This time, Akane Kosaka was genuinely surprised.
She had always assumed that the person sitting at the main table was the actual artist of this doujinshi.
Now, seeing that Eri Kashiwagi was so young, she had to admit — it made her heart skip a beat.
Ryou's skills were already capable of standing on his own.
And for Eri Kashiwagi to have such talent at such a young age, her potential was immense.
Akane felt that with proper cultivation, she could become a future pillar of her circle.
It was obvious that Eri Kashiwagi clearly took Ryou as her core.
After what had just happened, Akane thought it wasn't the right time to approach her — better to observe quietly for now.
Turning around, Akane Kosaka addressed Eri Kashiwagi politely: "Eri Kashiwagi-sensei, I apologize. I misspoke earlier."
Then she looked at Ryou earnestly: "Ryou-sensei, I hope you'll give my previous proposal careful consideration."
With that, she put on her sunglasses and walked away gracefully.
To Eri, Akane Kosaka was a woman trying to steal Ryou away.
So the little golden-haired girl glared at her until Akane's figure completely disappeared, before relaxing her fierce expression.
But she was also seriously thinking about Akane's words, contemplating whether she should go into seclusion to break through her limits.
Her thoughts were almost written all over her face.
Ryou gently pinched her soft, mochi-like little cheeks.
"Ah!" Eri exclaimed.
"What are you thinking?" Ryou asked with a light smile.
Eri had initially wanted to attack with her twin tails, but suddenly realized she was still wearing her artist hat.
So she abandoned the idea, merely rubbing her cheeks and deliberately putting on an angry expression, glaring at Ryou.
Finally, she sighed lightly and said firmly: "I'm not strong enough yet. I want to become stronger."
As soon as she spoke, Ryou instantly remembered what Machida had said about changing the artist, and Eri's frenzied state when she was alone in her room.
A flash of concern crossed his eyes.
To outsiders, Eri Kashiwagi usually behaved like a delicate young lady.
But Ryou knew that beneath the façade of a young lady lay a ferocious, passionate, and obsessively driven nature.
He shook his head, then asked with concern: "Do you want to lock yourself in a room and draw like before?"
Eri was startled. How did Ryou know what I was thinking? Could he read minds?
Could it be that my true thoughts are…
She quickly denied it in her mind. No, mind-reading doesn't exist in this world.
After taking a deep breath, she nodded.
To improve in art, one must practice consistently and persistently.
Ryou stood beside her, looking around the nearly empty exhibition hall, and spoke to himself: "I can't draw, but I practice kendo."
"The ultimate secret of my school, even after a year, I still haven't mastered it."
"I have felt anxious, and I've doubted myself."
"Until later, day after day, swinging the sword, I gradually regained my original purpose."
"Being impatient can trap you deeper. Only by truly understanding what you love, accepting it, and pursuing joy with optimism, can one become truly strong."
Finally, he turned to Eri, placing his hands on her shoulders and gazing into her bright blue eyes.
Ryou smiled gently, his voice soft and soothing:
"Steady and persistent, never forget your original intention. Don't lock yourself away in a frenzy like before. Seeing you like that worries me, Lily."
Eri, like a golden retriever being comforted by its owner, lowered her head quietly, fingers unconsciously playing with her nails.
Recalling what Ryou had said to Akane Kosaka earlier, she felt deeply affected.
Summoning all her courage, she murmured in a barely audible voice: "Earlier… when you said that… you rely on me, is that true?"
"What are you talking about?" Ryou asked curiously.
Her voice was so soft, and she kept her head lowered, so he hadn't caught it.
Eri suddenly jumped back as if burned by hot water, blushing and waving her hands.
"N-No! I didn't say anything! I'm going to help Mom at the booth!"
The words had already used up all her courage.
She ran like fleeing from danger to her mother, Sayuri Sawamura, behind the booth.
"Mom, I'll help you!" Eri shouted loudly, afraid her mother wouldn't hear.
Sayuri's gaze shifted between Ryou not far away and Eri before her.
She wanted to speak but hesitated, her eyes finally resting on her unruly daughter, all the words in her heart turning into a helpless sigh.
Summer Comic finally came to a close.
The Sawamura family and Ryou said their goodbyes.
In the back seat of the car, Eri removed her artist hat.
Her golden hair fell like a shimmering waterfall.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
On the back seat, Eri lightly banged her head against the passenger seat.
After a while, perhaps from fatigue, she rested her head against the seat, beginning to regret her earlier actions.
Damn it, why did I run away just now?
Nibutani Shinka and Yamada Elf weren't here. What was I afraid of?
Wasn't I just afraid Ryou's answer wouldn't be what I expected?
She instinctively put her hand in her pocket and felt something cold.
Eri turned it over in her hand — a keychain from Ryou, which gradually calmed her heart.
Sayuri noticed the movement behind her and checked through the rearview mirror, observing Eri.
Today, the other two girls around Eri's age were also quite cute.
She thought she should talk with Eri properly when they got home.
Elsewhere,
Ryou inserted the key into his house door.
Once inside, he called out as usual: "Shizu-nee, I'm home."
Thump, thump, thump~
Footsteps approached from afar.
A small figure soon appeared at the entrance.
It wasn't his expected sister, Shizu Hirasaka, but his childhood friend living next door.
Nibutani Shinka looked like a wife waiting for her husband to return, wearing an apron, her eyes curved in a smile.
She held a Japanese kitchen knife in her hand.
On the blade, a faint trace of red liquid shimmered.
In her eyes, besides joy, there seemed to be a strange excitement.
She smiled brightly at Ryou, who had just entered the house.
"You're back, Ryou~"