"Wow, you really do look like an artist..."
As a painter herself, Rita knew that was merely something most people said to comfort others—basically the equivalent of saying, "You're so kind," when there was nothing else worth praising.
That was right. Even as a painter, she had no idea what an "artistic temperament" was supposed to mean. But today was different. At first glance, she knew that this man named Doma-whatever was absolutely not an artist. Lazy, vulgar, practical... If someone with all those traits could be called an artist, then she would have to question her whole life!
"Mashiro..." So Rita said, "You haven't been tricked by this guy, have you?"
Sogo Doma: "???"
How had she reached that conclusion?
"Sogo is really amazing..." Fortunately, Mashiro was still on his side.
But before she could finish, Rita glared at him. "What did you do to Mashiro?"
"Hey, that's going too far..."
"Too far?" Rita glared again. "You deceived Mashiro through lies..."
"Which eye saw me deceive Mashiro?"
"Heh..." As soon as he said that, Rita sneered. "Are you saying you're better than Mashiro..."
Sogo Doma: "???"
What was wrong with that?
"It's not just Sogo..." Before he could say anything, Mashiro said, "Everyone draws really well..."
"Everyone?"
"Mm..." Facing Rita's confusion, Mashiro said, "Eriri..."
"Who is Eriri?"
Sogo Doma: "..."
Could they not mention that blond loser dog?
"You don't want to know..." If she found out that he had not only taught Mashiro manga alongside Eriri, but had also let her study doujinshi, it somehow felt like things would get really troublesome.
"Is that so?" Rita said. "But I've never heard the name Eriri. Don't tell me you're deceiving..."
"Rita!" Before she could finish, Mashiro stopped her again. "Sogo didn't deceive me..."
But Rita, who knew Mashiro's nature