Chapter 77
At noon the weather had been clear and the sun steady. By afternoon, though, the sky had turned heavy and gray.
Eriri noticed the signs the way people there did: dragonflies skimming low, swallows flying close to the eaves — rain was on its way. She tugged her umbrella from her bag. "Lucky I brought it," she murmured.
Her satchel was heavy with drawing supplies and three thick comic magazines. The umbrella only made it weigh more; the petite girl began to tire after a few blocks.
Satomi Azusa followed at a distance, weaving through the same streets. The route to the hospital overlapped part of the road toward Suimei University of Arts Affiliated High School, and Azusa felt a strange little thrill at that coincidence. She kept her distance, watching.
A sweet smell from a shop snagged Eriri. She planned to pick up a treat for Lucien — red bean pancakes were his favorite. Just as she stepped toward the vendor, a car slowed beside her.
"Eriri? What a surprise!"
Eriri looked up. Editor Ayano Iida was at the wheel and Mizuki Usami sat beside her, both smiling.
"Ms. Iida! Mizuki!" Eriri called back, surprised and pleased.
Iida leaned out the window. "We were heading for a bite nearby. Want to join us?"
Mizuki chimed, bright as ever: "Yes, Eriri-senpai — come with us!"
Eriri hesitated for only a second before nodding. Their enthusiasm was hard to refuse.
"We'll park and be right back," Iida said. The car moved a little and stopped. When the back door opened, another girl stepped out — blonde, fair, the kind of cool, subtle beauty that makes you look twice. Eriri frowned, trying to place her face.
"It's her," she said softly — the girl who'd bought a Manga Jump from her a little while ago.
Iida introduced them. "Eriri, this is Mashiro Shiina. Like Lucien, she's contracted with Manga Jump. I'm her editor and also the creator of A Love Painted in the Sky"."
Eriri's surprise made her grin. A high schooler working for Manga Jump was impressive. She felt a little foolish when Iida added, "She worked with Whale sensei and also her girlfriend ."
Eriri flushed and hastily corrected herself. "No—Mr. Whale and I are just friends. Really, that's all."
Mashiro offered a small, steady smile and extended her hand. "Hello. I'm Shiina Mashiro."
Eriri took it. "I'm Sawamura Spencer Eriri." Her voice spilled into breathless excitement. "You're the author of A Love Painted in the Sky"! I'm a big fan."
Mashiro nodded quietly. There was no theatrical reaction—no wide-eyed fangirl moment, just the calm, slightly distant composure of someone who lived inside a different rhythm. Eriri found the contrast almost charming.
Iida chuckled. "Mashiro's like that. Quiet, not big on showing emotions. Please don't take it personally."
Eriri, a veteran in two-dimensional archetypes, caught on instantly. Mashiro's stillness fit a type: serene, reserved, a living counterpart of a character often drawn on paper.
They walked into a café together. Azusa, who had been hiding nearby and peering through the windows, felt the world tilt a fraction when she saw them sit down. Two blond creators sharing tea looked like a picture from a fashion magazine. Her mind raced; she decided what she'd seen was better kept quiet.
Inside, the air smelled of coffee and sponge cake. Conversation came easy.
"Ms. Iida, what's the occasion?" Eriri asked, smiling.
Iida shrugged, pleased. "I got paid. Consider this a treat."
"Then I won't be polite," Eriri grinned.
"Order what you want," Iida insisted.
Mashiro glanced at the display. "I'll have two slices of Baumkuchen."
"Of course," Iida said. "Help yourself."
Mizuki faked a rueful face. "I'm trying to diet, actually."
Eriri laughed. "You don't need to!"
Mizuki pouted. "Someone in the art club said I was chubby."
Eriri snapped, "Tell me who — I'll teach them manners!"
Mizuki shook her head, mock-terrified. "No, I'd get in trouble."
Iida steered the chat toward art. "Eriri, you study art — right? Mashiro and Mizuki study painting too. The three of you should compare notes."
Mizuki looked shy. "I'm nowhere near Mashiro's level."
Mashiro stayed quiet, content to listen.
Eriri couldn't help admiring. "Shiina-sensei, your art is incredible. I always envy the way your panels breathe."
Mashiro inclined her head, a quiet thanks.
Mizuki brightened and then asked, "Eriri-senpai, do you draw manga?"
"No," Eriri answered quickly. "I do illustration and original paintings. Stories aren't my strong point."
Iida smiled at that. "A manga artist must be many things: storyteller, draftsman, designer, director. It's not easy."
Mizuki groaned. " That's whyI decided to be an assistant. Less dramatic, fewer deadlines."
Iida teased, "You're still in training, Mizuki. Welcome to the corporate world."
Their laughter warmed the table. Iida turned to Eriri with curiosity. "You've been uploading Slam Dunk for Lucien, haven't you?"
Eriri nodded. "Yes. He is not able to do that , so I've been helping him."
Mizuki's face softened. "He's getting stronger. Iida said there's a good chance he'll be discharged soon."
Eriri's smile went wide. "That's fantastic — we should all celebrate with him."
"Actually," Iida said, leaning in a little, "I thought Mashiro could meet Lucien. She's run up against a block in her romance beats for "A Love Painted in the Sky". Lucien's strength is plotting and emotional pacing — a short talk between them might light something."
Eriri's eyes sparkled. "He's amazing at that. He's thinking of a new work after Slam Dunk."
Iida asked: "What is it about?"
"Confessions," Eriri answered. "A love story. Something about people who won't say how they feel."
Mashiro looked thoughtful and said softly, "Love…"
Mizuki elbowed her playfully. "There we go."
Iida laughed and then Mashiro's phone rang. She stood to take it. Outside, Azusa watched her walk away and whispered to herself: So that's Mashiro. She really is the creator of Cabbage House.
After the café, they strolled the shopping street for a while; then Iida drove Mashiro and Mizuki away. Eriri bought a box of red bean pancakes and hurried back toward the hospital as the first heavy drops began to fall. Dark clouds rolled in. A sudden wind kicked up, and then thunder cut the afternoon in half.
Lucien watched the storm from his bed. The rain turned sheets of water against the window. He felt a small worry — Eriri always came on Friday afternoons with the latest Manga Jump. The downpour could make her late.
A moment later the door burst open and Eriri dashed in, dripping but smiling, her umbrella tucked into a bag and the pancakes clutched against her chest.
"Sorry! The rain started suddenly," she said, catching her breath, cheeks flushed. "I almost got blown off the street."
Lucien's anxiety melted at the sight of her. "You made it," he said softly.
She grinned, setting the pancakes on the table. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it."
They settled into their familiar rhythm: comics spread across the bed, gentle commentary, and the easy, comfortable back-and-forth that filled the room with ordinary warmth even while the world thundered outside.