Stay Around You Now And Forever

Chapter 122: The Club... it's Hard to Say

After school, Emily and Sally followed Lois into their club's dedicated studio.

The school's review system was not particularly strict, but treatment was different depending on the status of each person.

As the class representative, Lois was required by the school to have at least three clubs, so she was able to apply for this club.

However, the size of the club was small, so the studio they received was also beyond words.

“Oh my god, are you sure this... is not a storage room?’ Sally was stunned when she entered.

The studio was in the most remote corner on the top floor, and next to it was the stairs.

The entire studio was actually spacious, but there were piles of discarded equipment, some drawing boards, old computers, and so on.

There were only two computers in the studio, both of which were old desktop computers.

As for the drawing board, it was a good thing they brought their own, the present drawing boards were too old to be usable.

No one could blame Sally for being so surprised, because along the way here, all the studios for the other clubs were very beautiful.

And their studio... was on another level, it was hard to say.

There were two boys in the studio, both of whom were their classmates.

One of them greeted Lois and nodded to Emily and Sally.

As for the other, he sat by the window, as if he was painting something, and ignored them at all.

“They are all members of our club, Rufus and Calvin”

Lois was a bit embarrassed. Out of all the clubs in the entire building, probably their club's studio was the most... well, simple.

‘In other words, with me and Emily in the club, there are only five people?”

“No, there are four people” Lois smiled uncomfortably, Well, because I am the class rep, that... Well. I had to start a club, but... I can't draw.”

Sally's heart dropped, in other words, their club only had four people.

“Well, I...'m not very good at...” Rufus raised his hand with a smirk, "My coloring... is limited”

After a pause, he said, “But I like to draw very much. Really, my dream is to become an artist. I will definitely be an excellent artist in the future!”

Emily didn't speak, she felt a bit disappointed.

Sally smiled at her in encouragement.

However, now was not a question of encouragement, but...

‘In other words, our club hasn't produced any successful comics yet?"

Next month's Comic Con had a competition, but there was no way to participate without any of their own comics.

Lois pushed her glasses again, embarrassingly, "I actually... didn't plan to participate at first, but if we don't participate, we would have to wait until the second half of the year’

“You know, as class rep, I also want to get some results for our club, so I signed up"

Emily and Salty looked at each other.

It was understandable to sign up, but if there was no work, then signing up meant nothing.

However, Lois was right, if she did not participate, they would have to wait for half a year.

Six months was just too long.

“Can we invite students from other classes to join our club?"

Joe was also an artist. If he joined, Sally would at least have a little confidence in their club.

However, to start a new comic, the most they could do was probably ten chapters in a month.

Ten chapters could only be regarded as the beginning in a long story.

No completed works, no reputation, they would be at a disadvantage in the competition. They might not even pass the preliminary round,

But that's the pace of comics. Ten chapters a month, about forty squares per chapter. The workload was comparable to that of a full-time artist.

They were still students, so even if they warked overtime, this was the most they cauld do.

They couldn't possibly manage any more than this workload.

“No, we are just a class club, so we cannot recruit students from other classes”

Lois shook her head. The school's restrictions were still quite strict on small clubs like theirs.

After all, clubs often participated in social activities, which still had a great impact on the image of the school.

“Our club can't leave the campus, in order to join outside events on behalf of the university, it must be upgraded first?

Emily understood that the school had to ensure that its public image was not affected. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

It is permissible for the club te join outside events as an association of the university, but they would have to upgrade to a formal association, and they must first he recognized by the school.

“Then, can they secretly help out?’ Sally implied.

“Of course they can, but who wants to draw without leaving a name?”

Lois shrugged, helplessly “You can't bully people like this, right?”

Sally bit her fingers and looked at Emily.

Who knows when she began to do so, but whenever they faced unsolvable problems, Sally placed all hope on Emily.

Emily said nothing and walked over to Rufus's computer.

Rufus was coloring. Although he said he had no experience in coloring, he was the only one who could color in the club, so he still had a little confidence.

But Emily's words instantly shattered all of his confidence, "The light and shadow effects are too weak, the choice of the color is no goad, it looks too dim, there's no vibrant sense of life?

Emily stared at the draft on the computer with a serious expression.

Anyone acquainted with her knew that the current Emily was being impersonal, but what she said were absolutely true.

Rufus felt a sense of urgency, “Are you... a coloring master?"

“I'm not a master, I just learned a bit’

Rufus was immediately unconvinced, “My coloring effect is already..”

“If that’s the best you can do, then, in this industry, you really have no potential”

Emily's words completely blocked what Rufus wanted to say.

Rufus moved his lips, but couldn't say a word.

Finally, he lowered his head and murmured softly, “Then you... You have to come up with your own work first. Anyone can critique...”

Emily ignored him, it was completely impossible to color at this level.

After staring for a while, she asked again, “Where did you get this picture? Did you draw it yourself?"

It looked familiar, as if she had seen the original artwork on the Internet.

Rufus was a little impatient, “I found it online and colored it myself, just to show the class rep the effect”

He knew that he was inexperienced, but he really liked to draw. No one said anyone had to be talented to join the club.

He just began to draw not long ago. Even if his ability was limited now, it's hard to say that he won't become an expert in the future!

But Emily's critique was really uncomfortable.

“Class rep, [have something to do, I'm leaving now: After he finished packing, Rufus was about to turn off the computer.

Emily held the mouse and looked at him, “These drawings, except for the original you found online, did you make the other drawings by yourself?"

“Yes! If you don't believe me, check online for the original, the whole Internet doesn't have the original copy with coloring! I don’t use other people's works to pretend it's my own work!"

Rufus was angry, he picked up his schoolbag, turned and left.

He slammed the door shut behind him, and the crumbling door frame slightly shook.

This club was really... it's hard to say.