After parting ways with Katsuragi.
Tsukishima went back to the Manga Club to keep learning. When dusk fell, he said his goodbyes and headed to a stationery store, where he bought a set of manga-drawing supplies.
A sketchbook, pencils, an eraser, a craft knife, a drawing board, and clips.
It cost 3,000 points in all.
Yamada had recommended all of these things.
He'd said beginners didn't need fancy equipment and should focus more on the art itself.
As he passed the Dessert Shop and a bubble tea shop, he picked up a few things.
Too bad he couldn't add computer parts and pink flowers.
By the time Tsukishima got back to his dorm, Kushida was already waiting outside.
"Hey, you're early. Looks like you can't wait either."
Kushida kept smiling, her voice bright with excitement. "Yeah, yeah! This is my first time modeling, too. Here, let me help you carry that!"
As she spoke, she naturally took the desserts and bubble tea from him, but didn't touch any of the other stuff.
Tsukishima rolled his eyes, opened the door, and went in to set everything up—though there wasn't much to do besides sort the supplies and put them away.
Kushida immediately followed him inside. Watching him work, she started putting on an act right away. "Wow, this looks so professional~"
"Don't start with that. Just act normal."
"Ehh~ Tsukishima, how can you say that?"
Kushida complained, but the saccharine lilt had already vanished from her voice.
She set the desserts and bubble tea on the table, then sat on the edge of the bed. Her gaze swept across the pile of cheap supplies: a sketchbook, pencils, an eraser, a craft knife, and a drawing board that looked ancient.
"You're going to draw me with this stuff? How many people have used that drawing board?"
"The shopkeeper said it was secondhand three times over, but I think it's been through at least six owners."
Kushida's mouth twitched. "I never thought you were not only a pervert, but a cheapskate, too!"
Tsukishima clipped a sheet of paper onto the board and sharpened a pencil. "I'll admit to being a pervert, but not a cheapskate. I just know how to spend money where it counts."
"Anyway, just strike any pose you like. I'm still learning, so I mainly need to get a feel for human proportions. Remember to take off your jacket."
Kushida's smile looked painfully forced, as if she were a respectable young woman being coerced. She looked close to tears.
Biting her lip, she slowly began undoing the buttons of her jacket...
"Nice expression. Save it for when I start drawing sketchbooks."
"Tch, heartless pervert!"
Kushida spat the words out, then briskly took off her clothes. Her saintly smile returned, and she sat on the bed with her legs tucked beneath her.
She was curvy where she should be, slim where she should be, and full-figured without looking overweight. Add her cute pose and expression, and all Tsukishima could say was: as expected of the Holy Maiden.
The pencil in Tsukishima's hand went scratch, scratch. Every so often, he held it upright to measure the proportions.
"By the way, I didn't lend those two idiots any points today. What did they say about me?"
He asked casually.
"They just complained a little~"
Tsukishima kept drawing as he replied offhandedly:
"Why are you putting on an act again? I bet they tore into me pretty badly. They might've even said the points I have should be contributed to the class. Tch, you don't think they're going to use the class as an excuse to make everyone share their points, do you? Those two idiots probably aren't smart enough for that."
Kushida pursed her lips. "Those two guys with nothing but dirty thoughts on their minds wouldn't think of that, of course. They go around asking everyone for points, and they even asked me—the one who 'spent 200,000 points buying information'—for some."
Tsukishima nodded. "Speaking of Hirata Superman, is he planning to hold a study group? Anyone who fails the midterms gets expelled. Sudo, that basketball human battering ram, is going to have a hard time passing. You got invited, too, right? You are the Holy Maiden, after all."
"Tch, why don't these disgusting people just die? What are they good for besides wasting points? They're the worst. Why do I have to be in the same class as this lot?"
Maybe she was thinking about the people in their class, or maybe Tsukishima's chatter had gotten on her nerves. Either way, Kushida's saintly smile turned into a gloomy scowl.
"You're the worst of all, you disgusting pervert. You know everything and do nothing. You've probably already imagined pinning me down on the bed and doing all sorts of things to me, haven't you? But you still put on that aloof act. You spineless, stingy, deadbeat pervert!"
"You enjoy watching your classmates make fools of themselves, don't you? Do you think you're so great, so above it all? Why don't you just die?"
Tsukishima didn't answer. He kept working on his drawing as Kushida spoke faster and faster, spitting out one vicious insult after another, her voice growing louder and louder.
"Have some bubble tea, and keep your voice down. You don't want anyone outside to hear."
Kushida calmed down at once. She lowered her head and hugged her drink, taking small sips.
Tsukishima rested his chin in his hand and studied his work. It was a very strange picture.
Each part looked pretty good on its own, so why did the whole thing look so strange?
Kushida got her emotions under control and walked over with her saintly smile back in place. "You drew me really well..."
Tsukishima glanced at her. "Looks like you don't just have mental problems—you've got bad eyesight, too. If you like it, you can have it. Take it home and treasure it."
"Get it framed and hang it on the wall. You can look at it every day."
Kushida rolled her eyes. "Are you sure you've ever studied drawing?"
Tsukishima nodded. "Yamada said I was ready to try drawing portraits..."
"Then he must've been lying to you. You didn't draw something that looks very human."
"I drew you."
"..."
They stared at each other, and in the end, Kushida was the first to give in.
"All right, it's getting late. I won't keep you for dinner."
Tsukishima put the drawing away, intending to keep it. After all, he'd made it himself, so it held a little sentimental value.
"Tch, you stingy pervert."
Kushida picked up her clothes to leave, but he grabbed her by the arm and pressed a bag into her hand.
"I bought the desserts for you, too. I heard eating sweets can improve your mood. Remember to get some exercise after you finish them. Don't go straight to sleep, or you'll put on weight."
Tsukishima stretched and yawned. "Bye. I'll let you know when it's time for your next modeling session."
What a heartless old lecher.
Kushida looked at the desserts in her hand, murmured an acknowledgment, got dressed, and left.
Tsukishima lay on his bed and looked at the drawing he'd hung on the wall. "Looks like it'll be a long time before I can draw sketchbooks. Sigh. Time to sleep!"
Early morning.
Master Tsukishima struggled to crawl out from under the bedcovers' seal.
After a quick wash, he grabbed a sandwich and munched on it as he headed to class.
"Good morning, Tsukishima."
"Ah~ Have I finally died from overwork? Has Her Archangel come to take me to heaven?"
The students around Ichinose giggled. "Ichinose, I didn't know you'd evolved into an archangel!"
"Wow, Her Archangel!"
"It really suits you, Ichinose~"
Ichinose covered her face and whimpered like a little animal. "Nooo, this is so embarrassing!"
"Ah~ Seeing the Archangel's radiance has filled me with energy for the whole day!"
Ichinose rolled her eyes at Tsukishima, then left, surrounded by her Class B classmates.
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