"'Pixiv'?"
"It's nothing, just ignore me. Skeb is pretty good too." Tsuna shook his head, not explaining, seeing Shouko tilt her head in confusion.
Skeb and Pixiv are similar, but Skeb emphasizes "anonymous submissions" and "paid commission" models, where creators can accept user-paid custom content, and the privacy protection mechanism is robust.
"Why did you suddenly think of this?" he countered before Shouko could press further.
"This afternoon in the Art Club, Yuki-senior mentioned it to me. She said she opened an account on Skeb specifically for custom commissions of two-dimensional characters."
As Shouko spoke, she scooted over and sat next to Tsuna, the unique scent of the young girl mixing with the smell of shower gel lingering in his nose.
"So, I was thinking if I should follow Yuki-senior's example and take online commissions to earn some pocket money to help lighten Mom's burden."
Tsuna looked at her raised smile, momentarily unable to tear his gaze away.
"Tsuna, are you listening to me?" Shouko, seeing no reaction from him, bumped his head with hers in dissatisfaction.
"Yes, yes, yes…"
"But if that's the case, you might as well register an account on 'Pixiv' and get official certification from Futaba Publishing directly."
Tsuna paused, then continued to suggest:
"This way, people will know you're the illustrator for 'Anohana', and you'll receive more commissions without needing to establish a reputation first."
Shouko was a little tempted but still hesitated. "Will it be too much trouble…?"
She didn't want to trouble others with this matter.
"No, just tell Jun." Tsuna shrugged. "Once you've registered your account, just upload illustrations from 'Anohana' there."
"Mhm, mhm!"
Upon hearing this, Shouko immediately grabbed her phone. Under Tsuna's gaze, she quickly registered an account, but for personal verification, she decided to go downstairs and ask Shizuka for help.
"Tsuna, what's next?" Shouko held up her phone, showing him the content on it.
"Next?" Tsuna pretended to ponder. "Next, don't bite off more than you can chew. Shouko, you should first complete the commission I gave you."
After speaking, he raised his hand and ruffled her head.
"…"
"Regarding the certification, I've told Jun. Later, send her your registered account, and she'll guide you."
Seeing she didn't resist, Tsuna became bolder, starting to pinch her chubby cheeks, then letting go before Shouko could swat his hand away.
"Oh, if you're posting 'Anohana' illustrations, try not to post ones printed in physical books, especially illustrations for the unreleased lower volumes."
"Mhm, mhm, don't worry, Tsuna, I know that." Shouko nodded, then counter-questioned:
"What about those 'Your Lie in April' works, the illustrations I used for practice before?"
"Those are fine."
The two continued to chat about this topic for a while until Fengye Shun sent Shouko a message, forcing them to stop.
Tsuna continued with his work, while Shouko busied herself with her newly registered account, following Fengye Shun's reminders.
She had a hunch that this account might stay with her for life…
---
Later Events
At 8 PM, the fluorescent lights of the convenience store were especially prominent on the dim street.
A few cans of coffee from the vending machine were bought by the late-returning Yaeko, the ding-dong sound mixing with the train station announcement.
The wind turned chilly after nightfall, and the izakaya's fabric curtain rustled. Nishikata, wearing a light jacket, shivered.
At 3 AM, streetlights illuminated the empty intersection, with only the washing machine drums at the 24-hour laundromat still spinning.
Yuzuru kicked off the small blanket covering her, vaguely calling Hachiko's name in her sleep. Hachiko, lying on the tatami mat, looked up at her, then fell back into slumber.
At 6:30 AM, crows cawed loudly on the utility poles. Tsuna, on his morning run, stepped on the dew-soaked stone paths of the park.
The convenience store clerk had just put out steaming rice balls on the shelf when Ajitani, yawning, bought them. The white steam from the bun steamer blurred the glass window.
At noon, the sun shone brightly on the road. Elementary school students in yellow hats lined up to cross the overpass. Shizuka and Uzaki Tsuki slowly walked by, carrying supermarket plastic bags.
Microwaves at the school's bento heating area emitted a succession of long "ding—" sounds.
The pigeons in front of the shrine suddenly fluttered up, shattering the lazy clouds in mid-air.
---
"I want to take commissions on 'Pixiv' too!!!"
The few people eating their bentos nearby ignored Ajitani's usual loud outburst.
"Just thinking about it—" After a moment, Tsuna swallowed his food and spoke.
Before he could finish, Shouko slapped his arm. "Ajitani-chan, if you study hard for another three years, taking commissions definitely won't be a problem."
"Three years…?" Ajitani suddenly didn't want to talk.
Then Shouko began telling Ajitani about her three years of studying illustration in junior high. Ajitani, thinking of her short-lived enthusiasm, soon shook her head repeatedly and began to change the subject.
"Oh, Shouko-chan, do you all have any plans for the summer vacation?"
"Drawing illustrations at home."
"Reading manga at home or watching Shouko-chan draw illustrations."
"What's wrong?" Tsuna vaguely guessed what she was going to say.
Nishikata thought seriously for a moment. "I'll probably go work a part-time job."
"I want to invite you all to my grandpa's house." Ajitani made a number seven gesture with her right hand. "Seven days, just seven days."
"In Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture?" Tsuna counter-questioned.
"Exactly, exactly." Ajitani nodded, not surprised he knew the address, as she had just told Shouko-chan about it recently.
"It's by the sea, we can go to the beach, and the watermelons at Grandpa's place are ripe. I guarantee you can eat all the watermelon you want." Ajitani patted her chest grandly.
"…" Tsuna was momentarily at a loss for words. Was it about watermelons? It was clearly about whether there would be any delays two months from now, wasn't it?
"Ajitani-chan, we don't know about things two months from now…"
Before Shouko could finish her refusal, Ajitani's expression visibly worsened, and she immediately changed her words:
"But it will most likely be fine, Tsuna and I shouldn't have any problems!"
"Okay, I'll book the tickets then. I'll cover the round-trip expenses." Ajitani's lips unconsciously curved upwards when she heard her not refuse. "What about Takagi-chan and Nishikata?"
"I have no problem." Takagi shrugged. "As for travel expenses, we'll pay for ourselves, since we'll be staying at your house."
"When are we going?" Nishikata was still hesitant.
"On the second or third day of summer vacation."
"Then no problem, count me in." When he thought of the beach, the first thing that came to mind was Takagi-san in a swimsuit…
"There are still two months, it's really hard to say…" Tsuna closed his bento box and muttered softly.