With a whoosh, he opened the window, and the cool night breeze gently blew in.
Aki Tomoya, leaning by the window, asked somewhat lazily, "What's wrong?"
Having been apart for three months since the last mixer, Kudo Sayaka laughed on the phone when she heard Aki Tomoya's voice again.
"Are you very tired? I'm also very tired."
After finally getting into her dream University, Kudo Sayaka said the word "tired" for the first time after entering Keio.
She didn't say it to her friends, nor did she say it to her family, but spoke about it with Aki Tomoya on the phone.
Even though there was still laughter in her words, a hint of fatigue could still be heard in her voice.
"...I'm working part-time at the institute. I had work on the very first day. Although it's just being a recorder, it's not easy, but it's very fulfilling. I was just thinking about how to arrange my time next month and then find you guys to hang out. Thinking about that makes me not tired anymore."
Aki Tomoya didn't know what was going on with Kudo Sayaka. He could only tell her what was on his mind.
The first day was indeed very tiring, and he was so scared his face changed color, but choosing to come to UDI because of the autopsies was indeed not wrong. Similarly, he remembered what Sakamoto Makoto told him: bodies are very dangerous.
The rumored 7k, one can see a glimpse of it,
After hearing his words, Kudo Sayaka was silent for a while.
After about five seconds, she finally said that at Keio University, she couldn't relax at all because of the gap between her and others.
Before the summer break, she had found a part-time job.
It was helping out at the Tokyo Metropolitan Library. She could read books, and the work was relatively easy, but for some reason, she still felt very tired.
It was even more tiring than when she was at the cram school.
"Just thinking about having to keep up with others makes it impossible to relax at all. Even after entering University, there's no chance to catch a breath. Maybe I should start thinking about asking you guys out when I have free time during the summer break."
The first semester in the Faculty of Literature was very fulfilling for Kudo Sayaka, but she also faced many setbacks.
In a place where excellent people gather, the disparities become even clearer. At Keio, competition is also invisible.
Sometimes she couldn't help but think that the pinnacle of private schools was such a somewhat cruel place, where many harsh realities could be seen. That stark contrast made her feel powerless.
And at Tokyo University, the peak of Japan's universities, what was it like for Aki Tomoya there?
"Is Tokyo University good?"
"...It's alright, but it's the same. You have to watch your back. Of course, I'm referring to the system of the Tokyo University Faculty of Liberal Arts. It's not that exaggerated with backstabbing and scheming, but the mutual disdain between elites is still everywhere. The good thing is, the friends I've made are pretty decent."
Aki Tomoya had thought beforehand about the kind of people he would meet at University.
His luck was pretty good. He became acquainted with Takagi and Majima, two friends who were high achievers and whose family backgrounds were vastly different from his, but they had good compatibility.
He also met the people he should have met in his year, including Suzuya, the current top student in his year whom Takagi doesn't particularly like, but they had a nodding acquaintance.
However, after interacting with Suzuya briefly and hearing that he came from a family of Doctors, and that his social circle consisted of people from similar Doctor families, Aki Tomoya understood that he was also someone with ambitions for the white tower.
"Oh, right, I get along quite well with a Senior from an upper year. Maybe thanks to you, she takes good care of me. She's helped me a lot."
From Aki Tomoya's few words, Kudo Sayaka couldn't fully imagine the situation in the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Science III classroom.
However, he was still the same as before. Everything seemed to have a detailed plan.
Even when he encountered trouble, he would figure it out faster than her.
While envious, she couldn't help but want to seek comfort from someone like him. She didn't know how to describe this feeling.
But when she spoke in a teasing tone about being taken care of by a Senior, Aki Tomoya couldn't help but chuckle: "Could the Senior you're talking about be the one I'm thinking of?"
"That's right. I've interacted with her several times, and she seems like a decent person?"
"It's still a question?!"
"Are you very curious?"
His gossipy nature was instantly exposed.
But he didn't fall for it. He knew this female friend, Kudo Sayaka, very well.
Besides, being taken care of by Kasumigaoka Utaha is a good thing, isn't it...
"I don't have that kind of ability. However, my Senior is still very impressive. It wouldn't hurt for you to learn some of her skills."
"Hmph, aren't you concerned if she's approaching me with an ulterior motive?"
"If she had an ulterior motive, she wouldn't be looking for you."
They had already cleared things up at the mixer last time. Based on Aki Tomoya's understanding of Kasumigaoka Utaha, her taking care of Kudo Sayaka probably has little to do with him.
It's more likely that she's gathering material than still being interested in him.
"Tch, can't fool you, huh?"
It seems there's no mistake. Kudo Sayaka herself can distinguish whether people approaching her have ulterior motives or not.
Her interaction with Kasumigaoka Utaha was due to a short essay.
Because of the habits formed at the cram school, writing became a hobby. Besides in class, Kudo Sayaka would occasionally write an article or two.
After hearing the full story of how they met from her, Aki Tomoya half-jokingly said, "Why don't you become a writer in the future?"
"...Are you teasing me?"
"No, it's not bad to try it during University. Try submitting your work. If a publisher is interested, it'll make money faster than a part-time job."
Thinking about Kasumigaoka Utaha writing light novels, she's probably making so much money now that her pockets can't hold it all. From this perspective, writing novels is a good idea.
However, in reality, for most people, writing novels is a dead end.
"Believe your nonsense! Hahaha!"
Kudo Sayaka retorted in annoyance. She wasn't some naive person. In the first semester of University, she had also been broadening her horizons.
The two of them then burst into loud laughter simultaneously over the phone.
"Writing? If I were to write, I'd write about our time at the cram school!"
"Eh, isn't that a great idea! Remember to write me as cool!"
"Bah, I'd rather spend more ink on Tsubota-sensei and Harumi Sensei than write more about you, the jerk who always puts me down!"
She still remembered how Aki Tomoya would often inadvertently discourage her during their time at the cram school.
But it was precisely because of this that she also couldn't forget the help and encouragement her deskmate gave her.
"Stingy woman!"
They chatted until around ten o'clock before hanging up the phone, agreeing to go out when they had time.
After sleeping, he got up early the next day and went to UDI.
"The test data is out..."
Sakamoto Makoto, who had gone to the laboratory first, came to the office, opened the data, and placed it in front of Nakatado Kei, who was rarely in the office.
At the same time, representatives from the University Hospital where the deceased, Tanshoto, had been admitted before his death, also visited the UDI Research Institute.
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