My girlfriend is Kusunoko Saiki

Especially the girl who would lead him on adventures in the forest.

Some things, you won't realize how hard they are to come by until you lose them.

Because he was afraid of living in poverty, Kazuo Sayama studied hard and was finally admitted to a prestigious school. He then rose to high positions and founded his own business.

But when he recalled everything that happened back then, everything disappeared.

The village where I grew up has disappeared, and along with it, the girl in my memory.

That bitter yet beautiful memory became the happiest thing in his heart.

Is there anything in the eyes of a young boy that is more moving than the smile of a young girl?

“This painting is really a good work.”

This young man named Naoto Yamashita, his paintings, his thoughts, and his love for the girl are all displayed in this painting.

Compared to this painting, all the previous paintings pale in comparison.

At this point, Kazuo Sayama could be sure that this painting was definitely the one to be appreciated this time.

Chapter 15: The most passionate confession

"I didn't expect that there would be such a dark horse among the contestants this time."

After seeing Naoto's paintings, the surrounding painters began to discuss who this Yamashita Naoto from PK Academy was. Why had they never heard of him before?

After this brief visit, President Fujino, the president of the Art Association, slowly walked to the podium and began to announce the list of winners of the competition.

After President Fujino stood on the podium, the seats below suddenly became silent. This shows that President Fujino still has a very high status in the minds of those present.

"Ahem, everyone, the annual National High School Art Competition has finally come to an end today. First of all, I would like to thank the students from 4400 high schools across the country for their support for this competition. After three days of review, the judges and I finally selected the top three of this competition."

After President Fujino finished his opening speech, thunderous applause immediately broke out from the audience.

After the warm applause, President Fujino did not say a lot of tedious words like those leaders, but directly began to announce the list of winners.

The second and third places went to the favorites for this competition, Aiko Matsusaka and Matsu Kitayama.

One of them drew the smile of a farmer during the harvest, and the other drew the smile of a policeman helping the people.

The works of both artists are perfect in both conception and painting technique. They are typical academic works that are almost impeccable to find any fault with.

And when announcing the first prize winner, President Fujino paused for a rare moment.

"Honestly speaking, the first place winner of this competition may be the only work that surprised us among all the works we have collected so far. It is hard to imagine that such a work could be drawn by a high school student, and even participated in our competition."

Hearing President Fujino describe the first place winner of this competition like this, the surrounding media people were immediately shocked.

You know, President Fujino is one of the most prominent figures in the entire Japanese art world, and to this day, his works are still internationally renowned.

It has never happened before that such a leading figure would praise a high school student so much.

In this regard, the media people around were all curious about this appreciation and were looking forward to what kind of work would be produced this time.

And President Fujino did not keep everyone in suspense.

When President Fujino displayed the works that were awarded the Ichiban-sho, the painters in the venue all showed expressions of "as expected".

However, the media people and the audience in front of the TV were all outraged.

In Naoto's class, the students who were watching the live broadcast just stared at the painting in a daze.

"No, isn't this Nanzi?!"

"Damn, this is too similar!"

"Oh my god, this is in the forest? Naoto actually asked Kusunoki to go to a place like that?"

"No way, the Iceberg Goddess can actually laugh? As expected of a straight person, she's really awesome!"

"Although I have long suspected the relationship between these two, but sure enough, they are indeed a couple! They must be!"

When seeing this painting, even if one is a novice in art, as long as one is not an idiot, one can basically see the girl's deep love for the painter in this painting.

Some of the little girls who were more love-minded were already screaming at this moment.

"Nanzi, Nanzi! Is that you in the painting?!"

"How romantic! Naoto actually drew you to participate in the competition! When did you two confirm your relationship?"

"No, we are not..."

"Oh, don't hide it. Don't try to fool us with your childhood sweetheart trick. How can childhood sweethearts do this?"

Under the teasing of everyone, Nan Zi's face has gradually begun to turn red.

It is hard to imagine that Nan Zi, such a person, would feel shy because of a painting.

(No wonder Naoto refused to tell me what he had drawn. This guy actually used it! I must teach him a lesson when I get back!)

"Ah Qiu! Do you have a cold?"

Naoto, who was in the conference room, suddenly felt a chill and quickly covered himself tightly. At this time, he thought that it was just that the air conditioning in the conference room was turned too low.

"I'm sure everyone wants to know why I call this the most surprising painting I've ever received. Putting aside the painting skills, the subject matter alone is superior to others."

In response to President Fujino's words, everyone around him looked puzzled.

If the other party's painting skills are better, everyone can understand it. After all, Naoto's painting is really amazing. Just a smile can make people feel a lot of emotions. In terms of painting skills, many famous painters may not have this ability.

But why did President Fujino say that the theme is stronger? Generally speaking, aren't those academic themes that praise beautiful things more popular?

"Indeed, in everyone's eyes, works that praise workers are definitely better. However, those should be placed in the Youth Awards or higher-level competitions, not here. Everyone should not forget what kind of competition this is."

Hearing this, many people looked at President Fujino thoughtfully. Thinking of Naoto's previous paintings, they seemed to understand something.

"The National High School Art Competition should be a place to showcase the diversity of our country's high school art, a place where a hundred flowers can bloom. But the works I collected are just like the answers to the exams, all the same. Is this art? I don't think so."

President Fujino sighed, pointed at Naoto's paintings and said, "It's actually very simple. Will a high school student think about the country's affairs all day long? Will he pay attention to the working people every day? I don't think so. Even if there are, they are only a minority. I don't want the art world to be a mess in ten, twenty, or thirty years, with everyone's thinking being bound by rules and regulations. If that is really the case, then it will be a tragedy for the Japanese art world."

After hearing President Fujino's deafening voice, many people suddenly became enlightened.

Yes, art should not be bound by frameworks. Art should be free and divergent.

If even the works in competitions are bound by rules and regulations, then can future creations be any good?

"This painting not only ensures the beauty of the picture, but also boldly expresses the truest feelings in the heart. I believe everyone has experienced the love for their girlfriend. For children of this age, what is more beautiful than the smile of their lover? Because of this, it deserves the first place in this competition."

As soon as President Fujino finished speaking, the entire venue burst into thunderous applause.

But at this moment, Naoto was a little confused. Did he think so much when he drew this thing? No way! I just wanted to play a small role!

Chapter 16: Sorry, this item is not for sale

When Naoto held the trophy in his hands, the unreal feeling of weight made him feel a little overwhelmed.

Even if I count my previous life, I have never won any awards for studying art.

But who would have thought that within less than three months of traveling through time, I would not only become the author of a JUMP comic series, but also the champion of a national high school art competition. This is a bit outrageous, isn't it?

As Naoto held the trophy with a silly smile on his face, the media people around him took photos of him without hesitation.

Soon, someone discovered Naoto’s true identity, which caused a heated discussion on the Internet.

"Brothers! I discovered something incredible! It turns out that this champion is also a cartoonist serialized in JUMP!"

"I also discovered that this person is ONE who published the vampire last time! He is too young."

"It can't be true! The oil painting is so good, so the comics are also so good?"

"Maybe, this is what is called a genius. There is no comparison."

"Teacher ONE is still a high school student, right? I didn't expect that he has a girlfriend now. And he is so romantic that he even drew his girlfriend into a picture to participate in the competition."

"I'm convinced. I'm really convinced. I just read the comics of this champion. He's not only good at painting, but his comics are even better! Why does this world have to have such a genius?"

"Have you noticed that ONE's girlfriend is also very beautiful! They look like a perfect match."

In this information-rich age, it is simply impossible for Naoto to keep his identity completely secret.

After winning the competition, Naoto's fame skyrocketed, and his identity as a serial cartoonist and oil painting genius spread throughout the entire Internet.

At this time, even the editors in the JUMP editorial department were confused. After learning the news, many editors said that they were dumbfounded.

There are many cases where our own cartoonists do not do their job properly.

