How time flies... It's already the rainy season.
I'll have something warm today and...
say hello to the stray cat en route to school.
This is my unchanging routine.
Although perhaps I've gotten a little closer to Honda the underclassman.
I've been the club president for nearly three months.
I think I'm managing okay.
President!
What's wrong, Honda?
President...
If I can't draw pictures...
will you and the others hate me?
Will you reject me?
U-Um...
You won't go away, will you?
Will you continue to be my president?!
Honda...
This isn't the place, so let's discuss it in school.
- She made her cry? - Such a cute girl.
Trouble with love maybe?
Skill Up Part 2
A slump?
Yes.
I was remembering how good that girl was...
Then I couldn't draw.
And this morning, I had a bad dream...
The SNS Club doesn't need Tamaki Honda if she can't draw!
I'm sorry, Honda. I'm with her.
Please wait, President!
Please wait! Don't go!
President, you coughed up blood!
I'm okay.
I just choked a little.
What should I say here?
"You'll get over your slump right away," sounds like a brush off.
And there's no guarantee.
First, you should put her out of your mind.
The competency test is coming up too.
Okay, I'll try that.
Was that good advice?
Slumps don't happen with programming. Fujikawa and Aya would've put it better...
Listen, everyone!
This story, "Stardust Intenzione" is such a masterpiece!
It has to be passed on forever!
Aya would've died if she saw this.
Minaha, what're you doing in my class?
Oh, what a coincidence, Tamaki Honda.
I realized something.
A battle isn't only about power. You need comrades.
That's why I'm spreading the word about this story!
You intend to challenge me again?
No, right now...
- I have bigger... - Hey you...!
What are you doing to Tama?!
Yumine...
Ha-chan! You're overbearing enough to the Illustration Club! Why pick on Tama too?!
What'd I do?!
Let me make one thing clear. Hikono is totally the aggressor!
Hey, let's not fight.
So how could you...?!
Even the author says there's only true love between X and Hiko.
Oh yeah,Yumine's in the Illustration Club so they know each other.
Just stick to the formula, will you?!
She's Minaha... No wonder she's called Ha-chan!
Don't call me that, Tamaki Honda!
- Are you making fun?! - Okay, go to your classes.
I'm sorry, President, for all the ruckus.
Huh?
Tama, class is starting.
Honda seems to have lots of friends. She'll be okay.
She doesn't need any advice from me.
'Morning, Shii!
I couldn't counsel her very well.
I might've made her even more confused.
Maybe there was a better way to console her.
If I didn't belong to the SNS Club in the first place...
Everyone goes through a slump. It might be tough on her, but...
I hope she overcomes it.
If Honda comes to the club room, I'd talk to her.
If she doesn't...
Hey...
Don't think negative thoughts.
Hey!
S-Seki!
Aren't you coming inside, Honda?
Um...
I don't think I should right now.
Because even if I draw...
No matter how many I draw, they all look like this!
It's the same as always.
Hey, Honda... Do you like me?
Yes, I do.
I thought you were so cool the way you pushed through the deadline.
But is it okay for me to continue liking you?
There's nothing wrong with expressing your love.
I like you too... the way you were, and the way you are now.
Okay?
That you is still here, right? And your right hand still works, right?
Yes.
Then, you'll get over your slump right away.
I'll bet you didn't eat lunch, eh?
I made too much, so let me share with you.
Oh, really?
Can't beat that.
Thank you for the food.
I'm going back to my class.
Okay, come again after class.
See you!
I think...
you'd make a better president than me.
No way!
I have no patience for things like shading.
I really do respect you in that sense.
Managing the schedules, planning the year's activities...
Oh, by the way... About the Summer Comiket...
What else? If you smiled a bit more, you'd be perfect.
Oh dear, you're not making much progress.
Who are you imitating?!
Oh, please don't say that. It's very important to smile.
Creepy.
Ha-chan, lunch recess is over.
Don't call me Ha-chan! I'm a first-year, just like you!
What? Really?
What grade did you think?
