I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Page 189

We need to seriously deal with what comes next.

After telling Iori Hashima, he obediently put his phone back in his bag.

"How long ago was the last time it was just the two of us hanging out together?"

Aki Tomoya casually mentioned it.

After bringing up this topic, Eriri's expression became somewhat awkward.

If we're talking about just the two of them going out together, the number of times they've done so can be counted on one hand.

You could probably count them on one hand.

"...Does that CM doujinshi convention count?"

Eriri replied softly, still somewhat unsure of herself.

The last time the two of us went out together was a long time ago.

The most similar one was the fan convention I attended in my second year of high school.

The reason she lacked confidence was because Eriri knew that if it were that doujinshi convention, then Hashima Isekai would also be there.

Moreover, if it weren't for the trip to Topo Island, Aki Tomoya, who was already preparing for his exams at the time, would never have said anything like going out to play.

During those two years, Aki Tomoya spent almost all his time preparing for exams, and he hardly rested on his days off.

"Forget it."

Aki Tomoya nodded.

Although it was a trip to the island of Awa that time, it was also a turning point that allowed their relationship to return to normal, like that of childhood sweethearts.

So, that day can be considered quite important.

"Speaking of which, you were the one who invited me that day."

Eriri recalled that time, just like this time, when Aki Tomoya also took the initiative to invite her to that doujinshi convention.

However, for Aki Tomoya, this time the situation is a little different from the last time.

Before I extended the invitation, Eriri took the initiative to suggest we come out together.

Feeling a pang of emotion, Aki Tomoya suddenly had the urge to say, "So I had a childhood friend after all!"

"I was indeed unavailable on the 15th, I'm sorry I couldn't accept your invitation."

Eriri shook her head at Aki Tomoya's words.

It's no longer important to talk about those things.

Besides, it's not bad that we were able to come out together today.

"Where to go?"

Eriri asked, a hint of expectation hidden deep in her eyes.

As childhood sweethearts, they didn't have much of a normal relationship except when they played together frequently in elementary school.

Moreover, even when they were in elementary school, their relationship broke down because of that incident.

To be honest, we actually spent far too little time together.

But Eriri is already very happy to be able to play together like this.

Similarly, Aki Tomoya also had many feelings.

If you think about it carefully, his relationship with his childhood sweetheart didn't really become that of childhood sweethearts until their second year of high school.

But it was too late. By high school, they were both busy with their own things.

First, Aki Tomo also had to prepare for exams, and then Eriri also found something else to do.

"This is Toshima Ward. Can't you think of anywhere else besides Ikebukuro?"

Aki Tomoya asked with a smile.

However, Eriri's mind was a little confused at this moment.

This is the place that Aki Tomoya decided to go, but even so, in theory, as a seasoned otaku, Eriri should know that this place has a very famous manga street.

Surprisingly, Eriri seemed completely unaware of anything at this moment.

I wonder what's going on in Eriri's head right now...

Seeing Eriri looking at him with a puzzled expression, Aki Tomoya said with some surprise, "Eri, you haven't forgotten about the manga district in Toyoshima, have you?"

That's so wrong! That place is a famous mecca for comics!

Someone like Eriri should know this very well.

"I...of course I remember!"

Eriri immediately realized what she meant and replied in a somewhat flustered tone.

How could she not know this place?

Toyoshima is a mecca for manga, and its manga district is famous because of predecessors like Fujiko Fujio and Osamu Tezuka.

After realizing what was happening, Eriri discovered that this was Teshima!

Aki Tomoya looked at Eriri speechlessly.

Eriri is really special today...

Special...

No, it should be said that they're adorably silly.

"Eri Kashiwagi doesn't know that if word gets out about this holy land of manga, the industry will laugh at her..."

He couldn't help but chuckle as he spoke.

"I already told you I remember where this is, and I've been here many times!"

I've been here many times, but I just can't remember.

It really leaves me speechless.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Aki Tomoya said, suppressing a laugh.

Eriri noticed the smile in his eyes and puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

Seeing that she seemed a little angry, Aki Tomoya asked, "Are you angry?"

"No...only a child would get angry over something like that!"

She was clearly a little angry.

Aki Tomoya chuckled softly, this was more like Eriri's usual self.

"Would you like to go?"

"……Walk!"

Eriri pouted, but finally nodded.

But judging from her appearance, she still seems to need some coaxing.

How do I coax a girl?

Aki Tomo glanced at Eriri beside him without leaving a trace.

He's not very good at this kind of thing, especially when the object of his affections is his childhood sweetheart.

As he walked, he pondered this question.

Eriri, who was standing next to him, seemed lost in thought, her expression somewhat blank.

"Yinglili."

"Ok?"

She turned her head in confusion to look at the boy next to her.

"Indeed, I still prefer you when you smile."

Although it's fun to tease Eriri occasionally, Aki Tomoya still thinks she's more likable when she's smiling.

Eriri was stunned for a moment after hearing Aki Tomoya say those words to her.

She stood frozen in place, staring unblinkingly at Aki Tomoya.

Aki Tomoya also stopped and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

The sudden stop and the momentary pause made him a little flustered.

Just as he was about to ask Eriri what was wrong, her eyes widened suddenly, as if she had been frightened.

"Is...is that so?!" Eriri said, her face slightly red, her voice exaggerated.

That's a rather long reaction time.

"I just can't do anything with you, hahahahaha!"

As if to cover something up, Eriri's laughter was just as exaggerated.