The Correct Way to Use a Senior's Carbon Pen

To be fair.

It was actually needed.

Kitahara Ayano hoped to observe Kiyoharu in his pure state to refine the details of his body structure. After all, the male lead of her ultimate work was modeled after Kiyoharu.

Sensing Kiyoharu's clear gaze, Ayano wasn't sure if he was deliberately probing or just speaking casually.

"That's right," Ayano followed Kiyoharu's lead, extending her arm as a gesture. "Please sit there. Follow my instructions and strike the poses I need."

"Understood."

Kiyoharu moved to a high stool near the white wall. It felt like taking a mugshot, except Kitahara Ayano held a small sketching easel instead of a camera.

Kitahara Ayano was more accustomed to using electronic devices to record her inspiration. However, she used traditional sketchpads when she needed to conceal things, and only used digital tablets when drawing privately. The boundaries were clear, which seemed to be a form of psychological suggestion. It was like how you'd use your phone for those satisfying, lengthy web novels, but a more sophisticated reader for serious literature to better match psychological expectations.

It didn't matter, anyway. It was just to deal with Kiyoharu's inquiries. Besides, sketching Kiyoharu's outline on paper was a refreshing afternoon activity.

"Keep your expression relaxed, and don't purse your lips."

"I'm not pursing my lips."

"I know, just giving you a heads-up." Kitahara Ayano wore a mocking expression. "Handsome guys like you always purse your lips pretentiously when you think you look good, like when taking photos."

"Good thing I'm not a handsome guy."

Kiyoharu quipped casually, clearing his mind.

Honestly, being a model for a painting was a novel experience, as long as Kitahara Ayano didn't get handsy.

She had already used Time Stop today.

Safe!

Following Kitahara Ayano's instructions, Kiyoharu struck several poses, front and side views.

During a break, Kiyoharu suddenly took out his phone and framed himself and Ayano in the viewfinder using the front camera.

"What are you doing, Kiyoharu-kun?"

"Quick, tell Airi I'm helping you gather material, or I'll tell her myself."

Seeing Kiyoharu preparing to send a message, Ayano sighed and decided to notify Airi herself first.

As expected, this man, so popular within the Chihaya Conglomerate, possessed a certain finesse that couldn't be easily matched by just any young person.

If Kiyoharu told Airi himself, Ayano would be suspected of hiding something from her best friend. Knowing Airi's personality, she would definitely be unhappy.

Ayano was just a novice at poaching, and she didn't want Airi to become suspicious this early.

If she informed Airi proactively and acted a little cute, the young lady would likely agree.

After all, Airi had boasted that she would help Ayano with her creation. If Ayano sent her candid photos, Airi wouldn't think too much of it.

However, in reality...

Airi Chihaya, who was resting with her eyes closed at the Chihaya Conglomerate headquarters, glanced at her ringing phone groggily. Her drowsiness vanished instantly.

"So Kiyoharu really became Ayano's model... Damn it..."

Rubbing her eyes, Airi looked closely at the photo, and the anger in her brows subsided considerably.

In the photo, Ayano wore her usual serene smile, while Kiyoharu in the background had a blank, expressionless face.

Hmm, it's fine then.

It seemed like it was just a favor.

Besides, what could a pure girl like Ayano do to Kiyoharu?

[Hey, it's fine to be a model, but don't think about any weird stuff. If Ayano complains to me that you bullied her, hmph~ you're as good as dead~]

Upon receiving Airi's message, Kiyoharu's expression immediately turned into that of an old man looking at a smartphone.

I bullied her?

If I can avoid being publicly humiliated by your best friend, that's already a lucky day for which I should be incredibly grateful!

Kiyoharu mused. Airi seemed completely oblivious to her cunning best friend. Of course, this was a good thing. It would be truly terrifying if Airi knew the truth.

When Kiyoharu returned to his desk, the lunch break was almost over.

Hitomi Shimamura took off the neck pillow around her neck and mumbled groggily to Kiyoharu, "Senpai... good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, Shimamura-sensei. Did you have a good lunch today?"

"Mhm, yes."

"That's good. I don't want to hear about you fainting from low blood sugar during class."

Kiyoharu teased her, then grabbed his lesson plans and textbooks, heading to the next classroom a few minutes early. That class was going to have a pop quiz, so he needed to prepare.

Watching Kiyoharu clip a carbon pen into his shirt pocket, completely unaware of anything unusual, Hitomi Shimamura secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed the craftsmanship of this pen was convincing enough to pass for the real thing.

Thanks, Made in China!

Kiyoharu's "original flavor" carbon pen, which he had used for half a month, had already been put into a transparent bag by Shimaura Hitomi and hidden in her school bag.

That school bag was a gift Kiyoharu had given her during her university days... Nominally, it was a gift from Kiyoharu and Airi as a couple, but Shimaura Hitomi knew Kiyoharu had picked out the style herself, so she'd consider it a gift from her senpai.

Female teachers often joked that Shimaura Hitomi, carrying a school bag around all day and having a youthful appearance, looked just like a student who hadn't changed out of her uniform.

But she didn't care; her own lack of sophistication wasn't something a different bag could fix, but her senpai's gift was worth cherishing.

After the last class of the afternoon ended, the campus was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Even the so-called "social elites" attending Chihaya Academy couldn't escape the rule of eagerly awaiting the weekend!

Even the teachers in the office were discussing which izakaya to go to for fun after work.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, Shimaura Hitomi quietly left, boarded the train back to her rented apartment, and planned to hurry back to enjoy her senpai's original flavor carbon pen.

The guilt associated with such a perverted act, instead, brought about an inexplicable sense of anticipation.

However, before going upstairs, Shimaura Hitomi first bought a discounted bento box from a convenience store near her apartment for dinner.

She was afraid that after using her senpai's pen, she wouldn't have the energy to go out and buy food.

"That'll be 680 yen."

The auntie at the convenience store checkout, familiar with Shimaura Hitomi who lived nearby, asked with a smile, "Ms. Shimaura, it's rare to have a leisurely weekend. Why not consider going to a mixer? I heard there's one being organized near your apartment, and there will be handsome guys from Keio attending~"

"No thanks, I, I'd rather stay home. Um, but I have to go shopping with my best friend this week."

"Best friend... That's great. It's truly a blessing to have close friends even after graduating and starting work."

A blessing... perhaps?

Shimaura Hitomi wasn't sure. Over the years, being appointed as "Kiyoharu's observer" by Airi, had brought her more happiness or more pain.

All she knew was that she was an insignificant, tiny existence, a footnote in the story. Besides the occasional secret lick of a long-coveted delicacy, she mostly played a supporting role. It was best not to add any extra drama for herself.

As she left the convenience store, the street was bustling with promoters, seemingly promoting a newly launched mobile application. Shimaura Hitomi, easily swayed, was coaxed by a saleswoman and, unable to refuse, downloaded the app, even receiving a souvenir.

Hmm... it was a chocolate candy. No, it was the perfect season of late spring for dieting, she couldn't eat such high-calorie food!

Back home, Shimaura Hitomi resolutely shoved the bag of candy to the back of the cabinet. She didn't throw it away because she was frugal and generally didn't waste food.

She could always eat them after she succeeded in her diet.

When her gaze inadvertently swept across her phone, she was drawn to the newly downloaded app. Its mysterious and well-designed icon seemed nothing like the crude software designed by a startup company.

"This app is called... 'Dream Wanderer'?"