After that, the character design and illustration work went unusually smoothly.
Any tweaks to the art style that Kuroba Akira suggested, Aizono Momo accepted without a fuss and started revising right away.
For example, Akira said that the eyes of the "onee-san" type characters could be drawn more narrow and elongated, with the lower lash line angling up. That would make them look more seductive—basically the vibe of Makima, Kafka, or the classic "devil older-sister" types. The "bad woman" look.
Aizono Momo tried it out, instantly got what Akira meant, and even marveled at how just changing the eyes could totally transform the feel of a character. Then she went ahead and drew five versions for Akira to pick from, and together they picked the best eye style.
What surprised Akira even more was how sharp Aizono Momo was at interpreting storyboards.
He only had to describe an action or an angle, and she could sketch it right away, nailing exactly what he pictured in his mind.
He'd thought it might take a week or two to teach her all this, but it turned out she understood instantly—no endless back-and-forth, no need to tweak things over and over.
A full art style overhaul—done in a single day!
And at the same time, the character sheets and storyboard sketches for the illustrations were also finished!
Progress was so fast that Akira couldn't stop grinning. He couldn't help praising Aizono Momo.
"Incredible... Aizono-san, you're definitely going to become a famous illustrator."
She wasn't good at taking compliments, but Akira had already sung her praises so much during this project that even a shy girl like her was starting to get used to it. She managed a wry smile.
"Akira-kun, you're exaggerating... There are lots of people at my level. Even in art class, I can only get a seat in the second row..."
"No, I'm not exaggerating at all. Honestly, I used to just think your drawing skills were solid, but now, I really feel you're an artist who's great at collaborating. You don't just accept feedback, you immediately get what I'm after... You're amazing."
That soulful gaze and those suspiciously cheesy lines sounded exactly like a husband praising his little wife in bed for being so obedient.
"U-um..."
Aizono Momo's face went bright red from the compliment. She ducked her head, shy all over again.
Akira held the illustration sketches, taking them in one by one, feeling happier the longer he looked. These illustrations would be the biggest boost to his novel's sales.
In other words, these were piles of cold, hard cash!
This was sure to catch Editor Mori's eye. Actually, after Akira's tweaks to the art style, these illustrations were already well above the average level for light novel illustrations in this world.
As long as there were no issues with the coloring, there was nothing to worry about on the illustration front.
But Akira, sly as always, let out a dramatic sigh.
"Sigh..."
Aizono Momo's heart skipped a beat, thinking she'd messed something up. She hurried to ask,
"Um, Akira-kun, why are you sighing? Is something still wrong? Just tell me, I'll fix it right now!"
"It's not that. I was just thinking, one day you'll be illustrating for tons of light novels, and it makes me feel a little... disappointed. You'll be so busy you won't have time to draw for me anymore..."
"No, that won't happen... If you hadn't invited me, Akira-kun, I'd never have had the chance to draw for a professionally published light novel..."
You could say Akira made Aizono Momo's dream come true—getting her artwork out in public—so she was genuinely grateful.
"So don't worry. As long as you don't mind, Akira-kun... um... I'll always illustrate for you!"
She used all her courage to get that last, super embarrassing line out. For her, this was practically a confession.
And this was exactly what Akira had been waiting for—he cried out in delight,
"Really? Then you're my exclusive illustrator from now on!"
"E-Exclusive... illustrator?"
At the word "exclusive," Aizono Momo's mind flashed to those master-servant training doujin she'd seen before, and her face instantly turned red, her heart pounding.
"That's right. Actually, I talked to the editor at the publisher before: if your illustrations turned out really great, the publisher would introduce you to more gigs. But now that I've seen your real ability, I kind of regret that..."
Akira put on a tragic face and pleaded with her, pitifully,
"So I hope you'll turn down other illustration jobs and only draw for me, at least for now, okay?"
Such a precious illustrator resource had to be reserved for himself—Akira's ambition was pure monopoly.
There was only one source for this kind of art—no copies, no rivals!
This way, Aizono Momo's illustrations would be tied to his light novel, and anyone attracted by her art would have to buy his LN, boosting his sales.
Of course, this was actually super selfish—he was tying Aizono Momo to his own boat, not letting her get on anyone else's, and limiting her career potential in a big way.
But Akira was a shameless adult—scamming a naive little girl didn't trouble his conscience at all.
It wasn't like he planned to keep her tied down forever, anyway; he couldn't even guarantee he'd write another novel after this one ended.
But at least for the serialization period of Imouto Travel—these three years of high school—Akira decided he'd monopolize her illustrations and make her the signature artist of his work.
Simple-minded Aizono Momo had no idea what this scheming old man was really up to.
She just felt the request wasn't unreasonable, and she was more than happy to "repay" Akira.
After all, Aizono Momo never even dreamed of being an illustrator. Her only wish had been to collaborate with Shiroi Shiori once—and now even that small dream had been fulfilled.
So now she was basically completely obedient to Akira, agreeing to whatever he said... though, of course, only when it came to illustration.
"Of course! I can promise you, Akira-kun: I'll only illustrate for your works. I'm just glad someone likes my drawings this much..."
"Yes!"
Akira looked especially pleased, grabbing Aizono Momo's small hand and shaking it up and down.
Naturally, the other two members of the Literature Club were watching this whole interaction.
Jealousy exploded in both their hearts.
It wasn't romantic jealousy; it was the realization that Akira valued Aizono Momo far more than he valued them. Both girls felt a powerful sense of defeat.
After all, Akira had never praised them this shamelessly, nor ever looked this genuinely happy because of them.
Cooking skills, good writing... Sure, he'd complimented those things, but only in passing.
Whether it was Anri Hitomi, who believed she didn't have any talents Akira would appreciate, or Shiroi Shiori, who didn't think she had the gift for writing, they both knew: Akira only wagged his tail for "real geniuses."
And Akira's lousy acting skills were totally transparent to them.
But the fact that he was willing to go this far to keep Aizono Momo at his side—that proved just how much he acknowledged her talent. More than anyone else in the Literature Club, Aizono Momo was the one Akira truly favored.
That was real, unassailable talent.
The kind of talent that made even Akira run out of praise.
Both girls showed looks of envy, and deep inside, the fires of jealousy were lit.
When a man gives all his attention to one woman, ignoring the others, no matter the reason, the women left out can't help wanting to prove their own worth.
And so, the girl war began.