The Stand User Of The Daily World

Chapter 19: Mashiro's Night Visit

"All done."

Mashiro raised her hand gently, holding up her drawing as if presenting it to Shunsuke.

The drawing of Shunsuke was done in an anime-style, typical of Japanese illustrations. Despite the simple strokes, she managed to capture his likeness with remarkable realism.

"It's great."

Shunsuke patted Mashiro on the head, giving the only praise he could think of.

Mashiro's lips twitched slightly. Without summoning Star Platinum, Shunsuke wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but he thought he saw her smile.

"Ugh, I finished mine too!"

Not to be outdone, Sagiri resentfully presented her own drawing.

In Sagiri's depiction, Shunsuke was fully anime-ized, her unique style on full display, making it look quite… enticing.

Yes, the kind of drawing that just makes you want to dive right in.

Perhaps, knowing that Mashiro was a formidable rival, Sagiri had unconsciously used her strongest drawing techniques.

Shunsuke's mouth twitched slightly, but he still patted Sagiri on the head and smiled. "Mashiro's drawing is excellent, but Sagiri's is definitely more fun."

This was the line he had prepared beforehand.

The competition was never about determining a winner; the important thing was helping Sagiri accept Mashiro.

"Hehehe, Onii-chan is the best after all." Sagiri laughed happily.

She knew deep down whose drawing was better—anyone with an understanding of art wouldn't get it wrong.

But what Sagiri had always sought was Shunsuke's approval, nothing more.

Unlike Mashiro, the reason Sagiri picked up the pen was simply to gain the recognition of someone she cared about. Now, in her mind, she had won!

Mashiro tilted her head, staring at the triumphant Sagiri, unsure of what she was thinking.

"Ahem, since I won, according to the rules, you have to be my model now," Sagiri declared proudly, pointing at Mashiro.

Despite her talent, Sagiri had a quirk where she couldn't draw anything she hadn't seen with her own eyes.

She typically used her phone to take pictures of herself to draw, which is why most of her illustrations were of cute girls, with only a few of older women, resulting in a very limited style.

Now that she had the chance to broaden her artistic range, she wasn't about to let Mashiro slip away.

Shunsuke glanced at Mashiro, seeking her opinion.

Mashiro nodded. "Model, I understand. I can do it."

Shunsuke suspected that Mashiro's understanding of being a model might differ greatly from what Sagiri had in mind.

However, knowing Mashiro, even if Sagiri asked her to pose in some odd positions, she would likely agree without hesitation.

Plus, a little friendly interaction between girls could only strengthen their bond, so Shunsuke decided to stay silent.

And so, Mashiro, at the cost of her pure body, successfully moved into the Izumi household.

The Izumi house had two floors. Mrs. Izumi and Sagiri's rooms were on the second floor, while Shunsuke's room was on the first floor. Next to his was the last remaining room, which naturally became Mashiro's new living space.

Sagiri sensed an impending crisis.

...

Late at night.

Shunsuke was furiously working on his manuscript with Star Platinum when the door creaked open with a soft click.

"Shunsuke."

A delicate, bell-like voice broke the silence. Even without turning around, Shunsuke knew it was Mashiro.

"Mashiro, next time, remember to knock before entering someone else's room," Shunsuke advised, grateful that he was just writing and not doing something more embarrassing. If he had been... generating power, he might've had to flee Earth immediately!

However, the thought of what Mashiro's expression would be if she saw such a scene tempted him for a moment. But that fleeting idea vanished the instant he turned around.

Mashiro stood in the doorway, wearing an oversized white shirt loosely draped over her body.

Only two buttons were haphazardly fastened, and she wasn't wearing a bra.

Below, she wore just a pair of panties, though they were practically useless. If the shirt weren't long enough, the scene would have gone from PG-13 to strictly rated.

It seemed she had just showered—her hair was still damp, golden strands hanging messily down her front.

Droplets of water fell from her hair, steadily soaking into the already near-transparent shirt, rendering it even less functional. Shunsuke could almost hear the fabric itself protesting its failure.

Without a doubt, this shirt was useless.

As Shunsuke stood up in surprise, his gaze naturally drifted downward, where he caught sight of the soft pink dots peeking through the thin fabric, their snowy backdrop only heightening their allure.

It stirred an intense urge in him, as if they were begging to be devoured.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Mashiro, what the hell? Why are you dressed like that in my room?"

"You said so, didn't you?" Mashiro replied, unfazed.

"What did I say?!"

For a brief moment, Shunsuke questioned if he was suffering from memory loss.

"You said I could come to you anytime to discuss manga."

Mashiro, completely unconcerned with her provocative appearance, walked over to Shunsuke and handed him something.

"Here, my manga."

Standing before him, Mashiro's eyes were level with Shunsuke's chest due to their height difference.

Shunsuke stood over six feet tall, while Mashiro was just about five-foot-three. As she approached him barefoot, his gaze naturally lowered, revealing even more of the tantalizing scene beneath her shirt.

B: 79, W: 55, H: 78—more impressive than he had anticipated.

But just as Shunsuke instinctively bent forward, showing her some respect, he noticed something in Mashiro's eyes.

Those normally calm and indifferent almond-shaped eyes now held a serious, almost solemn expression.

Mashiro was far more focused and determined than he had ever imagined.

Creak.

Using Star Platinum to gently pinch his heart and reduce blood flow, Shunsuke regained his composure. He took the manuscript from Mashiro's hands. "Is this the draft of the manga you submitted?"

"Yes, I entered it for a newcomer award, but the editor sent it back. I wanted you to take a look," Mashiro replied, her voice still soft. It was the first time Shunsuke had heard her string together so many words in one go.

"Even though I did say you could always come to me for manga discussions, shouldn't you have shown it to Mrs. Izumi first? You really gave me a scare."

"I did, but she's asleep and I couldn't wake her." Mashiro frowned slightly and looked up at Shunsuke with a pitiful expression. "Does this mean Shunsuke doesn't want to help?"

"Of course I want to! Absolutely! Why wouldn't I?" Shunsuke immediately responded, even though he knew the pitiful look was just his imagination playing tricks on him.

The harsh reality of a world that favors appearances.

"Thank you, I'm counting on you!"

Before he could react, Mashiro bowed deeply in front of him.

Shunsuke was stunned.

Although bowing is a normal, everyday gesture in Japan—much like shaking hands in other cultures—Shunsuke was still shocked.

This was Mashiro, after all. The famously clueless, pet-like girl, Mashiro Shiina! And she just bowed? And spoke in polite language?

What kind of hack writer made this out-of-character Mashiro?! Apologize to all the real Mashiro fans right now!

Still in shock and unable to respond, Shunsuke stared at her until several seconds had passed. Realizing this, he quickly moved to help Mashiro stand upright.

"Mashiro, you really shouldn't do things like that—it's a bit too startling," Shunsuke said seriously.

"Huh?"

A small question mark seemed to float above Mashiro's head. But I looked up this specific Japanese custom... why would it be considered startling? she thought, confused.

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