My name is Usami Mizuki.
I'm a second-year middle school student and member of the Art Club.
His name is Uchimaki Subaru.
He's a second-year Art Club member, like me.
Subaru has a dream.
He has a
very,
very big dream.
That dream...
Teehee!
These People Have Problems
There you go with your weird drawings again.
What do you mean, "weird"? That's rude.
She's my seventeenth waifu.
You guessed it: his dream is to create the ultimate 2D wife.
Seriously, she's just a drawing!
Usami-san,
why are you so bothered by my tastes?
Are you hurt in any way if I like 2D characters?
What are you, stupid?
I just hate these otaku drawings because I'm an Art Club member!
You didn't have to punch a hole in it!
Sorry, I got kind of flustered.
Why?
Like, if you ask me, this is murder!
It's a drawing!
I mean, I do feel bad.
But this stuff isn't really appropriate for the Art Club.
You're so talented! What a waste.
Keep it down, you two.
You're a nuisance to people trying to sleep.
You shouldn't even be sleeping!
You've got to be crazy not to sleep on this perfectly-stiff sofa.
And this lazy senior is, believe it or not, the club president.
You should draw something for once.
Where are you going?
For a walk.
I can't believe this club hasn't been shut down yet.
Hey, I see you're at it.
Sensei!
This man is Koyama-sensei, the teacher advising the Art Club.
He's a very kind teacher.
Okay, be good to each other and work hard.
Sensei!
Magical Girl Magical Ribbon is on the scene!
What are you doing?
The chains! The chains are digging into my skin!
Research. For my club work.
Help me, Magical Ribbon!
I... I have to carry the club.
Do you want to save your friend, Magical Ribbon?
I'll teach you the unchaining spell.
But can you do it?
What do you mean by that?
"Department of Farming and Marketing Patent Office,
Bank of Japan National Treasury,
Department of Exclusive Right Patents, Tokyo Patent Authorization Office."
Say that three times in a row!
Do it!
Here I go.
Sorry, would you mind doing your research at home?
Sure, that's fine. I'm done already.
I've always wondered...
What?
What's the fun in drawing apples?
Say you're sorry to Paul Cézanne.
Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) Notable works: "Apples and Oranges" "Basket of Apples"
But they're apples.
They're fruits.
So what?
Could you love them?
Love?
No, no. You don't have to love an apple to draw it.
You can't master art without loving your art.
You love your work too much!
How about we try anthropomorphizing an apple, then?
Anthropomorphizing?
You can love even an apple if you anthropomorphize it, I bet.
I guess that could be an interesting thing to try.
What is this?
Don't ask me.
You're the one who created it.
Colette-san's late today.
She is.
I was going to ask her to model for me.
Oh yeah, would you mind modeling for me instead?
You keep altering your models, though.
Like last time...
Usami-san, I'm done.
Let me see it!
That totally wasn't me.
You mean I over-beautified you?
No, that's not the point.
Anyway, just ask the president to give you a pose later.
Not the president!
I need someone to sit daintily on a chair with their arms around their knees.
On a chair,
with their arms around their knees?
I couldn't bear to see that creepiness.
True.
For this pose, I need someone who's cute enough that I can bear staring at.
You mean I would qualify?
I can just barely tolerate you, Usami-san.
Wait, "just barely"?
But I guess that means he thinks I'm at least a little cute, right?
F-Fine, then, since you insist.
L-Like this?
Yeah, something like that.
Oh, but...
What?
I can see your panties.
Really?!
Good thing I'm not interested in 3D girls, huh?
I have so many mixed emotions about this.
Are you done changing?
I never said you can turn around!
Like I said, I'm not interested.
Shut up, shut up, shut up!
Could you pull your legs together more?
Like this?
Yeah. And smile.
Why are you laughing?
It just so doesn't suit you.
Say that again!
I'm sorry.
Jeez.
You two look like you're having a good time.
P-President!
When did you get here?
