"Beyond the syllabus?"
Eriri had her own unique obsession with painting, especially doujinshi, and was clearly immersed in her own world.
Realizing her behavior might trouble others, the forthright girl immediately apologized to Yukino.
"Sorry, Yukino, I got too excited just now."
"It's alright, Eriri." Shaking her head, for Yukino at this moment, perhaps the world was at its happiest?
Experiences she never dared imagine before were happening now. Because Ryuya was holding her in his arms, feeling her brother's warmth, Yukino was so excited she might faint.
"Oh, I see."
Looking at the siblings with a suspicious gaze, Eriri, an only child, didn't quite understand sibling relationships. But her intuition told her their relationship, especially Yukino's side, was a bit too good.
"By the way, about my drawings, Ryuya, do you have anything to say..."
"Something to say?"
Taking the drawing tablet Eriri handed him, Ryuya's fairy bloodline gave him a high level of artistic thinking and talent. Briefly scanning Eriri's work, his serious expression while looking at the art was very handsome.
'So handsome...'
They say men focused on their work are charming, and that's exactly what Eriri thought at this moment. Her initial impression of Ryuya was that of a very handsome, elegant noble.
As time passed and after half a month of interaction, Eriri had somewhat understood Ryuya's nature.
He was steady, reliable, all-around capable, could do almost anything, and was someone Yukino trusted deeply.
But a good impression was just that. To Eriri, Ryuya was probably just a bit closer than an ordinary friend or classmate.
She wasn't the type to fall for every handsome guy she saw. Eriri and Ryuya only saw each other during daily lunch breaks, so how could there be any romantic feelings?
"Eriri, don't show Ryuya those... those strange things!"
Seeing Ryuya seriously looking at the doujinshi, Yukino was unhappy.
"Relax, I won't steal your brother."
Smiling, Eriri casually raised a flag.
"Hmm..."
Instantly turning as red as a cooked lobster, Yukino fell silent.
Hiding shyly in Ryuya's embrace, she wondered, 'Was I that obvious? Then why hasn't Ryuya responded? Could he really still see me as the little girl from childhood?'
"Sawamura, I've looked at your drawings. Whether it's technique, touch, line handling, etc., it's all exceptionally skilled, reaching the highest level for your age."
Unaware of what Yukino was shy about, Ryuya truly saw her as a younger sister.
Holding Eriri's artwork, he continued, "However, I sense a suppressed aura in your drawings. You're restraining yourself. This feeling of constraint is your biggest issue right now."
"Is it that obvious?"
Her eyes lighting up, Eriri agreed with Ryuya's incisive observation, "Yes, Ryuya-kun, just as you said, no matter what I draw, I feel very restricted."
Hidden in her personality was a ferocious, passionate nature craving absolute freedom. Having received a young lady's education since childhood, Eriri was genuinely troubled by this.
"Quite obvious. Wait a moment."
Smiling, Ryuya took Eriri's brush, and then, utilizing his fairy talent for art, he began to draw.
Soon, a traditional black-and-white portrait with heavy ink strokes appeared before Eriri.
"This... such strong oppressive presence."
Looking at the man Ryuya drew, Eriri had never seen such a style. She felt an overwhelming impact, and anyone's first reaction would be the man in the drawing was incredibly domineering, that rulership aura making it hard to breathe.
"Ryuya-kun, this is..."
As if seeing her future in this drawing, something strange within Eriri's bloodline awakened.
She wanted art like this. What she desired was this uninhibited, completely unrestrained style that fully expressed everything within her.
The reason she became a doujinshi artist wasn't solely because she liked doujinshi, but mainly because doujinshi could break traditional constraints without limits.
But in reality, this style still restricted Eriri herself, otherwise, she wouldn't have her procrastination laziness.
But... the moment she saw Ryuya's drawing, a desire for creation was born. Eriri urgently wanted to draw something now.
"This? This is Emperor Yang of Sui, using a unique Eastern artistic technique."
Recalling a Chinese Manhua called Biao Ren (Blades of the Guardians) from before his transmigration, its art style, especially the oppressive feeling when Emperor Yang transformed into a dragon, was truly impressive.
Feeling Eriri needed to break through Japan's traditions and see the vast world of various art styles, he continued, "Sawamura, you could try looking at art styles from other countries. It might help your painting reach a new breakthrough."
"Understood! Thank you so much!"
Bowing seriously to Ryuya, Eriri immediately started checking various information on her phone. Watching Eriri's somewhat frenzied state, Yukino slightly opened her mouth, saying somewhat confusedly, "Ryuya, what did you just do?"
"Hmm, saved a lost maiden's heart?"
Looking at Yukinoshita Yukino's puffed-up, blowfish-like expression, Ryuya laughed.