The CM Doujin Exhibition is three days long. Although Aki Tomoya only went for one day, thanks to his junior Izumi Hashima, he was able to relax well.
Coupled with what happened later, Aki Tomoya will probably remember August 12th for his entire life.
He arrived at the Academy early as usual on Monday. On this day, Aki Tomoya was surprised to find that there was actually a student who arrived earlier than him.
"Good morning, Kudo. You're really early!"
After greeting Mr. Tsubota and Harumi Junko, Aki Tomoya came to his seat and greeted Kudo Sayaka next to him, while also adding a remark of surprise.
Kudo Sayaka looked over with narrowed eyes, as if she hadn't slept well: "Aki, can you not use polite language? We're the same age."
When speaking to peers, Kudo Sayaka didn't seem to like using polite language much.
"As long as you're happy, Kudo."
Aki Tomoya nodded. It was fine without honorifics; it saved some troublesome formalities.
"Good, that sounds much more comfortable."
Kudo Sayaka's face broke into a satisfied smile. Hearing Aki Tomoya speak casually made her feel much more at ease instantly.
So many formalities between people of the same age, it's too troublesome!
"You've been working really hard lately. Either I'm the first one here, or you are. Are you really fired up about getting into Keio?"
Aki Tomoya asked with interest.
After the summer vacation started, Kudo Sayaka came earlier each time on those three days a week.
It was clear that her interest in studying was constantly increasing.
However, early this morning, Aki Tomoya also noticed on her face that she seemed somewhat displeased about something.
"Come closer for a moment…"
Kudo Sayaka leaned on her desk and beckoned to Aki Tomoya, signaling him to come closer, as if she wanted to tell Aki Tomoya a secret.
This behavior made Aki Tomoya very curious. Could it be that there was another reason for her coming to the Academy so early?
Only after Aki Tomoya leaned down and came closer did Kudo Sayaka whisper, "I told Tsubota-sensei and the others that I've been making great progress lately, but actually, I came out early just to avoid listening to a certain stinky old man's nagging!"
Aki Tomoya nodded after hearing her explanation.
However, leaving home early and coming directly to the Academy instead of going anywhere else was quite proactive of her.
Just as Aki Tomoya was chuckling, Kudo Sayaka next to him suddenly started complaining again, "He keeps telling me to give up on Keio. Even if he didn't say it, I know it's impossible, it's so annoying, that stinky old man…"
Rather than complaining to Aki Tomoya, Kudo Sayaka seemed more like she was talking to herself at the moment.
"Mom is the one paying for the cram school, but he only cares about that Ryota guy and keeps telling Mom what to do, it's infuriating!"
She mumbled like this, repeatedly tapping the pen cap in her hand on the desk, as if treating it as someone's face, to show her protest.
From her words, Aki Tomoya roughly understood the situation.
Not everyone in Kudo Sayaka's family supported her taking the University entrance exam, especially for Keio University.
Her Mother paid for the cram school fees, and her terrifying old man probably didn't have any expectations for her at all, let alone support her.
"Every family has its own troubles."
Aki Tomoya sighed.
Her Mother, who sent Kudo Sayaka here to study after she was suspended, at least hadn't given up on her. This was one of Kudo Sayaka's sources of motivation at the moment, and also why she came to the Academy early.
"So I really admire you. You actually paid for the Academy yourself in the first semester!"
Kudo Sayaka turned her head and looked at Aki Tomoya with admiration.
In terms of paying for the Academy himself, the boy next door's determination was several times higher than hers.
It's precisely because he had such determination that he chose Tokyo University, which is even more impossible than Keio, right?
To be honest, besides admiration, Kudo Sayaka also felt a lot of envy.
"It was just the first semester's fees. The subsequent fees were paid by my family."
Aki Tomoya replied somewhat awkwardly.
Although he did pay for the three classes a week in the first semester himself, it was still quite a bit of money, paid in installments.
Later, he didn't have time to resell the treasures from his home. It was thanks to his parents who came a few days before the closing ceremony to pay off all the installments and then paid the cram school fees for the second half of the year.
"When school started in April and I suddenly said I wanted to take the Tokyo University entrance exam, they were also surprised and thought I was joking. Everyone around me looked at me with doubtful eyes. It probably got better around the midterms. I also made an agreement with my parents that if they saw results at the end of the semester, they would support me."
Aki Tomoya said softly from the side.
He went through the same thing. For someone who didn't study much, let alone aiming for Tokyo University, even just suddenly saying they wanted to get into a prestigious school would definitely make people around them feel strange.
Aki Tomoya didn't do much else; he probably just let his actions speak for themselves.
Kudo Sayaka's situation might be slightly different from his, but he could very well understand Kudo Sayaka's feelings at the moment.
"Especially before my second year of high school, I was just an average-scoring otaku."
Aki Tomoya said, touching his nose.
Kudo Sayaka, who was listening with great interest, chuckled in surprise after learning that Aki Tomoya used to be an otaku. Unable to hide her inner astonishment, she said, "You're kidding, right? Someone like you is an otaku?"
Because the contrast was too great, Kudo Sayaka, unable to accept reality for a moment, could only let out continuous surprised laughter.
"Yes, I was an otaku, and a well-known blogger too. I even had quite a few followers. Even though I've left the otaku life now, they say I've become a shameless 'normie', but I don't dislike the two-dimensional world."
Aki Tomoya said self-mockingly.
Classes at the Academy hadn't started yet, so Aki Tomoya was happy to have some free time at this hour.
"No, no, no, don't say it, I don't want to hear it, I can't help it, I really can't help it, okay? Please don't ruin my impression of Aki-kun, the contrast is too big!"
Kudo Sayaka covered her ears, the playful smile on her face was quite cute.
Although her impression was shattered, because of Aki Tomoya's honesty, Kudo Sayaka's resentment towards her family dissipated quite a bit.
No matter what, at least she should make it worth the money her Mother paid for her to be here.
"But honestly, your chances of getting into Tokyo University should be higher than my chances of getting into Keio!"
Kudo Sayaka said sincerely.
Meanwhile, Aki Tomoya next to her was somewhat puzzled, "Are you sure you didn't get that backward?"
"Who knows?"
Kudo Sayaka smiled.
"Don't worry, both of you. Tsubota-sensei and I will definitely get Aki-kun into Tokyo University and Kudo-kun into Keio!"
Harumi Junko had walked up behind the two of them at some point and said with full vigor, raising her fist.
She spoke with such confidence, it made it hard for anyone to discourage her.
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