In Third Year Class A, more than half of the students were planning to go to University, which made the study atmosphere in the class much better than last year.
The second week after school started was the career path survey, and the first person to be interviewed was Aki Tomoya.
Aki Tomoya was quite familiar with Hasumi Kanoko, after all, in his first year of enrollment, he borrowed the multimedia room from her to watch anime.
Time had passed, and now Aki Tomoya was studying properly, while Hasumi Kanoko was still a popular Teacher.
Communicating with Hasumi Kanoko was much easier.
Although his three chosen Universities made Hasumi Kanoko break out in a sweat, she couldn't bring herself to say anything discouraging to Aki Tomoya.
Aki Tomoya's career path survey didn't take long.
"As expected, Kanoko is easy to talk to. Seeing you come back so quickly, I'm relieved!"
Kamigō Yoshihiko saw Aki Tomoya return so quickly and seemed to already foresee that when it was his turn for the interview, he would also be let off easily.
For interviews, it's either talking to students individually or inviting parents for a three-way discussion.
"Don't worry, with Yoshihiko's low University requirements, Hasumi-sensei should have confidence in you."
"Casually saying such hurtful things, it's really you, Aki."
Kamigō Yoshihiko returned to his seat resiliently.
He had nothing to refute and could only silently pick up his reference books and study hard.
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully a young man for being poor!"
A voice, as if a narration, entered Kamigō Yoshihiko's body.
"What are you narrating for him on your own?"
Eriri, who was sitting in front, retorted.
The narration Aki Tomoya provided for Kamigō Yoshihiko just now almost made her laugh.
"Oh, by the way, the next person for the career path survey, according to Hasumi-sensei, is you."
Hearing Eriri's retort, Aki Tomoya took the opportunity to relay Hasumi Kanoko's words to Eriri.
Eriri also planned to go to University, and arguably, besides Aki Tomoya, she chose the most ambitious and lofty University.
Without any surprises, if Eriri didn't consider changing her plans, she would enter Tokyo University of the Arts, a National University, next year.
"Even someone who isn't good at studying can go to a top National University, huh."
Aki Tomoya teased.
In the entire Toyosaki Academy, the only person who could consider a National University like Tokyo University of the Arts was Eriri.
"You're the same. Choosing a National University as your first choice is one thing, but it's Todai Faculty of Science III. I can easily get recommendations with the awards I've won these past few years. You need to be careful."
Eriri replied, not to be outdone.
While the two were chatting during the break, the gazes of the other people in the class had all turned towards them when they weren't paying attention.
Speaking of which, everyone at school knew that Aki Tomoya and Eriri's relationship was unusual, but neither Aki Tomoya nor Eriri had revealed the specific nature of their relationship.
As classmates, seeing the two major celebrities who had almost no interaction in the first two years of school now chatting so familiarly made people even more curious about their relationship.
"Speaking of which, last year Kasumigaoka-senpai got into Keio, setting a new high for our school. This year, Aki-kun and Eririi Spencer Sawamura are going to surpass that, both planning to go to National University!"
Kato Megumi, to Eriri's right, turned and exclaimed in surprise.
In the past two years, Toyosaki Academy has also produced a wealth of talent, truly a chosen school!
"Two Tokyo Universities, one Tokyo University, one Tokyo University of the Arts, that's impressive."
Kato Megumi's praise was as calm as usual, yet it was a statement of fact that left no room for retort.
Hearing her say that, if things go well, in the first half of next year, Toyosaki Academy will flourish in both arts and academics!
"After all, only my drawing is presentable..."
Eriri sighed, resting her head on the desk.
She couldn't present anything else, and besides, she had some ambition, so going to Tokyo University of the Arts was barely acceptable.
For a moment, the air in the classroom suddenly became quiet.
"Eririi Spencer Sawamura and Aki-kun are the same; they casually say things that hurt others. It really makes me curious about your relationship."
It was also because of Aki Tomoya's relationship that in the first week of school, Kato Megumi and Eriri had become more familiar than average. Otherwise, she would never have said something like this to Eriri's face at this time.
Eriri subconsciously turned to look at Kato Megumi and realized that the other person's eyes, as she gazed at her, were so dark and deep that she felt a chill down her spine for a moment.
"Did I say something hurtful?"
Eriri scratched her hair and asked somewhat awkwardly.
"Yes."
Aki Tomoya, behind her, replied mercilessly.
Unconsciously saying such enviable things can be very hurtful.
Eriri gave an embarrassed dry laugh.
"Then it must be Aki who led me astray!"
Her skill at shifting blame was also first-rate.
"Then I really envy your relationship."
Kato Megumi's tone was still flat.
At this moment, Eriri laughed foolishly and said, "We're just ordinary childhood friends."
In an instant, not only Kato Megumi but everyone in the class who was paying attention here wanted to retort.
What childhood friends? In the final year of high school, they finally realized how well these two had been hiding it!
Gossip is always human nature, and at this moment, everyone in the class was freely using their imagination.
However, the two people involved didn't care about this, because they were just ordinary childhood friends, there was nothing to say.
"Aki-kun, are we still studying together this Sunday?"
Kato Megumi took the initiative to change the topic.
"Yes, let's meet at the usual place."
Aki Tomoya nodded.
When they were both free, along with Kamigō Yoshihiko, or sometimes people from the cram school, they would go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Library to study together on Sundays.
"You're all quite busy on Sundays."
Eriri said with a rare, world-weary tone.
She was similar; on Sundays, she still had to worry about various matters regarding the work with that Senior who was currently a first-year student in the Keio University Faculty of Letters.
For example, this Sunday, she had to go to Undead River for an interview.
After being a doujin artist for so long, she hadn't been interviewed yet!
After thinking about this, Eriri could only pray that the person coming for the interview that day wouldn't ask about doujins.
As an artist who had gone mainstream, and a girl at that, topics like doujins should just stop!
After school started, some people were busy with their studies, while others worried about their careers.
"I really want to just lie on the sofa and do nothing..."
Eriri muttered, narrowing her eyes.
Daily rushing manuscripts, daily being urged for manuscripts, life was so fulfilling.
The days of starting work just one week before the doujin convention were gone forever.
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