The following day, Rin Ito met Saho downstairs at Shiroyuri's apartment building. It had been almost a month since he last saw her.
"President, long time no see. I thought President Ito had forgotten about me." Saho's usually cool face showed a hint of a reproachful gaze toward Rin Ito.
Her black hair draped over her shoulders. The wide-necked, cream-colored sweater revealed half of her delicate collarbone, and her dark J-skirt showed a pair of tight, smooth white thighs. The only downside was her slightly meager chest. Although he hadn't asked in detail, Saho's age was probably around twenty, but it seemed she hadn't gone to college and was dedicating her youthful years to manga.
However... her manga submissions had been rejected many times. She had hoped that by joining the circle, she could assist many manga artists, gain experience, and truly become a manga artist. Even doujinshi would do; she just wanted to draw manga!
She had shown Rin Ito her manga before. Honestly, Saho's biggest problem wasn't her drawing skills or plot; although those had issues, the most crucial thing was that her aesthetic was strangely unique... kind of ugly-cute.
"No, I've been busy with GALGAME and V-Tuber stuff lately... Have you heard of the virtual idol Saho? Do you want to try it too?"
"Eh? M-me?" Saho's cheeks flushed slightly. "I don't know what I'd talk about on a stream, and if people started insulting me..."
"Just stream yourself drawing manga. If someone insults you, you just insult them back. If you insult them back with a cute voice, quite a few people would like that."
"Ah, well..." Saho hesitated, about to speak but stopping herself. Would people actually like being insulted? Are they perverts?
"I... I'd rather focus on drawing manga first. Being a virtual streamer probably takes a lot of time, and I work part-time... If President Ito has any assistant jobs, please be sure to introduce them to me."
Assistant work didn't pay much. Some manga newcomers would work like slaves for artists just to gain experience. For some famous artists, people would even pay to be an assistant. Saho normally had to work part-time at places like convenience stores just to make ends meet.
"Hmm... currently, including me, we have four doujinshi artists in the circle, but none of us need an assistant..." Seeing Saho's disappointed expression, Rin Ito changed tack. "Although we don't need a drawing assistant, if you just want to gain experience, you're welcome to come over anytime you're free. It would be best if you could be a model."
"A model...?" Saho was stunned, then shook her head repeatedly.
No, no, no!!! Being a model is absolutely out of the question. Saho's mind was filled with the memory of Shiroyuri using herself as material last time, with the two clips squeezing her two vulnerable spots together... Just the thought made Saho wince in pain. Not to mention she was flat-chested; no matter how hard she squeezed, the two nipples wouldn't come close! The person who designed those clips is a devil! They don't consider flat-chested people at all... even if they did, I wouldn't wear them!
Looking at Saho's expression, Rin Ito knew she had guessed correctly. "It's fine if you don't want to be a model. I welcome you to come over anytime, even just to observe and learn."
"Really?" Being a model is out of the question, but observing and learning is fine. And he just said he was also doing GALGAME? Although the artist for GALGAME is different from a manga artist, it would still be good if she could learn something and find a job first.
"Of course, you're welcome anytime."
Rin Ito chatted with Saho downstairs for a while, but Eiri and the others hadn't arrived yet. Rin Ito called Orie. Yesterday, Orie had said she would pick them up and come together, and because her car wasn't big enough, she told Rin Ito to come alone first.
"When will you get here?"
"Ito-sensei, I'm so sorry, there's traffic. It'll probably be a while longer. Please go on up first, Ito-sensei."
"Alright, I'll head up then." Rin Ito asked and, not thinking much of it, hung up. On the other end of the phone... Orie had parked her car on the side of the road, and cars were constantly driving past the window. Traffic? Non-existent.
Orie apologized in her mind, looking at the disconnected call. Kaede-san, I am so sorry!!!!!!
...
After hanging up, Rin Ito went upstairs with Saho. He knocked on the door. He faintly heard footsteps inside, but Shiroyuri didn't open the door... She was probably worried about a potential burglar.
"Shiroyuri, it's me."
Hearing Rin Ito's voice, Shiroyuri finally sighed in relief and opened the door... What a strong smell of alcohol. As soon as the door opened a crack, Rin Ito smelled the alcohol coming from the room and saw Shiroyuri, whose face was flushed with a drunken pink. She was, as usual, clad in a short T-shirt and black leggings, which hugged her plump, voluptuous body. She wasn't wearing a bra, and Rin Ito could see the outlines of her chest and groin, but he didn't have time to admire the view right now.
"Ito-sensei... Hic~ You're here."
"Why did you drink so much?" Rin Ito frowned and pushed the door open. Rin Ito knew Shiroyuri's fridge was full of alcohol, but he had specifically told her he was bringing people to assist her. Why would she drink so much?
"Don't be a bother. This is the only way I can stay in the right state." Shiroyuri grabbed Rin Ito's hand and pulled him into the room. She then stumbled and sat on the entryway floor, pulling Rin Ito's face into her chest.
Then... she saw Saho behind Rin Ito, and Shiroyuri instantly sobered up.
"W-why are you here too, Saho!? Didn't Orie-san say Ito-sensei was coming to take my virginity? Why are you here too? Do you want Ito-sensei to take your virginity too? Eek!!! Ito-sensei, you're so lustful, having two girls at once."
"What the hell? Orie told me to come and take your virginity?" Rin Ito propped himself up. While Rin Ito was here with impure intentions, his target was Eiri, not Shiroyuri. Orie wanted him to take Shiroyuri's virginity? Was the 'traffic' just a way to give him and Shiroyuri some time?
Seriously... why didn't she say so earlier? Honestly, Rin Ito was quite fond of Shiroyuri's vulgar butt. If he had known, Rin Ito wouldn't have invited Eiri and the others. Now that Saho was here, it was a little complicated. After Rin Ito finished inviting everyone yesterday, he had told Orie that he was organizing an assistant instruction event, and Eiri, Marin, and Misaki would be attending. Orie then readily offered to pick them up.
"I see. I understand now." Rin Ito straightened his face, trying to look serious, and looked at Saho. "Saho, you know that last time, Shiroyuri couldn't draw her manga because she was a virgin, so... well, helping a virgin doujinshi artist lose her virginity is also part of an assistant's job."
"E-e-e-e-e-eh....!????"