My girlfriend is Saiki Kusunoki

"But senior, there are so many people here this time. It's amazing that so many people have arrived so early."

Looking at the reporters around him, some of whom were still listlessly munching on rice balls, Yamashima could tell that many of them probably hadn't slept a wink last night.

"Yes, after all, we'll be interviewing the Minister of Culture this time, so you need to be on your toes. This is your first time working as a reporter on the field, so listen to me carefully, understand?"

"Understood, senior."

Upon hearing Yue Shui's words, Yamajima immediately perked up.

Around 10 o'clock, reporters were gradually allowed to enter the venue.

These journalists, transformed into a large crowd, continuously poured into the selection venue.

The already limited space was instantly filled by these reporters.

At this moment, in the center of the venue, the fifteen judges for this selection were sitting in their chairs, and the serious atmosphere made the venue almost silent.

However, privately, everyone was still discussing what kind of work would win the gold medal in this competition.

Many people in the venue already knew who the winner was, but they were very curious about what kind of work it was.

Most of the people who came here today did so for this reason.

"Senior, it seems like a lot of people already know who the first place winner is? Wasn't the result only announced today?"

At this moment, Yamashima, a newcomer, asked his senior with some curiosity.

Yamashima was particularly confused by the whispers around him.

"Silly boy, the rankings were actually announced last night. At least a third of the people who came today already know the final results."

"So what are these people doing here? It's already a foregone conclusion."

"Kid, you still have a lot to learn. Besides, what came out this time is said to be something extraordinary."

"Is that so?"

Hearing his senior's words, Yamajima was somewhat puzzled but impressed. What exactly was this thing that came out this time?

As the awards ceremony began, those present quickly saw the winning entries.

As mentioned before, Akira Nagumo and Kiyoko Sawano won two of the bronze awards, and unsurprisingly, the two silver awards were won by two top students from the Academy of Fine Arts.

These two artists' painting skills are actually not much different from those of Akira Nagumo and Kiyoko Sawano, and are even slightly inferior. However, the judges felt that these two artists were better at the subject matter, so they were awarded the silver prize.

However, to the audience present, it seemed more like the minister wanted to avoid suspicion. After all, if someone he had connections were to rise to power, it would inevitably attract criticism. When both sides were roughly equal in strength, a little suppression was a good idea.

However, the final bronze medalist was somewhat unexpected.

To everyone's surprise, Eriri got the last spot. To win a bronze medal in such an important competition proves that Eriri's reputation as a genius is well-deserved.

It's worth noting that among high school students, aside from Naoto's unexpected win, Eriri was the only high school student to receive the award.

Soon, the final winner of the Gold Award, Naoto, did not appear.

At this moment, Yamashima stared intently at the huge screen, not wanting to miss any opportunity.

The reporters around him shared the same idea, and all their cameras were pointed at the podium.

Is it coming!?

When Naoto's work was displayed by the staff, the entire venue erupted in gasps of amazement.

The sea, the starry sky, their companions—countless illusions appeared before their eyes. So real, so moving.

When the stars beyond the abyss appeared before everyone's eyes, the tears in their eyes were so real and beautiful.

Even Naoto himself probably didn't expect that after upgrading his skills through the system, going all out would lead to such a level.

Just one glance was enough to draw everyone into a fantasy.

If it weren't for the fact that this world itself is full of strange and wonderful things, Naoto would probably have been taken to live in a research institute for a while.

Once the illusion dissipated, everyone understood why the rumor had spread that the winner would be an incredibly talented individual.

Everyone understands that Naoto is no longer just the number one genius among the younger generation; he can practically be called the number one genius in Japan.

In a corner of the venue, Nan Yunxiao revealed a bitter smile.

At this moment, he finally understood just how vast the gap was between himself and Naoto Yamashita.

Naoto absolutely deserves to be number one this time.

"However, you only won this time! Next time, I will definitely be back! Naoto Yamashita, just you wait!"

At this moment, Nan Yunxiao thought to himself.

Chapter 187: I'm Just an Ordinary High School Student

"Phew! Life is so peaceful and serene, it's really nice."

Inside the principal's office at PK Academy, the principal was leisurely sipping tea.

Not only that, but at this moment, even Mr. Matsuzaki was sitting next to the principal, leisurely drinking tea.

The two of them, like two old men, marveled at the beauty of life.

"Things have been really peaceful lately. With Naoto-kun not around at school, things are much more relaxed. Nothing's going on. That's good, that's good."

"Yes, those troublesome guys at school have all been busy lately, which is great. We rarely have such a good rest time."