But there are really not many weirdos like Naoto.

You said you wanted to paint oil paintings and then participate in a competition, and no one stopped you. In the end, you even won a championship. Isn’t that a bit too impressive?

However, this may not be a bad thing for JUMP.

At least I can guarantee that the next time Bloodline is updated, there will be a large number of readers who come to read it, and judging from the situation, the number should be quite a lot.

It is even possible that after purchasing JUMP, these people will become loyal readers of JUMP. From this point of view, this is actually an exciting thing.

Naoto even discovered that his ultimate lazy dog ​​system not only upgraded the moment he became the champion, but also gave him a skill.

Painting level: Advanced

Painting skills: Vivid (others can feel the smell and sound contained in your painting through your painting.)

Although Naoto didn't quite understand what this skill meant, it sounded like it should be very powerful. If possible, Naoto would like to find some time to try out the power of this skill.

When the award ceremony was over, Naoto naturally became the focus of everyone's attention.

Many painters and celebrities wanted to come and meet him. Everyone with a discerning eye knew that this young man had a promising future.

At this time, Mr. Kazuo Sayama, who had been there before, was also standing in the crowd and handed Naoto his business card.

"Tokyo Bunka Co., Ltd., Kazuo Sayama?"

Looking at the man in front of him, he was somewhat confused. Why would this so-called Tokyo Bunka Co., Ltd. come to him?

"Hello, my name is Kazuo Sayama, and I am a collector. I wonder if you would like to sell the painting you have? I am willing to purchase it for two million."

When Naoto heard that Kazuo Sayama was willing to purchase his paintings for two million, not only was he stunned, but even the painters around him were shocked by his generosity.

You have to know that this is two million, which is nearly one hundred thousand when converted into Chinese currency.

Although this price is less than one-tenth or even one-hundredth of those of famous painters.

But you have to know that Naoto is currently just a painter who has just won the first prize in a high school student competition. In the art world, he can be considered a novice at best.

Two million is definitely a sky-high price for Naoto. You know, most painters can't even sell their paintings, but Mr. Sayama is obviously a rich man. If he becomes a regular customer in the future, I'm afraid he will take off.

Just when everyone around him thought Naoto would agree to this, Naoto refused without even a second thought.

"I'm sorry, this painting is not for sale."

Seeing that Naoto had no interest in the two million, everyone around was stunned.

Is this person really from a wealthy family? Or is he just a person who only cares about fame, wealth and dirt?

"Are you dissatisfied with the price? That's okay. I can still increase the price..."

"Not in terms of price, Mr. Sayama."

"What on earth is that..."

Kazuo Sayama looked at the serious Naoto. For some reason, he always felt that this young man really didn't seem to care about the price of the painting.

"First of all, I have no intention of becoming a professional painter. I want to be a cartoonist rather than an oil painter. It was just a coincidence that I came to participate in this competition."

"Manga artist?!"

When people around him heard that Naoto did not plan to become a traditional painter but instead chose to be a cartoonist, they were extremely surprised.

You know, most traditional painters don't actually think highly of so-called cartoonists, and think that what cartoonists draw are all meaningless stuff.

But while traditional painters look down on cartoonists, cartoonists don't like traditional painters very much either, thinking that they are all old-fashioned.

And in terms of popularity, unless it is a painter of the level of Picasso or Van Gogh, most traditional painters cannot compare with comic books.

Going back a bit, the comics industry has a series of big names such as Akira Toriyama and Fujiko Fujio. In recent years, big names such as Kishimoto, Sorachi, Takahashi, etc. are well-known all over the world.

For them, it is incomprehensible that a traditional painter would choose a cartoonist. It is simply a waste of talent!

"But being a cartoonist isn't that easy."

Kazuo Sayama couldn't bear to see such a talented child entering the quagmire of comics, and planned to continue persuading him.

"That's not more difficult than being in the traditional art world, right? Besides, my work has already been serialized in JUMP. If you want me to give up now, I really can't agree."