Oh, did you forget something, Honda?
I'm sorry. Ha-chan wanted to come along.
Well, it's not fair for just you to come!
I want to see Iris Sensei too...
That girl? I can't see well without my glasses.
Are you...Iris Sensei?!
W-Well, yes... I guess so.
Who is she trying to be?
Your works are like my Bible! Can I have your autograph?
Oh, sure.
I'm so happy.
I've decided! I'm going to join the SNS Club.
And I want to create a game based on your story!
Y-You can't just decide that! Besides, I do the drawing...
Well, you heard Honda...
No! I want to do it! I insist!
Working with you, Iris Sensei, has been my dream!
Both of you can draw together. Then you don't have to fight.
C-Can we do that?
If the style matches, we can have two artists.
Hold on a sec!
Wait a minute!
I will not recycle an old story like that!
As if Iris, the storyteller who lives for the here and now, will agree!
Do you absolutely refuse?
I've loved your stories for so long.
But because my love and effort are lacking...
This pains me...
There's nothing wrong with expressing your love, right?
Why you...!
Oh, that's right.
Even if we create a game, we didn't get into the Summer Comiket.
So there's no sense is rushing...
About that.
Fujikawa asked a friend,
and we're working something out so they'll sell our game for us.
It's possible to debut a new game in the Summer Comiket.
- Really?! - That's great news.
But it's less than two months. That's a tight schedule.
That's why I have no objection to increasing staff.
If we have two artists, the pressure will be off Honda.
Besides, we already have a story to work with.
It won't be like last time, with us waiting for the plot.
Okay.
All right, I agree.
It's decided then.
Our Summer Comiket entry will be "Stardust Intenzione."
However...! You can join only if my eyeglasses approve!
Work together with Honda, and after the game is completed...
Can you do that?
Yes! I'll do my best!
Seki!
You pulled it off nicely.
The SNS Club will participate in the Summer Comiket.
Exciting, new days are about to begin.
Speaking of which, I wonder what the Summer Comiket is like?
The Summer Comiket is...
a huge self-published works event held in the summer.
Many corporations take part, and they come from all over the world.
Wow, it sounds pretty exciting.
If I don't stay on my toes, Ha-chan might do all the drawing.
I have to do my best!
Good morning.
'Morning.
Say, Yumine...
Was that pretty girl always in our class?
Oh, that's Marika.
I came across a story recently that changed my life.
Stardust Intenzione (Part One) By Iris
I'm going to live like the heroine in "Stardust."
Stardust Intenzione (Part One) By Iris
Seki, you've changed someone else's life!
This is the story of the Japanese madonna... every girl should aspire to be like her!
Was it a story like that?!
I think you shouldn't publicize that story too much.
Why? It's such a great story!
Seki probably doesn't want this story to get around too much.
You don't want more rivals who think they're the Japanese madonna!
Oh, right! I'll be careful.
A girl in class mentioned a story you wrote in the past.
She raved about your Japanese madonna that all girls should emulate.
You're so pretty. And your hair is so silky.
Thank you!
I woke up at 5 a.m. to set my hair.
So I'm quite sleepy.
That's terrific.
Is it that hard being the ideal woman?
May I sketch you?
Oh sure!
I'll draw too.
What should my expression be?
Like in a shojo manga?
No, just be yourself.
Her inner self hasn't changed.
A beauty glancing back.
Oh, you're sketching?
Oh, yes.
I think the left arm is too long.
Oh, you're right.
Iino, you know about drawing?
Well, my kid sister's pretty good at it.
Oh, wait! Don't peek, or you'll move! I'm sketching you.
I'm not moving... Just stretching my neck.
A Japanese madonna...
But your hair is really pretty.
Is it because you're half-Caucasian?
That has nothing to do with it.
Your hair is nice too, Honda. You're a Japanese madonna.
Oh no way... My hair's awful today too.
Do you like your hair long, Honda?
Yes! I want to be a pretty woman.
Mom had long hair when she was young.
So if I have long hair, Dad will be pleased and think I'm pretty...
