Aiming for Tokyo University for Eriri?
That's hilarious!
When they entered high school, no one knew about their past. At that time, if Eriri had pretended to sympathize with him, the otaku, and said a word to him, perhaps Aki Tomoya could still have such fantasies now.
But he truly decided to aim for Tokyo University for himself after the spring break before the start of the previous semester!
Making a name for oneself can be said to be the goal of most people, and this is the most realistic goal. After careful consideration, for a high school student who wants to make a name for himself in Japan, the most direct shortcut is to study hard and get into a prestigious school.
Making games?
Making a ghost game, maybe playing games is okay!
It's about studying. Getting into University is straightforward, but getting into University in Japan always involves Academies, especially in Tokyo, where the expenses are a bit high.
Actually, Aki Tomoya still wanted to take Eriri's feelings into consideration, but what was the point of saying something against his true feelings?
It was better to tell Eriri his real thoughts.
Whether the other party could understand was one thing; at least he had spoken his true feelings completely.
"..."
Silence!
Eriri's face was terribly silent, her eyes trembling, like the shimmering surface of water under the night lights.
In her flickering eyes, Aki Tomoya saw her unwillingness about all of this.
It's right to be unwilling; he himself had been unwilling before.
"So, being friends with you should be simpler."
Aki Tomoya immediately added.
Not to mention being childhood friends, being able to maintain a friendship is already quite rare.
He didn't dare to hope for anything else, nor did he dare to hope for more, or even want to.
Eriri looked at Aki Tomoya somewhat dejectedly, then suddenly forced a smile: "As expected, I did it the wrong way. I'm sorry, Aki Tomoya."
The three words "I'm sorry" deeply moved Aki Tomoya. He had waited a long time and finally heard these three words from her mouth.
"I'm also sorry, Eriri, for causing you to be isolated. It's half and half."
It wasn't just Eriri who had to say these three words; Aki Tomoya also had to say them.
Because of their shared hobbies and everyone's prejudice, Eriri was isolated, and Aki Tomoya was left alone. That moment of being powerless was probably the most memorable one for both of them.
The regrets caused by various factors kept accumulating in their hearts. Now that they were laid bare, who knows if they have truly let go?
However, what Eriri wanted to say at this moment was: "Aki Tomoya, I think I'm heartbroken…"
Her words made Aki Tomoya bite his lip.
If you put it that way, Eriri was also Aki Tomoya's first love.
"I just got heartbroken too! You absolutely must not become more pathetic than me."
Aki Tomoya replied in an exaggerated tone.
"Don't make me laugh! Idiot!"
Eriri replied weakly. At this moment, she couldn't laugh at all.
But, perhaps this was the most relaxed conversation they had since elementary school.
And the one where their feelings were closest.
On the day they, as childhood friends, visited the CM Doujin Exhibition together, they got heartbroken together.
They looked at each other in silence. Finally, Aki Tomoya broke the silence and offered to walk her home.
After safely delivering Eriri to Sawamura Sayuri, the sky had completely darkened.
"I'll be taking my leave now."
Aki Tomoya bowed slightly to Sawamura Sayuri.
"It's already so late, why don't you stay overnight?"
Sawamura Sayuri said politely, subtly observing the expressions on Aki Tomoya's and her daughter's faces.
Before Aki Tomoya could respond, Eriri said irritably, "Mom, that's very troubling!"
How could she even suggest such a thing? Today was already embarrassing enough for Eriri.
Aki Tomoya also replied at this moment, "I appreciate your kind offer, but I won't trouble you. Please excuse me."
Leaving behind his farewell, Aki Tomoya left without any delay.
Sawamura Sayuri originally wanted to say that even if he wasn't staying overnight, she could have someone escort him, but Aki Tomoya didn't give her any chance for that either.
Closing the door and turning back to look at Eriri's dejected appearance, Sawamura Sayuri seemed to understand something. At this moment, she approached Eriri, cupped her face, and said, "You'll become ugly like this! Smile a little!"
"I don't want to smile. I feel like if I smile, I'll cry…"
Eriri puffed out her cheeks, her face slightly flushed.
Looking at her like this, Sawamura Sayuri, who had already seen the signs, wore a thoughtful expression.
After a while, she cautiously asked, "Heartbroken?"
Eriri didn't answer, but by looking at her expression, Sawamura Sayuri could already tell the answer.
As her Mother, Sawamura Sayuri wanted to say at this moment that Eriri was already strong enough for not crying in front of others.
But now, she wanted to hug Eriri even more.
Sawamura Sayuri hugged Eriri and asked about what happened today.
Under her Mother's care, she didn't hide anything, but told Sawamura Sayuri about what happened before they came back in a weak tone.
Telling her Mother about those things also slightly lightened some of Eriri's burden.
"Being heartbroken also means a new beginning. Eriri didn't lose to anyone!"
Saying this to Eriri, Sawamura Sayuri felt a bit uneasy about Aki Tomoya in her heart.
It was perfectly fine for her to complain a bit in her mind when her precious daughter was heartbroken.
"Losing to yourself is also quite painful…"
Eriri sighed in Sawamura Sayuri's arms.
Not losing to others, but losing to herself. There was nothing much to say, but she was very unwilling.
Especially after realizing she had only been running away recently, and now truly facing everything, while experiencing the taste of it, Eriri also remembered the collaboration with Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Perhaps that was the happiest thing recently, the matter of being able to collaborate with an admired light novel author.
"Oh right, the Fireworks Display is coming soon. Think about something happy, the Fireworks Display!"
Sawamura Sayuri also tried to divert Eriri's attention at this moment. Not thinking about sad things would make her feel much better.
However, it would have been better if she hadn't mentioned the Fireworks Display. As soon as she mentioned it, Eriri thought of the gathering that would surely happen at home that day, and how she would have to put on a mask again.
"I'm tired, I'm going back to my room first."
Although she hated the arrival of that day, Eriri also understood that it was something that had to be done.
Looking at the still strong Eriri, Sawamura Sayuri's eyes were filled with worry.
What she would be like when she was alone was something only Eriri herself knew.
-------------------------
🚀 Want to read the latest chapters early and get exclusive content?
Support me on Patreon to unlock advanced chapters and join me on this creative journey!
👉 [patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ]