- Thank you opening up your home. - Thanks, Honda!
Honda, by the end of this week, can you do
rough character sketches with different expressions?
That's what Seki asked me to do at the end of our outing.
But expressions are hard and I can't make them look cute.
My childhood friend I always depend on...
Yumine, say...
Sorry.
Sorry, yesterday's spring review was actually a filmfest.
Then we hung around the billboard talking until five in the morning...
I don't think she feels well today.
Skill Up.
An original character with an expression that's full of life...
So how do I draw it?
Hi Honda! What are you doing? Let me join you!
She's Marika Shimizu.
She's my half-Caucasian classmate.
You're drawing?
Honda, do you draw manga?
Well...sort of...
You looked stuck, but is it one of those lovesick for a teacher stories?
Nothing that ambitious.
I'll be happy to help.
Drawing a likeness can help it go faster, you know.
It feels like she's making fun of me.
If you liven up their expressions, they would be more like game characters.
Liven up?
Wow, you sound so professional.
Do you draw manga too, Fuda?
I specialize in illustrations.
That's terrific! So both of you will be famous someday.
- Oh dear... - What's wrong, Honda?
Hey, don't bully her with your sarcasm.
Are you okay, Honda?
I think so.
Natsu Iino is also a classmate. She loves animals.
Oh yeah, Honda... You joined that club with the super long name.
Something about fish?
Shinda sakana no me Nisshou busoku Shuttle run Club.
We create our own video games.
Awesome! You can make games?!
They're small-scale homemade game.
Homemade?
Last night, I tried playing a game made by a previous member.
But when it comes to drawing, I can't get the hang of it.
That won't do. You have to complete games in an hour.
Yes, I guess...
But I felt as though I'm on the verge of something...
And I ended up scribbling in class.
Okay, Honda, you take the next section.
Honda?
Oh! Umm...One year after the revolution, the Bill of Rights was enacted...
We just finished that.
I-I'm sorry.
- Please pay attention. - Yes.
Oops... I spaced out for a bit...
You shouldn't scribble in history. You'll get the faces all mixed up.
During lunch, I was going to ask Yumine about what happened.
She's sleeping again.
Look, Iino! I bought a shojo manga yesterday!
This heroine saves a lot of people.
And she helps this not-too-brave boy with his love problem.
I could learn a lesson or two!
You can't bring manga to class.
Wrong! That character...Rensuke is a brute and always looking for a score.
I read Chapter 16 in the previous volume. Everyone says so, but...
I've read "Majiroma" from Volume 3 and...
She didn't seem to be in the mood for a discussion.
So I left school without having solved a thing.
How am I supposed to draw characters that look alive?
I haven't found any clues.
Oh, what'll I do?
Oh, I forgot. Granny made me candy.
Homemade lollipops.
Maybe the trick is to exaggerate the happy face at times like this.
Thank you for the pop!
I dropped one. Sorry, Granny.
Today is not going well.
Not good. I'm just no good.
A cat...
I wish I were a cat.
- Meow... - Meow...
Meow... meow?
Meow-meow!
A stranger was watching me!
Hello, kitty. Meow once more. You're so cute!
H-Hello.
You looked awfully sad, but don't let a lollipop get you down.
It's not just that. I mean...
Things aren't going well today, like doing what I was asked to do.
I'm in a dilemma.
Kitty, your legs are so thin!
Are you eating properly? You need more nutrition!
Oh, she's not listening to me.
- Can't draw well? - Yes.
Even my friend teased me.
Oh yeah, call me Teru.
I won't tease, so don't worry.
Then I'll be your model so that you can draw nicely.
She's making fun of me too!
I'm dead serious.
You see, I'm pretty obsessed with drawing too.
Is that so?
Let me take a look.
Oh, are you...?
Yes?
It's nothing.
Anyway, I'll take this.
And in exchange, I'll put a cheer-up spell on you!
I'm not sure why, but she treated me at a cafe.
What's going on?
My college friend told me about this place. Their hotcakes rock!
So eat up, Kitty, and put on some weight.
Um... Can I have it back?
My friends and senior schoolmates helped me with it. It means a lot.
Why?
Creating a game is really difficult, but why must you try so hard?
Is it because you're being forced to draw?
I...
I'm so wishy-washy, and I want to change.
And if you set the blend mode to "multiply"...
I just want to make this...
a club where no one gets bored.
Please concentrate on finishing the work.
Having things talk is a great idea.
Stop! That's not it!
I'll practice what you taught me for a little while longer.
No, she's wrong.
We got together last time and discussed what we wanted to create...
That's why, you're...!
Good!
Go for it with that passion, and you'll create something great.
I'm looking forward to it.
I feel like I was just pinched by a fox.
Say...
Did I mention I'm working on a game?
Oh, Honda?
What're you doing here?
Iino!
I'm not sure myself, but I was with a girl I met by the riverbank.
Didn't your parents teach you don't go out with strangers?
Now that you mention it , yes.
Welcome!
Meow!
T-Teru!
You recognized me even in my cosplay? You're making progress, Fuyon.
Please don't call me by that name.
Actually, I came to talk to you today, Fuyon.
You still don't listen to what people say.
Here's a contribution from your kind senior.
Huh? Money?
I met cute Kitty and want to make a donation. Use it any way you want.
Thank you!
But why all of a sudden? Who's Kitty?
Please speak in people language!
The two will come soon.
Okay.
Hola!
Thanks for coming to this side of the tracks.
