Chapter 23
The long table had quieted down, the muffled hum of conversation giving way to a gentle breeze coming through the window. The scent of paper, ink, and a faint trace of something sweet from the floor below hung in the air.
Kokoro shifted slightly in his seat, brushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear. He looked up just in time to see the pink-haired senior stand up gracefully beside him. She placed her fingertips lightly on the table and gave a warm smile.
"Well then," she said with a calming voice, "since we have a new member with us today... it’s time for introductions."
Immediately, five heads perked up—each one radiating a unique vibe.
Starting at the far end of the table was a tall, lean third-year boy with messy ash-gray hair and a stoic expression. He raised a hand lazily. "Yo. I’m Ishikawa Ritsu. I do backgrounds... and drink all the club’s soda. Don’t expect much talking from me."
Next to him was another third-year—a boy with an easygoing grin and perpetually sleepy eyes. His dark hair fell in waves, slightly covering one of his cheeks. "Hoshizaki Tooru. I do digital inking and special effects. If I’m asleep, just draw around me."
Kokoro gave a small, polite nod. "Understood..."
Then came the girls.
The first was, of course, the energetic lime-haired girl from earlier, who now had on a pair of cat-ear headphones. She stood up dramatically, one hand on her hip and the other pointed to the ceiling. "Second-year, Inoue Momo! Colorist extraordinaire and mood manager of the group!"
"More like mood chaos," Ritsu muttered from the end of the table.
Momo stuck her tongue out at him before plopping back in her seat.