Tokyo: Oreimo

Ling opened her mouth as if to say something, but Ryosuke didn't give her a chance to interrupt.

"This is a club activity. Horiuchi is the vice president. She joined the manga club because she loves drawing and wants to improve together with like-minded people."

"If you were to take the lead, the finished product would be at the level of a commercially successful serialized work. What would you make her efforts look like a joke after two years of drawing?"

Ling Nai fell silent.

She glanced down at the illustration of their first encounter on a snowy night in her hand, and then recalled the cautious yet expectant look in the older woman's eyes when she asked her to help her look at the drawing.

That painting certainly has many areas for improvement; it would have been even more perfect if she had painted it.

But it was precisely because of this that she suddenly understood what Ryosuke meant.

"There are only a few people in the manga club. Horiuchi is the only main force who can draw. If even she is discouraged by you and gives up drawing, the creative atmosphere of this club will be gone."

Ryosuke shifted his gaze from Ayano's face to Horiuchi Ayumi, who was watching the two chatting with curiosity.

"If you really want to help, you can give her some suggestions for revisions instead of drawing it for her directly."

Ling Nai remained silent for a while.

"...You're quite considerate of others."

Her tone sounded like a complaint, but her voice had lost its previous sharpness.

“It’s a club.” Ryosuke chuckled. “I’m a newbie too, only joined two weeks ago. I can’t just take away the vice president’s job right away.”

"...You didn't even think about me, you didn't tell me about this." Ling Nai muttered.

"Didn't I tell you now?" Ryosuke tilted his head. "Speaking of which, even now, watching you draw is still quite impressive. You managed to sell out all the doujinshi in three minutes with just one drawing."

What? Is this a compliment to my abilities?

The topic shift was too abrupt.

Ling Nai's lips unconsciously curled up slightly, but she quickly suppressed it.

"...I just didn't want to sit there blankly, it was too boring."

"Ha, I thought you wanted to show off..."

Ryosuke made a teasing remark, but immediately stopped himself, because the girl's hand was already on his waist.

If you dare to continue, you might be punished immediately.

"I'll let you off this time, but next time you need to tell me in advance about something like this."

Ling Nai turned her head away, which meant she had calmed down.

"Know it."

Ryosuke chuckled softly.

.....

Ling returned the illustration of their first encounter on a snowy night to Ayumi.

"Feel sorry."

She bowed slightly, and this sudden apology startled Ayumi.

"The reason I suddenly left you hanging just now wasn't because your drawing was bad, nor because I had a problem with you."

Ling Nai straightened up, her golden ponytail swaying gently with the movement. "It's this guy's problem."

She pointed her thumb at Ryosuke behind her, her tone still carrying a hint of awkwardness.

"They're going to write fan fiction, but they haven't mentioned it to me at all. As family, shouldn't I have known about this before the club members did?"

As she said this, she crossed her arms over her chest, raised her chin slightly, and gave off an expression that said, "I'm just stating a self-evident fact."

Ayumi blinked, glanced at Ling Nai, then at Ryosuke who was pretending to study the poster for the Electric Town Festival on the lamppost, and suddenly felt like laughing.

That's how it is.

No wonder that after the blonde girl received the painting, her first reaction wasn't to evaluate the painting itself, but to immediately turn around and cause trouble for Ryosuke.

"You two siblings have such a good relationship," Ayumi said sincerely.

"Who's actually in a good relationship with him!"

Ling Nai retorted reflexively, but realized her reaction was too extreme as soon as she finished speaking, so she coughed lightly and forcibly brought the topic back on track.

"Anyway, what exactly happened with that idiot who helped you revise the drawing?"

Upon hearing this, Ayumi briefly recounted what had happened in the activity room that day.

"Gao Cheng has a very sharp eye and can always find fault with my paintings, but when it comes to techniques, he knows absolutely nothing."

"It's just that I've seen a lot of paintings. I think it's because I've practiced by looking at your paintings, Ling Nai, right?"

If she hadn't seen Ling Nai start writing, she might still think that Ryosuke was making up some excuse to fob her off, but today she's seen it for herself.

Having seen paintings of that quality, it's only natural that they would offer so many valuable suggestions.

