Was That Just a Joke He Casually Used to Sweet-Talk Her?

After all the works had been reviewed, the staff had also finished tallying the scores.

Yamaguchi Izumi took the final list and announced the award results one by one.

The second and third prizes were quickly decided.

"The first-place winner of this year's school-level painting competition, entry number seventeen, is Kamuro Masumi."

A round of applause rang out through the multipurpose hall.

Kamuro Masumi rose to her feet and went onstage to receive her certificate and prize.

Even after deducting the score Kitagawa Kai had given her, her average score still ranked firmly at the top.

With that, all the earlier doubts vanished, and everyone in the hall was completely convinced.

Kamuro Masumi came down from the stage holding her certificate and prize. As she passed the judges' table, she deliberately lifted her chin at Kitagawa Kai and gave him a slightly smug look.

Kitagawa Kai smiled.

After the competition ended, the participating students gradually left. Kitagawa Kai and Kamuro Masumi walked side by side on their way home.

Kamuro Masumi held her head slightly high. "Kitagawa, I was a thoroughly deserving first-place winner."

"Of course," Kitagawa Kai said, turning toward her with indulgence filling his eyes. "My little cat has always been the best."

Kamuro Masumi gave a soft huff, though the corners of her mouth visibly rose.

"Something at this level obviously couldn't stump me. The Art Club never held any official competitions before, so even if I wanted to enter, I never had the chance."

Only then did Kitagawa Kai realize that today was her first time competing in an official contest.

"First competition, and you took first place. Nicely done!"

"Was the painting beautiful, or was the person beautiful?"

"From a judge's perspective, the painting was beautiful. From a boyfriend's perspective, the person was beautiful!"

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