Sure, thank you for inviting us.
Hi, sorry to keep you waiting.
Oh, we didn't wait at all.
Say...
Can you stop those sudden bomb blast effects?
We're going to the electronics shop from now?
Yes, we're getting a scanner so you can easily import your drawings into a PC.
Seki, did you bring the club funds?
We used it up in April for parts.
I thought you were paying today.
What? That's news to me.
N-No!
Dad always says no to an advance on my allowance.
Dad's word is law!
Out of the question, huh?
However, we have a donation from a benefactor.
What? From Teru?
She said she met cute Kitty, so she's donating to the club.
Teru is as cool as ever.
Kitty...
I'm taking this, Kitty!
That weird encounter the other day...
Oh, what did she say her name was?
My mind was on my sketchbook. I don't remember.
What's the matter?
I think this is affordable.
Oh yeah. It's pretty standard and easy to use.
Honda, like it?
I'll do my best to learn to use it quickly.
It's not hard. You just stick paper in.
I forgot my sketchbook at the shop! I have to get it!
Please wait here!
S-Sure.
Honda!
It started to rain. But the sketchbook is safe.
Never mind that! You'll catch a cold!
Thank goodness your house was near, Aya.
Hello!
C'mon in. Don't mind my noisy brothers though.
Here, Sis. Towels!
Good boy, Nobuhito.
- Sis, I'm hungry! - Quiet! Can't you see we're busy?
- Dry your hair nicely. - Thank you!
What's up, Haruma?
N-Nothing.
What's a kid in grade school doing with you?
Silly! Honda is older than you.
Older?
She's in middle school?! I figured she's about my age.
Wait here until the bath is ready.
This is my...rather, our room.
Sure.
Oh yeah! Haruma is good at art too.
Wow! Such pretty colors.
You don't have to be embarrassed, you know.
Can you teach me how to draw too?
This kid brother...
Whoa, it spreads more than I thought.
Let the color seep through more, then spread it from the light areas.
Bath is ready.
O-Okay!
You have to finish it in one sitting.
Not like that...
Seriously... This is basic knowledge.
I-I'll try my best.
You're so kind to teach me. I'm so sorry.
I-It's okay...
You reap what you sow.
How interesting!
She needs a change of clothes. I hope mine will fit.
I'm sure it will You're just as flat-chested.
Oh? You're dissing Honda's size?
I'm gonna tell her.
If you do, I'll show Dad your black notebook.
- That's got nothing to do with this! - You're just a coward!
- Shut up, kid! - I'm an 8th grader!
Shii, they're fighting.
It's okay. I'll stop them.
I'll leave clothes here.
Spread it from the light areas.
And...
You okay, Honda?
Oh! Yes, I'm fine.
If you think you're forget, jot down what you learned.
Oh, I will!
Okay!
Bundle up so you don't get cold.
- Are you listening? - Yes!
Is this okay? This is hard.
You draw great!
Thank you, Nobuhito.
If I color on paper, can you use it for the game?
It's taking on a very unique look.
Haruma, can you see if I colored it correctly?
I don't really care.
What kind of answer is that?
Oh, what happened to your forehead?
She poked my forehead earlier.
- Uncool! - Your face too, Sis.
I asked for it. I didn't go easy either.
Just now, I was drawing... Huh? It's gone.
I'm sorry, I'm borrowing it.
Shall we try to fit those drawings into the game? Temporarily?
Already?
What? We can see it already?
Oh, I'm not ready for this...
I wanna see it!
O-Okay! Please do it!
Painting on analog works in games too.
Guess so.
It's uneven, and the main lines are sloppy.
This kid...
Here's the next one, Samyu.
Hey, not bad.
And the guy on the select screen?
Oh, he's not ready.
So he's still under construction.
These are original characters. It has to be Honda who designs them.
Yes...
But drawing a "cool" old guy is hard.
I've been mulling over how to draw him.
You're stuck over something that simple?
The more I thought about it, the more images popped into my head.
You can't just think about it.
Look for data.
Walk around and look for people you can use as models.
If you're going to draw, you have to look at all kinds of things.
Y-You're right! I never even considered that.
You're pretty useful!
This is pretty basic.
I see...
I can look for an image here to use as my model...
Thank you, Haruma!
But don't use it as is.
It's only a hint or model. You can't duplicate it without permission.
I know! Thank you, thank you!
Hah, he's blushing.
This is so interesting.
This way, I think I can draw something that's more vibrant.
That's right! She was giving me hints too.
Dad?
You're coming to pick me up?
She was welcome to stay for dinner.
I guess she's homesick.
When's he coming? I can't wait to show him.
Oh hey, Honda... You got a boyfriend?
What kind of question is that?!
Just curious.
The only guy in my life right now is my dad.
He said he'll go over today's drawing with me.
So you're close to your dad, huh?
Do you like older men then, Honda?
Pretty rare to find a high school freshman so chummy with her dad.
Really? Isn't it pretty ordinary?
She's in high school...
What's bugging you now?
Thank you for everything.
- Good night. - See you tomorrow.
So anyway... First love usually doesn't lead to anything.
So forget about her.
You should talk. You've never even had a boyfriend.
That's 'cuz I'm not interested in that stuff!
No one's ever told you they love you!
- Shut up, kid! - I'm an 8th grader!
Shii, they're fighting.
I know. It'll be dinnertime in a moment.
Honda fainted!
Please don't leave me!
Oh, whatever! What will be will be!
We had fun working together to create this!
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