Anime Crossover: About How I Spoiled an Angel

Page 281

"All ears."

"Please lecture me more..."

Do you like being lectured?

"Idiot, you idiot!! How could that be! I don't like being lectured!"

Mahiru's tone shifted, becoming gentle again, like a gurgling spring in summer.

"It means your voice is very nice, and I...like it very much..."

……

……

Chapter 337 Tooth for Tooth

?

Because it took some time, Mahiru chose to make some simple dishes today, so the two of them ate dinner quickly.

At the dining table, warm yellow light shone on the plates, casting soft shadows.

Su Qing stared intently at Zhen Zhou, her gaze unfocused, as if she were in a daze.

Is there something dirty on my face?

When Mahiru noticed his gaze, she subconsciously touched her face, her fingertips lightly tracing her cheek, but nothing came out.

"Ah... I just suddenly wanted to ask what you were doing just now. Would you mind telling me?"

Because his attention was completely focused on Mahiru at that time, by the time he noticed the tablet and phone on the other person's table, the screens were already off.

"Hmm...do you want to know? It's not some secret that can't be told."

Mahiru put down her chopsticks, her fingers unconsciously rubbing together, looking somewhat uneasy. "But I have one request: you can't laugh at me when I tell you... If you laugh at me... I'll feel a little embarrassed."

When have I ever laughed at you?

Su Qing was unhappy.

"Yes, you always like to make fun of me."

A hint of resentment flashed in Mahiru's beautiful eyes, her tone was helpless, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

"That's because you're so cute. Just like how humans can't help but smile when they see a cute kitten or baby, it's an instinct ingrained in our genes."

Su Qing said it with an air of seriousness, as if it were really true.

"I've probably read fewer books than you, so don't lie to me."

Mahiru smiled with her eyes slightly narrowed, then unlocked her phone and handed it to Su Qing. The screen was still showing those instructional videos.

"Or you can see for yourself~ That's what I'm learning today."

Su Qing nodded and took the phone.

But when he saw those videos, he couldn't help but frown.

It's about comic book tutorials.

Is it because Mahiru is interested in manga herself, or because of him?

After a moment of silence, Su Qing looked up at Mahiru, who was also looking at him.

"Not just today, right?"

Su Qing asked.

"Hmm... I've been learning these things for the past few days, but my progress isn't very noticeable. Am I a bit slow?"

Mahiru said distressedly.

"That's not true. It takes time to practice and has nothing to do with talent. If you want to learn, I'll teach you. It won't take up too much of my time."

Su Qing suggested gently.

"Eh?"

Mahiru was clearly taken aback; she seemed to have never imagined that her boyfriend could teach her this.

"But... I want to ask you first, is what you're learning related to me?"

After finishing their meal, Su Qing cleared away the dishes and then looked into Mahiru's eyes and asked.

He seemed to care about the question, so he added, "Please answer truthfully."

"...It is indeed related to you, because being a cartoonist is very tiring, right? Even professional cartoonists have to hire assistants."

Sketches, line art, storyboards... We also have classes, so it's impossible to do all of this by ourselves, right? But when I asked if you wanted to hire an assistant, you said no..."

Mahiru calmly gave her reasons, but Su Qing didn't seem happy.

At least he didn't laugh.

"So, you want to be my assistant?"

"...You could say that, but only if I'm capable of it."

Mahiru nodded, without denying it.

"So, can I understand that you're learning these things because you're worried I'm too tired?"

"Um……"

"What if I said that I wouldn't actually do it? Or that I don't want you to do it?"

Su Qing's expression became complicated. He was serious; he wasn't joking.

"Eh?"

Mahiru's shoulders trembled slightly; she suddenly didn't quite understand the meaning of those words.

"...Whether it's hobbies or future plans, these all require motivation, and using others as a reason is actually a very fragile thing."

Because I lack a core passion, or rather, a more resolute reason for myself. You enjoy studying cooking; you should understand this better than I do.

Su Qing paused for a moment, then came to Zhen Zhou's side and gently embraced her.

"I'm actually glad you did this, but publishing comics is just a coincidence, and I won't be doing it for long. You have your own life and your own interests, and you shouldn't be my appendage."

Su Qing's face remained calm, but she felt uneasy at all.

He didn't know if saying such things would make the other person dislike him.

Even though the other person was making efforts for him, he rejected their feelings.

"I understand what you mean..."

Mahiru kept her head down, so her expression was not visible.

"It's good if you understand."

