When I arrived at the literature club, everyone was already present.
As soon as I stepped in, Ayaka spoke up:
"We've been waiting for you, Hiro. Today, we'll be reporting on our novel-writing progress."
I nodded slightly, then quietly took a seat next to Sumire. She looked especially cute today with her soft black hair and a dolphin-shaped hairclip.
Ayaka, as serious as ever, continued:
"Let's report our progress now."
She slightly puffed out her chest and said confidently,
"I've already finished."
"So have I,"
Ren added, followed by a nod from Kaori.
"Uh… I haven't done anything yet."
Mizuki smiled awkwardly and scratched her head.
"I'm… almost done…"
Sumire spoke softly, eyes lowered to the notebook in her hands.
"And I'm… pretty much like Mizuki."
I forced a smile, groaning inwardly. I completely forgot about it.
After that, we had lunch together and chatted about our novel ideas. The atmosphere in the club was always like this,just lively enough, just peaceful enough.
After lunch break, it was time for art class. The teacher announced that students sitting near each other would pair up,one as the artist, the other as the model.
I smiled to myself. This was the perfect chance to get closer to Ayaka.
I was pretty confident in my portrait skills, especially with a beautiful model like her.
"You'll be my model, okay, Ayaka?"
I asked as we were paired up.
"Sure," she replied with a gentle smile, "but make sure you draw me nicely."
"Haha, don't worry."
Ayaka adjusted her pose, sitting gracefully. To help her feel less awkward, I quietly suggested,
"You can look out the window instead of at me. That might feel more natural."
Sunlight streamed into the classroom, softly illuminating her black hair. It was a truly beautiful scene.
But then my gaze drifted toward the other side of the room… where Lucy was posing for Shun.
Even though it was just for class, I couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable. Maybe I was being possessive.
Wait—
I suddenly remembered: in the game, Shun was a terrible artist. The kind of drawings that even kindergarteners would frown at.
Lucy definitely wouldn't be happy.
Which meant,this was my chance to score some points. After finishing Ayaka's portrait, I'd sketch Lucy as well.
I focused back on my drawing. Ayaka, bathed in the golden light, looked stunning.
I drew without pause, the image flowing easily from my mind to the page.
"All done, Ayaka."
I carefully lifted the portrait off the easel and handed it to her.
"Wow… It looks just like me! It's amazing,thank you!"
Ayaka beamed, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
She continued to admire the drawing, while I quietly began sketching Lucy.
I watched her and let the pencil move. Maybe she sensed my gaze, because she turned toward me with an expression that seemed to say, "What are you staring at?"
I simply smiled in response.
When class ended, just as I expected, Shun handed Lucy his drawing, and… oh god. It looked like a stretched-out rag doll.
Lucy's face darkened immediately.
"Lucy, come here."
I called out.
She walked over with a sour look.
"What is it?"
I handed her the drawing I made earlier.
"What do you think?"
She stared at the drawing, then looked at me, slightly stunned.
"You… drew me earlier? But why?"
I smiled and said,
"I knew Shun wouldn't do a great job, and posing is kind of tiring. I didn't want your effort to go to waste."
She looked at me for a few seconds, then turned away, cheeks slightly pink. Her voice took on a tsundere tone:
"Ugh… Who asked you to do that anyway… But… since you put in the effort… thanks, okay? Can I keep it?"
God, tsundere Lucy is just too cute.
"Of course you can."
"…Thanks."
She returned to her seat, gently hugging the drawing as if it were a treasure.
Meanwhile, Ayaka was still sitting at her spot, gazing at the portrait I made of her like it was a surprise gift.
When I returned to my seat, she looked up and smiled brightly:
"Hiro, you're really good at drawing… I thought it'd just be a regular assignment, but you drew me so beautifully."
I scratched my head, a bit shy.
"Uh… well, you're already beautiful, so…"
Ayaka giggled softly, her cheeks slightly flushed:
"Gosh, that sounded like a line straight out of a romance novel… But thank you. I really like it."
She hugged the drawing gently, then looked at me with warm eyes.
"If there's another chance… will you draw me again?"
"Anytime."
I replied, feeling a strange warmth in my chest.
Ayaka, when she's happy… is truly adorable.
---
After school, I was packing up to leave when Shun approached me. His expression wasn't exactly cheerful, more like sour and annoyed.
"Tch… You really made Ayaka laugh a lot today,"
he said with a bitter tone.
Ayaka had already left earlier, which probably gave Shun the confidence to come talk to me like this.
I let out a short breath, not wanting to stir up any unnecessary conflict.
"We just studied together and chatted, like anyone else. Nothing serious."
Shun narrowed his eyes, hands in his pockets.
"Just chatting, huh?"
I shrugged, trying to stay calm.
"And you? That portrait of Lucy you drew was… memorable."
There was a beat of silence. Then Shun scoffed.
"I don't need your sarcastic compliments. And I guess you've got your eyes on her too."
He walked off, leaving me with a quiet sigh.
On the way home, I walked with Ayaka and Sumire like usual. The two chatted happily, the atmosphere feeling unusually gentle.
Normally, it was just Sumire who would sneak glances at me with those sparkling eyes.
But today… Ayaka did it too.
Every time I turned to look, she'd quickly avert her gaze, her cheeks flushed.
It seemed that drawing really earned me some affection points.
A strange feeling stirred in me,part joy, part nervous excitement.
I mean, of course… this is a romance game, after all.
After we parted ways at our usual intersection, I didn't head straight home. Instead, I stopped by a small bookstore along the way.
My eyes fell on the cooking section.
I should seriously learn to cook… If I want to impress the girls, this is the best way, right?
I picked a book with a cute cover: "Everyday Cooking for Beginners", and brought it to the counter.
With a new sense of resolve in my chest, I stepped back into the evening light.