I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Page 169

"……good afternoon."

The reason why Kasumigaoka Utaha is here is because of Eriri's sympathy. Seeing that Utaha doesn't have many friends and didn't visit her during summer vacation, Eriri, as her partner, couldn't bear to leave her and could only kindly take care of her.

When Aki Tomoya mentioned this, he didn't refuse, but just sighed, "In this day and age, does Kasumigaoka Utaha really need Eriri to take care of her?"

So miserable...

In fact, during the summer vacation, Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't find any friends to hang out with. The female friends who were polite to her during the university years didn't think of her at all during the summer vacation, but instead posted photos of themselves hanging out with friends on Instagram.

If it weren't for Eriri's kind intention to take care of her, Kasumigaoka Utaha would probably have been silently typing away alone in a dimly lit room during summer vacation.

Machida Sonoko would probably be very happy to see this kind of ending, and she could even stay with her and watch her write.

But what she wants is normal interpersonal interaction!

A seemingly perfect life actually has quite a few flaws!

"This is a humiliating disgrace! I'll get my revenge on Eriri one day!"

Standing next to Eriri, Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't know whether she felt more moved or resentful.

Both are homebodies, but Eriri lives a better life than her.

However, Yoshihiko Uego and Megumi Kato were still somewhat surprised by her arrival.

The upperclassman at Toyonosaki Academy seems to have a good relationship with Eriri. Considering the rumors from their previous school days, it doesn't seem like there's anything to it.

Kasumigaoka Utaha had no idea what her two juniors were thinking, but she still tried her best to maintain her previous image.

At that moment, Eriri leaned close to Aki Tomoya's ear and whispered, "This guy seems to have some social anxiety disorder now..."

Aki Tomoya was startled, then looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha in surprise.

The latter frowned, not understanding why the other person was suddenly looking at her like that, and even less aware that Eriri had given her a social anxiety disorder that didn't even exist.

If she knew what Eriri said, she would definitely retort immediately that she doesn't have social anxiety disorder, but rather that she can't find compatible people.

Being both a homebody and a light novel author, it's a bit difficult for her to find friends who are capable of talking to her and who share similar abilities with Eriri. She also has to consider the compatibility of their personalities.

"I believe you when you say she can't find friends she can confide in, but social anxiety disorder is a bit of a stretch..."

"Almost, almost!"

That's almost a long way off.

Aki Tomoya twitched the corner of his mouth.

Chapter 200: Kasumigaoka Becomes Increasingly a Homebody (1/?)

Aki Tomo also greatly admires Kasumigaoka Utaha, her senior.

Having achieved success at a young age, according to his friend Iori Hashima, with Eri Kashiwagi's support, after the huge success of his second work, if he can maintain his momentum, his days of being at the peak of his career in the light novel industry are not far off.

However, in reality, Kasumigaoka Utaha's life is not so happy.

She's a homebody now, much better than before, but she hasn't really made any good friends in college.

In her own words, the only common topics in university were about studying and traditional and popular literature.

There are also other topics, things beyond what Kasumigaoka Utaha is interested in.

Those things can be called topics between "normative people" and "normative people," which otaku can't participate in.

With the casual attitude she had in high school, she couldn't get first place at Keio University again. But for some reason, most people still kept their distance from her, just like the people around her in high school, as if they thought she was hard to approach.

I was polite on the surface, but I secretly felt that she was hard to approach.

Kasumigaoka Utaha isn't the kind of person who can't read the room.

How to describe the atmosphere in the Literature Club? There are people you can talk to, but it's a bit difficult to get to know them intimately because our areas of expertise are slightly different, and the biggest problem is that we don't really have any common topics to discuss.

"Aki-kun, what kind of people did you meet at the University of Tokyo?"

"Hmm... a family of doctors, someone who owns a hospital, or like me, but one thing is for sure, we'll all be in the same circle in the future."

