After entering the classroom and sitting at her desk, Izumi Kotomi found that there was still so ti before class started. With nothing better to do, she pulled out her usual notebook and began doodling with her pencil.
Recently, whenever she had free ti, Kotomi enjoyed sketching in her notebook. Even though the drawings were just rough sketches, it was a good way to practice and improve her drawing skills.
Of course, she didn't just draw mindlessly. After finishing each sketch, even if it was just a casual doodle, Kotomi would carefully examine it, comparing it to her previous sketches. She would note where she had improved and where there was still room for improvent.
Finding areas of progress motivated her to keep going, while identifying flaws allowed her to focus on areas that needed work, turning those flaws into strengths.
As she sketched, Kotomi suddenly paused, realizing sothing. She had been using the blank pages at the back of this notebook for her drawings lately, but what was this notebook originally ant for?
Kotomi had a habit of labeling the first page of each notebook with the subject it was designated for. This made it easier to find the right notebook when studying for exams.
She flipped to the first page, and there it was, written clearly in large letters: Japanese.
Flipping another page confird it—this was her Japanese howork notebook.
Oh no...
She could only hope that Ms. Shizuka Hiratsuka, her teacher, wouldn't notice when grading her howork.
"Kotomi-san, are you drawing again?" gumi Kato asked curiously as she looked over. She was the only one in the class who knew about Kotomi's drawing skills.
"Yes, I was a bit bored, so I decided to doodle a little," Kotomi nodded, explaining.
"Let see… Wow, this character looks so cool! His arms and head are chainsaws! And this cute little animal, is it a dog? But why does the dog have a chainsaw on its head too?"
gumi was fascinated by the two sketches in Kotomi's notebook. She occasionally read manga but rarely saw character designs as unique and unconventional as these.
Whether it was the combination of human and chainsaw or dog and chainsaw, these creatures paired with such an intimidating tool created an odd sense of unease. Yet, the way Kotomi drew them, the characters and their chainsaws seed to coexist in a strangely harmonious way—an absurd yet seamless fusion.
"Kotomi-san, does this character and the dog have nas? They look so interesting. Are you planning to turn this into an illustration?" gumi asked with keen interest.
"The guy is nad Denji, and the dog is Pochita. I'm not planning to make an illustration; I want to turn it into a manga," Kotomi replied.
"A manga? Does that an you want to beco a manga artist, Kotomi-san?"
"Mm-hmm, ever since I was little, I've wanted to do sothing creative, whether it's writing novels, drawing manga, or making gas. I want to try out careers in creative fields," Kotomi explained earnestly.
"This is the first ti I've seen you talk about sothing so seriously, Kotomi-san," gumi praised, holding the sketches and looking at Kotomi with admiration. "I believe you can do it. If you write novels or draw manga, I'll be your first loyal reader. And if you make gas, I'll be your first devoted player."
"gumi-san, you're making blush," Kotomi murmured, her face turning a little red as she shyly looked away.
"Not just classmates but friends! Because we're friends, I want to see your dream and be there when it cos true," gumi smiled warmly. "So, were you touched by my words?"
"Just a little," Kotomi admitted quietly.
"A little, or… a lot?"
Kotomi thought for a mont before replying softly, "A lot."
As ti passed, more students began filling the classroom. When Yukinoshita Yukino walked toward her seat and saw Kotomi, she slightly opened her mouth and greeted her, "Good morning, Izumi-san."
Her tone was still as cold as before, but now Yukino was trying to greet others more proactively.
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san," Kotomi nodded, pleased with the progress. She wasn't aiming to lt Yukino's icy exterior—she had never considered that. She just wanted to grow a little closer to her.
As for lting the ice queen? That wasn't on her agenda. Besides, why would she want to?
An ice queen has her own unique charm—cool on the outside but warm on the inside, sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. She might be cold to others but sweet to you, creating an adorable contrast. Isn't that appealing in its own way?
"Um… Yukinoshita-san, what about my good morning greeting?" gumi Kato raised her hand and spoke up.
When Yukino realized gumi was in the classroom, a rare expression of surprise appeared on her face.
"Kato-san?! When did you co in?" Yukino asked, genuinely shocked. Had she noticed gumi sitting beside Kotomi when she walked over?
Apparently not…
Yukino offered an apologetic smile to gumi. "Sorry, Kato-san. I must not have noticed you. My apologies. Good morning, Kato-san."
"Pfft, it's okay. My presence is often like that of a background character in a novel—easy to overlook. I'm used to having low presence. Good morning, Yukinoshita-san," gumi replied with a playful grin.
"Maybe you could change your image a bit, like growing out your hair?" Yukino suggested, offering the first idea that ca to mind.
Yukino wasn't great at giving advice about changing one's image; she herself wasn't one to experint with her own appearance. But she was trying to make conversation with gumi, so she suggested what seed logical.
gumi, understanding Yukino's attempt to engage in conversation, nodded as if saying, "I get it, I get it."
"Long hair, huh? I thought about it in middle school, but I never grew it out. What about you, Kotomi-san? Do you prefer long hair or short hair?"
Kotomi, when asked, answered earnestly without hesitation, "I like both."
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