Cartoonists and their assistants

"Hahaha... What kind of things are you drawing? How old are you to come up with such a story... I can't take it anymore, it's too funny."

She was initially a little worried that the other person could actually handle comics, but now she was completely relieved.

The lingering fear in my heart has disappeared.

"I'm still studying."

Mashiro completely ignored the obvious sarcasm and simply said indifferently.

"There's really no need to do something that doesn't taste good at all. It's not too late to turn back now. Wouldn't it be better to become a master oil painter? This kind of childish doodles will only make people laugh."

Eriri looked serious, with a slight smile, as if she was thinking of him.

"If my comics can make people happy, does that mean they are interesting?"

Mashiro made her own reading comprehension.

Eriri's expression turned ugly again.

Mizuki Machi smiled to himself.

In terms of disobeying orders, these two are evenly matched.

Although Mashiro herself was indifferent, as the person taking care of her, he still stepped forward out of a sense of duty and said, "Alright, Eriri, there's no need to try. You can't change Shiina's mind. She's stubborn too."

"What do you mean 'also'?!"

Eriri glared at him.

"Is Sawamura Yuriko?"

Just then, Mashiro remembered something.

"Yes, that's right... but you want me to guide you like this lustful guy did? That's impossible. I'm very busy."

Eriri's expression was indifferent.

"The first comic book I ever read was 'Your Lie in April'."

"I love so much."

"It's more interesting than my paintings."

"That's why."

Mashiro spoke haltingly.

This is an explanation of the previous question.

Eriri's expression changed repeatedly.

She never imagined that she had played a part in the other person's dream of becoming a cartoonist.

Furthermore, is Shiina admitting that she is inferior?

Doesn't that mean—

I've at least beaten Shiina by a tiny margin?

No, no!

Eriri, what are you so happy about?!

She shook her head, clearing her mind, and said, "No matter what, I still think you're not suited to drawing comics. Go back to England and continue drawing oil paintings. I sincerely hope that one day you can create a timeless classic."

"I will work hard."

"Effort is useless."

"I will work hard."

"I'm sick!"

Mashiro's stubborn reaction completely drove the girl to the brink of losing her patience.

The plan to persuade people to return home was declared a failure.

Eriri's biggest failure!

Has 160cm tall Eriri become a "loser" (a woman who loses her boyfriend/girlfriend)?

"Okay, I'm going back."

Eriri didn't linger and turned to leave.

Suddenly remembering something, he turned back and said something.

"By the way, come to me early tomorrow... I have a few pages to discuss with you."

"I see."

He nodded.

"Discussing comics?"

Mashiro blinked and looked at him.

"Yes, we have a studio outside, where we work. In addition to ourselves, we also have two assistants."

"Studio, assistant..."

Mizuki Machi noticed that the girl's eyes suddenly lit up like light bulbs.

Anything related to comic artists is incredibly appealing to her.

"I would like to visit Zhenzhi."

"It's not the right time yet."

"why."

Even if I explained, you wouldn't understand...

"Does Sawamura hate me?"

Mashiro's sudden answer surprised him.

He thought the girl really couldn't feel anything.

It turns out that the girl actually understood, but she just couldn't show it, or perhaps she didn't care?

"A little, but I feel it's a more complex emotion that Shiina can't understand yet, and probably even he himself can't."

He then explained.

"What Zhenzhi says is really hard to understand."

The girl tilted her head.

"However, I listen to the truth."

"Ah."

He nodded with satisfaction.

Now it's all been trained.

......

Two days later, February 12th.

Just before the start of the school term.

"I really want to watch '4 Lies'."

While eating breakfast, Mashiro suddenly spoke up.

"Oh, speaking of which, today is the release date of GANGAN. I didn't expect you to remember it so clearly."

Mizuki Machi realized what was happening and said.

"Okay, I'll bring one back tonight."

"I want to see it now."

"Okay, I don't have anything planned for today, so going later won't be a problem."

"Together."

"......it is good."

Given the girl's insistence, he couldn't very well refuse.

At this moment, he realized that Shiina had never left the house since she came to his home, and could be described as a completely sheltered young lady.

But this may not have been the girl's original intention.

For example, she would definitely like to visit a bookstore.

On the tram.

Mizuki Machi sent a message to Eriri.

Makoto: I'll be a little late today. Shiina wants to see the latest chapter of "Your Lie in April".

Eriri: I understand.

This answer was surprisingly calm, and didn't seem like an act.

Eriri was probably secretly pleased that Shiina enjoyed reading her manga.

Arrived at Takasago Bookstore.

They arrived a little later, and the number of customers had decreased significantly.

So the saleswoman immediately noticed them and came out from behind the counter.

"There's also Zhenzhi... wait, who is this guest I've never seen before?"

Chie Takasago's eyes widened, and she asked with great curiosity.

"Shiina Mashiro, a friend who has come from afar, is temporarily staying at my house for some special reasons."

Mizuki Machi explained.

"Hey hey hey... You two are living together! I remember your aunt and uncle went abroad, which means... now you're a single man and woman living under the same roof."

Chie Takasago pressed her flushed cheeks with both hands and exclaimed in surprise.

"Maji was my first boyfriend."

At that moment, Mashiro interrupted.

"first!?"

"It's so good that my first partner was Machi."

"This is too, too outrageous! So fast... Could this be the legendary heroine who falls from the sky? Childhood sweethearts are definitely an outdated trope! I just didn't expect Eriri to become a loser so quickly?"

The misunderstanding-like conversation made it impossible for Ji-hye to maintain her usual composure.

He showed no reaction and said expressionlessly, "Go on."

"When I was in England, I was surrounded by girls. My first close male friend was Zhenzhi."

Mashiro continued speaking.

"I see... So this is the kind of character he is. That's quite rare."

Takasago Chie struck her fist with her palm, and suddenly realized the truth.

However, although it's not that exaggerated, cohabitation is a fact, right?

I wonder what Eriri's reaction was when she found out about this...

But she knew she wouldn't get a friendly response.

Has the two of them finally reached a new stage?

"So, what books would you two like to buy today?"

"Give me two... or five copies of the latest issue of GANGAN."

"I see."

She nodded with a smile and turned to get the magazine.