The Summer CM Doujin Exhibition, the pattern on that ticket is the doujin exhibition that Aki Tomoya is all too familiar with.
It is held twice a year, in the summer and winter, and Aki Tomoya goes every year.
It's just that this year, if it weren't for Izumi Hashima, after this graduation ceremony, he probably wouldn't have paid much attention to the Summer CM Doujin Exhibition.
"ComicMarket, I hadn't really thought about it this year..."
Aki Tomoya said casually, looking at the ticket on the table.
The largest doujin exhibition in Japan and even the world, attracting otaku from all over the world every year.
Doujin doesn't just refer to derivative works; it also means people with the same aspirations.
There are quite a number of otaku in Japan, but it is also common for a few bad apples to spoil the whole bunch.
Enduring social prejudice and pressure, labeled as freeloaders, hundreds of thousands of otaku gather there every year for their gatherings and revelry.
And Aki Tomoya was once one of them.
He doesn't dislike that place; in fact, he should say he likes it.
"As expected, I've troubled you, Senpai..."
Izumi Hashima lowered her head, looking a little embarrassed.
After not seeing him for a few years, this Senpai has changed a lot compared to before.
People with the same aspirations, it seems I can't say that anymore, right?
"Starting August 11th, can I take a look at your schedule?"
Aki Tomoya took out his notebook and opened the schedule for August.
Noticing his movement, Izumi Hashima subconsciously looked at Aki Tomoya's notebook and then covered her mouth in surprise.
"Is it all booked up?"
Seeing the dense handwriting and time arrangements on it, Izumi Hashima's expression was a little disappointed.
Looking at it this way, Aki Tomoya's time is indeed very busy. It's estimated that he won't have time to attend the Summer CM Doujin Exhibition.
"It's not all booked up. It's just that the first semester is over, and I've changed my tutoring time to six days a week..."
Aki Tomoya scratched his cheek.
He couldn't have known in advance that Izumi Hashima would come to find him after the graduation ceremony, or even invite him to participate in the CM Doujin Exhibition.
But as luck would have it, after fulfilling his promise to his parents, this year's six-day-a-week tutoring fee, plus the installment payments Aki Tomoya owed before, were all paid at once.
His Father didn't say anything, just told him to work hard.
While his Mother kept talking, reminding him that even if it's six days a week, if he's tired, he must never force himself.
"Our son doesn't necessarily have to go to Tokyo University, but if you want to work hard, we will support you!"
That's what his Mother, who helped him pay the subsequent tutoring fees at the Academy, said.
That thick stack of envelopes also gave Aki Tomoya a new understanding of the cost of tutoring in Tokyo.
"Is studying for the exam so hard, Senpai?"
Izumi Hashima replied in surprise. Six days of tutoring per week, there's almost no time to rest, right?
Regarding Aki Tomoya studying for the exam, Hashima Iori had actually revealed a little bit to her.
Although she was mentally prepared before coming, after learning the specific situation from Aki Tomoya himself, she still couldn't hide her surprise.
"Setting my goal for Tokyo University is a bit of self-inflicted hardship, right, hehehe."
Aki Tomoya joked.
There's nothing I can do. I decided to aim for Tokyo University. In the remaining year and a half, it might get busier and busier.
"That's not self-inflicted hardship at all. Just like before, Senpai is always so motivated!"
Izumi Hashima replied seriously.
The atmosphere was still relaxed, but for some reason, it became serious at this moment.
Aki Tomoya's movement of preparing to take out a pen paused for a moment, and he looked sideways at this junior he hadn't seen in a few years.
After not seeing her for a few years, that little girl is showing a trend of developing into an excellent woman.
Regarding this, Aki Tomoya can only pray that Hashima Iori doesn't instill any strange common sense into Izumi Hashima during this process.
"Senpai once told my brother that you wanted to reach the pinnacle of the two-dimensional world, right? Although I don't know why Senpai changed his goal, I'm already very happy that you said you don't dislike the two-dimensional world!"
Izumi Hashima's pretty face was full of seriousness, but from her tone, Aki Tomoya heard a very clear sense of regret.
Saying such words against her true feelings, trying not to trouble others, but Aki Tomoya had already heard the hint.
His junior, Izumi Hashima, should be feeling quite regretful at this moment.
After all, the person who led her into this circle has already retired from being an otaku.
"Being considerate of my feelings as a junior, I feel a little ashamed as a senior. Besides, I haven't even said whether I'm going or not..."
Aki Tomoya shook his head.
It was as if the other party had already considered them people from two different worlds.
However, there was a reason for this thought.
"Eh, do you have time, Senpai?!"
Izumi Hashima widened her eyes in surprise, because in her mind, Aki Tomoya shouldn't have time.
She felt a little surprised and happy in her heart, but she didn't dare to expect too much, because Aki Tomoya hadn't specifically answered whether he would go or not.
"The first day, the second day, the third day?"
Aki Tomoya picked up the "ticket" on the table. It shouldn't really be called a ticket; it should be Izumi Hashima's exhibitor pass.
After looking closely, he immediately knew that this junior would be participating as an exhibiting creator, in simple terms, she was going to sell her doujinshi.
"Is this your first time exhibiting as a doujin creator?"
He then asked.
"...Yes, the second day, in the East Exhibition Hall."
Izumi Hashima replied somewhat shyly.
This time, she wasn't just going to the CM Doujin Exhibition to have fun, but as an exhibiting doujin creator.
"The second day, which is August 12th, I understand."
Aki Tomoya's pen wrote on the schedule in his notebook, making a slight change to his arrangements.
It was her first time exhibiting as a doujin creator, and Izumi Hashima specifically came to invite him. Aki Tomoya felt a little touched inside.
"Izumi, thank you for inviting me. I feel very honored!"
Aki Tomoya put away the gel pen and Izumi Hashima's exhibitor pass in his hand.
"You agreed, Senpai?!"
Izumi Hashima's face first froze, then she was a little surprised, and then happy.
She had thought he wouldn't agree.
But afterwards, she was a little worried: "But can you really manage your time, Senpai?"
Izumi Hashima still clearly remembered the dense schedule in Aki Tomoya's notebook.
"Exam candidates also have time to rest. I'm not a robot. I just slightly rearranged my time. It's fine."
August 12th, which is Saturday, he was supposed to go to the Academy for tutoring that day, and then rest on Sunday.
He arranged to change Sunday to self-study and Saturday to the Summer CM.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
If you guys wanna check it out.