As soon as summer arrived, there were many topics.
Beach and pool fan service episodes.
Doujin Exhibition, Summer Festival, Fireworks Display.
Before the closing ceremony last year, Izumi Hashima had invited Aki Tomoya to participate in the Doujin Exhibition, which was one of the very few times he went out to have fun last summer.
However, Izumi Hashima probably wouldn't invite him again this year.
Although it was regrettable, this summer was indeed very important for Aki Tomoya.
As in previous years, Eriri's Mother would help her manage the booth, but Eriri didn't plan to visit the Doujin Exhibition this year.
Firstly, she had something to do, and secondly, she felt there wasn't much fun to be had.
Last year, bundled up in the exhibition hall, Eriri was almost steamed alive.
Whenever they thought of how she looked back then, both Eriri and Aki Tomoya wanted to laugh.
However, what remained vividly in Eriri's memory were the events after the Doujin Exhibition ended.
Recalling the taste back then, which was still a bit unripe and slightly bitter, but now, a year later, Eriri was very grateful that Aki Tomoya had invited her to attend Izumi Hashima's first exhibition together that day.
If it hadn't been for that day, they wouldn't know when they would have been able to clarify things.
In Eriri's view, the biggest change over the past year wasn't transitioning from a doujin artist to someone who could start dabbling in light novels, game original art, and the like.
It was the normalization of her relationship with Aki Tomoya.
Thinking about it carefully, from after elementary school until the period in her second year of high school, it was purely a performance of "Infernal Affairs," extremely awkward.
"Kashiwagi Eri-sensei, your mental journey is truly fascinating. No wonder I always felt your skill had increased significantly since last year. So it's because of a man, hahahaha!"
In a private room at a high-class Japanese restaurant, Hongzaka Akane kept laughing while holding a wine glass.
After hearing a certain story from Eriri, a glint flashed in Hongzaka Akane's eyes.
"Speaking of which, weren't we discussing business? Why did it suddenly turn into storytelling?"
Eriri muttered with some dissatisfaction.
Without realizing it, she was tricked into revealing information by Hongzaka Akane opposite her.
And Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was beside her, said irritably, "Weren't you speaking with great relish when you were telling the story?"
The two looked at each other, their expressions slightly nuanced.
Looking at the two of them, Hongzaka Akane chuckled inwardly.
"Kashiwagi Eri-sensei, are you really not coming to my circle? I will make sure all your potential is unleashed!"
Hongzaka Akane still didn't forget to win over Eriri; she greatly desired Eriri's abilities.
Hashima Iori's younger sister, Izumi Hashima, wasn't quite ready yet, and as for Eriri now, how should one put it? She felt like she had broken free from shackles, and the things she drew were even more dazzling than before.
Without a knot in her heart, Eriri was much stronger than before.
"Thank you for your kindness, but next year I'll be entering Tokyo University of the Arts, and there will be better teachers to guide me."
Eriri politely refused.
Even though she was still active in the industry, the mentality of wanting to achieve something in the industry or "get revenge" on certain people was gone.
Simply doing this as something she loved felt quite relaxing.
Hongzaka Akane could indeed provide her with considerable help in the industry, Eriri admitted this point.
However, Eriri still didn't have a good impression of her. Even though they were currently collaborating with Hongzaka Akane's circle, it was limited to just collaboration.
For the work itself, collaborating with Hongzaka Akane had many benefits.
For herself, Eriri now saw that she had many better options.
Staying in Tokyo, entering Tokyo University of the Arts was easy with her ability, and with her talent, many people were willing to guide her, and this was without considering her background.
"A National University? That indeed fits your status, no, I misspoke, your *ability*!"
Hongzaka Akane's words sounded a bit harsh to Eriri.
She always felt the other party was bringing up her family background.
From Hongzaka Akane, Eriri could tell that this woman's family background wasn't bad either. Should this be called the mutual appreciation of fellow rich young ladies?
"Then, Xia Shizi Teacher?"
"I need it even less."
When it came to Kasumigaoka Utaha, she refused directly without even thinking.
Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't deny Hongzaka Akane's capabilities, but becoming a scriptwriter in the other party's circle? Absolutely not!
Not getting along with Hongzaka Akane was one point, but the key was that Eriri wasn't going either, so why would she go?
If she had to blame someone, she'd blame Eriri. Collaborating with Eriri had both pros and cons, but Kasumigaoka Utaha was also very clear now how much traffic the name Kashiwagi Eri had brought her.
Acknowledging Eriri's ability, after collaborating with her once, it would be very difficult if she switched to an artist a tier lower.
To put it simply and directly, her appetite had been spoiled a bit, and there weren't many benefits left.
Compared to Hongzaka Akane, Kasumigaoka Utaha trusted and liked Machida Sonoko more.
Hongzaka Akane, rejected by the two again, looked bored.
It was rare for her to invite them repeatedly, yet these two didn't give her any face at all.
However, although she couldn't take these two into her fold for now, she didn't fail to get everything she wanted.
"Though I didn't get what I wanted most, I still secured some good things."
After Hongzaka Akane thought this, she didn't feel so conflicted anymore.
When the two left, the person who saw them off was Hashima Iori.
"Two teachers, I hope there will be opportunities for collaboration in the future."
"No thanks!"
Their answer was in unison. Neither Eriri nor Kasumigaoka Utaha showed any courtesy to Hongzaka Akane's number one subordinate.
"You two are truly heartless..."
Hashima Iori had already prepared himself for this.
However, he wasn't discouraged; there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
Furthermore, he wouldn't always be the manager of "rouge.en.rouge". There might not be opportunities within Hongzaka Akane's circle, but that didn't mean there wouldn't be opportunities for collaboration in other circles later.
Hashima Iori's ambition in his heart had only been revealed in front of Aki Tomoya so far. As for whether Hongzaka Akane had noticed, that remained unknown.
...
On the last day of June, on the eve of summer vacation, Aomine Cram School was filled with a heavy atmosphere.
Aside from Harumi Junko and Furuhashi Fumino, who planned to meet Reiji Furuhashi again at Ichinose Academy, everyone else from the cram school was present.
"Were you poached?"
Kudo Sayaka looked at Aki Tomoya with a somewhat nervous gaze.
Smelling the heavy air, Aki Tomoya turned to look at Kudo Sayaka and chuckled, "Have you all been poached by other Academies?"
Before coming to the cram school today, Aki Tomoya had received an invitation from a famous cram school in Tokyo, claiming that if he went there, there was a special training class that led directly to Tokyo University.
It sounded good, but Aki Tomoya didn't agree. A special training class is a special training class. No matter how good it sounds, how many people can actually get into Tokyo University every year?
However, the fact that other Academies were trying to poach him was something Aki Tomoya hadn't expected.
And looking at the atmosphere in the cram school now, it seemed that most people had encountered this situation.
Competition and suppression between Academies, he didn't expect their small cram school to face this...
"You are not allowed to betray us!"
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