Seeing Akira's confident look, Miyamura Shizuka didn't say anything to discourage him or promise he would definitely pass. Instead, she silently shifted her gaze to the television.

Several minutes passed.

After Akira finished checking and confirmed there were no omissions, he closed the laptop and spoke to Shizuka, who was engrossed in her drama:

"Mom, I'm going back to my room now."

Shizuka impatiently waved her hand at him.

Seeing this, Akira said no more, hugged the laptop, and obediently went upstairs.

Each volume of Japan's light novels typically ranges from 40,000 to 100,000 Japanese characters, averaging around 60,000 to 80,000. When translated to Chinese, the count often grows by 1.5–2x due to structure differences.

The first volume of anohana he wrote was just over 50,000 characters and took about four days. For the first three days, Nishimiya Shouko stayed by his side, watching him write.

But early this morning, Shouko was invited out shopping by Takagi Sana and Atsuya Ayumi.

Akira had planned to drop writing and tag along—he was worried since Shouko's period wasn't finished yet. But Takagi and Ayumi waved him off, promising to bring Shouko home safely. Shouko herself said she felt fine and her stomach didn't hurt anymore.

So he let them go, asked the two to take good care of Shouko, and only after watching the trio leave did he start writing alone in the living room.

Back in his room, he tossed and turned on the bed out of boredom, not sleepy at all.

The games on this old laptop? Zero interest. He'd checked when he got it—just card/turn-based anime-ish titles. Nothing like the League he remembered from his previous life.

"Forget it! Let's go out and play." He sat up, grabbed his phone from the nightstand, and dialed.

Beep… beep… beep…

After about ten seconds, someone picked up. A clear, curious voice:

"Hello? Who is it?"

"It's me, Shin. Want to come out and play?" Akira lay back again.

"Unfortunately, I have a date with Aoi today."

"Then—"

Before he could finish, Kojima Shin cut in, "But if you're in a hurry, I can tell her I've got something and reschedule for tomorrow."

Warmth flickered in Miyamura's chest—his buddy would ditch a rich girl's date for him?

"No, no, it's fine. You and Aoi have a great date. I'm hanging up."

"Don't—"

He ended the call anyway.

He stared at the ceiling a moment, then dialed the next person. Busy. Minami Sho was on his way to see Aoi. Oda Daiki had to help his sister mind the shop. Kazama Ryo didn't pick up—probably at cram school with his phone on silent.

As for Ninomiya Rika, Ito Chika, and Matsuoka Miu—yeah, he hadn't lost his mind that badly.

Scanning his call history, he noticed a clown emoji next to one name and pretended he didn't.

Only one option left. He dialed without hesitation.

"Akira? What's up?" The other party answered instantly.

Through the speaker, he heard panting. Weird, but he let it slide.

"Naoto, you free today? Want to come out and play?"

"I'm doing push-ups—about ten left. Where to?"

"I don't know. We'll decide when we meet."

"Okay."

"School gate?"

"Mm."

He hung up, told Shizuka where he was going, changed shoes at the entryway, and headed out.

"Akira, where should we go?"

"Any ideas where to play?"

They asked in unison the second Nishikata Naoto arrived at the school gate.

"How about the subway to Akihabara? We walk around." Naoto offered.

"Akihabara?" Akira had heard of it, but hadn't gone in a decade; he hesitated.

"Yeah. Hibiya Line, about twenty minutes. Look—" Naoto pulled out his phone and showed the route he'd pinned.

"Alright. Let's go." Seeing Naoto's schoolbag, Akira figured he'd been ready for hours.

Naoto lit up. They strolled toward the station, chatting.

Naoto had wanted to go forever but felt awkward alone. And Miyamura had brushed up: Akihabara is still the "otaku holy land" and a microcosm of Tokyo's mix—electronics, used manga, Maid Cafés. Even if certain famous IP never existed in this world, something else filled the gap. It remained paradise for geeks of every stripe. With Naoto, even better. Maybe they'd try a Maid Café, too…

The chime sounded on the subway. They followed the overhead signs toward Exit A and soon saw the ticket gates ahead.

Office workers and tourists streamed out, tapping cards like synchronized gears. Leather shoes and heels clacked over the station's "Gojōsha arigatō gozaimashita."

"So many people…" Naoto muttered.

"It's winter break—of course. Come on, shorter line's over there." Akira tapped his shoulder and moved off.

"Wait for me, Akira!"

Up on the street, the view exploded—towering electronics billboards, glass curtain walls catching sunlight and passing trains. Grilled octopus smells and the clatter of gacha machines mingled in the air. Vending machines for used game carts lined the curb. Around the corner, maids in frilly aprons handed out flyers.

"Okaerinasaimase, goshujin-sama!" chimed a chorus of sugary voices.

"This is Akihabara!!" Naoto locked eyes on the flyer maids, practically vibrating.

Stepping off the Hibiya Line felt like dropping into a cyber labyrinth—ads, aromas, neon, flowing crowds, and freeze-frame moments all compressed into one electric slice of Tokyo.

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