Kasumigaoka Utaha was a bit unconvinced, believing she could still make a name for herself in popular fiction.
But according to Aki Tomoya, "Senior is still a bit too naive..."
He had been told the same thing before, by Sakamoto Makoto when he was at UDI.
Of course, that was in reference to his work in forensic medicine. The reason he described Kasumigaoka Utaha this way here was because he knew that this strong-willed Senior might actually do it.
"Doesn't everyone want to have better development?"
For example, achieving more in traditional novels. If that's the case, it sounds like she has considerable ambition.
He was very surprised to be invited out today.
They had clarified things during the mixer, and they had also hung out together at the last gathering.
But now, she seemed indifferent on the surface, yet he felt she was still a bit sulking.
"Senior looks like she's still a bit sulking, determined to prove something to me and get back at me. My opinion isn't actually the most important thing to you, is it?"
Some words from two years ago must have planted a seed in this Senior's heart.
This Senior still wants to prove that she has that kind of ability.
Even though she is now saying that with the addition of Eriri, she is sailing smoothly in the light novel industry, with anime and game adaptations of her work underway.
However, she still set her aspirations a bit high.
She has already won This Light Novel Is Amazing, so don't stop, keep pushing.
Creating an alias to enter the traditional novel industry, if successful, fame and money will come calling; if not, she can just continue writing her light novels.
"I admit what I said back then was a bit harsh, but Senior is still a bit sulking now, aren't you?"
"Who would sulk with a man like you?"
"Alright... If you want to understand something special from me for your move into traditional novels, I'm happy to help. But if you're just sulking and want to write a work to prove something to me, there's not much point. I don't read novels much now, so it's meaningless."
The more unwilling a person is, the more obsessed they become, wanting to prove something.
Aki Tomoya didn't know Kasumigaoka Utaha's current emotional tendencies, but this Senior clearly still wanted to prove herself.
However, using this idea on him was a bit problematic.
Because among the people he knew, there was also someone who wanted to prove something to the people around her.
That person was Eriri, who drew doujinshi in secret and wanted to get revenge on those who didn't understand her and prove something to them, but it didn't have much meaning.
Instead, after she stopped caring and focused on doing what she liked, she wasn't letting loose. To use a term from the world of anime, as a tsundere childhood friend, she finally showed a little 'dere.'
"Unwilling... I was discouraged by you before, and now I'm being lectured by you again. It makes me think that if I don't try, it really won't work."
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Aki Tomoya helplessly.
That hint of unwillingness still lingering in her heart really couldn't escape his eyes at all.
But after being pointed out, she didn't feel annoyed, but rather more helpless.
There were really few people who understood her so well.
It was like back in her second year of high school, after meeting him at the signing event, when he found all the foreshadowing, she was flustered at first, and then very happy.
But those days couldn't go back.
Everyone has their own ambitions. Aki Tomoya had to consider his future and couldn't keep playing the game of author and reader with her forever.
"Listening to you, Senior actually has the intention to change genres?"
"Not really... I just want to see where my limits are without Eriri's help. Recognizing my limits early isn't a bad thing either."
Kasumigaoka Utaha could see clearly that the huge success of her second work was due to riding Eriri's strong tailwind, and it was a powerful one.
She also wanted to try planning her own life.
"After you said that, I did throw myself into writing at the time, but now I don't know what to do anymore. There actually came a day when I got tired of writing youth romance stories. I think entering the traditional novel industry and seeing what I'm capable of might give me new stimulation."
"...The fact that you can tell me all this scares me a little."
This was probably Kasumigaoka Utaha's true feelings at the moment.
The fact that this Senior could say these things in front of him after two years, for the first time, he felt that this Senior seemed much better now compared to before.
"If I said now that I haven't given up, what would you think?"
"I'd be scared to death!"
Seriously, he would be scared.
He was even a little flustered now, a little at a loss.
"Oh, so you can show an expression like that too. I thought you had completely changed."
"...Senior's knack for teasing people hasn't changed at all."
Noticing the hint of revenge that flashed in her eyes, Aki Tomoya smiled helplessly.
That moment just now felt like they were back when they first met.
However, after that incident, it was already quite surprising that the two could sit down and talk calmly like this.
They weren't completely estranged; the current relationship, which was more than strangers but less than friends, was much more relaxed than before.
"Eriri should be coming soon. Don't tell her that I'm going to create an alias."
He had also arranged to meet Eriri today.
Kasumigaoka Utaha reminded him.
If Eriri found out about this, she would definitely say she was crazy, asking why she would change genres when her light novels were doing so well.
She also found it hard to explain. She couldn't very well say that Eriri had given her too many illusions and she wanted to see what she was really capable of.
In front of Eriri, she still didn't want to say things that could cause misunderstandings.
However, after Eriri arrived, she sat down next to Aki Tomoya without any hesitation.
"Aki Tomoya, here, take this. My art exhibition in Tokyo next month. Although it's only exhibiting with my Teacher's work, this is still amazing, right!"
Eriri gave him a ticket for that day, seemingly hoping he could go and see it.
Incidentally, Kasumigaoka Utaha also received one.
"Bondage art?"
"This is a legitimate art exhibition! How could I draw that kind of thing! This is Sawamura Eriri Spencer's masterpiece being exhibited with my Teacher's work, don't underestimate me!"
"It's because your doujinshi left such a deep impression!"
She accepted the ticket, and at the same time, she habitually exchanged a few jabs with Eriri.
Aki Tomoya looked at the date on the ticket and didn't give Eriri a definite answer, saying he would see how things were then.
"You must come! Please!"
"Even if you say that, I..."
It's difficult...
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