As Mr. Matsuzaki and the principal talked, they couldn't help but think of the most popular students in the creative department among those schools.

Leaving aside the two first-year students, Moritaka and Akito, Mai-senpai has recently taken a break due to filming her project.

Hachiman and Sakuta were both preoccupied with their own affairs, and no one was causing trouble at the school, which made the teachers and administrators very happy.

At least I don't have to worry about cleaning up after these people anymore.

Although these troublesome guys are all elites in school, they have already achieved great success in society before even graduating from high school.

Even if they don't go to university, they'll probably have a bright future, so teachers don't need to worry about them. But when something really happens, it's like an exploding bomb, completely unpredictable.

Especially that straight guy, he's got a knack for stirring up trouble. Just the incident with Nan Yunxiao last time gave him, the principal, a huge headache. Of all people to mess with, this guy had to go against the eldest son of the Nan Yun family. What could he, as the principal, do?

What troubles Matsuzaki-sensei is that people who are with Naoto, no matter how normal they were before, will gradually become strange afterward.

Think back to how quiet and gentle Nanko was back then; now she's getting into all sorts of trouble with Naoto.

"Speaking of Yamashita, how are his grades lately? Although he's a student with special talents now, let's not forget about his academic performance."

"As for Yamashita's academic performance... he's currently ranked fifteenth in his grade. I probably don't need to worry about him."

"Is that so? By the way, why are Yamashita-kun's grades so good?"

"I'd really like to know that too."

Despite being the homeroom teacher of straight students, this guy spends all his time drawing comics and sleeping. For some reason, his grades are still so good, making it impossible for them to cause any trouble.

Perhaps this is what they call genius?

"Beep beep."

Just as the two felt they had suffered an exceptionally terrible blow, the phone in the principal's office suddenly rang.

"Hello, this is Matsushima."

"Yes, that's right! What! Another award?! And a top prize?!"

After receiving a call from Chairman Fujino, the principal once again felt the gap in their lives.

It hasn't been that long, and Naoto has already brought home another trophy. And this time, the prestige of it is incredibly high.

Not only were the judges all professors from the five academies, but there was even the Minister of Culture. Even international awards couldn't compare.

Upon hearing the principal's voice, Ms. Matsuzaki, who was standing nearby, knew without a doubt who had won the award.

Besides his own good student Naoto, who else could elicit such a strong reaction from the principal?

After the principal hung up the phone, Ms. Matsuzaki clearly saw Principal Zheng rubbing his eyes with a headache, seemingly very troubled by the matter.

"Principal, what should we say about this?"

"What else can I say? I really didn't expect it. Yamashita-kun is really amazing this time. Even the ministers are praising him."

"so……"

"So, what else can we do? Let's stick with that plan."

Seeing the principal's helpless yet excited gaze, Mr. Matsuzaki understood what the principal meant.

Meanwhile, after Naoto stepped off the podium, he saw Nan Yunxiao staring at him from a corner.

For some reason, Naoto suddenly walked directly towards Akira Nagumo.

The reporters who were originally planning to surround them all stood still when they saw this, watching the two of them with excitement.

It's worth noting that these two were already irreconcilable enemies before, but now that they're standing together, what kind of intense sparks will fly?

At this moment, Naoto looked at Nan Yunxiao with an unusual calm in his heart. Instead of the annoyance he felt when they met before, he felt a sense of relief.

After several months of recuperation, Nan Yunxiao had lost a lot of weight.

At this moment, he had completely lost his previous arrogance and instead exuded a sense of composure.

"This time, you win."

"Yes, I won."

The first words the two exchanged upon meeting took this unexpected turn.

This surprised the surrounding reporters. The incredibly stubborn Nan Yunxiao had actually admitted defeat.

Even Naoto was somewhat surprised by Nan Yunxiao's decisive surrender. This person seemed to have changed quite a bit compared to a few months ago.

"You are very strong, indeed very strong. At least for now, I am definitely no match for you. I really want to know, how did you do that? That momentary illusion was as if you had concentrated all your energy and spirit into the painting. Who exactly are you?"

At this moment, Nagumo Akira stared intently at Naoto. The world he had seen in Naoto's paintings seemed to have been born in reality. Painting like this was definitely not something a high school student could master.

Those around Nan Yunxiao shared the same question. How could such a fleeting illusion, so real and beautiful, be possible?

"Me? I'm just an ordinary high school artist. I like to draw comics and create things I like in my spare time. It's not as mysterious as you make it out to be."

"An ordinary high school student?"

Hearing Naoto's words, not only did Nan Yunxiao find them absurd, but even the surrounding reporters found them incredibly laughable.