Drawing Yozakura

In search of a new model to help practice drawing Murakumo approached Yozakura and to Kumo's surprise she was willing. Yozakura had liked the portrait Murakumo had drawn for Yumi's birthday and wanted one done of herself. When Murakumo asked why, Yozakura simply said she wanted something to show to people; like a "friend." Murakumo was relieved to have this lifeline after Shiki called it quits for the day due to a "lack of vision."

 

Murakumo brought Yozakura into her "studio," which was really just her bedroom, with the goal to create something fantastical and bold, with little interest in Yozakura's wishes. She opened her closet and took out flashy costumes that she showed off to Yozakura. She had built up a collection of outfits gathered from her convention friends and they proved useful given that she was a predominantly Sci-Fi artist. 'Would you like to dress up a little? Cosplay, maybe?'

 

Each outfit was more outlandish and skimpier than the last. Yozakura was embarrassed by the idea of having so much skin exposed and tried to dance around the issue. 'Well those are nice and all' She blushed 'But what's wrong with what I'm wearing?' Yozakura teased at the length of her skirt 'I mean it looks good right?'

 

Murakumo's shoulders slumped, clearly disappointed by Yozakura's lacked of adventure. 'Very well, we'll capture the real you.' Murakumo tossed the outfits aside for now, it was time to figure out a pose. She took out a sketchbook and showed off previous works too Yozakura, including some risqué commissions. Most of the poses were provocative and the women were wearing even skimpier outfits than what Murakumo was showing earlier. Some wore nothing at all. 'So do any of these catch your eye?'

 

'Oh, uh this is what you draw?' Yozakura's face turned red. There was no way she was going to get on all-fours or stick her behind out. 'Can't I just um, sit down or something?' Yozakura nervously scratched the back of her neck.

 

'That's okay.' Murakumo looked dejected. A plain old portrait simply wasn't as exciting as her Sci-Fi work and wouldn't get her a lot of recognition as an up and coming mangaka. I mean a woman sitting just seemed so simple and bland. She cast the sketchbooks aside on top of the costumes 'Find a comfortable space and I'll work my magic.' Kumo sat across from Yozakura, hidden behind an easel that Shiki had bought her and scribbled away to lay down the foundation of her next piece.

 

'Could you put your arms behind your and lean back like this?' Murakumo demonstrated the pose and Yozakura obliged, her shoulders back and her chest thrust forward 'There we go' Murakumo grinned to herself. Kumo kept Yozakura waiting for a result, ever the perfectionist she agonised over every line and went back to change. Luckily she was able to put together something complete by the time Yozakura started fidgeting 'Come take a look.'

 

Yozakura was excited but her delight would soon turn to shock. Murakumo had laid on the cheesecake with this piece turning the demure Yoza into a promiscuous maneater. Her eyes were sultry, her lips pouty, her shirt was popped open to display overflowing cleavage, and nipples poked through the fabric of her clothes. It had Yozakura so mortified her dialect slipped out 'This isn't me at all! My shirt isn't open! My boobs aren't that big! Are they? What's the deal with this?'

 

'Relax, I'm just making it more dynamic and interesting.' Murakumo brushed Yozakura's concerns aside 'Trust me, this will go straight to the top of PixArt and your "friend" will love it.'

 

'Oh no. No, no no no no.' Yozakura wasn't pleased. Whatever "PixArt" was it didn't sound pleasant and there was no way she was sharing this picture with anyone. She snatched Murakumo's mask and played "keep away" with it. 'You're going to make a nice, clean drawing of me that I can show people I know and not have them be... disgusted by it!'

 

Murakumo squealed and her voice turned to a squeak 'Y-y-y-y-yoza pl-please giv-give me back m-my m-mask! I'll re-re-red-redo yo-your picture just gi-gimme ba-back my mask!' Murakumo gave Yozakura the old puppy eyes and reached out for her mask like an infant would their bottle. Yozakura let Murakumo squirm for a while then relented. Kumo snatched her mask back and she no longer spluttered her words 'Very well, I have taken your feedback under consideration and I'll give you the drawing you asked for.'

 

The current draft was set aside and Murakumo began anew. Yozakura was even patient enough to continue modelling for Kumo. The end result had Yozakura ecstatic and when the other Gessen girls saw it they were amazed by Murakumo's talent and even agreed to pose for her. Murakumo had Shiki back and three other people who now believed in her dream and were willing to help. Well if you count Minori, would couldn't sit still for more than five minutes. More importantly Murakumo strengthened her bond with Yozakura which would prove invaluable.