The blonde girl in front of me might just be an extremely talented fan artist.

In short, it's a rare opportunity to ask someone younger for advice, and there's nothing shameful about it. If the other person is so skilled, it's perfectly normal to take the opportunity to ask for their techniques.

.....

The line moved forward steadily, and for the first time, Horiuchi Ayumi wished she could stay in line a little longer.

The drawing paper that Ling Nai showed was a copy of the original drawing that Ryosuke had commented on and modified. The original drawing was created using a graphics tablet, but when it was actually hand-drawn, it always felt like something was off.

She revised it three times, but she still couldn't recreate the perfect version she had drawn in the activity room that day.

But after exchanging only a few words with Ling Nai, this girl, who was several years younger than her, was able to pinpoint her problems and offer solutions.

"You can always improve your drawing skills by practicing more, but if you can't capture the character's expression and temperament, you'll just be painting the skin for a lifetime."

She spoke in a very calm tone, and that composure inexplicably reminded Horiuchi Ayumi of Ryosuke, who had helped her revise her drawing in the activity room that day.

These two people are remarkably similar in this respect.

"Ling Nai."

"Ok?"

"Who exactly are you..." Ayumi paused, swallowing back the "Who are you?" she was about to ask, and instead asked a more appropriate question, "How many years have you been drawing?"

Ling Nai tilted her head and thought for a moment.

"About four or five years."

Four or five years.

Ayumi repeated the number in her mind, then looked down at her hands.

She has been drawing for almost three years, but the gap is still so large that she feels they are not even in the same dimension.

"Don't make that face." Ling Nai noticed the subtle change in her expression, crossed her arms, and looked away. "I was just lucky to find what I wanted to draw early on. When you draw what you like, you improve very quickly."

There was one more thing she didn't say: she had an "editor" who never missed a single detail and could adjust the visuals for her with the most precise language.

Moreover, the editor always managed to stimulate her with works that were even more amazing than the previous ones, forcing her to constantly improve herself, otherwise she would fall behind him.

I can't say that to that guy's face.

You're right.

Ayumi carefully tucked the drawing paper back into the sketchbook, then looked up and gave Ling Nai a serious smile. "But luck itself is also a talent. To encounter good works and good people, and then be inspired to keep improving, that in itself is remarkable."

Looking at her serious expression, Ling Nai suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

She's not good at being praised to her face, especially genuine praise.

"You...you had one too, didn't you? That idiot helped you revise the drawing. It was a bit annoying, but at least the direction was right."

She turned her head, her voice a few decibels lower than before, "Keep drawing, you'll improve sooner or later."

Ayumi smiled gently.

This proud and aloof little girl actually has a very kind heart.

"Then please give me your guidance." She bowed slightly to Ling Nai.

"When it's convenient for you to come and see my paintings during club activities in the future, is that you do so without affecting your studies?"

Ling Nai glanced at her, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded very slightly.

"We'll see. If that guy also participates in club activities on Saturdays, I'll occasionally come along."

Chapter 239 Who is the president?

Two hours later, the line finally crawled to the very front of the stall.

Tian Zhongxue was incredibly excited when he received the two thin plastic boxes with both hands.

"As expected of Rumiko Takashiro, her art style has changed again this time. She's amazing."

He held the CD case, thoroughly enjoying it.

"Stop acting so worthless, Chairman."

Horiuchi Ayumi couldn't help but complain.

"I don't care about that kind of thing!! I got Ayumi!! I got the SAO demo!!"

Tian Zhongxue held the demo disc, which was wrapped in a transparent plastic box, above his head with both hands, without feeling the slightest bit ashamed.

"Put it down! Put it down! Everyone around is looking!"

But Horiuchi Ayumi, who was standing on the side, wished she could disappear into the ground and was speaking through gritted teeth.

"By the way, this is for Gao Cheng. We really owe you a lot of luck today."

"Where."

Tian Zhongxue handed one of the copies to Ryosuke.

The CD case spun around in Ryosuke's hand before he casually stuffed it into his pocket.

Ling Nai glanced at him and gave a soft snort.

After queuing for so long, all he got was a box of stuff produced by his own company, and this guy acted like it was his due.