Seeing that Mahiru had found her dream, Ren closed the book and tossed it onto the coffee table. He wrapped his arms around Mahiru's slender waist, lightly inhaling the pleasant, fresh scent of the girl.
Noticing her earlobes had already turned a shade of crimson, Ren leaned in and blew a soft breath against them. "Once your novel is written, I'll be your exclusive illustrator."
Her earlobes grew even redder. Cute.
Mahiru didn't resist, allowing Ren to hold her. She was intoxicated by this feeling of being wrapped in love.
"Ren, do you even know how to draw?" Mahiru asked.
It wasn't strange for her to ask. Since she moved into this house, her observation of Ren was that he either cooked or played; he hadn't practiced anything related to drawing at all.
When Ren said he would be her illustrator, Mahiru felt as if she were opening a treasure chest.
She never knew how many things were hidden inside the chest named Ren Katsuragi, but every time she needed something, the items that came out of the chest always brought her joy.
"Mahiru, you can try searching for the name Kamui."
Ren revealed a small secret about himself.
Kamui?
Although she didn't understand why he wanted her to search for that name, Mahiru instinctively took out her phone, opened the browser, and began to search.
As soon as the name "Kamui" was entered, an image with a question mark appeared, followed by a long list of titles.
Kamui: World-class genius painter, world-class piano master, world-class karuta master, world-class chess master...
Various "world-class" titles were attached to the name as if they cost nothing. But what caught Mahiru's attention the most was...
He was ranked alongside Mashiro Shiina, another world-class genius painter. Some even called the two the "Twin Stars of the Art World."
Driven by a strange impulse, Mahiru clicked on Mashiro Shiina's profile.
Unlike Kamui, Mashiro's information was openly public.
Looking at the slightly dazed blonde girl with red eyes in the photo, Mahiru reached up and touched her own caramel-colored eyes, her mind drifting...
"Don't overthink it. I have nothing to do with her. Mahiru is Mahiru. My Mahiru."
Ren took the phone from her dazed hand and tossed it aside. He thought Mahiru was starting to feel insecure again.
At their age, both girls being beautiful and sharing the same blonde hair, it wasn't strange for her to wonder. But Ren had clearly misunderstood; Mahiru wasn't actually worried about Mashiro as a person.
"Ren... you are Kamui?"
That was the real reason for her shock.
It was too dazzling... Kamui's resume was so brilliant it felt surreal. Could someone truly achieve such heights?
"So, how is it? Having a world-class painter as your future exclusive illustrator gives you quite a bit of face, doesn't it?"
Ren said proudly, looking like a child waiting for a compliment.
Pfft.
Seeing Ren like this, Mahiru felt a warmth in her heart and laughed softly. Indeed, no matter how dazzling he was, she was already his fiancée.
"Mn, Ren is amazing."
She turned around to face him and raised a small hand to ruffle the top of his head, like a gentle mother. "I'll be in your care then, my future exclusive illustrator~"
Ren was providing emotional value to Mahiru, and Mahiru was actively responding in kind. It truly felt like they were a perfect match.
"My fiancée-san, go up and change your clothes. We need to head out for a bit."
"Alright, my Exclusive Illustrator Sir."
----
"Rinri-kun, I'm starting to agree with the school's decision now."
Looking at the activity proposal in her hand—which had the words "Project Proposal" written in large letters but was otherwise completely blank—Utaha Kasumigaoka began to mock Tomoya Aki, who sat opposite her.
Utaha's long, slender legs, encased in thick black stockings that looked exceptionally alluring, swayed back and forth according to her fluctuating mood.
She had thought that after facing the risk of disbandment, Tomoya would seriously plan this final proposal. With her and Eriri's genuine skills, it wasn't impossible to save the club.
But what did Tomoya do? He did nothing. He was still slacking off just like before.
"But... I really did try my best to think."
Tomoya lowered his head and clenched his hands, put on an "I know I was wrong" expression.
"Is that so? Then may I ask what you were doing yesterday, Rinri-kun? Were you catching up on anime, or playing galgames?" Utaha was not Eriri; she didn't fall for his act.
Hearing Utaha's question, Tomoya snapped his head up, looking at her in disbelief as if asking how she knew.
Heh.
She tossed the three-word proposal onto the floor like trash. Utaha stopped talking, the disappointment in her eyes impossible to hide.
This club was founded by Tomoya. Now that it faced a crisis, she and Eriri were the ones thinking of how to save it from the fire, while the founder himself was still addicted to his galgames.
"Rinri-kun, if your claim about wanting to make the 'perfect galgame' is just empty talk, then keep going like this."
"You black-stockinged fat woman, what are you saying?! Tomoya has been work—"
Picking up the proposal Utaha had tossed aside, Eriri instinctively tried to snap back.
However, when Eriri saw the paper only had the title and nothing else, the word "working" died in her throat.
Even if Tomoya had written just one sentence—even something trivial—Eriri could have used it to criticize Utaha. But there was nothing. It was as if Tomoya didn't even care to write a single extra word.
Enduring Utaha's mocking smile and having no reason to argue back, Eriri looked at Tomoya. "Tomoya..."
Eriri wasn't like Utaha. She joined this club to help Tomoya because of the guilt she felt for "betraying" him in childhood. This guilt made it impossible for her to hold her head up high in front of him.
"Rinri-kun, you really are a waste of my time."
Leaving that final remark, Utaha walked away in disappointment.
"Eriri... is there really no hope with Ma'am Sayuri?"
He wouldn't do the work, but he was an expert at shifting blame. Tomoya looked up at Eriri.
Facing his question, Eriri could only shake her head.
"Is there no hope, or did you just not try hard enough? Ma'am Sayuri dotes on you the most, Eriri."
"If you just act a little spoiled, it will definitely work!"
"Or are you planning to abandon this club... just like you abandoned me back then?"
Tomoya, having no background of his own, began to guilt-trip Eriri once again to prevent the club's disbandment.
His manipulation worked.
Guilt washed over Eriri's heart like a tidal wave. She surrendered.
"Tomoya... I'll go back and try one more time."
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