Chapter 115: Happy - I, Tomoya Aki, Will Not Be a Simp

Japan also celebrates the New Year, which is New Year's Day on January 1st.

The first ray of sunlight of the ne year pierced through the window and shone into the room. Aki Tomoya pushed open the window and breathed in the first air of the new year outside.

"A bit cold..."

Exhaling a puff of white mist, Aki Tomoya gazed into the distance.

His parents had already left the house early, reportedly to visit a shrine and get a fortune slip for him.

As for whether his Mother would get a charm to help with his studies, given her personality, she probably would.

In the new year, adults have their gatherings, and the younger generation has their plans.

After changing his clothes, Aki Tomoya went downstairs and ate the breakfast his Mother had left.

"Photos from last year's Winter CM?"

He took out his phone. Izumi Hashima's New Year's greeting on Line included photos from the recent, but still last year's, Winter CM Doujin Exhibition.

Izumi Hashima hadn't invited Aki Tomoya to the Winter CM, probably thinking he would be very busy.

Besides Izumi Hashima's New Year's greeting, almost everyone he knew who had him on Line had sent greetings.

Among them, the most unique was probably Kudo Sayaka's message, which Aki Tomoya couldn't understand.

And the most plain was just a simple "Happy New Year" from Kato Megumi.

Replying one by one, his finger finally stopped when he scrolled to Eriri, who had sent him the earliest message.

He seemed to be the last one to remember the New Year's greetings. He had gone to bed very early last night.

"Kasumi Shiko, should I send one too?"

Just then, Aki Tomoya saw a profile picture he hadn't seen in a long time. Among his contacts on Line, this "Kasumi Shiko" was probably the one he hadn't contacted at all.

Discovering in the new year that he hadn't deleted her Line, or rather, that she hadn't deleted his, Aki Tomoya hesitated, wondering if he should send a New Year's greeting out of politeness.

But the last time they contacted on Line was more than a year ago. The reason they hadn't deleted each other's Line contacts was probably that they had both forgotten.

"Let's just forget it."

Aki Tomoya put down his phone. He didn't want to do something so unprecedented.

Let it be.

Ding dong—

Not long after putting down his phone, just as Aki Tomoya was about to tidy up, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Putting the dishes and chopsticks in the sink, Aki Tomoya called out "Coming" while quickly walking towards the entrance.

"Happy New Year, A Lun!"

Hyodo Michiru's face filled Aki Tomoya's vision. She waved her hand and said New Year's greetings, while the three girls behind her also said things like "Excuse us for intruding."

Then, led by Hyodo Michiru, they walked into the house.

"So, why did you come so early, and why are you gathering at my place?"

Aki Tomoya looked at them helplessly.

"It takes so much time to take the train, it's better to come early. And it's still early, we can't just wander around on the street, right?"

Hyodo Michiru explained casually.

Aki Tomoya wasn't the only one invited by Hashima Iori; Hyodo Michiru's band was also invited.

"For the new year, to thank everyone for their care last year, and to plan for after the new year, let me treat everyone on New Year's Day!"

Those were Hashima Iori's original words.

Aki Tomoya had no objection to this and accepted his invitation.

There was no reason to refuse a New Year's gathering. It was also good to relax on this day.

Moreover, the people going with him weren't strangers, but his cousin Hyodo Michiru, so no one would be unfamiliar.

"Whatever you want. Anyway, I'm going out. Remember to close the door properly when you leave."

Aki Tomoya said, about to go upstairs to get ready.

He didn't plan on staying home anyway. There was still a long time until the evening, and he had already arranged to meet up with Hashima Iori in advance.

However, Hyodo Michiru had a bit of an objection: "No way, are you just leaving like this? Are you abandoning me, abandoning us?"

She had just arrived, and Aki Tomoya was already going out. He should at least show a little hospitality as the host.

"Can't you just take a taxi to the restaurant when it's time?"

"Taking a taxi in Tokyo, are you trying to harm us?!"

"Anyway, can't you just act according to the time?"

Aki Tomoya didn't care that much.

It was a perfectly good New Year's Day, and he didn't want to be a babysitter.

Besides, they weren't children. The whole band had four people; it didn't look like they needed anyone to look after them.

Before Hyodo Michiru could catch up, Aki Tomoya quickly closed the door and locked it from the inside.

Thump, thump, thump—

Hyodo Michiru outside kept knocking on the door and shouting, her tone quite unwilling.

It was like a pet left at home after learning its owner was going out.

It took him over ten minutes to get ready before Aki Tomoya came out of his room.

"I'm leaving first."

Aki Tomoya said to Hyodo Michiru at the door, then leisurely walked downstairs.

Downstairs, the other three girls were curiously looking up. After seeing Aki Tomoya come down, they quickly returned to their original positions.

"Take us with you!"

Hyodo Michiru followed closely behind Aki Tomoya.

However, Aki Tomoya ignored her. After putting on his shoes at the entrance, he turned back and smiled, "Goodbye!"

With a bang, Aki Tomoya closed the door.

Ignoring the dissatisfaction of the abandoned Hyodo Michiru, Aki Tomoya went to the city center and waited at the place he had arranged with Hashima Iori.

"You're here really early, Aki."

In the quiet park, as Aki Tomoya was leaning against a bench and staring blankly at the sky, a voice sounded from beside him.

Hashima Iori appeared soon after Aki Tomoya arrived.

Just as Aki Tomoya was about to greet him, a small figure jumped out from behind Hashima Iori.

"Good morning, Senior!"

With such a lovely voice, who could it be but Izumi Hashima, whom Aki Tomoya knew well?

Her appearance softened Aki Tomoya's gaze considerably.

"Good morning, Izumi."

Aki Tomoya smiled gently, completely ignoring Hashima Iori who was still beside him.

Hashima Iori said, "Hey, hey, don't forget about me, my friend."

"But thanks to you, my friend, I almost couldn't escape. I had to take care of a bunch of high school girls."

Aki Tomoya retorted crossly.

If he had come out any later, he really wouldn't have been able to leave.

"Have they arrived? That's quite early."

Hashima Iori naturally knew who Aki Tomoya was talking about.

He had personally invited Hyodo Michiru one by one. In his words, he wouldn't miss anyone who could be helpful to the club.

"Let's go visit the shrine together, Senior!"

At this moment, Izumi Hashima suggested.

"Don't forget about me."

Chapter 116: Long Time No See (3/4)

Among Aki Tomoya's peers, very few were as financially free as Hashima Iori.

From the time he generously took over his limited edition figures last year, saying that it would be tight if he took them all, Aki Tomoya knew that the saying 'Otaku are really rich' was simply the truth.

Inviting acquaintances to eat high-class cuisine lavishly on New Year's Day, it would be a waste if Aki Tomoya didn't take the opportunity to fleece him now.

In the morning, the three of them went to visit the shrine together, then played until sunset before heading to the restaurant Hashima Iori had booked.

"Ah, so you were together!"

Outside the restaurant, Hyodo Michiru and the other girls had already arrived.

Seeing that Aki Tomoya was with Hashima Iori, and there was also a girl with them, Hyodo Michiru's eyes were filled with resentment.

They were alone and helpless in Tokyo, while Aki Tomoya had abandoned them and was having a great time. As she walked over, Hyodo Michiru saw that he was laughing and talking.

"Since everyone is almost here, let's go in together. I've already booked a table."

Hashima Iori stepped forward and said.