My girlfriend is Saiki Kusunoki

However, their relationship only got better and better.

"Looking back now, I realize that I am who I am today because of your help. If it weren't for you, I probably would have become a weirdo by now."

At this moment, Nanko was very grateful that she had met Naoto.

Although she still wasn't exactly a social butterfly in class, she was very happy to be with everyone.

All of this was thanks to Naoto's constant help.

Once, Nanzi had also been to a world where there were no Naoto people.

The persona she saw there was actually a boy. However, in Nanzi's opinion, his personality was far too twisted. Although his personality improved considerably after he successfully made friends, the thought of his reclusive nature and constant moving around still bothered Nanzi.

"So, Naoto. I know you're heartbroken after your uncle and aunt passed away. But just as you've always been there for me, I'll always be there for you. Please, you must pull yourself together."

Under a sky full of stars, a girl named Saiki Kusuko slowly reached out her hand to Naoto.

A faint smile appeared on the girl's face.

At that moment, Naoto felt as if he had seen a legendary elf.

"Nanzi, I think I know now, I know what I need to draw."

Chapter Eleven: Night Sky, Girl, and Smile

As time went by, Naoto's paintings gradually became more and more complete.

After that night, Naoto felt like his inspiration had exploded, and he was focused on finishing the painting.

What should have been a three-day holiday was stretched into a five-day one by Naoto.

Under the night sky, Nanzi and he walked hand in hand into the unknown forest.

All around, fireflies twinkled in the sky, and baby birds sang loudly all around.

Naoto was so engrossed in his artwork that he didn't even pay attention to what was happening with his manga.

If Nanko hadn't come to check on Naoto every day to see if he was alright, Naoto probably would have forgotten about eating altogether.

When Naoto, who was so engrossed in painting, finally finished his work, even he himself found it hard to believe that it was something he had created.

The entire sky is painted in a cool gray tone, which reduces the chill of the night. The distant forest and the nearby camphor trees occupy most of the painting.

The interplay of light and shadow gives the entire scene a vibrant and dynamic feel.

Although Naoto himself does not have a very comprehensive knowledge of oil painting.

But when he saw this painting, he felt that he was in no way inferior to those professional oil painting masters.

When Naoto finished the painting, there was only one day left until the deadline.

Although he felt extremely exhausted, both mentally and physically, Naoto decided to hand the painting over to the organizers first.

With the address given by Matsuzaki-sensei, Naoto quickly arrived at his destination.

On the tall building ahead, three large letters spelled out in the three primary colors were clearly visible—AES.

The Japan Art Education Association, an art society established specifically to support art education, is arguably the largest art association in Tokyo.

This academy is most famous for two competitions: the renowned Japan Youth Art Appreciation and the National High School Art Competition it is currently hosting.

Although one match involves facing Japanese youths in boxing, the other involves facing all high school students in Japan.

However, both are extremely valuable.

It is said that the top prize winners of both competitions can receive a reward of more than 500,000 yuan.

Although the reward may seem small, here, if you can get first place, it means your career will take off.

Not only will any art university in China open its doors to you.

You will even be eligible to participate in various professional competitions in the future.

However, Naoto didn't care at all today, although he was still somewhat confident in his artwork. But as for winning first place, he didn't think he had a chance.

After all, art isn't something you can just decide to do; it has to be approved by those in higher positions.

In Naoto's view, he would be free once he completed the task given to him by Matsuzaki-sensei.

After Naoto walked in, the staff were quite surprised to see him looking so tired.

When they learned that the other party was there to participate in the National High School Art Competition, they looked even more puzzled.

While it's true that some people have been submitting manuscripts recently, most of them are just impulsive writers.

People who are aware of this competition usually submit their paintings on the first day, or at least by the middle of the competition.

Who submits their work when the deadline is almost here?

However, the receptionist in charge didn't say anything more when she saw how tired Naoto was.

However, after receiving the painting, they left.

