On the day of the Keio University announcement, results could be checked online, but many people from all over Japan still came in person to see the results.
Some were cheering, some were pumping their fists as if victorious.
Others, after failing to find their exam number on the list, let their hands drop powerlessly.
The number of applicants for each faculty was approximately two to three times the number of admitted students.
Admission and failure, two different results, cheers and sighs, surprise and disappointment.
In this Keio University exam, there were more failures.
A student who failed to get in lingered in front of the list, the cheers of others like a heavy hammer.
As the wall of people slightly dispersed, Kasumigaoka Utaha approached and saw the list.
She searched for her exam number on the admission list posted for the Faculty of Literature.
Keio University Faculty of Literature, Kasumigaoka Utaha, written exam passed.
After confirming she had passed, Kasumigaoka Utaha wore a faint smile and then left Keio University.
...
Having passed the written exam for Keio University, only the final interview remained.
The interview was basically not a big issue, essentially just a formality.
Once it was basically confirmed that she was admitted to Keio, Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't check the results for Sophia University anymore.
With the college entrance exams over, Kasumigaoka Utaha could focus more on her writing.
She shared the news of being admitted to Keio when she met with Machida Sonoko on Sunday.
"Congratulations, Kasumi Shiko Teacher!"
Machida Sonoko, the Vice Editor from the editorial department, congratulated her.
Eriri, who was also present, reacted indifferently upon hearing the news. It wasn't something unexpected.
"Congratulations..."
Eriri said casually.
It was already the end of February. After March, Kasumigaoka Utaha would graduate and go to Keio University Faculty of Literature.
Although she changed her preference from Waseda University to Keio midway, the outcome wasn't much of a surprise.
"But I thought Kasumi Shiko Teacher would become an alumna of mine, what a shame..."
Machida Sonoko suddenly muttered in a regretful tone.
If Kasumigaoka Utaha had applied to Waseda University, they would have been alumni, and she could have said she was Kasumigaoka Utaha's Senior.
Although the other party said the reason for changing her preference was mainly because of Hongzaka Akane, Machida Sonoko, standing from the perspective of being a Waseda University graduate, still felt it was a pity.
"Sawamura, your childhood friend, he's recently been quite close to a girl from another school, do you know about it?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't pay attention to Machida Sonoko, but walked over to Eriri and asked quietly.
Eriri didn't think much and replied subconsciously, "Michiru?"
If it was Hyodo Michiru, that would indeed fit the description of a girl from another school.
Last time she hung out with Hyodo Michiru in Tokyo and went to the recording studio to listen to them sing, Eriri and Hyodo Michiru had a decent relationship.
"Not that original childhood friend, it's another one. Even you don't know?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head. Noticing Eriri's increasingly puzzled expression, she knew she had asked the wrong person about this.
As Aki Tomoya's childhood friend, Eriri didn't know that there was another girl around him who was applying to Keio.
"Who are you talking about?"
"Nothing... Is Aki applying to Keio?"
Since Eriri didn't know, Kasumiga Utaha didn't plan to ask further and asked another question.
Upon hearing this, Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with some surprise, then replied with a suppressed laugh, "Are you that concerned?"
"Just worried about seeing an annoying guy at school in the future."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's answer made Eriri sigh inwardly.
"Ah, about that, Kasumigaoka, Keio Faculty of Medicine is Aki Tomoya's third choice. That guy really wants to go to Tokyo University. If you want to continue being in the same school as him, how about retaking the exam this year and aiming for Liberal Arts III?"
Eriri teased.
In her opinion, Aki Tomoya would likely not go to Keio even if he got in next year.
Keio Faculty of Medicine was his third choice. Before that, there was Juntendo, a better medical University than Keio.
Considering Aki Tomoya's family's financial situation, he would definitely try his best to get into a National University Corporation. The cost of private medical Universities and faculties of medicine was not something an average family could afford.
So, if Kasumigaoka Utaha thought she would see Aki Tomoya at Keio again, she was likely to be disappointed.
