utaha and Aki Tomoya.

At the same time, there was some doubt as to why Kasumigaoka Utaha was able to remain so calm.

Amid Eriri's confusion, Aki Tomoya was studying with his classmates, while Eriri was asking Kasumigaoka Utaha for help. Could Kasumigaoka Utaha's strictness be related to Aki Tomoya being there at the same time?

However, Kasumigaoka Utaha doesn't give her much time to think about other things.

The other party's strictness was even more severe than Eriri had imagined.

Eriri felt a bit apprehensive after reviewing at noon.

As if unwilling to be outdone, Kasumigaoka Utaha, not knowing who she was comparing herself to, would sometimes couldn't help but be sarcastic towards Eriri.

"Is that guy really not just trying to compete with Renya?"

Eriri couldn't help but think this to herself.

As far as she knew, Aki Tomoya was tutoring two of his classmates.

So after school in the afternoon, when she met Kasumigaoka Utaha at the library, she specifically asked, "Are you really not arguing with Tomoya about me?"

"no!"

Anyway, that's how Kasumigaoka Utaha answered.

She wouldn't do something so childish, and even explained, "I just wanted to motivate you. Without comparison, you won't know where you fall short. As a dignified young lady from a wealthy family, can't you at least show some of the standards of the elite class?"

"Ha, who do you think you are?!"

Eriri stared wide-eyed at Kasumigaoka Utaha in front of her.

Kasumigaoka Utaha did not respond, feeling that she had already been tactful enough.

"Did all the best genes end up in those skillful hands?"

Her gaze swept over Eriri's meager chest.

Provoked, Eriri declared that she would show Kasumigaoka Utaha that when she got serious, studying was actually much easier than drawing.

This imposing aura moved Kasumigaoka Utaha somewhat, but as the museum neared closing time, Eriri no longer exuded that same aura.

As closing time approached, Kasumigaoka Utaha gracefully rose and said to Eriri, who was slumped over the table as if her soul had left her long mouth, "I'll take my leave now. See you tomorrow."

To be continued tomorrow...

Eriri shuddered upon hearing this.

"Studying really gives me a headache, right, Eriri?"

After everyone else left, Aki Tomoya came over and joked.

I saw her and Kasumigaoka Utaha studying here at noon and after school, so it's impossible that Aki Tomoya didn't see them.

Seeing that she hadn't left yet, Aki Tomo came up and greeted her.

"..."

Eriri looked up in surprise, not expecting Aki Tomo to come over as well.

She didn't know how to respond to what Aki Tomoya had just said.

An awkward atmosphere filled the space between the two.

"...If I fail the final exam, I won't be able to concentrate on participating in the Summer CM."

Suddenly, Eriri whispered, while observing Aki Tomoya's gaze.

In the past, if the topic of the summer CM doujinshi convention were mentioned, the other person would definitely start talking at length.

But now, Eriri showed no emotion whatsoever in Aki Tomoya's eyes.

"Then you'd better keep up the good work. It's getting late, so head back early. Goodbye."

Aki Tomoya nodded in understanding, but didn't react much else.

After saying goodbye to Eriri, he had to take his leave.

At that moment, Eriri suddenly stood up and asked, "If, and I mean if, I didn't ask Kasumigaoka for help, but instead asked you, would you refuse?"

Aki Tomoya stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned around and, without much thought, replied, "From a friend's perspective, I wouldn't refuse."

Having known each other for over a decade, it seemed that Aki Tomoya had no reason to refuse if he simply asked for tutoring.

"However, Eriri coming to me for tutoring is like telling everyone that you know me, which is not like your usual style."

Aki Tomoya suddenly laughed again, but he didn't mean anything by it; it was just a simple joke.

However, the speaker may not have meant anything by it, but the listener took it to heart.

These words made Eriri bite her lip, and her eyes dimmed considerably.

Chapter 54 The Listener Has a Mind

When we were in elementary school, we were both isolated because we discussed otaku-related items with Aki Tomoya.

That could be considered a form of school bullying.

Eriri was isolated and looked at differently at the time, so she later severed ties with Aki Tomoya.

These are all things from my childhood, but these are things that can't be easily forgotten.

She excitedly ran up to Eriri, wanting to share something they both loved, only to be ruthlessly rejected.

For a period of time afterward, no matter how much I tried to win them back, I was met with indifference and deliberate avoidance.

Looking back now, Aki Tomoya really admires him for being able to persevere while fighting alone.

But it's hard to say who's right and who's wrong.

The truth is, between entering junior high school and then Toyonosaki Academy, the two of them spent a great deal of time establishing a secret underground communication channel.

Being able to exchange a few words normally was the final result of last year's semester.

At school, Eriri maintained a completely separate relationship with Aki Tomoya, and no one would have guessed that they were childhood friends.

Ironically, now that Aki Tomoya has stopped being so engrossed in otaku culture, they actually communicate more than before.

Of course, Aki Tomoya was referring to it verbally.

Before last year, their communication methods could only be described as troublesome.

If this is the result of all those years of hard work, Aki Tomoya now feels it wasn't worth it, but he won't blame Eriri now.

After all, no one is like him, able to ignore external factors and not be influenced by prejudice.

He couldn't possibly use his own standards to judge Eriri. A young girl like her must feel terrible bearing everyone's prejudice.

"Rinya, do you think it's my fault?"

Eriri clenched her fists and asked in a low voice, unwilling to give up.

She lowered her head, staring at her toes, as if recalling the strange looks she received from others in elementary school.

Eriri can now admit that she is not as strong as Tomoya Aki.

"what?"

Eriri's voice was a little soft, so Aki Tomo couldn't hear what she was saying clearly.

Looking at Eriri, who had her head down, Aki Tomoya noticed something unusual.

"It's nothing. You must have had a tough time preparing for the exam, so I won't bother you any longer."

Eriri raised her head at this moment, a smile on her face, and shook her head as if she didn't care.

But in Aki Tomoya's eyes, her current appearance looked like she was forcing a smile.