I Want to Become His Color

It refers to physical fitness and Physical Ability.

The time intervals between these projects are neither too long nor too short.

If you need to find the time to meet someone and chat for a bit, that's definitely enough.

But let's do something else, or have a deeper conversation.

However, it also has some shortcomings.

The lunch break was actually a little too short for 'two people', so Asakusa Toru planned to give more of the time to the first person.

"Shiina Hiyori," Asakusa Toru whispered, calling out the name of her temporary guardian.

So, in a secluded, special 'audience section' that seemed reserved only for school leaders, Shiina Hiyori's lap...

A naturally blonde pet girl.

Shiina Mashiro.

Her skin was translucent and fair; her eyes and brows were closed yet still alluring; her breathing was even; and her chest rose and fell slightly.

It wasn't the casual clothes worn by the other 'tourists,' but rather a more incongruous and eye-catching 'school uniform,' which was perfectly ordinary to her. It was probably the style of a United Kingdom school uniform, and all that could be seen below the uniform was a pair of white legs.

Pure white over-the-knee socks.

Shiina Mashiro.

From top to bottom, from hair to cheeks, from collarbone to over-the-knee socks.

After observing in this way, Asakusa Toru was able to clearly arrive at the most obvious answer.

The girl's identity, the girl's name, the girl's existence.

Even though there has been no further communication since then, they have only watched, only spied on, only read.

But she still came.

... it was as if it had been agreed upon sometime in the past.

Chapter 267 I Want to Be His Color

"... Shiina."

Those with such complicated expressions, calling her name as if they didn't know what to say.

It wasn't Asakusa Toru, but Sakagami Kazuma, the homeroom teacher of First-Year Class C.

With the Sports Festival approaching, Shiina Hiyori, a delicate literature girl with an E-level physical fitness score, did not participate in physical training.

Even though she should actually be the one who needs physical training the most.

However, you can't rush into exercising; taking it one step at a time is the right way.

After all, the only one in this school with worse physical fitness than her Sakayanagi Arisu.

Therefore, she decisively gave up physical training and only maintained the most basic exercise needs.

As for the Sports Festival's all-participation events?

Of course she'd quit and not run. Why would she run? Did they really expect her to compete with physical abilities even lower than Sakura Airi's?

Anyway, she didn't care about losing ten points on the written test for being in the bottom ten.

During class, I would slack off during PE class, and after class, Ibuki a little, spend time in the library, and go on dates with him when I had a little free time.

... What's rather regrettable is that he gradually spent less and less time in the library.

Actually, compared to dating, Shiina Hiyori found that she preferred the tranquility of being in the same space, sensing each other's presence, and listening to the sound of pages turning.

That way, she would have a more real sense that she was possessing him.

But, well, dating isn't bad either.

At least, the countless steps that should have been taken to build up the relationship before the Kissing could be made up for little by little.

Shiina Hiyori thought she would live a peaceful life until the end of the Sports Festival.

But on the day leading up to the Sports Festival...

The class advisor called her to the office.

With a complex expression and a furrowed brow, as if carefully choosing his words, Sakagami Kazuma began to speak slowly.

"As you should know, the school has decided to open the school to a small number of spectators during the Sports Festival." Starting with this well-known fact, Sakagami Kazuma said, "Among them, there is one guest..."

"Hmm, it's a bit special."

"Her identity is quite special and her significance is considerable; one could say that her coming to the Advanced Nurturing itself is quite meaningful."

As the conversation progressed, Sakagami Kazuma's fingers tapped incessantly on his desk, a hint of irritation emanating from him.

"To ensure her visit goes smoothly, and also to meet their expectations," Sakagami Kazuma his hands together, and looked up at Shiina Hiyori, who was standing at a distance in front of him.

"Shiina, the school needs your help."

Shiina Hiyori: "?"

Seemingly noticing Shiina Hiyori's confusion, Sakagami Kazuma finally realized that although he had uttered a lot of riddles in a rambling manner, he had not revealed the most crucial point.

"Shiina Mashiro." He announced a name: "A world-class genius oil painter, the only daughter of the Shiina, and also..."

"Yes, she's also your 'Shiina,' Shiina-kun."

Although he shouldn't have said too much about his classmate's family and relatives, he had to admit that this was essential information, at least in this conversation.

"She plans to visit the school for research during next month's Sports Festival." Sakagami Kazuma swallowed hard and continued, "Yes, research."

If someone understands the greatness of Shiina Mashiro, they might be able to glean a deeper meaning from this simple statement.

What level of skill do world-class painters possess?

Ordinary people don't really have a clear concept of this; all they can feel is that the prefix "world-class" seems impressive.

But Sakagami Kazuma understands this very well.

