Once he got outside, he paused immediately, ears straining, eyes scanning both directions: left toward the stairwell where shadows pooled under the emergency exit sign, right toward the intersecting hall that led to the art room.

'Hmm…' He could smell her perfume but did Hitomi linger here? Did she peek through the keyhole again and watch them?

He crouched slightly, checking the floor for any fresh scuff marks or droplets that might betray a watcher. Something like her pussy juice.

He didn't find any. Maybe she hadn't stuck around to spy this time—or at least not obviously.

Renji straightened, adjusted his backpack and headed toward the art room.

After a few steps, he found himself in the art room door.

The door was ajar when he arrived, a sliver of warm sunlight spilling out from the large windows that lined the far wall.

He pushed it open fully, the hinges giving a familiar squeak, and stepped into the spacious creative haven.

Renji liked art. He couldn't kid himself. He liked it a lot.

The easels scattered in organized chaos around the perimeter, the shelves groaning under jars of brushes, the tubes of paint, and stacks of canvases in various sizes; and the central island table cluttered with sketchpads, colored pencils, and half-finished student projects.

That kind of stuff made him feel a certain way. Like he was in heaven maybe? Or in a natural habitat.

He never gave too much attention to his drawing and painting talent, but he also couldn't deny it.

It was the only thing that made him special. He knew that.

Hitomi was standing near the island table, a book still clutched to her chest like a shield, her back partially turned as she arranged a stack of reference books.

She jumped slightly at the door's squeak, spinning around with a nervous-faced smile that lit her features.

Her cute cheeks flushed a soft pink when her eyes met his.

"R-Renji! Hi… you're here."

Her voice was higher than usual, breathy, and she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a telltale fidget.

Renji looked at what she was wearing.

It was a simple weekend outfit but he had barely ever seen her in anything that wasn't the school uniform so she almost seemed like a different person to him.

A light pastel blue blouse with subtle ruffles at the collar, buttoned modestly but hugging her slender frame just enough to hint at the plump swell of her boobs.

Renji knew hers were big, something she inherited from her S-Tier milf mother. They were D-cups and they were perky.

If he had to guess, she was slightly insecure about them, especially in casual clothes which is why she had that textbook pressed to her chest.

The skirt she wore was pleated in soft gray that ended mid-thigh, flaring slightly to accentuate her narrow waist. And her hair was down today.

Renji couldn't lie. She looked… pretty.

She was slender overall but secretly curvaceous and she knew it. Hence the textbook-shield.

But whatever, Renji nodded to her greeting and closed the door behind him casually.

He wondered to himself why he just wasn't into her like that.

Hitomi was cute, nice, sexy, and even more, she was right there. Still, he just didn't fancy her as he did Miss Haruka and her own mother.

He scoffed inwardly. Must be the MILF thing.

Outwardly, he smiled easy, pulling up a stool opposite her at the table. "Yeah, early bird. Let's get this planning rolling."

Hitomi beamed, her nervousness easing into enthusiastic energy as she slid onto her stool, legs crossing and uncrossing under the table, her skirt riding up just a bit to show a smooth thigh.

Renji didn't know if that was intentional.

"Okay! So, um, like we talked about yesterday—the competition is inter-school: Seihou versus Nakada Academy, Oshimaru High, and Kengo Tech. Four schools total, big deal."

Renji looked at her. "Hasn't it always been four schools?"

Hitomi's brows raised. "No actually. It's usually only three. But Kengo Tech and Oshimaru High got a draw in the qualifiers and so now we're here."

"Makes sense."

She flipped open her clipboard, then leaned forward enough that her blouse gapped slightly at the top, offering a fleeting glimpse of her lace bra that she didn't notice but made her blush deepen when she caught his eyes.

'Is she trying to…' Renji ignored the thought. Maybe it was unintentional.

"So I found out who the judges are going to be. There's three from the city gallery: Ms. Tanaka, the director; Kenzo Masori, a young modern art specialist and influencer; and Ms. Mori, who loves conceptual stuff.

"Then two university profs from Tokyo Arts: Professor Yamada, he's big on technique and realism; and Dr. Yuji who focuses on thematic depth."

"Is the suggestion for me to decide my art on the different things they like and specialize in as that would make them feel biased to it and would want to judge it higher?" Renji asked her.

Hitomi beamed at him. "Yes. I thought I was a genius for coming up with that, but turns out you thought of it too. They score out of 100: 30 for creativity, 30 technique, 40 theme."

"Did you find out the person who won it for Nakada last year?"

"Yes. Nakada's winner was this girl, Aiko Hayashi. She did a mixed-media piece with old Edo prints layered under holographic projections of future Tokyo. Super innovative. I have photos here…"

She slid a folder across, fingers brushing his accidentally, lingering a second too long before pulling back with a flustered face.

Renji narrowed his eyes. 'Okay. She's definitely flirting.'

"We can study her portfolio if you want. I-I brought printouts."

"Cool," Renji said, ignoring her smiles and flipping through the images, noting the layers and tech integration.

They talked more about supplies, submission day, and other past winners.

Renji traced a finger over a sketch in the folder, mind plotting. "Supplies sound manageable. I'll start sketches tonight. And then I'll show you what I got by mid-week. Is that cool?"

"Yes!" Hitomi exclaimed. "I don't want to rush you at all. I only want to help you." She hesitated, biting her lip cutely, then added softly, "You're really talented, Renji… I mean, everyone says so, but seeing your ideas… It's exciting to help."

Renji gave her a smile. "Thanks, Hitomi."

The conversation flowed deeper into specifics:

Renji probed on scoring rubrics, Hitomi detailed examples from past events with animated stories, her laughter light and frequent.

It evolved naturally to people who could influence the result of the competition.

"Oh, and one judge—Kenzo Masori—is the ex-boyfriend of Nakada Academy's representative."

Renji narrowed his eyes. "Is that a good or bad thing for us?"

Hitomi waved it off, but thoughtfully. "Who knows? I just thought it was worth mentioning it. He might have a bias for her or against her."

Renji shrugged. "I guess."

Hitomi stared at him for a moment, then, like she was forcing herself to speak, she blurted out the question; "What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?"

Renji blinked, caught off guard. "Me? No… no girlfriend. I'm… single."

"Really?" Hitomi's eyes glinted with hidden joy, her nervous cute face scrunching as she mustered courage.

She gazed into his eyes. "W-would you… maybe let me be your girlfriend?"

Renji's jaw almost dropped.

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