Since the panties thing.
That's right from the beginning!
Not to worry, Usami.
I have no interest in kiddy panties.
Then what's that camera in your hand for?
Please, President!
Have fun, you two youngins.
Don't move, Usami-san.
Hold your legs closer together.
Like this?
Keep your chin like you did earlier.
Okay.
Stay still.
Sorry.
There.
Done?
Yes.
C-Can I look?
Of course.
I drew you exactly as you are this time, Usami-san.
Uchimaki-kun drew me as I am.
He drew me.
Who the hell is this?!
Wait, please!
It's not even the same pose!
This is Ribbon-chan, by the way!
Hold your legs closer together.
What was the point of that?!
What was that?!
Take a look.
Here, see?
It's just like yours, Usami-san.
You didn't have to make that identical!
How did you even figure out the pattern in that split second?
I didn't.
The president had pictures.
President!
Stop!
Oh, well, I guess.
Yo, Uchimaki!
I'm closing the club room now.
Sorry, I didn't mean to!
Art Club
Here, Usami-san.
What's this?
You'll find out when you open it.
What's going on?
Mom, do we have any frames? Frames!
Goodbye, Uchimaki-kun
Art Club
Usami-san!
We need to talk.
What? What?
There's something I've just realized after all of our time together.
I've realized how amazing you are.
Usami-san, please go out with me.
What if that's what he's going to say?!
Stay calm, Mizuki.
Stay calm and think about what to say.
"All right, fine."
Or "It's not like I have feelings for you or anything."
"Don't get the wrong idea."
Or something?
I still haven't finished painting.
But I think this girl's going to become my ultimate 2D waifu.
I've made a huge mistake!
What do you mean by "mistake," by the way?
Nothing!
And I was talking out loud!
Okay, let me explain one more thing.
Time to get back to work.
First, her adorable, cute, little-girl face!
Okay, okay!
Just stop saying that out loud!
Uchimaki-kun usually acts collected,
but he gets pretty feverish at times like this.
He's, like, gleaming.
That is, he knows what he wants in his passions.
Oh, and she's not wearing panties.
She's wearing a pure-white school swimsuit.
Abandon your passions.
But, Uchimaki-kun, what happens
when you're done with your ultimate piece?
You can't end up like this guy just because you've accomplished your goals, okay?
Oh, you don't have to worry about that.
Are you sure?
I'm going to quit the Art Club when I'm done with this,
after all.
Wait a second!
What do you mean, you're quitting?!
You never told me!
I can't breathe!
It's like you said.
I won't have anything left to do once I'm done with this waifu.
And, like, you're the one who said
that my art isn't appropriate for the Art Club.
No, I meant...
I thought you would be relieved.
I... well...
I was covering my embarrassment.
Huh? What?
I... I...
I...
You...?
Ah... I'm covering my embarrassment again.
I see, that Uchimaki, huh?
Well, that was his reason for joining, after all.
I guess we can't stop him.
But I can't have him quitting on such short notice.
I'm sure you couldn't.
He could win an award, if he tried.
Cole-chan doesn't show up to club meetings, either.
I don't want to be left alone with you again, President.
What are you saying? I'm as harmless a boy as they come.
I'm asleep by default, after all.
Do some work.
Usami-san!
A-Are you done?
No, not yet.
I think I'm going to finish up tomorrow.
Oh, yeah?
I'm out of concentration for today.
I want to finish this in my best condition.
Don't worry, I'll be sure to invite you to our wedding.
What kind of humiliation play is that?
I hope you look forward to it.
Fine, fine.
I was sure I knew.
I knew I never stood a chance.
I've known since the day we met.
Uchimaki Subaru, Class 1-5.
Nice to meet you.
Well, have a seat.
Okay.
Just so you know, Urimachi-kun...
As you can see, we're a small, elite group.
You shouldn't expect to make it through the interview that easily.
Wait, President, why are you terrifying him?
Our club's small because our members keep quitting!
