I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

=

Thank you to 【Waiting for a Holiday and Coffee】 for the monthly pass and the razor blade.

Chapter 9 Consistent in Word and Deed

As the sky gradually darkened, the last wisp of cloud, tinged red by the setting sun, trailed along its edge. On the slope of Toyonosaki Academy, a few students were still leaving after their club activities.

Not far from the main gate of Toyonosaki Academy, Aki Tomoya stood there pushing his bicycle, while in front of him, the senior student known as the school's number one literary talent was looking at him with some surprise.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was very surprised.

She met her junior, Tomoya Aki, at that autograph session, and after getting to know him better, she felt she understood this guy who was full of otaku traits.

Kasumigaoka Utaha even once thought that it would be extremely difficult to remove the otaku label from Aki Tomoya.

But this boy she thought she knew publicly announced on his blog that he had chosen to go into seclusion to prepare for the University of Tokyo entrance exam.

And then he actually did it; his strong drive to act wasn't surprising.

However, there are quite a few unfamiliar aspects about Aki Tomoya now.

Especially now, Aki Tomoya is completely in control.

The other person's calm demeanor, as if they knew everything, made Kasumigaoka Utaha feel somewhat uncomfortable.

If before we could comfort ourselves by saying that this guy's romantic brain only exists in the world of anime, now, Aki Tomoya is showing that he completely understands what the original manuscript she planned to give him in winter meant.

That contains her heartfelt sentiments.

"Writing for someone, to be honest, that person is too lucky. As for that kind of clueless person, senior, you can't keep hanging on like this. Be decisive and slap him."

Aki Tomoya actually felt sorry for this senior. She thought she had found someone she could work with, but that person had never even thought about it.

However, on the other hand, both sides also have their own problems.

If you look at things from multiple perspectives and consider all the factors, it can actually be quite perplexing, and even a little regrettable.

Although Aki Tomoya did not show these emotions on the surface, he knew very well that if he showed any regret, his senior would notice it.

What will happen then?

It's a development that could lead to some speculation, but Aki Tomoya doesn't seem to be interested in dating right now, so keeping him hanging like this isn't a good idea.

Can I slap you?

Kasumigaoka Utaha stared intently at Aki Tomoya, her expression suggesting she was about to slap him in a fit of pique.

Even though he knew perfectly well that it was her intention, he pretended not to know anything and refused.

Why didn't I reject her outright back then?

If you completely refuse, won't that be enough to make her give up on the idea?

But now, feeling like she's been tricked, Kasumigaoka Utaha can't forget Aki Tomoya.

If Aki Tomoya were to reveal his true colors now, then describing the previous events as deception wouldn't be without reason.

"If you were to ask me that question in person, could you excuse me from refusing?"

Aki Tomoya shrugged. That's what he said, but if he were to actually get slapped, especially by this senior who was getting a little angry, that slap would definitely not be pleasant.

Paying for the past is one thing, but that kind of bullshit past, to be honest, if he could, Aki Tomoya wouldn't want to care about it, and he even wants to curse it out.

Is anime/manga a good thing?

It's definitely great! It's so lovable yet so infuriating! There's a reason why it's so beloved!

But besides anime, one should at least have some understanding of one's own country's history, right? Now he's prepared for a fierce battle to cram on Japanese history!

Of all the "legacy" that Aki Tomoya inherited, the most useful things he probably found were the blog that could be used to expand his network and the collection of items that could be resold for a good price.

"Tomoya Aki, no, I underestimated you."

Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes sharpened, as if she were looking at some disgusting insect.

Aki Tomo doesn't know what kind of person she sees him as now, but he can roughly deduce that the goodwill he had accumulated before has given her a certain illusion because of his current attitude.

Honestly, it's really unpleasant to suddenly feel like a jerk.

Aki Tomoya's deep gaze met Kasumigaoka Utaha's, and he calmly replied, "What makes you say that, Kasumigaoka-senpai?"

"Before I answer this question, is Aki Tomoya a fraud?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha withdrew her gaze from before, calmed down, and asked another question.

It's a bit arbitrary to label Aki Tomoya as a fraudster and someone who's good at disguising himself. Let's hear what else he has to say.

If everything before was just this boy's disguise, Kasumigaoka Utaha would only feel that her feelings were not worth it. How tragic it was to pour her heart into a liar...

"Liar, that's an interesting way to put it, senior."

