After I Rescued a Beautiful Woman From a Stalker, She Started Spoiling Me and Turning Me Into a No-Good Freeloader - Chapter 7 - I Want Youichi-San to Stay by My Side Forever [Sewa Sumire’s POV]

Chapter 7 – I Want Youichi-San to Stay by My Side Forever [Sewa Sumire’s POV]

While she was out shopping, I took out my laptop and drawing pad from my backpack.

Until yesterday, I had been drawing pictures one way or another.

Days spent only drawing, whether risking injury or catching a cold, had somehow turned me into a monk-like figure, and I began to dislike drawing.

Even with something you love, it becomes tough when turned into work.

I definitely think so.

I made drawing my job, and I don’t have a single good memory about it.

Immediately after getting a job, I was fired, and since then, I have been scolded every day and have been desperately trying to keep up.

It took me five years to finally feel like I became someone.

That’s why I get anxious if I don’t draw even for a day.

If I don’t do anything, I feel like I’ll only get worse at drawing.

Most of the time, I was asked to draw places that weren’t people, like landscapes or backgrounds.

However, I actually like drawing people.

I enjoy drawing lively expressions in manga, anime, and character illustrations.

When I first entered art school, I aimed to become a painter.

Somewhere along the way, I started dreaming of becoming a full-fledged manga artist or illustrator.

But I was so busy with work that I forgot about my dreams and just worked like hell.

Thanks to that, some good things happened. They were the 3 human’s basic needs, food, clothing and shelter.

For clothing, I mostly wear work clothes like jerseys and aprons.

For food, I always get treated when eating with Ijichi.

As for lodging, I was provided with an apartment on the same floor as my workplace.

Like that, I didn’t have time to gamble or play app games.

I spent all of my time just working and resting.

After doing that for ten years, I have about 70% of my salary saved up.

I also think that I have gotten better at drawing.

A few years ago, I had a chance to go out drinking with a friend, and we had a little chat.

“That’s seriously intense! Even though workplaces like that are rare these days!”

“Is it? I guess I’ve gotten used to it.”

It was common to pull three all-nighters before a deadline.

Other than that, I also experienced that when Ijichi had more than one series, I would sleep for about 2 hours on average over a period of 1 week to 10 days.

I started to think that humans can do anything.

What’s amazing about this is that Ijichi is younger than me, so she has more stamina.

She made her debut in high school, and by the time I graduated from university, she was already a famous manga artist in her second year.

“Well, she’s a bit too stubborn and makes enemies left and right.”

Her personality was so harsh that assistants quit quickly.

Certainly, in terms of artistic skill, storytelling, and character development, she’s a genius.

There was much to learn from her, but her character is flawed.

It would be difficult to endure that abuse.

“Phew, when I start drawing, I can’t help but think of Ijichi too much.”

It’s the worst, but I’ve spent ten years studying under someone much younger. It’s undeniable that our styles are similar.

When I aspired to become a manga artist, my drawings might have been said to resemble hers.

Well, I’ve given up on becoming a manga artist.

I have no talent for creating stories.

Ijichi told me this when I drew a four-panel comic.

“Don’t insult my character with such a boring story!”

It was a shock when I was fired for that.

While some readers found it entertaining to see it from a different perspective than usual, there were mixed reviews, and in the end it was probably not interesting as Ijichi said.

After that, the editor no longer asked me to draw manga.

“That’s why I want to create artwork with my own originality.”

It’s not a copy of Ijichi.

If I don’t draw my own pictures, I won’t succeed as an illustrator.

For that reason, I don’t want to dull my moving right arm.

♢

[Sewa Sumire’s POV]

I bought the ingredients for the secret recipe that Mom taught me and returned home.

When I opened the door and entered the room, I saw Youichi-san with a computer screen spread out on the table in the living room, a serious expression on his face.

“I’m home.”

Even when I called out to him, there was no response.

I was a little fascinated by how seriously he was working on his art.

I never knew how cool it could be for a man to focus so intently on something. Even though I didn’t think anything of it when I saw my male classmates doing well in sports and other activities.

Gently, I peeked in to see what Youichi-san was doing.

There was a very beautiful picture drawn there, and I feel that the person in the picture looks a little like me.

But there was a somewhat fantastical and mysterious aura around it, and if this is how Youichi-san sees me, I’d be happy.

I couldn’t help but feel that Youichi-san’s painting was portraying me in an attractive light.

It might sound conceited, but does Youichi-san recognize me as a beautiful woman? If that’s the case, I couldn’t be happier.

To avoid disturbing Youichi-san, I put away my things and started cleaning up in the refrigerator.

I’ll prepare something that I can make quietly in case Youichi-san loses his concentration and asks for lunch.

Looking at Youichi-san working in the living room from the kitchen is so wonderful.

If only I could take care of Youichi-san every day while watching over him.

For a moment, I couldn’t help but think, “I hope Youichi-san’s left arm never heals.”

If that were the case, would he stay by my side forever? I found myself thinking even such things.

“Ah! Sumire-san. You’re back. Welcome home.”

Just when I thought it had been obvious that I was thinking something evil, Youichi-san called out to me.

“I-I’m home.”

“I’m sorry. I was so focused on drawing that I couldn’t see my surroundings. I didn’t even realize you had returned.”

“That’s some serious concentration.”

“Haha, it’s just part of the job. I’m sorry you’ve gone through all the trouble of buying a lot of things.”

Youichi-san put away his computer and got up to help me.

“No! Youichi-san is injured, please just sit in the living room and check the clothes I bought.”

“But isn’t it too much trouble for you?”

“I want to do this. I want to take care of Youichi-san, is that so wrong?”

“W-well, it’s not wrong. But I think you’re spoiling me too much.”

“It’s fine, you know~? Now, please make sure the clothes fit.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Youichi-san returned to the living room with an apologetic look.

I wish he wouldn’t take care of me. I just want to enjoy looking at him from here a little longer.