Chapter 119: Turning Into a Useless Person

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Translator: Soafp

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While they chatted away about their summer plans, homework forgotten, night fell before they realized it.

“It's getting late. I'll head out. Let's talk more about our collaboration later—I'll think about it before bed.”

“Yeah. I think I can finish most of the problem sets tomorrow anyway.”

Sora stretched as she untied the apron she'd put on midway through the day to spoil Ginji.

“…Feels like you've been pampering me nonstop toward the end there.”

“I'm holding back, you know.”

“You're kidding…”

They headed down to the front door together, and just as Ginji reached for it, Sora gently stopped him.

“…Goodbye kiss.”

She lifted her chin and closed her eyes with a soft “Nn~.” Ginji looked away awkwardly, then pulled her close and placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Alright, see you tomorrow.”

“…That was nice too. But tomorrow, I'd prefer a different spot.”

“I'll consider it.”

After a firm head-pat and a gentle hug, Ginji stepped out the door. Humming happily, Sora walked straight to her downstairs studio, stripped off her shirt and pants, and put on her coveralls. She took out a faceless mannequin from the shelf, set it on the workbench, and grabbed her sketchbook.

“Someday, I want to say ‘see you later' instead of ‘goodbye'… Eheh, I'm totally floating on air.”

Shining a light on the mannequin, Sora began to draw. But what she drew wasn't the mannequin—it was Ginji. She projected the image of him from her mind onto the mannequin and began sketching. After finishing the first drawing in about an hour, she turned the page, adjusted the lighting, and drew Ginji from another angle. The second time, she used a technique that made the figure seem to glow.

The third time, she broke from realism and added a stylized touch. She continued experimenting, trying different methods through the fourth and fifth sketches. This was her most effective way to practice, and her expression was one of blissful delight as she worked.

After about six hours of nonstop Sora-style sketch training, she wrote “Top Secret” on the sketchbook and tucked it away in the most inconspicuous spot on the bottom shelf, nodding to herself with satisfaction.

She then stripped off the coveralls and, still in her underwear, went upstairs to shower. Afterward, she did her skincare and hair routine while reading multiple e-books on sketching and oil painting on her tablet, absorbing them in under thirty minutes. She mentally reviewed what she learned as she headed to the kitchen, where she prepped food and desserts for her next day of pampering Ginji. Once everything was ready, she completed her nightly routine and got into bed.

Reflecting on the day, Sora murmured to herself:

“Feels like I only did stuff I like today… If this keeps up, I might turn into a useless person. But hey, it's summer break—doing a little of what I want is okay, right? I can't wait for our date tomorrow.”

And she meant it—this is the kind of girl Sora Takagi was.

Meanwhile, at the Momoi household…

Having returned home, Ginji wolfed down a huge plate of spaghetti napolitan made by Tetsuya. Then he worked up a sweat doing pull-ups on the iron bar outside, took a shower, and, towel draped over his head, sat in his room staring at his open notebook.

Tetsuya noticed and spoke up.

“…You were really working out hard. Something on your mind?”

“Nah, I was doing homework at Sora's place, and we got to talking about making something together over the summer. I was moving around trying to come up with a good idea.”

“Wait—you can draw?”

“Not at all. I'd be fine trying, but then Sora would just end up teaching me everything, and that wouldn't feel much like a collaboration. I mean, it doesn't have to be art, either.”

“In that case, how about this?”

Tetsuya pointed to an aluminum pencil case. It was misshapen, with welding marks clearly visible.

“…I see.”

Ginji grinned and gave Tetsuya's head a rough rub.

“Thanks, Tetsu. That's a solid idea.”

“…Stop that.”

“Come on. You’re sharp, as always. Hey, mind if I ask something else?”

Closing his notebook, Ginji looked at Tetsuya with a serious expression.

“Sure.”

“…What do you think a guy should do when his girlfriend is just… too cute?”

“…Huh?”

Tetsuya stepped back, genuinely confused. But Ginji seemed completely serious.

“I mean it. Ever since we started dating, Sora just keeps getting cuter every day… At this rate, I don't think I'll be able to resist. She's so sweet, I'm afraid I'll lose all self-control.”

Tetsuya, usually unreadable, actually looked a bit uncomfortable for once.

“…I don't think that's a problem?”

“No, see, if I let my guard down, I might become a useless person. At this rate, Sora will make me too happy. But I want both of us to be happy togeth—Tetsuya?”

“…I'm going to bed.”

Tetsuya let out a long sigh and lay down, deciding he'd had enough of his brother's nonsense for one night.