My girlfriend is Kusunoko Saiki

"Ahem, don't panic. Although participation in this competition is mandatory, in theory, only one person from each class is needed. Since this is a national competition, the contestants' works will be judged nationwide. So, are there any students who think they are good enough? Are you willing to participate?"

When Teacher Matsuzaki said this, in the blink of an eye, the students who had been wailing and complaining before suddenly sat down quietly like good children, fearing that Teacher Matsuzaki would be unhappy and ask them to participate in the competition.

Are you kidding me? A national competition? I'm afraid I'll be embarrassed all over the country if I'm not careful. Who would dare to do that?

Although there were a few people in the class who were satisfied with their own level, they immediately became timid when they heard that they would be broadcasted nationwide.

At this moment, all the students looked around vigilantly, searching for someone who could be a sacrifice.

"This is going to be difficult."

Seeing that no one in the class dared to participate in the competition, Mr. Matsuzaki's face began to look ugly. When Mr. Hiratsuka's class next door announced some activities, everything was fine. Why is it that everyone in his class is not cooperating?

"Ah Qiu!"

At this moment, Sakuta suddenly sneezed for some unknown reason.

When Sakuta came to his senses, he found that everyone in the class was looking at him.

"Ya Bai, something terrible has happened."

Seeing the group of people in his class looking at him as if he were a sacrifice, Sakuta got goosebumps.

Oh my god! If I participate in this competition, I will become a laughing stock.

"Hee hee hee."

Suddenly, a very faint laughter reached Sakuta's ears.

At this moment, Sakuta saw his bad friend Naoto, who was lying on the table with his body twitching.

No need to think, this guy must be laughing, right?

Sakuta looked at his bad friend and said, "If you don't kill him now, are you going to keep him for the New Year?"

Since you, Zhiren, have done such a thing, don't blame us brothers for being unrighteous.

"Teacher! I recommend Yamashita-san as a candidate for this event! Naoto's work has been published in JUMP!"

When Sakuta said this, Naoto was dumbfounded and the class was in an uproar.

"JUMP?! Is that JUMP?!"

“No way?! There are Yamashita’s works on it?”

"Are you kidding? That mountain bottom?"

"Wait, there are only two short stories in JUMP this time. Is Naoto Ajou Kiyome or ONE?"

"Are you stupid? Yacheng Mu Mengye is just a junior high school student, and ONE is a high school student. Is this even worth thinking about?"

"Naoto is actually ONE?!"

Seeing that his identity was exposed like this, Naoto covered his chest and looked at Sakuta in disbelief.

However, Sakuta looked at Naoto nonchalantly. "Good luck to you, brother."

Just when Naoto was about to retort that comics and traditional paintings were different, he found that the entire class had already used him as a sacrifice.

Even Mr. Matsuzaki looked at him with satisfaction.

I didn't expect that Yamashita actually became a cartoonist. Sure enough, Kusunoki still has a way. It's great to be able to bring his spirit back.

Naoto looked at the eyes of the people around him, and he knew that he couldn't hide this time no matter what.

And all this is to blame on that damn bad friend of mine.

Chapter 10: The most beautiful smile

"It's over. How should I draw this?"

At his desk at home, Naoto was currently hunched over the table in distress, his mind a complete mess.

Even though I had explained time and again that comics and traditional oil paintings were two completely different things, the bunch of complainers in the master class didn't care about these details at all.

Just like the older generation thinks that those who study computer science can definitely repair computers, this group of people also thinks that those who can draw comics can also draw oil paintings.

Oh my god, even when I was an art student, I was usually exposed to sketching! Have you ever seen a high school art student learn oil painting? They just have nothing to do. This thing is not even tested in the college entrance examination.

Although I had nothing to do back then, I went to some seniors and tried oil painting, but it was really too torturous.

Even if I paint from morning till night, it takes at least a week, not counting the time to think about the subject.

The most annoying thing is that the deadline for submission is only half a month. Not only do I have to finish the manuscript for the vampires, but I also have to finish an oil painting. This workload is simply inhumane.

Fortunately, after the teachers in the class learned about Naoto's situation, they kindly allowed him to take three days off to find inspiration. In addition, he could choose not to hand in some of his homework in the following week.

Otherwise, he would really refuse this kind of thing.

What's even more fortunate is that the system seems to improve his drawing skills in more ways than just comics.

He can now draw any of them, whether it is sketch, oil painting, or even Chinese painting.

Otherwise, the professional knowledge alone would be enough to hold him back.

"Let me think, the topic this time is... the most beautiful smile. How should I draw it?"

This question actually sounds simple enough.

For those who have been devastated by China's exam-oriented education, this is nothing compared to the college entrance examination essay.

However, if you say this is an essay, it’s fine, but if you want to turn it into a painting, that would be a bit difficult.

What is the most beautiful smile? There are a thousand answers in the minds of a thousand people.

In the eyes of most students in the great country, they are probably starting to talk about how labor is the most glorious and praising some great meanings. In the minds of Zhiren alone, there are a series of contents such as the smile of farmers, serving the people, and the beauty of life.

It’s not that these are bad, but to express them using oil painting is a test of the painter’s skills.

For the depiction of a single figure in oil painting, the best one should be Mr. Luo's "Father". As one of the top ten oil paintings in China, although it is just the image of a farmer, it expresses a lot of things. To depict so many things in one painting, you must be a master.

Naoto thought that even with the help of the system, he could not be comparable to those top masters. Therefore, this became the reason why Naoto was in trouble.

As time passed by, I showed no sign of starting to write.

If I fail to hand in a work by the deadline, I will probably become the laughing stock of the whole class.

"Ha~"

Seeing that it was almost late at night, Naoto, who still had no idea what to do, walked to the balcony alone.

Since the Yamashita family and the Saiki family were neighbors, the balconies of the two houses were only about 1.5 meters apart. It was possible to reach the other's house with just a standing jump.

And the most interesting thing is that Naoto’s room is right opposite Kusunoko’s room.

At this moment, Naoto looked at the pitch-black room of Kusunoko and couldn't help but sigh.

"Yeah, it's already this late, Nanzi should go to bed too."

Thinking of this, Naoto felt that he was too miserable. It was so late, and he was still staying up late just to rely on oil painting.

"What's matter?"

"Whoa!"

Just when Naoto was about to continue to have a headache, Kusunoki appeared behind him without him noticing. Even though he was already familiar with Kusunoki's elusiveness, he was still startled at this moment.

"Nan, Nanzi?! Why are you here?"

"I felt your telepathy and came over."

Naoto almost forgot that Kusunoki's telepathy could be transmitted into her mind even without him speaking.

"You look like you're in distress."

At this time, Kusunoki also knew Naoto's inner struggle. Naoto was now very upset because he didn't know how to create a work.

"Then let's go to that place."

"that place?"

When Naoto heard what Kusunoko said, before he could react, Kusunoko used teleportation to take him to a small hill.

At this moment, the bright moon and the dazzling galaxy appeared above their heads at the same time.

The quiet grove, quietly located at the foot of the mountain, appears particularly secluded.

In the distance, the cooing of owls could be heard from time to time. The cool evening breeze seemed so refreshing even in this night which was approaching summer.

"here it is?"

"Don't you remember? This is where we camped together when we were little."

Seeing that Naoto didn't remember this place, Nan Zi spoke to him considerately.

After hearing Kusunoko's explanation, Naoto suddenly remembered that when he was a child, he seemed to have participated in a summer camp with Kusunoko, and this was the place where they camped.

Before high school, whenever Naoto was sad, Kusunoki would bring him here and they would quietly look at the sky together.

It seems that as long as I do this, I can get rid of all the troubles.

Even at night, everything around did not feel gloomy at all, but instead seemed so full of vitality.

In this environment, Naoto's inner anxiety seemed to really begin to subside.

"Remember? We were in that stream at the beginning. You were going to splash me with water, but you were washed away by the water I summoned."

"Oh, I remember. At that time, your superpowers were getting stronger and stronger, becoming difficult to control. To the point where you could cause great harm at any time. So you didn't dare to play with those kids, and I was the only one who stayed by your side."

The two walked on the forest road, constantly reminiscing about their childhood.

At that time, Nan Zi could destroy a mountain and fill a river with just one use of his superpowers. He was simply a walking human disaster.

Faced with such a situation, Nan Zi was very afraid of hurting others, so much so that Nan Zi had almost no friends at the time and seemed particularly lonely.

But the amazing thing is that when Naoto was a child, he was never afraid of Kusunoki.

Whenever he was playing in the water with Nan Zi, he was almost washed away by the huge waves summoned by Nan Zi.

When he was playing hide-and-seek, Nan Zi buried him directly in the ground and he almost died.

When Nan Zi used his superpowers to restore his body, he turned into a baby or something.

But Naoto has never been afraid of Kusunoki and has always regarded Kusunoki as his best friend.

After this, Kusunoko's sister, Sora, created a controller that could suppress Kusunoko's superpowers, and Naoto was no longer injured.

However, the relationship between the two is getting better and better.

"Now that I think about it, the reason I'm who I am now is all because of your help. If you weren't here, I'm afraid I would have become a weirdo."

At this time, Nan Zi was very glad that she could meet Naoto.

Although she still cannot be considered sociable in class, she is still very happy to get along with everyone.

All of this is because Naoto has been helping her.

Once upon a time, Kusunoki had been to a world where Naoto did not exist.

The person in that place was actually a boy. As a result, in Nan Zi's opinion, his personality was too twisted. Although his personality improved a lot after he successfully made friends, Nan Zi still couldn't stand the lonely personality of moving away at any time.

"So, Naoto. Although I know that you are very sad after the death of your uncle and aunt. But just like you have always been by my side, I will always be by your side. Please, you must cheer up."

Under the starry sky, a girl named Saiki Kusunoko slowly extended her hand towards Naoto.

A faint smile appeared on the girl's face.

At this moment, Naoto felt as if he saw the legendary elf.

"Nanzi, I think I know what I'm going to draw."

Chapter 11: Night Sky, Girl and Smile

As time went by, Naoto's paintings began to improve day by day.

After that night, Naoto felt like his inspiration had exploded, and he only wanted to finish the painting.

There were only three days of vacation, but Naoto stretched it to five days.

Under the night sky, Nan Zi and he held hands and headed towards the unknown forest.

All around, there are fireflies everywhere, and baby birds are singing loudly all around.

Naoto was so absorbed in his own paintings that he didn't even pay attention to what was happening in the comics.