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Page 159
Just like now, facing Kasumigaoka Utaha on a relatively equal footing, Aki Tomoya prefers the way things are now.
"You're afraid to give anyone a guarantee?"
"So it was this love-struck mind that made me choose that way to avoid any misunderstandings. I didn't apply to the University of Tokyo for anyone else, it was for myself, or you could say it was to repay my family."
What kind of nonsense is it to make any promises to Kasumigaoka Utaha if you don't have the confidence to back it up? Aki Tomoya really hates this kind of love-obsessed thinking. At the same time, it's precisely because he knows that Kasumigaoka Utaha is somewhat love-obsessed that he leaves no room for compromise.
There must be some hidden difficulties or secrets.
If I had to pinpoint any hidden reasons or difficulties, it would be that his love-struck mindset is what he truly dislikes.
If you're going to refuse, just say so. Considering this female writer of youth romance novels has an exceptionally vivid imagination.
He admitted to liking Kasumigaoka Utaha, but that was before spring break that year, when he was still a simple otaku.
After the spring break two years ago, some of my feelings had faded considerably, so when I saw that I still had a chance with Kasumigaoka Utaha, I didn't think about that kind of thing anymore.
I used to like someone, but things are different now. There's no reason to date someone I no longer like.
After hearing what Aki Tomoya said, Kasumigaoka Utaha wasn't angry at all; instead, she looked like she suddenly understood.
"Thank you for still talking to me, but let's not dwell on the past. It really scared me when you contacted me in winter."
"So, in other words, my feelings have actually caused you trouble. Does that mean we're even?"
"Let's call it even."
Kasumigaoka Utaha remained calm, sighed inwardly, and then stopped worrying about what had happened before.
The only thing that bothered her was what Aki Tomoya called a "love-obsessed person"...
"I'm going back."
Aki Tomoya remembered that Takagi and the others were still waiting for him, and after saying that, he was about to go back.
Just then, Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly spoke up again: "TAKI, no, Aki-kun, to be honest, was I in a lot of trouble back then? I mean, from the author's perspective."
"...It must have been quite a hassle to get Ms. Machida to go to such lengths to promote your new work."
"Even you say so, it seems Ms. Machida is truly a good person."
“Machida-san will cry.”
As for the author, she has the ability to write a good story, but there must have been some issues with her treatment of her editor.
Meeting such a great editor, Kasumigaoka Utaha was not only born with outstanding talent, but also accompanied by good luck.
However, it would have been better if she had been a little more honest and simply admitted that she had treated Machida Sonoko somewhat inappropriately in the past.
But Aki Tomoya also knew that this person just liked to put on a brave face.
But it's much better than before.
Back at the social gathering, Takagi couldn't help but curiously lean over and ask, "Is your secret rendezvous over?"
"what?"
"Don't act stupid!"
"I do not understand what you're saying."
"..."
Aki Tomoya remained completely calm and did not reveal any weakness in front of Takagi.
When Kasumigaoka Utaha returned later, she remained calm and composed.
Majima's house has a curfew, so he said goodbye to everyone after half an hour.
Aki Tomoya also didn't want to stay out too late, and soon after, he left the mixer.
Not long after he left, Kasumigaoka Utaha also felt that she had done her research and bid farewell to the place indifferently. Before her, Kudo Sayaka, a first-year student in the Keio University Faculty of Letters, had already left.
"Aki, wait for me."
"Isn't this Kudo? Long time no see!"
Aki Tomoya turned around and looked at Kudo Sayaka, who had caught up with him, pretending to be amazed.
"We were at the same social gathering just minutes ago. Even if I pretend I don't know you, aren't you the same person?"
"Speaking of which, there is such a thing. The social gathering hasn't officially ended yet, right? Why don't we stay a little longer?"
They pretended not to know each other before, but that was to avoid the atmosphere. Before the trio from Dongdali No. 3 started a group, no one considered approaching them. They all maintained an air of detachment.
"Aki, want to ride together if we're going the same way?"
"So Kudo is also afraid of walking alone at night."
"Are you looking for a fight?"
Chapters 189 Farewell! (2/?)
In mid-June, the university had been in session for more than two months.
In a classroom in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Class 3, at the end of a class, Aki Tomoya...
"A new book? You read really fast, Mashima."
Takagi glanced at a new book in Majima's hand.
In one month, Majima read countless books.
Mashima digested the food much faster than he did.
“Aki is not bad either, it seems like he is thinking of getting a scholarship.”
Majima pointed to Aki Tomoya next to Takagi and laughed.
Besides attending classes, everyone basically takes time to do something that is helpful to themselves. Classes at Dongda University's Third Science Class are not easy to stay in, and no one wants to fall behind.
"I'm in fifth place from the bottom, which is a bit risky, but if I can get a scholarship, I'll still try my best."
Studying medicine in Japan is very expensive. It's much better at national universities, and private universities are even more expensive.
Moreover, they are all people who don't let their guard down in private, so you should be more self-aware in such an environment.
"By the way, Aki, are you planning to stay at the university hospital from now on? Like Majima?"
"Even if you're going to a private hospital, having experience at a university hospital is a plus."
People believe that getting into the University of Tokyo is half the battle won, and in some ways that's true. However, to truly lay the foundation for success, there's still a long way to go.
"The White Tower, what a problem!"
The thought of university hospitals gave Takagi a headache; the hierarchical structure of university hospitals was not a place he liked.
Compared to university hospitals, one's own hospital is definitely more comfortable.
"Like Aki, I'll probably stay at a university hospital after my medical training."
As if he had found a comrade-in-arms, Majima looked at Aki Tomoya with burning eyes.
Ignoring Majima's burning gaze, Aki Tomoya was packing his things when he said, "I have no classes now, but I have something to do this afternoon, so I'll be going now."
"No way, where are you going? Don't leave us behind!"
Takagi looked at Aki Tomoya with a hurt expression.
However, Aki Tomoya could only return an apologetic smile.
After leaving school, Aki Tomoya took the subway directly to a national research institute.
He came here to find a part-time job during his summer vacation next month, and they arranged to have an interview today.
"You're a student from the University of Tokyo?"
The first question the interviewer asked made Aki Tomoya almost laugh; the focus was entirely on the University of Tokyo!
The person questioning him was wearing a uniform with the institute's logo and round-framed glasses, and was scrutinizing him with a serious look.
"From the third year of science?"
Do you want me to double-check?
Aki Tomoya nodded: "Yes, Aki Tomoya, a third-year student at Tokyo University of Science."
He solemnly introduced himself again using honorifics.
After listening, the director of the research institute slowly smiled, raised his head, and pushed up his glasses.
"I am Yasuo Kamikura, the director of the UDI Research Institute. Are you interested in forensic medicine, Aki-kun?"
UDI Research Institute, a national research institution, is what made Aki Tomoya interested in it.
The fact that Director Kamikura Yasuo seemed to be somewhat interested in the students from the University of Tokyo did not surprise him.
"Director Kamikura, I'm very interested in summer part-time jobs."
This almost completely negates any interest he might have in forensic medicine.
Aki Tomoya had no intention of becoming a forensic pathologist, a rare profession in Japan, but a national institution did sound appealing.
Kamikura Yasuo smiled sheepishly after hearing this, and then began to introduce the situation of their research institute to Aki Tomoya.
UDI, the Institute of Unnatural Deaths, is an institute established in Japan, where the autopsy rate is so low. It seems to be making a call for something, and according to Yasuo Kamikura, it also has this meaning.