Aki Tomoya's eyes flashed, and he frowned slightly at the description of "liar".

This is a very easy problem to analyze. It is precisely because the change was so rapid and revealed such an extraordinary determination that those who know him well can feel a sense of unreality.

It only took him one spring break to go from being a staunch otaku, and he hadn't even shown any signs of wanting to leave the otaku life before. What would people who knew him think when a boy who was once so passionate about otaku culture suddenly became someone who was focused on studying for the University of Tokyo entrance exam?

If the word "nature" is used to describe a person, then "otaku" is the greatest nature that Aki Tomoya has shown in the past, which can almost leave a deep-rooted impression on people.

Moreover, what makes Aki Tomoya seem unfamiliar now is not just his otaku culture, but also many other details that feel strange.

Take the parents, for example; their reaction was more excited than anyone else's.

Subjective perceptions may lead some people to believe it's unreal, but the objective fact is that the person standing in front of them is Aki Tomoya.

The objective facts have not changed, but the subjective consciousness feels strange, yet it cannot be fully confirmed.

Ultimately, adhering to the principle of unity between subjective and objective perspectives, Aki Tomoya is still Aki Tomoya—the same person, just at different stages.

Therefore, Aki Tomoya's reaction to Kasumigaoka Utaha is quite understandable.

"Aki Tomo is not a fraud, it's just that he has now broken with the past, which is a more emotional way of putting it; a more reasonable way of putting it is probably that people go through different stages; to put it more philosophically, it only takes a second to suddenly realize the truth."

Aki Tomoya replied in the same way, saying that although he had to pay the price for his past, he would not slander his past.

In fact, Aki Tomoya was consistent in his words and deeds in the past, and he remains consistent in his words and deeds now.

Chapter 10 This senior is not simple

Aki Tomoya doesn't deny his past; it's just that his goals are different at this stage.

Therefore, he was never a "liar" in the past, nor did he ever pretend to be someone else.

Whether now or in the past, Aki Tomoya has always been seen as someone who doesn't deliberately hide himself.

Kasumigaoka Utaha must also admit this, and Aki Tomo doesn't care what others think of him.

Last year, Aki Tomoya fought hard for permission to show anime at the university's anniversary celebration. This year, he suddenly set his sights on the University of Tokyo, and he is willing to work hard for that as well.

In just one spring break, Aki Tomoya underwent tremendous changes.

Kasumigaoka Utaha knew that this was not fickleness, because she also knew how much Aki Tomoya loved those things, and that he would never be so heartless unless there was a special reason.

"Senior, it's okay if you think I'm a liar. Maybe I did say before that I would never quit being an otaku?"

Aki Tomoya said with a smile.

As for whether he had said something similar before, Aki Tomo doesn't remember. If he had said something like a vow, then it would be fair to say that he has broken his vow.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was speechless, realizing that she knew very little about the current Aki Tomoya.

However, she truly saw that Aki Tomo was also working towards his goal.

Sitting in the library, the serious look on Aki Tomoya's face felt incredibly familiar to her.

It felt just like when we discussed the novel's plot together, but it also felt different.

"Waitaka University..."

Suddenly, Aki Tomoya revealed Kasumigaoka Utaha's first choice university.

This stirred a ripple in Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart.

"I thought my senior would go to Waseda University and then drop out of there in a cool way."

Aki Tomo had no idea what Wasao University was like.

He only knew Waseda and Keio. At first, he thought Waseda University was a diploma mill that stole the name of other schools, but after thinking about it carefully, Kasumigaoka Utaha probably wouldn't choose such a school.

There are many things that Aki Tomo doesn't know, just as he thought Kasumigaoka Utaha would drop out of Waseda University as elegantly as those past literary figures.

Now, Kasumigaoka Utaha is also unable to understand why he suddenly chose Tokyo University and then ruthlessly gave up his beloved anime.

"In short, please make your own judgments on some matters, senior. It's not a bad thing if everyone is doing well."

What Kasumigaoka Utaha thinks is her own business, and Aki Tomoya doesn't want to explain too much.

Too much explanation sounds like a cover-up. The past is undeniable and unchangeable; what Aki Tomoya can strive for is the future.

"It's getting late, senior, you should head back soon too. Please excuse me for taking my leave."

Whether this outcome would bring relief to the senior student, Aki Tomo couldn't be sure, but he really didn't want to dwell on the past.