After finally submitting his artwork, a weary Naoto stumbled home. He didn't even make it upstairs before falling asleep on the sofa.

On his way home, Naoto never expected that something dramatic would happen.

After Naoto handed his work to the receptionist, Fujino, the president of the competition organizer, was reviewing the submitted works with a group of judges.

Because this competition was a national competition, a great many entries were received.

Even though the deadline hasn't arrived yet, the judges have already reviewed a large portion of the submitted works.

Just then, the receptionist walked in, carrying Naoto's artwork.

"President, we've received another new submission."

"Works? Now?"

Chairman Fujino and the group of experts were stunned for a moment after hearing what the receptionist said.

There's only half an hour left before the end of the workday, and someone can still submit something at this time?

"Whose?"

"I don't know, but they look like students from a nearby high school."

"I see. Let's take a look at it first."

Seeing the painting wrapped up tightly in the receptionist's hands, the judges, who had already reviewed many works, couldn't help but become curious.

Thinking that since the work is going to be reviewed anyway, I might as well take a look at it now.

However, when President Fujino opened the painting in his hand, he was stunned by what he saw.

Under the night sky, a pink-haired girl extends her right hand with a smile.

In the distance lies a tranquil forest filled with fireflies.

It was just a simple drawing by a girl, but President Fujino saw a lot of emotions in the girl's smile.

It felt like an invitation to a lover to go to a mysterious place, and for a moment, even the nearly 60-year-old President Fujino felt the sweet romance of young love.

In that smile, President Fujino even recalled the scene of his first date with his first love.

That day, just like before, his girlfriend smiled at him, took his hand, and led him, still a teenager, toward the stream in the distance.

Upon closer inspection, it's clear that this isn't the work of a high school student at all; it's clearly the work of a seasoned master.

"President, what happened?"

The onlookers, seeing President Fujino staring blankly at a painting, quickly began to ask him questions.

However, at this moment, President Fujino did not say a word, but simply handed Naoto's words to everyone to read.

When these professional judges saw the painting handed over by the chairman, they were all stunned, just like Chairman Fujino had been before.

With just one painting, one can feel the sweet romance. From an artistic point of view, this is definitely a masterpiece.

Some of the analysis of the use of pigments and the composition, which seemed so discordant to them, actually formed a cohesive whole within the painting. Such strange painting techniques were something they had never seen before.

"President, this is... a high school student's work? Is he here to participate in this high school competition?"

Faced with these questions from the reviewers, the president turned to look at the woman who had previously been in charge.

After receiving confirmation from the person in charge, everyone present stared blankly at the painting again.

"Is this guy here to fry fish?"

Chapter Twelve: The Vampire Results Are Out

With the weekend approaching, the weekly popularity poll is finally here.

This is probably the most nerve-wracking and exciting time for every comic book author and editor.

Because at this time of year, the future direction of several comics is determined.

Whether it will be successfully serialized or quickly canceled depends entirely on the weekly popularity vote.

One of the main reasons JUMP has been able to last for so many years is its voting system.

Although many people see this system as cruel, and many excellent comics have been canceled as a result, which is a great pity.

However, it is precisely because of this system that JUMP has been able to maintain its high popularity and a continuous stream of excellent works.

"Editor Qi Mu! I've brought you the new popularity chart."

At this moment, the long-awaited popularity vote finally came out. When Qi Mu Guochun received the report in his hand, he didn't dare to look at the information on it.

Although I have a lot of confidence in the manga drawn by Naoto, having confidence is one thing, and whether readers will accept it is another.

After all, adults and teenagers have completely different tastes. Who knows if a comic that looks good to them can attract those readers?

With a tense and uneasy feeling, Qi Mu's father slowly opened his eyes.

But when he saw the data on his report card, he was completely dumbfounded.

"Um, are you sure this data is correct?"

"Yes, they've double-checked it over there, and it's definitely this one."

"It's unbelievable."

Upon seeing the vampire's results, Qi Mu's father jumped up excitedly.