Tokyo: The story begins with a confession.

Page 62

Kenichi Uesugi asked curiously, "Who took care of you when you were in Y country?"

I felt quite nervous after saying that; I really hoped it wouldn't be a man.

“Rita, Rita has always taken care of me.” When Mashiro said Rita’s name, her expression immediately softened.

"Then why didn't Rita come with you?" Uesugi Kenichi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; at least she wasn't a man.

"I don't know either. I specifically asked Rita to come with me, but she just wouldn't come," Mashiro said, sounding somewhat dejected.

She really wanted Rita to come with her; Rita was the only friend she had ever had before.

"It's alright, I'll take care of you from now on." Uesugi Kenichi couldn't help but ruffle Mashiro's hair.

Immediately, Mashiro revealed an expression of enjoyment like a kitten. "My heart feels so warm. Is this what it feels like to like someone?" she asked, looking up.

Upon hearing this, both Uesugi Kenichi and Kasumigaoka Utaha were taken aback.

In an instant, Shiwa raised Mashiro's danger level several levels higher.

The most deadly seduction is the subtle kind!

Chapter 122 Mashiro's Efforts

"Okay, go take a shower."

Kenichi Uesugi did not give a direct answer to Mashiro's question, as it was too early to answer it now, which made him feel guilty for deceiving the little girl.

After Mashiro went into the bathroom, he brought Kasumigaoka Utaha to Mashiro's room. "Could you help her pick out a couple of outfits? I might need your help later."

Kasumigaoka Utaha frowned upon hearing this. She didn't quite grasp the meaning of Uesugi Kenichi's statement about a lack of common sense. She casually picked out two pieces of clothing. Was she really that lacking in common sense?

"You can take a look at these." Uesugi Kenichi gently hugged her from behind, greedily inhaling her unique scent, and then gestured with his eyes towards the two drawings on the table.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, with a flirtatious look in her eyes, slapped Uesugi Kenichi's hand in annoyance. She missed him too, having not done "that" for a few days.

Following Uesugi Kenichi's gesture, she picked up the pile of manuscripts, and then, just like Uesugi Kenichi when he first saw Mashiro's drawings, she showed a deep look of shock and helplessness.

"This level of drawing skill really clashes with this kind of story," Kasumigaoka Utaha complained.

Suddenly, for some reason, she wondered what Eriri, who prided herself on her outstanding painting talent, would do after seeing Mashiro's words.

That would be so interesting!

She couldn't wait to see that scene.

Soon after, Zhenbai finished showering and came out wearing only a bath towel. Her whole body was covered in water stains that hadn't been dried, and her hair was wet. With each step she took, water droplets fell to the ground.

Kasumigaoka Utaha stared dumbfounded at Mashiro, who seemed oblivious to anything amiss. She turned to look at Uesugi Kenichi, who was helplessly covering his head, and a realization dawned on her.

"I think I understand a little bit now." She smiled helplessly and then took a clean towel and walked over.

Although facing Kasumigaoka Utaha made Mashiro a little angry, seeing Uesugi Kenichi beside her gradually calmed her down.

After finally getting Mashiro ready, she returned to her room and resumed drawing with all her might.

The radiance emanating from that focused posture made Kasumigaoka Utaha somewhat dazed.

What a pure person she is! In that instant, Kasumigaoka Utaha's faint hostility towards Mashiro vanished.

He gestured to Kasumigaoka Utaha to close the door, then quietly walked out.

"So, where have you been these past two days?" Uesugi Kenichi asked, puzzled.

"I went to Osaka because of the launch of my new book."

"I see," Uesugi Kenichi nodded in realization. No wonder he hadn't seen a soul in the past two days.

"Why didn't you tell me about your new book launch and your trip to Osaka?" Uesugi Kenichi asked, his tone slightly displeased.

"Oh, I didn't mention it because you have exams in two days and you've been so busy lately. It's not a big deal."

Sensing the concern in Uesugi Kenichi's tone, Kasumigaoka Utaha was overjoyed and couldn't help but act spoiled.

"This is a one-time exception. If you ever need to go out again, you have to tell me in advance, okay?" He cupped Shi Yu's cheeks, looked into those eyes that could intoxicate a person, and gently kissed her lips.

In an instant, Kasumigaoka Utaha collapsed, completely powerless, and leaned against Uesugi Kenichi.

……

At two o'clock in the morning, he gently removed Kasumigaoka Utaha's hand, got up, and walked towards the toilet.

Just as I was about to go back to sleep after taking care of my personal needs, a glimmer of light caught my eye.

The light was coming from under the door of Mashiro's room. Although the light was not bright, it was very conspicuous in the darkness.

It's so late and you're still not asleep...

What are you up to?

He knocked on the door and whispered, "So white, so white."

No one answered...

He probably knows what Mashiro might be doing; the thing that could make her so focused is obviously drawing manga.

He opened the door, and sure enough, Mashiro was moving her hands incessantly in the dim light of the computer screen.

"How much does he love drawing?" Uesugi Kenichi couldn't help but exclaim.

"Mashiro, it's late, go and rest." He walked over and said softly.

Without even looking up, Zhenbai said, "There's only a little bit left. I'll go to sleep after I finish drawing."

Helpless, he could only take a stool and sit down next to her. "It's a deal then. I'll watch you here. You can go to sleep after you finish this drawing, okay?"

