Bonus chapter 2
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Different fields are like different mountains; especially since Mashiro's field is oil painting, a more traditional style of work, it's normal for people who don't know much about it to not have heard of Mashiro's name.
For example, after Madoka was animated, for a large number of people, they only had a certain impression of the name Izumi Masamune, and it's not certain how much they really understood.
Sagiri actually started halfway; before formally studying painting, she only barely laid a foundation and didn't know much about famous figures in the field of painting.
She only knew a few well-known illustrators in the industry, and among doujin artists, she only knew 'Kashiwagi Eri' because they weren't in the same 'race track', so her understanding was limited.
But even so, in such circumstances, the name Shiina Mashiro had appeared in her browsing history.
That was when she was searching for information online to improve her drawing skills and had seen similar news reports.
Is the protagonist of that report this world-class genius painter right in front of him?
Sagiri subconsciously swallowed.
Anyone who can reach this level at such a young age must possess monstrous talent beyond imagination. Although her most famous works are oil paintings, how could her other styles of painting be bad?
These aren't completely unrelated skills.
Just in terms of fundamentals, Mashiro's skill level is enough to crush other artists.
She is no exception, and Eriri is no exception.
When Sagiri realized this, she felt an unprecedented pressure.
This was a genius who surpassed her own understanding, and in the very field she was best at and the only one she could excel in: painting!
Sagiri couldn't help but clench her right hand, trying to suppress that uncontrollable trembling instinct.
"Sagiri."
Her Ni-san's call brought her back to her senses, and only then did she realize that cold sweat had already broken out on her back.
Izumi Chihiro frowned.
This was his biggest concern about taking Mashiro in.
Taking care of Mashiro didn't take much effort for him, and he had enough patience to deal with it.
But the pressure brought by Mashiro's appearance was something he couldn't directly eliminate.
Only by changing one's mindset could one adjust.
It was easy in some ways, and difficult in others.
Just like him, he didn't feel Mashiro's 'terror' at all, only pure admiration, even when he first tried painting.
Though he had a 'whatever' attitude at the time.
"Ni-san, I... I'm going back to my room first."
Sagiri left a sentence and departed without looking back.
After returning to her room and calming her breath, she opened her computer and searched for information about 'Shiina Mashiro.' The more she browsed, the more her heart sank.
"Amazing... amazing... This world is too big! How can there be such an amazing person!"
The girl murmured in disbelief.
...
Izumi Chihiro noticed his sister's state, but had no intention of interfering in the short term. He hoped his sister could overcome this psychological barrier herself, and ideally turn the pressure into motivation, allowing her stagnant painting skills to experience a period of rapid improvement again.
Compared to Eriri's mental state when she was about to give up painting, Sagiri was several years older and had experience as an illustrator, so she wouldn't be easily defeated.
Just like the current Eriri, in his estimation, after a period of stress reaction.
She would definitely dedicate herself more diligently to painting, allowing herself to continue to transform.
Even if surpassing Mashiro was an impossible task.
It was soon dinner time.
Izumi Chihiro had already prepared the meal, so after calling Sagiri, he knocked on Mashiro's door.
"Dinner, Mashiro."
"Mm."
Mashiro walked past, his gaze falling on the easel by the window.
In this short time, Mashiro had still been painting, but the style of painting was not the familiar oil painting, but a black and white manga, which seemed to have just been completed.
Otherwise, it would be difficult for others to wake the pure white girl immersed in her painting world.
"Sure enough."
Izumi Chihiro showed an 'as expected' expression, then closed the door.
"Mashiro, why are you still standing here?"
As he walked out of the corridor, he found that Mashiro was not sitting in the dining chair, but standing still in one spot, looking up somewhere.
"Is this manga? But why is it in color?"
Mashiro asked in a questioning tone.
Because this painting style was somewhat similar to the manga in her memory, she asked this question.
Izumi Chihiro looked up, and it was an illustration from a light novel depicting the fierce battle between the Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku and Upper Rank Three Akaza, with both sides unleashing their ultimate techniques and competing against each other.
"This isn't manga, this is an illustration from a light novel. Manga, because of time constraints, generally isn't drawn to such an exquisite degree; it focuses more on the plot, emphasizing continuity... As for color, manga isn't necessarily black and white."
So, he explained.
After hearing his answer, Mashiro's eyes lit up with a strange brilliance.
"Indeed, it's really great that Chihiro was my first."
As Sagiri watched the two of them pointing and commenting on her illustrations, she couldn't help but sneak over to eavesdrop, but only heard this utterly unexpected sentence.
"Pfft...! First time? Ni-san, what exactly have you been doing behind my back! And besides, Mashiro-oneesan just arrived today, isn't she a little too eager? Is my Ni-san really that kind of person?"
Sagiri almost spat out a mouthful of soda.
Although becoming Ero Manga Sensei had given her a slight resistance to 'ero' topics, hearing such news so unexpectedly still made her feel her face flush.
"It's not like that, Sagiri, you misunderstood... Mashiro, you better explain yourself properly!"
Izumi Chihiro had prepared himself mentally, so he remained as steady as a mountain, his gaze fixed on Mashiro.
"Because Chihiro is the first person I've had a good relationship with, and he's always able to solve my troubles."
Mashiro said slowly.
"Oh, I see..."
Sagiri unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
The three of them sat down at the dining chairs.
"Why did Mashiro Ni-san come back to Japan? Wouldn't she have had better prospects abroad?"
Sagiri tried to dig out more of Mashiro's secrets.
Mashiro suddenly put down her chopsticks.
'What's wrong?'
Sagiri was instantly startled.
"Because I want to become a manga artist."
Mashiro stated slowly, her expression visibly becoming serious.
Though her tone was calm, he could hear an unshakeable determination in it.
Because Mashiro was actually a gentle yet very stubborn person.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter