Cartoonists and their assistants

Undoubtedly, this was very laborious and reduced her room for corrections in her painting.

No wonder the girl's painting didn't seem to fit the scene quite well.

This cognitive bias may become more pronounced in later stages.

"Having real-world templates as a reference can definitely make the creative process much easier."

He answered as a matter of course.

Then, Eriri stared intently at him, as if trying to convey something.

"Eri, are you inviting me to go on a research trip together?"

"This is not an invitation! As the original author, you should be responsible for this kind of thing."

The girl gave a soft snort.

"Okay, I have time tomorrow since I have a day off."

He nodded.

"Where should we go? Where do you think would be a good place?"

"Saitama Prefecture, Chichibu City, that's it."

"Eh...why? Have you been there?"

"It's just following the guidance of memories from my past life."

"Don't say such childish things!"

.......

Trams sped past on the tracks.

The scenery outside the car window was like a series of flowing paintings, constantly receding into the distance, while the tall buildings on both sides of the street gradually decreased in number.

"How much longer until we arrive...?"

At the car window, Eriri rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window with a bored expression.

Today she wasn't pretending; she was wearing an orange dress with a white short-sleeved shirt underneath, looking charming and delicate, just like someone on a picnic.

"About half an hour more."

Kanzuki Machi glanced at the time and said.

They took the Seibu Chichibu Line from Ikebukuro, which takes about an hour, and they are now about halfway through their journey.

"Ah, I was planning to go back at noon, but it looks like I won't make it in time."

Eriri estimated.

So, if two people go sightseeing like this, wouldn't that be considered a date?

Hmm... a date?

The girl blushed and secretly looked up. When she realized that her childhood sweetheart hadn't noticed her, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking out the window, Mizuki Machi felt a pang of melancholy.

I never imagined that I would embark on a 'pilgrimage to holy sites' in this way.

And in this world, he might be the one to create this 'holy land'.

Unfortunately, there's no one to share this feeling with.

After arriving at Chichibu Station.

Eriri took out her phone from her pocket, intending to use the camera function to record this trip as material for future use.

"Click."

She stood next to the chair, taking in the entire structure of the platform, and snapped a picture first.

"Okay, let's go."

After stepping off the platform, the two officially entered Chichibu City.

Everything here felt new and exciting to the girl, and she wanted to capture it all with her phone.

They traveled along the way, from wide avenues to narrow lanes, from small buildings to universities in the city, stopping and starting along the way, and the morning passed in the blink of an eye.

Throughout the journey, the memories in Guan Yue's mind kept resurfacing and becoming clearer, and the emotions she felt back then welled up in her heart again.

Shopping street, Chichibu Shrine, train station entrance, children's park, Jorinji Temple, Chichibu Bridge...

At that moment, he seemed to have suddenly realized something.

He had a premonition that he might now be able to move people even further.

……

"This is so tiring."

Eriri sat down on a bench by the roadside to rest, rubbing her slightly sore and numb calves with both hands.

Mizuki Machi was holding a drink he had just bought from a vending machine and handed her one of the bottles.

"Let's rest for a while then..."

Eriri reached out and took the drink, and after taking a sip, she instantly felt much refreshed.

The replenishment of sugar gradually restores physical strength.

"Whoo~"

Her breathing gradually returned to normal.

"Let's find a place to have lunch first, and we can deal with the rest in the afternoon."

Mizuki Machi made a suggestion.

"Okay, does Zhenzhi have any suggestions?"

"The food at restaurants that are popular is usually pretty good."

"That's way too noisy."

"You picky young lady, your standards are way too high."

"Fine, I'll go! Stop being so sarcastic!"

The girl looked indignant and showed her little tiger teeth.

It didn't take long.

After strolling around the roadside for a while, the two found a small restaurant that was quite popular.

"welcome."

The waitress asked with a smile.

Do you two have an appointment?

"No."

Mizuki Machi shook his head.

"I understand... This way please, both of you. Call us again once you've decided what you want."

The waitress pointed to the empty seat next to her.

"Is it so cheap?"

After sitting down, Eriri looked at the menu and was surprised by the prices.

"Of course Tokyo has the most expensive prices, you idiot... Besides, you've never been to a small shop like this before."

Mizuki Machi made a mocking remark.

"You're the idiot! Is it strange that I've never been to a place like this before?"

Eriri raised her head, her azure eyes revealing a hint of ferocity.

As a young lady living in a big city, even if she behaves no differently from her classmates on a daily basis, she may not understand the lifestyle that many people are very accustomed to due to her different background.

Although this was not the first time the two had gone out alone.

But this was the first time we'd ever gone out together to visit and eat in a small town.

This gave the girl some new and exciting experiences.

"Miss waitress."

After discussing it, he ordered the food and called the waiter over.

"Two eel set meals, one Coke, and one Sprite, please."

"I understand. Please wait a moment, both guests."

17 Secret Bases

After meal.

"Hmph, the taste isn't that great, yet the business is doing quite well? Is it really just because it's cheap?"

Once outside the store, Eriri casually made a sharp comment.

"Yes, cost-effectiveness is what most ordinary people are looking for. Someone like you who eats delicious food every day can't possibly empathize with that."

With his hands in his pockets, Mizuki Machi said quietly.

"That's complete nonsense! My standards aren't as high as you say. The lunchbox I bring to school is no different from everyone else's."

Eriri said through gritted teeth.

You've completely missed the point.

He sighed.

"Zhenzhi, I've realized you're asking for a beating!"

The girl's eyes blazed with fury, as if she was about to unleash a furious attack.

"Let's go, let's go find the 'secret base'."

He casually changed the subject and quickened his pace.

"Secret base?"

The girl had a question mark on her head.

"The place where Menma and the others spent their childhood? But isn't that fictional?"

"Although it's fictional, you can still use the scenery as a reference."

After the two strolled into an area, they suddenly looked up.

Not far away, there is a wide river with its water flowing slowly, and a reinforced concrete bridge spans it, which looks weathered and worn.

"Is this Chichibu Bridge? I feel like this scene would definitely be useful... Machi, wait a minute, let me find a better angle."

Eriri, holding her phone, quickly ran to the other side, raised both hands, and used the angled camera to capture everything on and under the bridge.

"Click."

After filming the scene of the stone steps under the bridge, they continued forward and crossed the bridge.

"Want to go up and take a look?"

There were many barren mountains around. Eriri pointed to one next to her and asked hesitantly.

"Climbing mountains is very tiring. Can your body handle it?"

Mizuki Machi offered a reminder.

That sounds like a provocation tactic.

"It's not that great, it's just a small hill. My health is much better than before! Besides, didn't you say you were looking for some 'secret base'?"

She answered with great confidence.

"It should be fine."

He pursed his lips, looked up at the hillside, and thought for a moment before speaking.