People in Tokyo, the world is clear

This is the worst of times.

The storm is coming and the black tide is surging.

It would only take a few years for the inflated bubble of illusion to burst. After that, the never-ending night would devour the light in the hearts of all those at the bottom of society.

The pressure of survival will turn people into the ugliest and most numb appearance, and the dreamy and noble pursuits will become ridiculous.

US knife music will replace reason and become the most worth pursuing.

The window period is very short. However, there is an Olympic Games and a World Cup.

In other words, pursue your dreams early.

If you miss the good times, desolation, poverty and suffering will follow you like a shadow and ask you to drink the good juice.

He hadn't paid much attention to this when he was playing badly before. However, when a new life goal came and he found companions around him, Lin Sen finally realized that time waits for no one.

If you have a dream, chase it. If you hesitate, you will fail.

Unfortunately, in response to Lin Sen and Ito Nishika's enthusiastic offer of support and their ulterior motives, Miss Stray Dog, who harbored a dream of becoming a comic book writer, responded:

"I feel like you've got the wrong person. Although I draw comics and have dreams of becoming a cartoonist, I'm not at the stage where I can afford to take on an apprentice or an assistant."

"My style is too childish. There's still a huge gap between me and the better artists."

Miss Wild Dog lowered her head and brought over two stools.

So Lin Sen glanced at the wooden table in the corner which was cluttered with snack bags.

The grid paper has rough lines, vividly depicting the body of a lonely girl playing the guitar.

No brain.

The painting style is considered ordinary in later generations, but compared with mainstream works of today, it has a sense of being ahead of the times.

Unfortunately, the artist himself doesn't think so.

"With a painting like this, it won't even be accepted by the submission, how can I harm you guys?"

The big golden retriever, with a timid and uneasy tone, turned around and reached out from under the chair to pick out his own drawing.

Take it out and display it in front of you.

First point to the big eyes of Fat Tiger.

"I can't draw realistic eyes at all. Only by making them big like this do they look more comfortable."

Next, move your index finger to the tip of your nose.

"The nose isn't good either. It lacks that firmness and three-dimensionality. So, I had to use a tick instead."

Finally, the hairstyle part.

"I can't draw the individual lines of a hair; it would look weird. So, in the end, I could only use simple lines."

As he was talking, he lay down on the table and became autistic.

"I submitted my work to many comic book companies, but, but, they all rejected it. They said my style might need improvement."

As if she had finally found someone to talk to, Miss Wild Dog fluently completed her rant:

"But this is the best I can draw! No matter how hard I try, it's no use!"

An unwilling hand pulled out a national comic magazine and opened it, pointing at the characters and storyboards on it and making a sound of grievance.

"I also want to draw realistically like this! But, but, I really can't do it! In the end, I can only choose to paint in a way that is comfortable for me. But, like this, I try and withdraw every time, and I have never succeeded at all!"

Finally finding someone to talk to, Kurosawa Rina grabbed her hair tightly, lowered her head and sobbed pitifully.

"I tried my best, but this is the result! My drawing is just so ugly, my style is so bad, what can I do! Obviously, I really, really want to be an excellent cartoonist! Obviously, I am really happy when I draw..."

The logically self-consistent remarks made it impossible for Ito Nishika to find a better way to encourage or comfort him.

"Actually, it's not that bad. Kurosawa, look, I really like the painting you gave me. I even put it in a frame and kept it as a collection."

I managed to say a few nice words but was only met with a rebuttal:

"That's just for the laymen to see. From the perspective of an experienced editor, it's not even acceptable!"

"Well."

The girl who was blind to comics was left speechless.

I could only stare blankly at the framed painting in my hand, and then look at the people around me, seeking a solution.

But I saw an outstretched hand.

"I come."

So the silly girl handed over the drawing and watched Lin Sen place the "Xiguo Holding a Cat" picture in front of the golden retriever.

Startled by a noisy stray dog.

"What are you doing?"

"That is, have you heard the story of Vincent Van Gogh, Kurosawa?"

"Uh."

Seeing the golden retriever's confused expression, Lin Sen leaned against the table.

"For the first half of his life, no one cared about what he painted. Everyone responded with ridicule, sarcasm and disdain, calling his work the work of a child who had scribbled paint on it. And until the day he died, he hadn't sold many of his paintings."

"However, in the second half of his life, which he himself had abandoned, everyone finally realized the beauty and preciousness of his paintings. Kurosawa, do you feel that this scene is a bit familiar?"

"?"

A wild dog looked up.

Between the messy hair, there were eyes filled with doubt and dullness.

Listen to someone continue talking.

"I mean, is there a possibility, Kurosawa?"

