Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"I can't say much about the technical aspects. I can only see that the coloring and layout are very exquisite. But from my layman's point of view, the biggest problem is the disharmonious color scheme, which ruins the overall feel of the illustration. In this respect, it is far inferior to that of professional illustrators."

"It really was because the wrong color was used..."

"Yes, color blindness has a big impact, but I remember there are corrective glasses for color blindness, right? Why don't you get a pair? Is it because you don't look good in glasses?"

"No... My family has also made me glasses, but... even wearing glasses can't solve the color perception problem... It's not that I can't distinguish colors, but rather that I don't know if the colors I see are the same colors that ordinary people see..."

“Oh, I see. The problem isn’t with identification, but with your fear that you’re using the ‘wrong’ color.”

"Yes……"

While many people may think that drawing only requires a rich imagination, that is not actually the case.

In fact, art is a very rigorous technique.

The reason why beginners often draw unattractive figures is largely due to incorrect human anatomy.

Because humans are creatures that pursue beauty, they prefer symmetrical structures... specifically, the pursuit of 'regularity'.

Being carefree is not the same as being capricious. Only after establishing a correct understanding of reality can one ultimately create paintings that transcend reality.

"So, when you're coloring, aren't you actually coloring according to the 'color you actually see'?"

"Hmm... I know my color judgment isn't accurate, so I always choose the 'correct color' to apply..."

"The correct color? How exactly is that determined?"

"Well, the paints have numbers on them... and descriptions for the corresponding colors, like the sky is number X... I've memorized the numbers and descriptions for all the commonly used colors..."

"I see, but why not draw it according to the colors you actually see and match them to your imagination?"

"You can't just draw what you see, otherwise the colors will be all messed up. When I was a kid, I drew what I saw, and my teachers and parents all said the colors were wrong..."

It seems that being rejected by adults when she was a child made her no longer trust her own eyes and lose confidence in coloring.

However, 'wrong' does not mean 'unattractive'.

"As expected, you lack confidence, Moe-chan."

"Hey?"

In the end, so what if you're colorblind?

In his previous life, Kuroba Akira had seen many amazing painters whose use of color was very bold and eye-catching.

Like a certain ageless comic artist who seems to be the ultimate being, the coloring in his JoJo's Bizarre Adventure could be described as 'bewitching'.

But it is precisely this unique and distinctive style of drawing and coloring that has made him a legendary cartoonist who can hold a solo exhibition at the Louvre.

Putting aside the past life, there are many painters in this world with unique coloring styles. Does that mean they all used the wrong colors?

That's not true at all.

In fact, there is no right or wrong in painting or writing novels; it just depends on whether someone can appreciate it.

"I have just one question for you, Moe-chan: do you still want to color it yourself?"

"Although I really want to, I also know that my current coloring ability cannot be improved by just trying harder..."

Aiyuan Moe bit her lower lip, her ten fingers tightly intertwined, her knuckles turning white, as if she could grasp that fleeting sense of security.

Finally, she made up her mind and, with her loudest voice yet, spoke her true feelings.

"I really don't want to drag down your work, Kuroba-kun!"

She didn't want to be seen as a nuisance.

I'm afraid of being abandoned by my friends.

I hate being last.

That's why Aiyuan Moe seems so timid...

She would rather do nothing than make a mistake.

Thus, Akira Kuroba confirmed that Moe Aizono actually had a borderline personality disorder.

Chapter 163 Taking Another Step Down the Road to Being a Scumbag

Borderline personality disorder refers to an inability to effectively manage emotions, impulsive and reckless behavior, and a high degree of aggression.

Looking at it this way, it seems a bit inconsistent with Aiyuan Moe's performance?

That's because there are several types of borderline personality disorder, including the silent type.

The most direct manifestation of this is that she will blame everything on herself, even when it is not her fault.

Moreover, people with this personality type are afraid of being alone and will try to please others at any cost, but they will hide their true feelings and will not show them even if they are having a lot of inner turmoil.

They will direct all their anger, resentment, and blame at themselves, instead of venting their anger on others.

They doubt their own worth from the bottom of their hearts, and are very afraid that once others know them well enough, they will 'see through' that they are actually a flawed product.

This perfectly matches Aiyuan Moe's outward appearance, right?

Fortunately, she is not beyond redemption, because she has made two important friends and has a relatively stable network of relationships.

However, it is estimated that Aiyuan Moe has no other friends besides her two best friends in the Literature and Art Club, which is why she cherishes them so much, is willing to play a supporting role, and is even willing to do anything for them.

To be honest, the class monitor has a rather serious definition of friendship, while Shirai disdains making friends with ordinary people; they are both not the type to have a wide circle of friends.

No wonder these three became best friends... it's like a love triangle, a two-way journey.

Now, Akira Kuroba has joined them, expanding the triangle into a square.

The fact that Aizono Moe values ​​drawing illustrations for Kuroba Akira so much, even at the cost of exposing her own flaws rather than burdening him, actually proves that she has accepted Kuroba Akira as an important friend.

Thus, Akira Kuroba devised a strategy to win over Moe Aizono. The task at hand was not to enter her heart, but to pull her out of her self-isolation.

So Kuroba Akira replied very casually.

"Who said you would be a burden? Did I ever say that?"

"That's because you didn't say it outright because you were considerate of my feelings, Kuroba-kun... Even I could see that!"

"That was true when we were in the activity room, but it's not like that now."

Kuroba Akira rubbed the back of his neck and said in a flippant tone.

"Moe-chan, I think you might have misunderstood me a bit. I'm not a generous person at all, and I'm not the type to let myself suffer because of feelings."

"Does that mean... Kuroba-kun is actually a bad person?"

"Rather than saying I'm a bad person, I'd say I'm a very vulgar and selfish person... Anyway, if I really thought your coloring was completely hopeless, I wouldn't have let you continue trying."

"Um... um."

Aizen Moe unconsciously wanted to lower her head again, but this time she held back.

Because she saw Kuroba Akira's slightly impatient gaze, her attention was drawn to him.

He doesn't seem disappointed in himself... Is it because he didn't have high expectations in the first place?

If he wasn't thinking of himself, then was he willing to keep drawing because he felt it didn't matter?

Yes, Kuroba joined the Literature Club at Hitomi's invitation, so he must be just as capable as Hitomi... He must have a way!

Seeing a hint of anticipation in Aizen Moe's expression, Kuroba Akira thought, 'She's taken the bait!' and continued speaking with a straight face.

"So all you have to do now is tell me whether you want to continue drawing or not. If you do, I'll give you some ideas. If you don't, I'll contact the editor right now and ask him to find another illustrator to do the coloring, but a portion of your payment will be taken away. Is that okay?"

A high-EQ approach: If you don't want to draw anymore, then you don't have to continue. I won't force you.

A low-EQ statement: "If you love drawing, then get lost."

Anyone with a shred of self-respect would find Kuroba Akira's arrogant attitude unbearable. You were the one who invited me first, and now you're suddenly changing your mind? Who do you think you are?

However, for Aizono Moe, who has borderline personality disorder, Kuroba Akira's attitude of not valuing her much actually made her feel that 'this is more like it'.

So, ironically, it allowed her to speak her mind without any burden.

Aiyuan Moe took a deep breath, as if she wanted to inhale all the surrounding air into her lungs to draw strength.

Her heart pounded violently in her chest, the rapid rhythm like the beating of war drums, causing her body to tremble slightly.

Her gaze gradually hardened, and a small flame ignited in her eyes, which had previously flickered with unease.

She straightened her high chest, raised her chin slightly, slowly loosened her fingers, and then clenched them tightly again. After repeating this several times, she used all her strength to tell Kuroba Akira her true feelings.

"I want to draw...! I want to keep drawing! I want to finish the illustrations for this work!"

Excellent! That's the spirit!

Kuroba Akira desperately wanted to shout that out loud and grab her hands, but he couldn't; he had to hold back.

After learning about Aizono Moe's personality flaws, Kuroba Akira already knew how to get along with her.

Don't be too friendly or overly familiar; instead, be a bit aloof, or even seem a little heartless.

Kuroba Akira crossed his arms, leaned back against the vending machine, and pretended not to care about her answer.

"Okay, but you have to answer my question first."

"Yes, okay! Kuroba-kun, please ask away. I'll tell you anything I know!"

Really? You'd tell me your measurements and bra color if I asked?

I almost said something lewd to tease her, but lewdness and indifference don't go hand in hand, so I had to hold back.

"You applied color twice before in order to get close to the 'correct color,' so you didn't paint according to the colors you saw to match your imagination, right?"

"um, yes."

"Then I can give you another chance. This time, use your favorite colors to color, or try to match the colors you see with the colors you imagine one by one."

"But the color I'm seeing isn't correct..."

Kuroba Akira pretended to be impatient, frowned, and smacked his lips, making Aizono Moe's heart skip a beat.

"Tsk... Stop with the 'buts'! Didn't you say you wanted to keep drawing? Then do as I say. I just want to see what your 'real' coloring looks like when you let loose."

"...Yes! I understand!"

"Okay, then go back and recolor those two four-color illustrations. I'll let you know if you can use them afterward."

"it is good!"

Great, you've successfully rekindled her enthusiasm.