In just one hour, Shiina completed drawings of the other main characters from the first volume: Ryuuji Takasu, Minori Kushieda, Yuusaku Kitamura, and Yasuko Takasu, all based on her understanding.
Because of the difference in eras, the character designs she produced were noticeably more refined and visually striking than the versions Sorata remembered.
Sorata did not ask her to adjust them.
This world had already entered the smartphone era.
The anime and light novel industries had evolved alongside changing aesthetic standards.
Character designs naturally needed to match contemporary tastes.
“There’s something off here,” Sorata said, pointing at the drawing of Ryuuji.
“He has a fierce gaze, but not an evil face. He’s troubled by how others see him.”
“You can make him a bit more delicate and handsome. Keep the sharp eyes, but add a hint of helplessness.”
He asked Shiina to stand aside, took the seat, picked up a pencil, and pulled over a fresh manuscript sheet.
Comparing it with her version, he began adjusting the lines according to his impression.
“Sorata, have you drawn manga before?” Shiina suddenly asked.
It had only taken him a few minutes to reproduce her version of Ryuuji almost exactly, altering only certain facial details and the expression in the eyes.
Now, on the page, there was a youthful boy with refined features and sharp looking eyes.
Even with a calm expression, he gave off the impression of someone intimidating at first glance.
It perfectly matched the protagonist from the novel.
“I haven’t drawn manga before. It just feels simple.”
He shook his head.
He truly had never drawn manga with a pencil before.
But with the foundation of his former Level 9 ink painting mastery, combined with his current physical control and precision, this level of drawing was effortless.
Shiina simply nodded and accepted the answer.
“Next, Yasuko. This character…”
Sorata reviewed each of Shiina’s designs, adjusting facial proportions, expressions, and body lines according to the setting.
These were only preliminary character models.
Coloring and further refinement would come later.
Once the base models were finalized, future scene illustrations would pose no difficulty for Shiina.
At that point, Sorata could fully step back.
After reviewing the modified drafts once more, Shiina memorized the changes and began drawing again.
This time, she worked slowly.
Including the heroine, five character portraits took her more than two hours.
Technically, the drawings matched Sorata’s revisions, but there was something more.
A subtle vitality unique to Shiina’s style.
Even Sorata had to admit that her talent in painting was astonishing.
If she ever cultivated it properly, entering the Dao through painting would not be impossible.
Early morning sunlight filtered through the window, scattering across the floor in warm patches.
Sorata slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, his mind was blank.
He simply lay there, enjoying the sensation of waking up naturally.
No constant sense of crisis pressing on his soul.
No silent probing from hostile gods and demons.
No oppressive will watching from behind.
With his current physique, he could go without sleep or food for days.
One hour of rest could sustain him for half a month.
The habits of ordinary humans should have faded from him long ago.
Yet he deliberately preserved them.
Three meals at regular times.
Sleeping at night.
Even the dark will that once belonged to the Great Devil God remained sealed away.
Outwardly, he was only slightly more mature than a typical high school boy.
After lying still for a while, he looked down.
Shiina was lying on top of him.
“Shiina sama, get up.”
By the time he had finished guiding her last night, it was already past two in the morning.
His exhausted spirit had collapsed directly onto her bed.
He did not remember when she had climbed onto him.
Though even in sleep, a faint layer of mental power instinctively guarded his surroundings, it did not react to Shiina.
Her presence carried no hostility or threat.
“Morning, Sorata.”
Shiina opened her eyes, staring blankly before sitting up.
A flash of pale skin entered his vision.
At some point, the buttons of her pajama top had come undone.
Her lower half wore only pink and blue panties.
Now she was sitting on his waist almost bare.
“I’m starting to think you really don’t see me as a man.”
Sorata shook his head helplessly.
“Shiina.”
She looked at him. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“What?”
“Call me Shiina.”
Her gaze was steady.
“That’s not the issue right now. And do you know what it means to call someone by their first name?”
“I know. Rita said close people can call each other that.”
Her voice remained calm.
“Sorata is very close to me. You can call me that.”
He paused briefly, then nodded.
“Alright… Shiina. But put some clothes on first.”
The corner of her lips lifted faintly, a rare flicker of a smile.
Instead of getting up, she leaned forward and pressed against him, arms wrapping tightly around his body.
Her voice was barely audible.
“Sorata draws very well. You won’t leave me anymore.”
The hand he had raised to push her away stopped.
He lowered it and gently rested it on her waist, holding her quietly.
Neither of them moved.
From those simple words, Sorata sensed the loneliness buried deep within her.
It was like walking alone through an endless white world.
She appeared indifferent to everything, strong and detached.
Yet inside, she was sensitive and solitary.
Since childhood, she had devoted herself to painting.
Her talent surpassed those around her.
One by one, people drifted away under the weight of that difference.
Even Rita, the sister who had grown up with her, had eventually left.
Yesterday, when Shiina saw that the novel written by the boy who treated her kindly had been recognized by a major company, and later witnessed that he possessed drawing ability not inferior to her own, what she felt was not shock.
It was relief.
She had always feared that Sorata would eventually leave as well, unable to endure the gap between them.
“Shiina chan, I’m coming in.”
“Wow… Kohai, Shiina chan, are you two moving this fast?”
“So amazing.”
“Kohai, tell me how you did it. I want to learn…”
The quiet atmosphere shattered instantly.
Misaki burst in, eyes sparkling as she took in the scene on the bed.
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