Lin Sen snatched a drawing from her hand and pointed at the cute-style girl in a sailor suit.

Resembles a character from an anime from the 21st century.

"You are painting something very new. It is so advanced that this era is not ready to accept it?"

The golden retriever hesitated for a moment, but quickly bit his lower lip.

"But all the editors at the publishing houses..."

"They are just reviewers. They don't know anything about comics."

Lin Sen picked up all the framed paintings around him.

"I can tell you with certainty, Kurosawa. In the 21st century, right here on this land, comics like yours will be read by millions, appearing on the streets of Tokyo. On posters, in advertisements, everywhere. Characters like yours will be made into figurines and displayed in stores, just like Mobile Suit Gundam, becoming the most beautiful souvenirs."

"What I want to say is that your style is correct, just like Van Gogh, it's not understood by people today. But people will eventually appreciate its beauty, just like Ito and I standing before you. Because it is your passion, and it is also born from your unremitting brushstrokes, a miracle that transcends time."

Finally, as Kurosawa Rina's expression gradually turned into shock and trance, Lin Sen stood upright and made a summary.

"This is what Ito and I really think, Kurosawa. We know your dream and we like your work. We want to understand how the things we like were born, and we also want to witness your process of becoming a cartoonist. So, if you still want to work hard for it, please take us with you."

"..."

The young man's tone was too firm.

So much so that, when he was chased out of the house by a shy big dog with an unconcealable emotion on his face, the girl next to him kept staring at him in amazement during lunch.

"What are you looking at?"

"Senior's ability to give inspirational speeches is really a bit too strong."

Ito Nishiko looked at the two paintings he had received as a gift with a happy look on his face, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

"I can vaguely feel that your words can really give strength to those who are stuck in their dreams."

The girl moved closer to the side and lowered her clear voice.

"Did you notice Kurosawa's expression at the end? There was a kind of happiness in his eyes that was recognized. And also..."

She avoided the pedestrians in front of her who were walking with their heads down, put her arm around the person next to her, reached out to grab his sleeve, and whispered excitedly.

"When I left, I heard her taking the initiative to clean up the house. It seems that the words of the seniors really had an encouraging effect."

He seemed genuinely happy about his neighbor's inspiration and changes.

A simple smile appeared on Ms. Ito's face.

She shared her inner thoughts in a rambling manner.

"I feel like we're really doing something meaningful. For those pursuing their dreams, even words of comfort like this are of great value."

She stared at the people around her, looking for recognition.

But because of his next words, she lost her smile and fell into confusion.

"That's true. But, Ito, my opinions about Kurosawa's paintings are sincere, and they are not meant to comfort me."

"?"

Coming to his senses, Ito Nishika blinked his wide eyes.

"that is,"

"I'm sure if she persists, she will succeed. Her paintings will become the mainstream style in the future. And she will be the founder."

Look at that determined look and observe.

Ms. Ito lowered her head again and examined the painting in her hands.

"But, although I do like this style of painting, I don't think I've ever seen a successful work in this style. Why can the seniors predict the future so confidently?"

Of course, it’s because this is really what later generations are like.

In the 21st century, the cute style that emphasizes eyes and small facial features has replaced realism and become the mainstream style of anime in this land.

This is an established historical process.

But it's obviously not okay to say it so directly.

Lin Sen made a localized translation:

"Because I know that there are always people in this world who know how to appreciate beauty. Just like the two of us appreciate Kurosawa's paintings, and..."

The young man paused halfway through his speech and looked at the girl next to him.

Meeting those beautiful eyes that shone with pure light.

"Just like I admire you, Ito."

For a moment, noticing the calm and naturally serious look in her eyes, a cute dull expression appeared on the girl's childish face.

But he came to his senses and met that penetrating gaze.

After an unknown amount of time, a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

The corners of the mouth curve.

He hit the shoulder of the person next to him with his little fist in annoyance.

"If you keep saying those nice words, I'll really think it's a confession from my senior."

"That's impossible."

The young man next to him shook his head seriously.

"First of all, I have to make it clear that there will be no romance between us, Ito."

"Hmm~ Yes."

"Besides, how can such low-level words describe the friendship between us?"

Lin Sen spread out his hands.

"In my opinion, for most people, confessing their feelings is just a process of venting their inner hormones and desires. From my current perspective, the level of love involved is not sincere enough, and lacks purity. Unlike you and me, Ito. I simply hope that your future will be better. This is the truth."

"It's hard to imagine that a senior like that would happily take a cold bath with me in Tokyo Bay just a month ago."

This sentence made the young man's expression a little tense.

"That was an accident."

He forced himself to maintain his dignity, "The Xiao Linsen of that time was not the me of today."