Mainly because of you!
Why me?
Because you snore so loudly!
Hey, cut the nonsense, you.
You're going to give Urimachi-kun the wrong impression.
Okay, let's start with simple questions.
It's October. Why join now?
Were you in another club until now?
No.
Oh?
Then why?
Umm... Uchimaki-kun, hang in there.
Hang in there!
The evening anime I used to watch just ended, so I'm bored.
President, he's no good.
Wait, Usami.
But...
Okay, question two.
What do you hope to do in the Art Club?
What do I want to do?
Yeah.
I want to draw the ultimate 2D waifu.
Sorry, 2D what?
2D waifu.
President, he's totally...
Accepted!
What?!
Wait! Were you even listening?
He's interesting.
But a 2D waifu?!
This isn't the Manga Club!
It's the Art Club!
We don't need slackers like him!
Umm...
I'd like to start drawing right away.
He doesn't seem like a slacker.
Oh, excuse me.
Yeah?
Which one of these should I use?
Fine, fine.
I'll teach you, so don't mess with them without permission.
Thank you.
We're both first-years. Let's be good to each other.
My name is Usami Mizuki.
Nice to meet you.
What's wrong?
Let's shake hands.
Sorry, I...
I have no interest in 3D girls.
Huh?
So I don't really want us to be good to each other.
No, no, no! Wait a second!
How did you get that idea?
You're an idiot!
This is going to get fun.
I'd never go out with you!
I was sure I knew.
Still...
...even then...
Hey, Uchimaki-kun,
are you really quitting the Art Club?
Yes.
Oh.
It's not right.
I want to tell him not to quit.
Wait... Usami-san...
Would you be lonely
if I quit?
I have to tell him.
Now.
I have to tell him now!
Just kidding.
I'm messing with you.
Of course you wouldn't.
You wouldn't be lonely
just because I quit.
U-Usami-san?
Wh-Why are you crying?
What is this?
No, this isn't what you think.
Why is it? I...
Oh, no! I can't stop.
I can't stop!
Usami-san...
Just stop looking at me.
Stop looking!
Stop!
This is the worst.
I could seriously die in agony.
I didn't say what I wanted to say.
I even cried instead.
What's wrong, Mizuki?
N-Nothing!
I'm so tense.
Okay.
You're late today.
Y-Yeah.
I had class duty.
Oh? Huh...
A-Awkward.
Why isn't the president here now, of all times?
How's your art coming?
Do you think you'll finish today?
Huh?
What happened to yesterday's drawing?
Oh.
I finished painting it, so I put it there.
Oh... huh?
Then what's this?
For my new waifu.
You've got absolutely no principles. One after another.
Wait a second!
I thought you were going to quit after that last one!
Well, y'know, stuff.
I'm not quitting.
Wh-Wh-Wh...
Why now?!
Do you know what I went through yesterday?
Wait, I have a good reason for this.
You're the one who changed my mind, Usami-san.
Me?
What do you mean?
To be honest,
it's never really been a turn-on for me until now.
But the way you cried for me yesterday was endearing.
You thought I was endearing?
Rattle Rattle
It's just that aspect of you that I thought was endearing.
In other words, you want to draw a picture of a girl crying now?
That's what it means.
All right.
I think my next one's going to be my ultimate waifu.
It'll never work out...
Hey, you're both here.
Oh, President.
Why's she crying in that picture?
Oh, this? The model...
No!
Preview
Something's fishy!
Move!
You're going to continue? No way.
Is this a princess hold?
Hey, Uchimaki-kun, you used the paint that was here, didn't you?
What else would expect from a boy?
He's dead!
What do I do?
Why?
Love letter?
Don't talk to me about it, of all people!
Nod yes!
No way, Lolimaki...
On the next This Art Club Has a Problem:
Episode 2
Case of the Lost Child's Love Letter Murder
"Case of the Lost Child's Love Letter Murder."
See you then!