"Chihiro, why do people die at the very beginning? Don't you like it?"
"Of course not, it's just plot design. How could I dislike the characters I create?"
"Inosuke, he's like an idiot character."
"You're more like an idiot than Inosuke."
"Kanao, I'm very interested in her."
"Because Stand users are attracted to each other."
"Stand users?"
"Don't worry about it. I mean, you two have quite similar personalities."
"Kuudere?"
"Mashiro, you actually still remember that evaluation? I'm a little touched."
...
During this time, Izumi Chihiro had been accompanying Mashiro in her reading, discussing and complaining about demon slayer.
"Flame Pillar... he died too?"
It was only when Mashiro saw this part of the story that her expression showed some emotion.
"I didn't want him to die either... This is a common trope in hot-blooded series. There's always a hot-blooded character whose sacrifice paves the way for the plot and guides the protagonist."
Izumi Chihiro uttered 'cold' words, then carefully observed the girl's reaction.
"I've noted it down."
Mashiro frowned slightly, showing no other reaction, then continued to flip through the pages, chatting and reading with him about the events after demon slayer.
Throughout the process, Mashiro's expression changed multiple times, though still not obvious, only a tiny bit.
But this was already a promising sign.
"When Mashiro finishes silver season, there might be even more facial expression changes..."
Izumi Chihiro knew well the charm that Nayuta's writing produced; it was a terrifying ability that could stir you from the depths of your heart.
Back then, even he was moved to tears.
For Mashiro, it should also have a certain effect, especially after such a long build-up.
He had already researched it: Mashiro's constant blank expression was most likely due to a prolonged lack of emotional fluctuations, never having experienced various emotions, always maintaining a calm heart. This was the fundamental reason Mashiro lacked common sense and couldn't understand the essence of various emotions.
The more her emotions fluctuated, the more Mashiro would be able to experience feelings and express them through her brush.
In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed, and it was now mid-May, the release date for Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World Volume 6.
At the same time, the Manga Newcomer Award had also concluded, and Eriri ultimately maintained her third-place position, earning the right to a long-term serialization.
"That's great, Eriri, you can finally make your official debut as a professional manga artist, no longer just a doujin artist... But don't celebrate too early; the upcoming long-term serialization is your real test."
He congratulated Eriri while also cautioning her.
"Don't be so noisy! Of course I know that! Just you wait, my popularity will skyrocket until I surpass you...!"
Eriri snorted.
Even over the phone, he could almost see the girl's tsundere expression with her fangs bared.
"Hmm, very good ambition. Don't come crying to me if it gets canceled, okay?"
"Hmph! How could that happen? Wait, why does that sound familiar?"
"I'm just repeating what Eriri said when I was about to debut. What, do you think it's a bit unreasonable?"
"Pah! Idiot!"
Eriri puffed out her cheeks and hung up the phone.
"Just you wait, my resolve isn't just talk!"
Her gaze became fervent.
She had given up the comfortable life of a doujin artist, given up the chance to join the art club and make a name for herself in school, taking on a heavier burden. Her true goal was actually only one...
To defeat Mashiro head-on, that was her prerequisite for achieving that goal.
"So, Shiina, I look forward to the day you truly face me. I hope I don't have to wait too long."
Eriri looked out the window; the sky was perfectly clear.
...
"Her competitive spirit is really strong, which is why Eriri always suffers... Well, not that I'm much better off.
He hung up the phone and shook his head with a smile.
Although he appeared indifferent to everything on the surface, he had set his sights on the supreme realm of 'Light Novel Master,' which showed that his competitive spirit was by no means weak.
"Chihiro, read the novel."
Mashiro suddenly pushed open the door, then, like a signboard girl, held up Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World Volume 5 with both hands.
During this time, the girl had completely abandoned painting and instead devoted herself to reading, even watching anime with Sagiri, living a life completely different from before.
One could say she was experiencing a life that they had already lived, feeling it from scratch.
At Sagiri's suggestion, the two even played the game "White Album" together.
He hadn't been involved in the specific details, so he didn't know what Mashiro had learned from it.
"It's already Volume 5, I'll be finished before I know it."
Izumi Chihiro said with a sudden realization.
Subsequently, he had a not-so-profound conversation with Mashiro.
"There's nothing after that?"
After reading, Mashiro asked.
"There is, and the sixth volume is about to be released."
He replied.
"I see."
A rather obvious ripple appeared in Mashiro's eyes.
Her expressions, sometimes present and sometimes absent, had become a bit more lively.
"Chihiro, shall we go to the bookstore together?"
She even extended an invitation.
"Of course."
Izumi Chihiro nodded.
Although he could get it directly from the publisher, experiencing more was better for Mashiro.
"Hmm, it's almost time. I'll go out to make dinner first. After that, I shouldn't need to remind you, Mashiro, you should be able to manage, right?"
He glanced at the time displayed on his phone, then looked up and said.
"Hmm."
Mashiro lightly nodded her head.
After he left, the girl stood up, looked at the laptop and drawing tablet on the desk, then lowered her head to look at her hands, which were like unblemished white jade.
"So, this is what it feels like not to draw. It's not particularly special."
She murmured.
She had never imagined what it would feel like not to draw, but now she had experienced it, and there seemed to be no special change, none of the 'heart attack' or 'heart pounding' feelings described in novels.
Compared to those things, she was now more looking forward to the release of the new volume of Chihiro's work.
"Is it called... anticipation?"
Mashiro murmured again, as if confirming the correctness of the word choice.
It was the first time she had felt that a life other than drawing could also become her normal state.
This change also accelerated the process of her regaining her emotions.
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter