My girlfriend is Saiki Kusunoki

Hachiman was genuinely grateful to Naoto for his help. The matter of illustration was probably insignificant to Naoto; even if Naoto didn't care, no one would say anything.

However, Naoto was wholeheartedly helping him, which moved Hachiman deeply.

Whether it was when Naoto helped him find a publisher for his light novel contract or in other matters later on, Naoto was always there to help him.

It seems that Naoto will always do his best to help those around him without asking for anything in return.

"Hachiman, do we really need to say such things? A friend is someone who lends a hand when you need help, right?"

"But……"

"Hachiman, do you know? In the past, my parents always told me that relationships in society are not so simple. The friends you think you are might trip you up in secret, or they might stab you in the back without you knowing. At that time, I didn't really believe it, because I believed that friends should be the most trusted people, like-minded people. But after my parents passed away, when I saw the way people looked at me and my sister, I suddenly realized that when you really step into society, so-called friendship is actually the least important thing."

Naoto could never forget how his parents' so-called friends looked at him and his sister at their funeral.

If it weren't for my own firm opposition, and Nanzi's protection, I probably would have been torn to pieces by those so-called friends long ago.

"But Hachiman, I believe that true friends will not betray you when you need them. I believe that to gain true friendship, you must first do what you want to do. I help you not because of what I want to gain, but because you are my friends."

Looking at Naoto's retreating figure, Hachiman suddenly understood what Naoto truly wanted.

It is precisely because of this profound loneliness that I yearn for genuine affection. That is why I spare no effort to help others, using my sincerity to earn their sincerity in return.

"Is this your view on friendship, Naoto?"

........................

As time went by, the selection process for the art awards officially began.

The selection process for the Art Creation Grand Prize is actually quite similar to that of the previous Tokyo Youth Art Prize.

However, it is much larger in scale than the Tokyo Youth Art Award.

The selection process involves preliminary selection, screening, review, and final selection.

Furthermore, the number of awards that can be received has increased from three to five.

In addition to the gold, silver, and bronze rewards, there are also rewards for hard work and commendations.

One gold medalist receives a reward of approximately 600,000 yuan, along with a professional certificate. The remaining medalists are two silver medalists and three bronze medalists.

So strictly speaking, those who win awards are basically already in the top ten.

Awards for hard work and commendations are basically related to your efforts. However, although these awards include cash prizes, they do not come with certificates, so they are only slightly better than nothing.

In addition to the awards, there are also various categories. Besides the most popular oil painting category for Naoto participants, there are other categories such as photography and sculpture.

However, since art students generally don't touch photography or sculpture, the oil painting section is a veritable battlefield every year, where a slight mistake could turn you into a pile of minced meat.

The competition for the gold medal was even more intense and unimaginable.

However, Naoto didn't think too much about it this time, since he had a lot of confidence in his work.

Moreover, he had truly given his best, and there was nothing else he could do to ask him to do even better.

Besides, this competition isn't about winning the gold prize; Naoto only needs to beat Nagumo Akira.

Oh, right, now we need to add Eriri too.

Therefore, Naoto is not too concerned about what ranking he will get this time.

However, just as the art award was about to be announced, Fujino, the president of the Tokyo Fine Arts Association, actually paid a visit to Naoto.

"President Fujino? What brings you here?"

Upon seeing President Fujino suddenly arrive at his home, Naoto quickly served him tea.

Although Naoto is now considered a star in the industry, he is still just a nobody compared to the chairman.

I never expected that this leader, who is only a mid-level manager in Japan, would actually make a special trip to visit me.

"Naoto-kun, it's been a long time. I think the last time was at the Young Artists Award ceremony."

"Yes, it's been about half a year now. Also, thank you for your help in that incident, Chairman."

"It's nothing, just a small favor. Even without me, your influence is enough."

Naoto was referring to the time when President Fujino stood up for him and helped him online last time.

Because of President Fujino's intervention, many painters stood by Naoto's side at that time, for which Naoto was very grateful.

Although it might be a small favor for the president, it was a great help to Naoto.

"I wonder what brings the president here today?"

"In fact, Naoto-kun, you also know that the art award selection will begin in three days, right?"

It really is an art creation award.

Naoto wasn't at all surprised that the president had come to him because of this matter.

After all, there seems to be nothing else that would make the chairman come all the way here.

"I am indeed aware of this matter. I wonder what your opinion is, Chairman?"

"In fact, there have been some changes in this year's art awards. The judges this year are different from those in previous years."

