["Shiina-sensei, your drawings are amazing! You're the most exquisite manga artist I've ever seen! It's like a work of art!"]
["Wow! I had noticed Shiina-sensei's Newcomer Award submission before, and while the art was good, the story was… emmmm… But this time, I feel like there's been a huge improvement, it's completely readable now!"]
["Just seeing the characters inside made my heart flutter! The drawings are so beautiful! Voting for Shiina-sensei!"]
["School idol manga is really rare, and in this style too. How did Shiina-sensei come up with drawing this? The art style has changed a lot from the last submission."]
["Voted. Hope Shiina-sensei can successfully debut."]
This time, the comments section for Mashiro's submission was vastly different from the last.
If the previous story quality was probably worse than kindergarten, now it could be considered middle school level. Although there were still some omissions, it was within an acceptable range.
Mashiro clicked to close the comments section, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Before, she had never paid attention to other people's evaluations, only knowing how to draw by herself. But ever since she came here, she tried to embrace the attitude of a manga artist.
Although readers' wishes don't necessarily need to be heeded, they must be understood, so that she can more accurately draw works worth reading.
"Everyone's feedback is quite good. I imagine you'll be able to maintain first place until the Newcomer Award ends without any surprises. Mashiro, you can start thinking about how to expand this story."
Beside her, Izumi Chihiro offered his suggestion.
"Expand?"
Mashiro's expression subtly changed.
"That's right. For the current Mashiro, it's still important to continue reading more manga, light novels… focusing on works that can evoke emotions."
He nodded slightly.
It was still the same old method of continued training. This method was indeed helpful for the pure white girl to understand human emotions.
The two walked out of the room.
After lunch.
The familiar group gathered together again.
Because summer vacation was almost over, once school started, they wouldn't be able to visit each other anytime like they could now. So they wanted to seize the time they had to deepen their bonds.
"Senpai, let's watch fireworks together!"
Kani Nayuta suddenly suggested.
"Watch fireworks?"
Izumi Chihiro fell into thought.
It had indeed been a long time since he had seen them. He remembered the last time was several years ago when Aunt Sayuri invited him and Eriri to watch a wonderful fireworks display.
"Alright."
He thought for a moment before replying.
Kani Nayuta seemed happy, but not ecstatically so, because everyone present clearly didn't want to miss out, making a private date impossible.
"Ni-san, I'm very curious!"
"Chihiro, I want to go too."
"I have some time recently, so this young lady will accompany you on this trip."
To watch fireworks, the simplest way was naturally to attend the nearest fireworks festival, and attending a fireworks festival had a tradition: wearing a yukata.
For Senju Muramasa, it was no different from her usual days, as she ordinarily wore kimonos of varying thickness.
For everyone else, it was a relatively novel experience.
The group arrived at a clothing store.
"Eh, didn't they say this was a tradition? Why are so many people walking outside in their regular clothes!"
Kani Nayuta, who had changed her clothes, looked at the crowd passing by outside the store and let out a soft exclamation.
"After all, times have changed."
Izumi Chihiro's voice came from behind her.
He had changed into a dark yukata, and his tall figure looked quite good in it.
"Senior, have you changed?"
She turned around, her eyes instantly lit up, and she almost drooled, "Senior, you look handsome in anything!"
"Nayuta is also very cute."
Izumi Chihiro glanced at the blue and white Silver-haired Girl, also praising her.
This made the latter giggle for a while.
A few minutes later, the other girls also changed and came over, lining up to receive his praise.
"What a headache..."
Izumi Chihiro scratched his hair, his expression gloomy.
With so many people, he couldn't just use the universal formula 'it suits you very well,' could he?
His life wasn't that perfunctory.
So, he racked his brain to come up with suitable compliments that would satisfy each of them.
"You guys, stop dawdling! Hurry up and follow me! I want to browse for a while before the fireworks start!"
Yamada Elf called out to the crowd behind her, clacking her wooden clogs.
After browsing around, playing mini-games, and buying local snacks, everyone gathered at a spot where they could fully enjoy the view.
For this fireworks festival, they even rented a VIP spot, which was higher up and away from the noisy crowds.
"Whoosh!"
When the time came, colorful fireworks soared into the sky and burst into full bloom, their magnificent display filling people with longing.
"So beautiful!"
"Watching fireworks with Senior achievement get √!"
"So this is what it feels like to watch fireworks, I've noted it down!"
The girls were mesmerized.
"..."
Izumi Chihiro looked at the fireworks above, a sense of nostalgia welling up in his heart.
On top of Detective Slope.
Eriri walked onto the moonlit balcony, gazing at the same scenery in the sky, her eyes gradually becoming hazy.
"Pat-a-pat-a..."
Amidst the sound of fireworks, this memorable summer vacation also came to an end.
During this time, Kousaka Kirino had originally planned to invite him to the summer anime convention, but he had declined.
He later learned why from Gokou Ruri.
She had expressed her feelings in the otaku group that Makishima Saori had created.
Kiririn Rino: This is truly enviable! Gathering together with Izumi Masamune, Senju Muramasa, and Kani Nayuta! I also want to become a light novel author!
Black Cat: That's enough! Do you really think any Tom, Dick, or Harry can become a light novel author? I went through a lot of hardship to successfully debut.
Kiririn Rino: Hehe, don't think everyone is as useless as you! I'm a talented person! Chihiro said so.
Black Cat: Is it possible that it was just a comforting remark? After all, this hasn't been proven, so it's just imaginary talent.
...
In the midst of their argument, the other two completely ignored the existence of the other two.
Umaru: Has today's war begun again?
Saori Bajeena: Gentlemen, I love war!
Umaru: You were a mediator before, has the administrator given up?
Saori Bajeena: That's what makes it interesting, Umaru-shi.
Umaru: Isn't it about time you gave up that way of speaking? (?)
After chatting for a while longer, Izumi Chihiro also joined in.
Izumi Masamune: Umaru can't take it anymore either? Then today, I'll call on everyone to ban the use of this verbal tic!
Saori Bajeena:???
It's revolting, the group members are devouring their master!
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter