#プロジェクトAC

14
Published on: 2026.08.29

Description

過去にジャンプ+に掲載した読み切りです。 https://shonenjumpplus.com/episode/3269754496389553649

Comments

0

Dialogue in this work

Page 1

  • Entrance Ceremony
  • It seems that everyone wishes to be acknowledged by others.
  • A certain famous psychologist...
  • Desire for Approval
  • ...named it that.
  • My first impression of her, when I saw her at the entrance ceremony, was...

Page 2

  • ...that she was like the desire for approval wearing clothes.

Page 3

  • Sent

Page 4

  • unsugar, thank you again for the manuscript.
  • It's been getting great reviews here in the editorial department.
  • Not at all.
  • I'm still a long way off...
  • An Active High School Illustrator
  • Touri Ando

Page 5

  • Sorry for making you stop by on your way home from school.
  • It's fine. I'm not in any clubs or anything.
  • It's about the character designs for the next project.
  • The original author said they want a character with a bit more personality.
  • Personality... you say?
  • Sorry, but could you show me a few more variations?
  • And feel free to draw their expressions more freely, too.
  • Understood... I'll try to work on it a bit more.
  • Jot, jot...

Page 6

  • Don't be so disappointed.
  • Let's make the next one a big hit!
  • Want something to drink?!
  • This author is a bit eccentric, but their skills are the real deal.
  • Well then, I'll be heading out...
  • I'm heading straight home, so I'm good.
  • "With your talent, it wouldn't be strange for you to have more SNS followers, so try to be a little more active on that front."
  • From the editor-in-chief...
  • "...'I have high hopes for you.'"
  • ...I'll do my best.

Page 7

  • The Next Day
  • Sigh...
  • I said I'd do my best, but...
  • I hate standing out.
  • When people stand out, they just get dragged into all sorts of trouble.
  • My account is pretty much just for work.
  • Who actually likes getting into trouble?
  • That's why I haven't told anyone at school about my work...
  • ...and I have no intention of ever telling them.

Page 8

  • Art Room
  • Today, we'll be continuing with the self-portraits we started last week.
  • Self-Portrait
  • The parts of your face you like, the parts you dislike...
  • ...draw them all objectively, without hiding anything.
  • Alright, let's get started, get started.
  • That's why, in front of others, I don't draw particularly well or poorly.
  • I aim for a perfectly average level of completion so I don't stand out.
  • That way, I won't get dragged into anything troublesome...
  • !

Page 9

  • You again...
  • Kurisaki Yui...!
  • Ooba Leia
  • What's with that hair color? Same as always!
  • ? It's Freshlight's Milky Pink, what about it?
  • This is why I just can't understand her.
  • I'm not asking for the name of the color...!

Page 10

  • Did you forget I told you to dye it black by our next class...?
  • You told me, but it's not in the school rules, so I just ignored it.
  • That's just common sense.
  • That you shouldn't come to a sacred place of learning with dyed hair...
  • Hmm...
  • Then that applies to you too, right, Teach?
  • Huh...?

Page 11

  • Kurisaki... what are you talking about...?
  • Yep, I can definitely smell hair dye.
  • And the shine on your hair... it's a little unnatural.
  • !
  • Aren't YOU the one being improper, coming to school after dyeing your gray hair?

Page 12

  • Th-The rest of the period is for self-study!
  • Those who are finished, turn in your work at the front!
  • Okay~
  • What an idiot...

Page 13

  • Making an enemy of a teacher will never lead to anything good.
  • To not even realize that saying something like that will only end up hurting her in the long run...
  • Detention...
  • Is it?
  • That's right.

Page 14

  • I believe I told you to draw a 'self-portrait'.
  • This is less of a self-portrait and more of a caricature...
  • Therefore, you will redo it.
  • Aww, but this one's cuter!
  • See? What did I tell you?
  • And Ando, you're staying for detention too.
  • Huh?
  • It's painfully obvious you're not even trying.
  • Tch... As expected of an art teacher...
  • He saw right through me...

Page 15

  • Nice to be here with ya!
  • ...
  • Hmm, this part would be better like this...
  • Oh, right.
  • Mhm, mhm, I see!

Page 16

  • Um...
  • Could you please be quiet...?
  • Oh, sorry.
  • Looks like I tend to talk to myself when I'm concentrating...
  • She really is a weirdo...
  • !

Page 17

  • What... is that...?
  • Oh, this?
  • I want my self-portrait to be cute, you know.
  • So I thought I'd use some of my old makeup.
  • What a novel idea...!
  • What do you think? Cute?

