"Manga artist?"
A flurry of question marks seemed to appear above Sagiri's head.
To switch from a world-class genius painter to a manga artist, it just didn't make sense, did it?
It wasn't to belittle manga, but for someone of higher status, traditional painting and manga truly couldn't be compared. This was a deep-seated notion formed over countless years.
Additionally, the demanding nature of a manga artist's work also surpassed that of a painter, making it an even less appealing option.
As for money?
Although her skill was not bad, due to the need to accumulate fame, Mashiro's paintings might not be that profitable, but she wasn't short on money. There was no need to leave her comfort zone for such a small gain.
"So this is why Mashiro came back to Japan?"
Izumi Chihiro followed up with the question.
"Yes, because only here can I become a great manga artist."
Mashiro's eyes were burning with conviction.
Izumi Chihiro was noncommittal.
Compared to other places, this was indeed the best fertile ground for manga artists.
"But, to directly abandon your previous status and throw yourself into an industry you've never tried before, wouldn't that be a bit...?"
Sagiri asked with some concern.
Mashiro turned her head to look, her slightly phoenix-like eyes showing a hint of confusion.
"Ni-san?"
Sagiri was utterly bewildered and asked her older brother.
"Perhaps, Mashiro has never considered such a question."
Izumi Chihiro replied.
In his eyes, Mashiro not only possessed talent unimaginable to ordinary people, but also a tenacious and persistent inner spirit. Her ability to surpass her peers by so much was inseparable from Mashiro's own efforts. All she did was paint, leading her to be indifferent to other things. The Shiina's upbringing had its pros and cons.
So when Mashiro decided to pursue the path of becoming a manga artist, even her parents couldn't stop her.
"Question?"
Mashiro looked at him again.
He shook his head.
'What kind of charade are they playing!'
Sagiri was completely confused by their conversation.
After Mashiro returned to her room.
"Mashiro Ni-san feels a bit strange."
Sagiri voiced her suspicion.
Her dazed appearance was completely unlike a genius painter whose name echoed throughout the world!
"Sigh."
He suddenly let out a sigh.
"This is actually related to the Shiina's method of upbringing..."
He briefly explained Mashiro's current state.
"That's just too much!"
After listening, Sagiri said indignantly, "No wonder I always felt Mashiro Ni-san wasn't like..."
She quietly swallowed the words 'a normal person'.
...
The next morning.
For Izumi Chihiro, the real test was just beginning.
After making breakfast, he walked towards Mashiro's room.
"Knock, knock."
"Mashiro?"
He knocked on the door and called her name, but as expected, there was no response. He sighed and had no choice but to grasp the doorknob and push the door open.
At a glance, clothes were strewn on the floor like trash, and there was no sign of the girl on the large bed used for sleeping. The desk on the right side also showed no signs of being used.
He tilted his head, then saw a section of quilt extending from beside the bed.
'Did she sleep on the floor?'
Izumi Chihiro thought to himself, but he wasn't surprised.
How could you expect Mashiro to sleep soundly in bed?
He walked further inside, and gradually a complete object resembling a 'chive box' appeared before his eyes.
It wasn't hard to deduce that the girl had wrapped herself in a quilt, rolled under the bed, and then fallen asleep on the floor without even realizing it.
"What terrible sleeping habits."
Izumi Chihiro sighed, then crouched down and pulled back the quilt from where he could faintly see her hair.
The girl's beautiful face, with her eyes tightly closed and sleeping peacefully, appeared before him.
"Hey, Mashiro, time to get up and eat!"
He raised his voice slightly, just in case she hadn't heard him.
"If only I didn't have to eat."
Mashiro slowly opened her sleepy eyes, her orange pupils showing a hint of bewilderment, and her slightly messy hair gave her a scattered charm.
"Unless you can photosynthesize, you'll just starve to death."
Izumi Chihiro said with a cold expression.
"Then make me able to photosynthesize, Chihiro."
Mashiro sat upright, the quilt drooping down, revealing her fair and delicate skin and sexy collarbones right before his eyes, without an ounce of self-awareness.
If he looked any further down, it would be improper.
Faced with Mashiro's naive words, Izumi Chihiro simply stood up slowly, turned around, and waved his hand, saying, "That's something only plants can do; I can't help you."
"Then I'll be a plant."
Mashiro's voice came from behind him, making his mouth twitch involuntarily.
There's a limit to being a human, isn't there?
Izumi Chihiro ignored Mashiro's fanciful remark and instead picked out a simple, elegant white dress, a bra, and a pair of panties from the clothes on the floor, all very suitable for a young girl.
"Put these clothes on."
Without looking back, he tossed the chosen clothes behind him, speaking in a commanding tone.
He didn't give the girl any choice, and she didn't have any extra thoughts either.
Soon, rustling sounds came from behind him.
"I'm dressed."
Mashiro's voice rang out again.
"Hmm..."
Hearing this, Izumi Chihiro turned his head, and his expression immediately froze.
The girl had not, as he expected, put on all the clothes; a large part of her skin was still exposed to the air, a completely improper sight, yet she seemed utterly unaware, as if nothing in the world could faze her.
'Was I set up?'
Izumi Chihiro reacted, immediately turned back around, and silently chanted 'My heart is as clear as ice, unmoved by falling skies' to calm himself down.
It was the peak of puberty, when desires were strongest, and it was hard not to have romantic thoughts.
After all, this was one of human's basic instincts.
But he also knew that Mashiro wasn't deliberately seducing him, so after seeing this scene, he wouldn't be flustered and incoherent like a pure-hearted boy.
"Mashiro, why didn't you put on the dress as well?"
With his back to the girl, he took a deep breath and asked.
"You only threw me this one pair of panties."
Mashiro replied.
"?"
Izumi Chihiro glanced sideways and realized that he hadn't thrown the white dress and bra to her at all; they were lying on the floor nearby.
So, this is my fault?
You could have just walked a few steps to get them, Mashiro, have a little self-awareness!
"Just like this."
Izumi Chihiro sighed, patting his forehead, and said with a helpless tone, "Could Miss Mashiro please take a few steps and put on the rest of your clothes?"
"Oh."
As if a robot receiving an order, Mashiro began to move.
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter