Two years ago today, could Aki Tomoya guarantee that he would attend a prestigious University mixer with the title of Tokyo University?
He had imagined getting in, but he absolutely couldn't say he was guaranteed to get in. Setting a flag and then getting slapped in the face would be funny.
To be honest, Aki Tomoya had a good impression of Kasumigaoka Utaha, but he also wanted to avoid her.
However, now that they were on the same level, facing this Senior felt pretty good.
"You said something a bit harsh to me two years ago."
Kasumigaoka Utaha really wanted to say this to Aki Tomoya, but this occasion was clearly not right.
"I'm going outside for a bit to get some air. I'll be back later."
As the atmosphere became more lively, Aki Tomoya excused himself to go to the restroom.
However, when he came out of the restroom, he ran into someone he knew in the hallway.
"Can I bother you for a moment?"
As he passed by the Senior, she suddenly spoke.
Aki Tomoya stopped, turned to look at her, and after some thought, nodded.
"Please."
"There's something I want to confirm... You didn't have to say such harsh things two years ago."
Mentioning something from two years ago here made Aki Tomoya a bit awkward.
He could tell from her tone that she was somewhat unhappy, and he also knew that the incident was definitely not a good memory for this Senior.
"Should I apologize?"
"You're really good at being perfunctory. Am I that difficult to deal with?"
"I was a bit love-struck at that time."
That's why Aki Tomoya didn't want to say anything reserved back then.
Moreover, by doing it that way, he basically pushed all the blame onto himself. When Kasumigaoka Utaha heard those harsh words, she didn't need to think about anything else, let alone feel any guilt.
However, the fact that the two of them could now talk about the past relatively calmly was a bit unexpected for Aki Tomoya.
"Then can I ask for the real reason? After all, it was my first love."
"I'm terrified!"
Aki Tomoya looked at her in surprise.
He thought for a moment, then replied, "Simply put, two years ago today, I couldn't guarantee that I would be standing here today, attending a mixer like this. And, I didn't want to become like Machida-san. As your editor-in-charge and the Vice Editor of the publishing house, she already had little dignity in front of you back then."
Dating Kasumigaoka Utaha two years ago would have been very difficult.
Although he did have a considerable good impression of her in his heart, if one person was too strong, how should the other position himself?
He had already started preparing for the exam under pressure at that time and didn't want to think about anything else or bear any other burdens.
Just like now, facing Kasumigaoka Utaha on a relatively equal footing, Aki Tomoya preferred it this way.
"Didn't dare to make a promise?"
"So it was that kind of love-struck thinking that made me choose that method to avoid any misunderstandings. I didn't study for Tokyo University for anyone else, but for myself, or perhaps to repay my family."
What the heck was he supposed to guarantee to Kasumigaoka Utaha when he had no confidence? Aki Tomoya really disliked this kind of love-struck thinking, and precisely because he knew Kasumigaoka Utaha was somewhat love-struck, he didn't leave any room for ambiguity.
What kind of difficulties or hidden reasons?
If he had to say what kind of difficulties or hidden reasons there were, it was simply that he really disliked that kind of love-struck thinking.
If he was going to refuse, he should be straightforward, considering that this female author who wrote youth romance novels had an extraordinary ability to overthink.
He admitted that he had liked Kasumigaoka Utaha, but that was before that spring break, when he was still a simple otaku.
And after the spring break two years ago, some of the feelings in his heart had faded considerably, so even when there was still a chance with Kasumigaoka Utaha, he didn't think about that aspect anymore.
He liked her in the past, but it was different now. There was no reason to date someone he no longer felt a connection with.
After listening to Aki Tomoya's words, Kasumigaoka Utaha wasn't angry at all; instead, she looked enlightened.
"Thank you for still talking to me, but let's not dwell on the past anymore. You looking for me that winter really scared me."
"So my feelings caused you trouble? Can we call it even?"
"Let's call it even."
Kasumigaoka Utaha was very calm. After sighing in her heart, she didn't dwell on the previous matters.
The only thing that bothered her was the "love-struck" he mentioned...
"I'm going back first."
Aki Tomoya remembered that Takagi and the others were waiting for him, and he was about to leave after speaking.
Just then, Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly spoke again, "Taki, no, Aki-kun, honestly, was I very troublesome at that time? I mean, as an author."
"...For Machida-san to do that for the promotion of your new work, you were quite troublesome."
"Even you say so, it seems Machida-san is really a good person."
"Machida-san will cry."
As an author, she had the ability to write a good story, but her treatment of her editor was definitely somewhat inappropriate.
Meeting such a good editor, Kasumigaoka Utaha, in addition to being born with excellent talent, was also accompanied by good luck.
However, if she were a little more honest and simply admitted that she had been somewhat inappropriate in her treatment of Machida Sonoko in the past, it would be better.
But Aki Tomoya knew that this person liked to keep up appearances.
However, compared to before, she was much better.
Back at the mixer, Takagi couldn't help but lean over and ask curiously, "Is the rendezvous over?"
"What?"
"Don't play dumb!"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"..."
Aki Tomoya was completely calm and showed no flaws in front of Takagi.
When Kasumigaoka Utaha returned later, she also maintained a calm attitude.
Majima had a curfew, so he said goodbye to everyone half an hour later.
Aki Tomoya also didn't want to stay out too late, so he left the mixer shortly after.
Not long after he left, Kasumigaoka Utaha also felt that her scouting was sufficient and coldly said goodbye. Before her, Kudo Sayaka, a first-year student from Keio Faculty of Literature, had already left.
"Aki, wait for me."
"Isn't this Kudo? Long time no see!"
Aki Tomoya turned to look at Kudo Sayaka who had caught up, feigning surprise.
"We were at the same mixer just a few minutes ago. Even if I pretended not to know you, weren't you doing the same?"
"Come to think of it, there was something like that. The mixer hasn't officially ended, right? Aren't you going to stay longer?"
They had pretended not to know each other before, but that was considering the atmosphere. Before the trio from University of Tokyo, Faculty of Science III took the initiative, no one had considered approaching them. Understanding the mood, they all maintained an aloof demeanor.
"Aki, going the same way?"
"So Kudo is also afraid of walking alone at night."
"Are you looking for a fight?"
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