World-class painters are those who leave their mark on history.

The paintings were auctioned, collected, and passed down through generations; the residence itself became a tourist attraction; and the life story was interpreted and remembered in countless ways.

These are treatments that a world-class institution should rightfully receive.

The world will be focused on her.

If it's just a regular world-class event... well, even a regular world-class event already has enough influence.

Not to mention that Shiina Mashiro is by no means an ordinary world-class player.

She is a world-class 'living' person.

Although it's a subtle way to describe it, it's undeniable that painters, especially oil painters, often don't have high market value or fame while they're still alive.

The closer an oil painter is to death, the more likely they are to become a 'world-class' figure.

How many world-class oil painters are there in this world during their lifetime?

Sakagami Kazuma didn't know, but he did know that Shiina Mashiro was still a minor.

Living, underage, world-class oil painter.

The four keywords combined create a terror beyond imagination.

What does this mean?

This means that every painting she creates will have considerable significance, and she can continue to create countless timeless classics.

And if we say that the Advanced Nurturing culture, which serves as her source of inspiration, is fortunate enough to become the backdrop on her canvas...

Just thinking about Sakagami Kazuma makes me feel a little breathless.

This is only with the school as a backdrop; if, if Sakagami Kazuma himself could become the other party's model.

... In fact, Sakagami Kazuma knows very well that he is not someone who is overly chasing fame and fortune.

Having weathered the ups and downs of society, he had long since lost the urge to be swayed.

But then I thought, maybe, perhaps, there might be such an opportunity.

He still couldn't help feeling a bit restless.

Shiina, Shiina, Shiina.

I didn't realize it when I first saw that name in my class.

Looking back now, I think of Sakayanagi from Class A, Kanzaki from Class B, and Koenji from Class D.

Compared to her, Shiina from our Class C isn't bad either!

Although they are completely different fields, and their influence is very different.

But if only I had known the meaning behind that name...

It probably still won't be of much use.

Cough.

After all, not every Special Exam is on Uninhabited Island, and not every Special Exam requires any background information.

Shiina Hiyori's abilities, assigning her to Class C was indeed the only option.

"Shiina contacted the school, saying he hopes to invite your cousin to be her guide, showing her around the school, ensuring her safety, and also, as a student, to... well... give her a little inspiration."

This reflects Shiina's thoughts and intentions.

As for the school...

"The school will do its best to meet Shiina Mashiro's needs, but we also hope that you, as her guide, can do your part for the school in a small way."

At this point, Sakagami Kazuma stopped talking.

He needs to observe and wait for Shiina Hiyori's reaction.

Ultimately, these matters depend entirely on the other party's own will.

The school hopes that Shiina Hiyori can be of help, but it also doesn't want to create negative emotions by using an overly forceful, commanding approach.

Sakagami Kazuma had a pretty good idea of what to do in front of whom.

"..." Shiina Hiyori was silent for a moment before slowly asking, "... Could you be more specific? What exactly does 'doing your part for the school' mean?"

Shiina Mashiro.

To be honest, she was somewhat surprised that this name would appear at this time.

She had heard of her cousin's existence since childhood.

Few people with the surname Shiina are unaware of each other; they will more or less become the subject of comparison.

Ah, of course, Shiina Hiyori wouldn't say anything like, "Look at her and then look at you," "Why don't you compare your oil paintings to Shiina Mashiro's?" or "Aren't they both Shiina?"—those kinds of meaningless comparisons.

However, it is clear that for the vast majority of Shiina of this era, Shiina Mashiro is a name that cannot be avoided.

Shiina Hiyori was very familiar with her cousin; she had met her when she was a child.

All I can say is... it perfectly matches her understanding of genius.

I wonder if things have changed now that I've grown up.

But... is she going to undergo Advanced Nurturing?

I doubt they came here for me.

Shiina Hiyori is quite clear about this.

The reason for her coming is not important; what matters is that she came, the guide job Mr. Shiina asked her to do, and the school's purpose and plans.

"It's not a very difficult task." Hearing the softening in her tone, as if success was within reach, Sakagami Kazuma breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "It's just what a guide should do, in addition to doing his 'job,' to put in a little more effort and think about things from the school's perspective."

"For example, if it happens to be during the Sports Festival, you could take her to see the students sweating it out on the track first?"

"Or, for example, you could show her the school's comprehensive facilities, including classrooms, dormitories, shopping malls, and the library?"

"Well, perhaps, if possible, a landscape that better showcases our Advanced Nurturing humanistic spirit would be better."

"Working hard as a teacher, being a diligent staff member, or creating various drawings that can be preserved through Advanced Nurturing individuals are all good choices."

Sakagami Kazuma paused for a moment after speaking.