"Okay." Mashiro turned to look at Uesugi Kenichi and obediently replied before continuing to draw.

He was momentarily lost in thought as he looked at Mashiro; she exuded an indescribable strength and resilience.

After watching for a while, he looked away and focused his gaze on the computer screen.

He couldn't help but laugh, never expecting that he would become the male protagonist of a comic book again.

Mashiro's latest manga depicts her encounter with him yesterday. Although it's still somewhat bland and doesn't quite capture the essence, it's much better than the one she saw this morning.

As I watched, his expression turned a little off. I don't have any problem with you drawing qQUN, but can you please not include me in those kinds of sexy scenes? Are you really planning to submit your work normally instead of drawing 18+ fanfiction?

If you really wanted to go down this path, you should have said so earlier. There's a big shot right here waiting for you.

Meanwhile, Eriri, who was sleeping, was baring her teeth as if she was about to bite someone, perhaps because she had heard someone muttering to herself or was having a dream.

Mashiro stopped what she was doing and breathed a sigh of relief. After relaxing, she felt her body constantly sending her signals of fatigue.

She didn't resist and leaned directly into Uesugi Kenichi's arms, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Seeing Mashiro's expectant gaze, Uesugi Kenichi carefully considered his tone. Although the story was indeed stronger than the one from this morning, he didn't want to become the protagonist of an adult manga.

"...It's well drawn, much better than the previous one."

Mashiro's eyes narrowed immediately upon hearing the praise, and she looked very happy. She couldn't help but snuggle against Uesugi Kenichi.

"but……"

Upon hearing the word "but," Zhenbai's face immediately fell again. She knew very well what those two words meant.

"But at this level, it's still many years away from being published."

Mashiro's eyes regained their composure. This setback was nothing to her; she was prepared to accept countless failures.

Chapter 123 Half-deaf, half-mute, half-confused

"Dad, Mom, Rita, everyone I know doesn't want me to go down the path of comics. They want me to go back to painting oil paintings. Qianyi, do you also think I shouldn't continue?"

Although the girl's expression remained unchanged, Uesugi Kenichi saw a sadness of being understood and a stubbornness in her eyes.

He straightened his posture and helped Mashiro, who was leaning against him, to sit up so they could face each other.

"The people around you are not wrong. Oil painting is indeed the most suitable path for you. Only there can your talent be fully displayed."

Upon hearing Uesugi Kenichi's words, Mashiro's eyes dimmed, and her hair seemed to lose its luster in an instant.

"I...I won't give up," Mashiro said, clenching her fist as if to encourage herself.

Seeing Mashiro's pitiful appearance, as if she was about to cry at any moment, Uesugi Kenichi sat a little closer and patted her hair.

"That's true, but no one has ever said that just because something is right, you have to do it, right?"

Mashiro raised her head upon hearing this.

"Some things may be considered wrong by others, but right and wrong are actually very difficult to define except by oneself."

"Some people yearn for a dazzling life and hope to be the center of attention. He knew it would be difficult, but he was already mentally prepared."

Some people are content with an ordinary life, with no great ambitions, and only hope to live a peaceful and safe life.

Being half-poor, half-rich, and half-content, being half-deaf, half-mute, and half-confused—isn't that also an attitude towards life? Who can say he did anything wrong?

“So, Mashiro.” Uesugi Ken looked into Shiina Mashiro’s pale red, pure eyes and said softly, “Don’t care what others say or think. Ask yourself if you want to do it and if you like it. If you like it, then you can just ignore what others think.”

Mashiro stared blankly at Uesugi Kenichi for a long while before snapping out of it. She then flashed a bright smile that seemed to dispel all darkness and nodded emphatically. "I love it. I love drawing manga, and I love Kenichi too. I will keep going and going and going, no matter what others say."

The girl's words were soft, yet they carried a weight as heavy as a mountain.

Kenichi Uesugi ruffled her hair and smiled, "I have a very good story here. If you go to sleep now, I'll tell it to you tomorrow, okay?"

Mashiro's eyes lit up even more upon hearing this, "Great!"

She immediately shut down the computer, ran to bed, pulled the covers over herself, and closed her eyes. (bbbi)

She was truly exhausted. She fell into a deep sleep less than a minute after lying down on the bed, a serene smile on her face.

Uesugi Kenichi gently drew the curtains to prevent the girl from being woken up by the June morning sunlight. He also adjusted the air conditioner temperature and tucked her in. He gazed at the girl's sleeping posture and said softly.

Goodnight, Mashiro.

……

At seven o'clock the next morning, Uesugi Kenichi got up without disturbing Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was still sleeping in her dream with a cute posture that only he could see. He gently kissed her forehead and left.

As he stepped out of the room, he sensed Mashiro's presence and, realizing the girl was fast asleep, shook his head with a smile and went into the courtyard.

The weather today is very pleasant; the sun is not as intense as usual, and a gentle breeze is blowing constantly.

Such days are perfect for exercise, playing games, and even romance!

He didn't rush to wake the two girls up, intending to let them rest a little longer. It was Sunday, no school, and the baseball game he promised Kobayashi Yoshihara to watch was in the afternoon, so there was no need to rush.

Feeling the pleasant weather, he took a tea set and placed it in the courtyard. He brewed some tea by himself, indulging in a bit of refinement, intending to spend the morning leisurely.