"So, it seems I should also try to make friends within this circle?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha thought about it and realized that perhaps the goal was set wrong from the beginning.

I can't find friends in college, but it's different in my social circle. At least I'm still popular now.

I still have a prestigious degree from Keio University, so I can try to secure more resources.

However, it seems that these things are being done, and resources are available, but the connections have been completely handed over to Machida Sonoko.

Thinking of this, Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but shudder. That deputy editor-in-chief had done quite a lot of things in the short time he had been working.

"Even if we all become doctors in the future, we will still be divided into many small groups. For example, the top student in the third science class is already trying to win people over. No matter where you are, sticking together is always beneficial."

Aki Tomo didn't say much about the situation at Dongdali No. 3.

But with Kasumigaoka Utaha's decent imagination, one should still be able to imagine that, before reaching the final threshold of society, or rather, in the reserve force leading to the neon white tower, the people there have never had a moment's rest.

The competitive pressure there is definitely much greater than that in Keio University's Faculty of Letters.

It's alright. The situation isn't too different at Keio University's Faculty of Medicine.

"I really admire your ability to stand firm there."

Kasumigaoka Utaha said sincerely, and her praise made Aki Tomoya somewhat apprehensive.

He couldn't help but reply, "You're at Keio University, um... it's alright, isn't it?"

Remembering what Eriri said before, I guess this upperclassman was probably a loner in college too, just like she was in high school.

Whether it's that he can't find people with similar interests, or that they don't meet his standards, Aki Tomoya leans towards the former.

Logically speaking, this senior student seems to have everything she needs.

Fame?

It exists in the light novel industry.

money?

They must have earned a lot.

People?

Given her current popularity, she'd be sought after even if she didn't want to, and Machida Sonoko would help her.

Within the fandom, Kasumigaoka Utaha is probably the kind of author who lives a very carefree life.

"It's not good at all, it's about the same as high school. My only real friend is Eriri, isn't that terrible?"

"...Should I say you're still arrogant, or that your taste has become more discerning because of Eriri?"

If that's what she said, then the reality is probably pretty much the same.

The only close friends I can truly confide in are Eriri and Machida Sonoko. It's not so bad, really. You're lucky if you can meet one or two true friends in your lifetime.

However, judging from her appearance, she seems to lack some normal interpersonal skills.

Although he's not as assertive as before, his standards remain the same. It's probably because of his inner pride; if he wants to make friends, he wants to make friends with people of similar stature.

But at her age, whether it's luck or ability, there are few in the industry who can compete with her.

"Number one in Keio as well?"

"Just among the top."

"...I think I understand."

If Aki Tomoya continued to ask, he was sure that the person next to him would say that since they were not in the same circle and did not have common topics, it was impossible for them to have a conversation.

This person is becoming more and more of a homebody...

Moreover, at Keio University, one can easily achieve top fame and fortune with minimal study...

Aki Tomoya glanced at Kudo Sayaka in front of him. Sure enough, most people would feel more pressured interacting with this upperclassman next to them.

Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka Utaha and Aki Tomoya's Suzuya, whom they met at the University of Tokyo, are also different.

The latter will actively try to win over others, while the former will casually try to find someone compatible.

Simply put, Kasumigaoka Utaha's criteria for making friends are a bit strict. If there are three criteria, half of the people in Keio University's Faculty of Letters meet the first two, but not the last one.

And the last one might be, "I'm sorry, you're not a homebody."

This person is quite accepting of their homebody identity and would prefer to meet people with similar aspirations.

"I hope you can find friends like Eriri in your circle."

All Aki Tomoya could do was pray for her like this.

While both are homebodies, Kasumigaoka Utaha is actually quite different from Eriri.

You should know that Eriri has always lived in the upper world.

……

If everyone goes to karaoke together, Sayaka Kudo is definitely the one who livens up the atmosphere; she can even get Megumi Kato to sing along.

"I want you, I need you!"

It's not surprising that Megumi Kato sings AKB48 singles.