Aki Tomoya slowly typed on his phone. He really felt that communicating with Eriri was troublesome.
Just when it seemed like they had completely cut ties, the other person suddenly reached out again. So, what was he so excited about back then?
Was it for that troublesome way of communicating? How long will this awkward relationship last?!
Until last year, they had only just managed to have a few normal conversations.
Considering everything, Aki Tomoya felt that dwelling on who was right or wrong was pointless. Japan's society is like this, the prejudice against otaku is just like that—making money from them while discriminating against them.
He just wanted to complain about their relationship as childhood friends, where communication was more difficult than with ordinary friends.
Having known Eriri for so many years, this childhood friend is not as reliable as his friend Kamigō Yoshihiko. At least when talking to him, Aki Tomoya doesn't feel this sense of powerlessness.
"Since we met once at school last month, you know how I evaluate our over ten years of friendship every time I see you secretly looking at me with that conflicted expression?"
Before Eriri could react, the new reply made her even more flustered.
Her little actions at school before had actually been seen by Aki Tomoya several times. Thinking that Aki Tomoya had already discovered them, Eriri's expression was like the famous painting "The Scream."
"Forget about childhood friends, just as normal friends, talking to you is really troublesome. How complicated do you think our relationship is?!"
Knowing each other for over ten years, yet unable to even have a normal conversation, how troublesome is this childhood friend relationship?
Does Eriri have very few real friends in the 'underworld'?
Hmm...
Aki Tomoya thought for a moment. Considering that Eriri has always acted as a diplomatic young lady at school, her parents also helped sell doujinshi at the CM Doujin Exhibition, plus the people she would come into contact with given her family background...
Looking at it this way, there really aren't many people who know her true side.
Thinking of this, Aki Tomoya sighed.
"To put it bluntly, we've known each other for over ten years, and we're about to graduate from high school. In a few years, I don't know if you'll still be in this place, or if we'll have a chance to meet again. So, there's no need to dwell on that incident too much. Let's all cherish this friendship of over ten years while we still can. If you have a problem and don't want to find me at school, you can ask me privately. Within my capabilities, I won't refuse."
Some things make Aki Tomoya really helpless. Having known each other for over ten years, yet still having such complicated and difficult communication, wouldn't it have been better if they had just become strangers after that incident in elementary school?
Knowing each other for over ten years, and for a long time, it felt like they were in some kind of spy movie. Isn't that troublesome?!
Aki Tomoya doesn't really feel much about the term "childhood friend" now. In his heart, he sees Eriri more as a troublesome ordinary female friend he's known for over ten years, and the kind that's a bit troublesome.
They've known each other since elementary school until high school. To be honest, after that incident, they still haven't had a normal conversation of more than twenty sentences.
"If you still consider me a friend, then as a friend, regarding that matter between you and that Senior, my only advice is that you should seize the opportunity while you still have it. Do what you want to do quickly, and don't leave any regrets."
Who knows if Kashiwagi Eri will have another chance to collaborate with Kasumi Shiko in the future? Based on his understanding of Eriri, she probably desperately wants to collaborate with Kasumigaoka Utaha in her heart.
And the frustrating thing is that she insists on using this matter to test him.
Does this matter have anything to do with him now?
He might have played some role, but in reality, after graduating from high school, no one knows if they will have a chance to meet again in the future.
And who knows, one day Eriri might go to London to develop her career under her father's arrangement?
Aki Tomoya thought, if Eriri doesn't want to have any regrets, it's best to do what she truly wants in her heart.
As a friend, he can only offer this kind of advice.
"Let's talk again when we have time. It's not bad to exchange a few greetings occasionally."
At least this makes their over ten years of friendship not seem like such a failure.
After typing the last paragraph, Aki Tomoya put down his phone.
"Bah, what kind of authentic Chinese-style instant bento is this? Deceiving consumers!"
After taking a bite of the bento, Aki Tomoya couldn't help but complain.
The conscience of the Japanese is also really bad!
If this is authentic, then he can also be a great Chinese chef.
Living alone, one really needs to be careful not to be cheated!
Chewing the food in his mouth, although Aki Tomoya was complaining, it didn't prevent him from using it to fill his stomach. After all, it wasn't really inedible.
After eating the instant bento, cleaning up, and taking a good shower, Aki Tomoya went upstairs to continue studying.
From his backpack, he took out two books: one, "The Tales of Ise," and the other, "The Tale of Genji."
Both are classical literature created during the Heian period.
The former's creation background is the early Heian period in Japan, while the latter's creation background is the golden age of the Heian period.
Putting aside "The Tales of Ise" for now, let's talk about "The Tale of Genji." When he first received the recommendation from Ping Tian, his impression of "The Tale of Genji" was still based on memes like the Genji Development Plan. After a little research, he realized he had misunderstood it more or less.
After understanding the creation background of "The Tale of Genji," then briefly looking at Murasaki Shikibu's life, and learning from Ping Tian about the influence of the "mono no aware" color of "The Tale of Genji" on later Japanese literature, Aki Tomoya had a preliminary profound impression of Murasaki Shikibu, this ancient Japanese female literary writer.
One, "The Tales of Ise," and one, "The Tale of Genji." Same era, different periods. To strengthen his understanding of ancient Japanese literature and the historical background of the Heian period, Aki Tomoya is currently working on these two books.
As for Ping Tian saying that the "mono no aware" color in the literature of the modern Japanese writer Kawabata Yasunari inherited from "The Tale of Genji," Aki Tomoya wasn't too keen on it.
Among Japanese writers, the one he knows the most about is Haruki Murakami, who is a popular topic every year.
"Ancient literature, Japanese history, math and science..."
Looking up at the timetable he had drawn on the wall, Aki Tomoya confirmed it again, then slowly sat down. He opened the first book, "The Tales of Ise."
He quickly found the bookmark, continuing from where he last stopped. Setting the time on the alarm clock next to him, Aki Tomoya decided to continue reading with a critical eye.
Ancient Japanese literature, to put it simply, is similar in nature to classical Chinese. The difference is that one is the way ancient Chinese people spoke, and the other is the way ancient Japanese people spoke.
Similarly, ancient Japanese culture was heavily influenced by China.
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