Okay, let's switch!
This is embarrassing!
Hey, Tama.
Give me a euphoric look... Like a boy who's about to tease another boy affectionately.
I've never been in such a situation!
I won't be able to marry, Dad...
Calm down.
It can't be helped...
Marika, can you help Tama?
Sure.
Cheer up!
Tama, put your hand on Marika's necktie, and do it with finesse.
Oh...
L-Like this?
Think of a prince and princess.
Nice.
Doesn't it look pretty real?
Let's begin class.
Thanks, Tama.
Aw... I wanted to draw a little more.
Shimizu, you're pretty good too.
Thank you!
When I was in grade school, they used to call me the astroemeria of art contests!
Not Japanese madonna?
She's better at art than you.
Honda?
What's wrong?
Iino, what must I do to improve my drawing?
You're asking me?
What would your younger sister do?
Oh, my kid sister is always drawing lately.
Really?
It's like studying. If you like something and you practice, you get better.
Even during class?
Oh, this is to make my notes easier to read.
But I'm just an observer who knows a little bit about art.
Is that so?
Have you just been copying pictures in manga, Honda?
What? How can you tell?
Just sort of.
It's no different from studying.
Even if you don't like doing it, practice what you're weak at.
For example...
Pay attention to the lesson.
I have to draw as much as I can and get better quickly!
Looking at that, my style and yours are so different.
What are you doing here?
I came to return the book I borrowed from Murakami.
Like she said though...
as long as the inking is uniform it wouldn't feel strange.
What do you mean by uniform inking?
Inking as in painting. It's digital coloring.
Please don't tell me you don't even know that?
Like I learned at the club outing.
But last time, they just scanned the drawings I made.
Oh, that's right.
Ha-chan, please help me!
The shadowing should be simple like this.
Put another layer over the rough draft.
I see...
Then use a shading brush to add a touch of reddish-orange on the bangs...
It gives it a fluffier look.
Wow, there's even a technique like this?
What else? Reflection...
You can outline the hair with white to highlight the drawing.
Oh, you're here, after all.
Hello!
You're both very diligent.
Starting to get along?
N-No way!
Hey, we have good news.
Our game will be displayed by Temawari at the Summer Comiket!
Temawari? Oh, she's famous...
Yumine really admires her.
On the condition that we help with sales.
That's great! Iris Sensei's new work will make its world debut!
We have to get busy! You'd better up your skills too!
Unfortunately, club business is over for today.
School is closing earlier than usual.
Why?
Tomorrow's test day.
I forgot all about it. We have a test tomorrow.
Oh but, it's a competency test. There's not much we can study for.
But if I keep drawing and try to catch up to Ha-chan a little...
But I can't study coloring by myself...
It's like Iino said.
All I've done is copy manga artwork.
I didn't think much about sketching until just recently.
Sketching freehand...
The screen is too small to sketch...
Send the photo...
Here's the file.... Now print.
Tama! Would you like some loquats?
Th-Thanks, Granny. But not now.
Drawing myself is pretty hard...
It doesn't look good at all.
Well, I'm such a shorty... I wish I had more height.
And my hand looks so big!
It's because I've only copied men's hands.
I'll draw another one, then I'll study for the test.
I'll try a more difficult pose next.
I ended up drawing until I fell asleep.
But it's okay. It's a competency test, with no grades.
Yumine, did you study a lot?
Don't talk to me or I'll forget the formulas!
I should go over my notes too, at least.
Honda...
Are you planning to send your pic to some dubious place?
Hanging in there? Next is classical literature.
We had those math problems in class and I even reviewed them.
I wish I studied a little harder...
Take it one step at a time, Tama.
That's right. One step at a time.
People have limits. A flower is beautiful because it's transient.
Was it hard to get your hair just right?
What?
Did yesterday's email review of your story
make you so happy and embarrassed that you couldn't study?
Oh my...
Oh, Iris Sensei...
Thanks for the email.
Your promise...
You broke it?
If it's Mother's wish, I will do anything.
Precision machinery