The Great Drawing Battle
The classroom was filled with excitement as the art teacher clapped her hands.
“Alright, class! Today, we’re going to have a *very special* activity!” she announced.
The students murmured in curiosity. Kota leaned towards Ayumi. “What do you think it is?”
Ayumi shrugged. “No idea. But I hope it’s fun.”
The teacher smiled. “You’ll be paired up, and each of you will *draw* your partner!”
A collective gasp spread across the classroom.
“Wait, what?!”
“Are we artists now?”
“Does stick-figure drawing count?”
The teacher laughed. “Don’t worry, this isn’t a test! The goal is to make you comfortable with your classmates and *get closer* to each other. And we’ll be switching partners four times, so you’ll get to know different people better.”
The class buzzed with nervous excitement.
Kota sat back, relieved. “At least I won’t be the only one drawing badly.”
The teacher held up a list. “Now, for the first pairings…”
Kota leaned forward, hoping he’d be paired with Ayumi first.
“…Pair number one, Ayumi and Toru!”
Kota blinked.
Toru stiffened.
Ayumi smiled. “Oh, okay!”
Toru swallowed hard. *Stay calm. Don’t mess this up. Don’t be weird.*
—
### **Round 1: Ayumi & Toru**
Toru stared at his sketchpad. He had to make sure his drawing was *perfect.* He needed to impress Ayumi.
His hands trembled as he sketched. He stole a quick glance at Ayumi—only to find her drawing *with full concentration.*
She looked so serious, yet so graceful.
Toru quickly looked away. *Stay cool. Stay cool.*
Minutes passed, and finally, they were done.
“Let’s show each other at the same time,” Ayumi suggested.
Toru gulped. “O-Okay.”
They flipped their sketchpads.
Toru’s drawing of Ayumi was *decent.* He wasn’t the best, but he had some skill, and it at least looked *human.*
Ayumi, on the other hand…
Toru’s mouth fell open.
Her drawing of him was *amazing.* The details, the shading—he looked like a *prince in a fairy tale!*
His heart thumped wildly. *DON’T BLUSH. DON’T BLUSH.*
Ayumi tilted her head. “Toru? Are you okay?”
“I-I’M FINE!” Toru covered his mouth and forced a blank expression.
Ayumi giggled. “I really like your drawing.”
Toru felt like he was floating.
But before he could say anything, the teacher clapped. “Switch partners!”
YOU ARE READING
THE FIRST TIME DADDY
RomanceMax never imagined his life would turn out like this: a single father raising a lively two-year-old while working at a quiet bookstore. Far from the successful man his wealthy parents hoped he'd become, Max is still finding his footing after years o...