Mahiru wasn't the kind of girl who would make a fuss unreasonably. Ever since they met, their relationship had always been based on speaking their minds and resolving things calmly.

For many people today, this is what is meant by "reality" that is difficult to grasp.

Before Su Qing could even catch his breath, the girl grabbed his hand.

She gripped it tightly, as if to demonstrate her determination.

"But...why do you prejudge me as someone who will become your 'vassal'?"

The girl's body temperature traveled through her palms and quickly reached every part of Su Qing's body.

He was slightly taken aback by Mahiru's question, but then he heard her raise her eyes and look at him with a gentle yet firm gaze.

Su Qing couldn't quite describe the feeling, so she could only continue listening silently.

"I know my behavior is sudden, and it's understandable that you would make this connection. But even if I do become your assistant, it doesn't mean I'll become your subordinate."

I can manage my time better and use some free time to complete this task.

All of this... I think I will base it on not delaying what I need to do.

And speaking of hobbies, I'm actually quite interested in painting, otherwise I wouldn't have painted your portrait that afternoon, even though it wasn't very good... But we agreed to go sketching outdoors, didn't we?

Do you think I would agree to your offer if I weren't at least somewhat interested?

As Mahiru spoke, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

It must be because she mentioned something happy at that moment, something that only exists in the softest part of her heart.

"Actually, being a vassal is a different matter. I'm worried that you'll push yourself too hard. You've always been like this, haven't you? That's why you forced yourself to go to class that day and ended up collapsing at the door."

Su Qing remained silent for a long time, feeling the burning sensation in her body. She thought to herself that words are not pale and cold, but rather have their own unique temperature.

"I don't really know what 'reluctantly' means, but if you put it that way, then it must be, right?" Mahiru tilted her head slightly, then let out a clear laugh.

"But I don't think forcing things isn't such a bad thing, right? If I hadn't been so 'forced' all this time, I think we would have had far less interaction, wouldn't we?"

"I do hope that our paths will no longer cross because of this in the future."

Su Qing smiled for no apparent reason, and her tone became more relaxed.

"Ah~~~ that's hard to say. After all, I'm quite willful and not so easy to change. It might even continue for quite some time~"

However, I don't think I'm forcing myself to learn these things.

As Mahiru spoke, she buried her head in Su Qing's arms and asked in a cute, almost coquettish voice:

"And I'm your girlfriend, right?"

"of course."

Su Qing responded without hesitation.

"Since that's the case, I want to cherish this relationship and share your burden. It might sound a little selfish, but whether it's being a cartoonist or anything else, if there's anything I can do to help, I'll think of doing it for you. I... don't want you to be too tired..."

Mahiru didn't say anything explicitly, such as why Su Qing suddenly started drawing comics. Could it be because of the financial crisis caused by being with her, or perhaps for other reasons?

But none of this matters.

The important thing is that she's his girlfriend. As long as he chooses to support her, that's enough, right?

"...Thank you, but you seem to underestimate me. I'm not so easily exhausted by something like this. You should have more faith in your boyfriend."

Su Qing looked into those clear, bright eyes, which shone like amber.

For the first time, he suddenly felt a real flutter in his heart.

But then again.

Since she wasn't studying solely because of him, Su Qing didn't have much reason to dissuade her.

He still enjoyed seeing Mahiru's life become more colorful.

To put it bluntly, it has a kind of blissful feeling similar to a simulation game?

"So you agree to teach me and let me try being your assistant?"

The girl was as happy as a child, her eyes crinkling with laughter. Even though Su Qing hadn't given a response yet, she seemed to have known all along.

Why not take a free assistant?

"Does that mean no salary?"

"If I have income, I'll pay you; if not... I'll owe you for now."

The capitalist Su bluntly stated his intentions, but Mahiru didn't care about such things and simply smiled and said:

"It's okay. I don't need a salary; consider it my tuition fee. You have to teach me well, okay?"

"One-on-one, hands-on teaching, I'll definitely teach you well."

Su Qing said in a righteous tone.

"Um... But before that, there's something I want to ask you, and you absolutely can't run away from it, okay?"

Mahiru blinked, as if she had thought of something, and quickly asked.

"I don't think I've ever run away from it, have I?"

Su Qing touched his face in confusion. Where did he get a history of running away?

But why... is he suddenly thinking of another girl...?

"You seem to be really concerned about me becoming a 'vassal' or something. Is it because of... my parents, that you don't want to bully me?"