"Hmm? May I ask, is there anything different this time?"

"In fact, I don't know whether to say whether you're lucky or not, because in the previous rounds the judges were all the presidents of the art academy, but this time, a special guest judge was added, and this person is probably the most important one in history. It can be said that whether you get a ranking depends entirely on this person's words."

"Hmm? I wonder who this person is...?"

"Of course, it is Mr. Chidori Tsukimizu, the current Minister of Culture."

Chapter 181: Crisis and Opportunity

"Minister of Culture... Mizuki Chidori?"

For a moment, Naoto didn't quite understand what the Ministry of Culture actually meant.

After hearing the chairman's explanation, Naoto finally understood just how high this position was.

The full title of this position is Minister of Culture, Science and Technology of Japan. He is the highest-ranking official in charge of culture and science, and is at the same level as the Minister of Defense, who is the most well-known official in the field.

It is mainly responsible for managing domestic matters related to education and the arts. Even if the unfortunate prime minister of Japan wants to get involved in education, he has to wait for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to pass a specific plan.

In China, it would probably be equivalent to the massive Education Bureau.

In Japan, there is even a special award for those who are exceptionally talented in the arts. Without exception, those who receive this award are the leading figures in the art world.

Although there is a similar award in China, it may not be as internationally recognized as this award.

The fact that such a high-ranking official would serve as a judge for this event is enough to shock the entire art world.

"But why would the Minister of Culture participate in this competition? Even if the art competition is a joint event of the five major art academies, it doesn't mean it can attract the Minister of Culture, does it?"

After all, this is a high-ranking official of the country. If someone of this level is to participate, then at least an international-level competition would be qualified.

"Perhaps it's because of you that the Minister of Culture is so concerned."

"Ah I?"

Naoto was very confused by the chairman's statement. Why did this matter have anything to do with his car?

Naoto was completely baffled as to why the Minister of Culture had come to participate in the competition on his behalf.

"Naoto-kun, do you still remember Ms. Sawano?"

"Miss Sawano?"

"That's right, it's the same person who was at the Youth Art Appreciation Awards back then."

Upon hearing the chairman's reminder, Naoto suddenly remembered something.

Back then at the Youth Art Appreciation event, there was someone who didn't get along with Nagumo Akira, and that was Sawano Kiyoko.

Naoto didn't have much of an impression of this girl, and after half a year, he had almost forgotten that she even existed.

It wasn't until now, when the chairman brought it up, that Naoko remembered that in the Youth Art Award, besides defeating Akira Nagumo, there was also Kiyoko Sawano.

"But what's wrong with Ms. Sawano and the Minister of Culture?"

"This is naturally because Minister Mizuki is actually Miss Sawano's uncle."

"what?!"

Upon hearing the chairman's words, Naoto was naturally taken aback. He never expected that Ms. Sawano's uncle would be such a big shot.

That makes sense, after all, someone who can oppose Nan Yunxiao can't possibly be an ordinary person.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been opposing Nan Yunxiao all this time.

But Naoto never expected that the other party's uncle would be such a behemoth.

"Could it be that the minister came here for revenge because I defeated this Ms. Sawano?"

The president simply smiled at Naoto's inexplicable panic.

"It's not that serious. While this might be part of the reason why the minister cares about you, there are other reasons as well."

"what is that?"

"The first reason is naturally because you defeated Ms. Sawano while you were a high school student, and the second reason is what happened between you and that guy Nagumo online."

Upon hearing the chairman's statement, it was clear that the Nagumo family and the Sawano family were old friends.

The Minister of Culture was naturally particularly interested in the fact that this person had defeated his proud niece and even made a bet with the Nagumo family's son.

Especially after seeing Naoto's incredible resume, even the Minister of Culture couldn't sit still.

In just one year, he has become the number one young cartoonist and has won numerous national art awards. It's no wonder that the Minister of Culture would be interested in such a person.

"I think that having ministers as judges is both a crisis and an opportunity. If the ministers don't care about what you've done, then if you gain their praise, you'll be on a meteoric rise. So, Lord Naoto, you must seize this opportunity."

Naoto naturally understood the president's heartfelt advice.

To receive praise from the Minister of Culture is no small feat.

Even gaining attention is equivalent to ascending to the ranks of immortals.

However, Naoto was unusually calm at this moment.

"I appreciate the president's kindness, but now that my work has been submitted, I can't bring myself to try and curry favor with the judges."

From a straight person's perspective, whether they can win awards or gain attention is not something they care about.