"I really hope that's the result!"
"So you're going to retake the exam and aim for Tokyo University Liberal Arts I?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Why would I have to aim for Tokyo University? Keio Faculty of Literature is enough!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha pouted. She wasn't crazy enough to retake the exam for another year just to get into Tokyo University.
Her first choice had been achieved. Keio University Faculty of Literature was already sufficient!
Kasumigaoka Utaha would never consider the option of repeating a year.
"Then let's not talk about this topic, let's talk about our collaboration!"
Eriri changed the subject, showing a little bit of momentum at this moment.
She still remembered what Aki Tomoya had told her: when collaborating with Kasumigaoka Utaha, it was best to get the right to speak that she deserved. She wasn't working for Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"What do you say, do you have any suggestions?"
"It's not really a suggestion, I just ask Kasumi Shiko to show me some respect."
"I respect you very much, Kashiwagi Eri-sensei."
Kasumigaoka Utaha had a look of surprise, not understanding why Eriri would say such a thing.
Machida Sonoko behind her twitched the corner of her eye, already sensing a hint of trouble at this moment.
"If you respect me, please don't arbitrarily ignore or take away the right to speak that I deserve. I won't nitpick your story, but I hope you can listen to some suggestions. Also, please remember, I am Kashiwagi Eri, not an artist working for you!"
Eriri finished speaking with considerable momentum, and then felt proud inside.
She had memorized the words Aki Tomoya taught her, not missing a single one.
Having been unilaterally suppressed by Kasumigaoka Utaha's assertiveness for so long, Eriri also had a lot of dissatisfaction in her heart. She was Kashiwagi Eri, not an unknown artist working for Undead River Publishing House or a certain author.
If Aki Tomoya hadn't reminded her, Eriri would have almost forgotten how influential she was in the industry.
"Kashiwagi Eri-sensei, please calm down, we can talk it over!"
Machida Sonoko hurried over anxiously. If Eriri fell out with her, she would also be partly to blame.
How did Machida Sonoko withstand the pressure back then?
On one hand, she vouched for Kasumigaoka Utaha's ability, and on the other hand, it was because Kashiwagi Eri would serve as the artist.
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri expressionlessly, maintaining eye contact with her for a long time.
The atmosphere was somewhat frozen. Just as Machida Sonoko was troubled by being caught in the middle, Kasumigaoka Utaha finally spoke.
"I understand. If Kashiwagi Eri has any dissatisfaction, I can apologize. If you have any opinions on the future collaboration, please feel free to voice them."
After careful consideration, Kasumigaoka Utaha replied.
Hearing Kasumigaoka Utaha's reply, Eriri felt relieved. The joy in her eyes was undeniable. She replied triumphantly, with her hands on her hips, "Then, next, we can discuss the continuation of the work together with Machida-san!"
After Kasumigaoka Utaha took back the right to speak, Eriri felt like she was soaring.
"That is true, however..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded, but a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
Eriri, still feeling smug, didn't notice the change in Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression. Instead, she looked at her doubtfully: "However, what?"
"Nothing."
Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head, not voicing her true thoughts.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was surprised that Eriri was so assertive today.
On the other side, Machida Sonoko also breathed a sigh of relief. Either side was related to half of her life.
Eriri didn't think much of it, just muttered to herself that after taking back the right to speak, the next step would be just as Aki Tomoya had said: say what Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to hear, and then raise the issues later.
"It's simply perfect, nice!"
Eriri sighed with joy in her heart.
Now, there shouldn't be any problems with either the work or the collaborator, right?
However, at this very moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha had already seen through Eriri.
"Becoming so easily smug and complacent, those words from before were indeed taught by someone else, weren't they!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha muttered to herself, but she saw through it without exposing it. Since Eriri wanted the right to speak, she would just give it to her.
Because, just as the words she learned from the other party said, the one collaborating with her was Kashiwagi Eri, not some unknown second or third-rate artist.
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