Page 18

  • It certainly does look cuter that way, I guess...
  • This way it'll totally stand out at the exhibition, right?
  • So that's what you were after all along...!
  • ...
  • Why are you so desperate to stand out?
  • Hm?

Page 19

  • With that hair and that attitude...
  • Isn't that why the teacher has it out for you, and why you ended up stuck in this pointless detention?
  • Oh, I see... So that's why the teacher is always on my case...
  • You're just realizing that now?!
  • And don't say he's 'on your case'.
  • But, you know...

Page 20

  • Wanting to be praised... wanting to be acknowledged...
  • ...isn't that just a natural part of being human?
  • Because unlike rabbits, humans...
  • ...can actually die from loneliness.

Page 21

  • Just kidding!
  • The truth is, I just really like drawing!
  • What do you mean by that...
  • Doesn't everyone want to do what they love and be praised for it?
  • Man, I really can't stand her...
  • Well, I'm done, so I'm heading out.
  • Huh? That was fast!

Page 22

  • Whoa, you're actually super good at drawing.
  • ?!
  • Oh, sorry. Did I startle you? Is your phone okay?
  • I-It's fine, really...
  • ...Besides, I'm not that great...
  • There are tons of people in this world who are better at drawing than me...
  • How could someone like me be genuinely happy just from being praised by someone I know...?

Page 23

  • I said too much...!
  • Hah!
  • Hmm, 'tons'...
  • The top 0.0007% or so?
  • If the world population is about 7 billion, and you're the 50,000th best...
  • The top 0.0007% or so?
  • Whoa, you're basically a god!
  • You should totally brag about it more!!
  • Is she an idiot or is she smart? Which is it...?
  • Well... whatever. It doesn't matter.
  • Well then, I'm leaving.

Page 24

  • Sigh... What a waste of time...
  • I need to get home quick and submit the revisions for the character designs...
  • I have to get it done before I get a reminder call...
  • Swipe up to unlock
  • !

Page 25

  • This isn't... my phone?!
  • And who the hell makes their self-portrait their wallpaper?!
  • Crap... Did we swap phones in the classroom earlier...?!
  • If so, then Ooba will see the Twitter account I had open just a minute ago...!
  • Which means everyone in class will find out that I'm an illustrator...

Page 26

  • Whoa, that's amazing!
  • Hey Touri, since you're a pro, you can draw the school festival poster for free, right?
  • I don't really get it, but can I have your autograph? (lol)
  • This is a disaster...
  • Aargh, this is such a pain in the ass!
  • Please, let me make it in time!

Page 28

  • Did you see?
  • I saw it all

Page 29

  • It's over...
  • Sorry! I thought it was my phone, and when I opened it, I just happened to see!
  • Are you... maybe a professional illustrator?!
  • And you have, like, 50,000 followers! That's a ton!
  • I've never met a celebrity before!
  • Goodbye... my peaceful school life...
  • I see... So there are people who can get this many fans just from their art...

Page 30

  • Aargh, fine, I admit it...!
  • But in exchange, you absolutely cannot tell anyone at school...?!
  • Why not? You should brag about it more.
  • Because it'd be a pain if more people like you started showing up...
  • Alright then, if you follow me back, I'll keep quiet.
  • Ugh, what a pain...
  • This giant freakin' approval-seeker girl...!
  • Ohisama
  • @samasama_dasada
  • penpenpoin
  • ...This 'penpenpoin' one?
  • That's the one!
  • Tōhyōtokai Shinkun
  • RORO
  • @pavro_ronger
  • Jeez, it's probably just a private account you only use to follow your classmates, right...?

Page 31

  • penpenpoin
  • @pen_2_poin
  • Tweets
  • Tweets & replies
  • Media
  • Likes
  • Pinned Tweet
  • penpenpoin @pen_2_poin
  • ?!
  • My follower count hasn't really been growing lately.
  • Maybe I should post something a little more risqué?
  • N-No, you'll get banned for that! Don't do it...!

Page 32

  • Right...
  • So then...
  • Do you think I can be like you?
  • !
  • W-Well... if you're just aiming for my level, I'm sure you could get there in no time if you try...?
  • You're too close...

Page 33

  • You're going to be my art teacher!
  • Alright, I've decided!
  • What? Why?!

Page 34

  • If I become a pro, tons of people will praise me...
  • That's all the reason I need, right?
  • I mean, I never dreamed the perfect person to learn from was right here...
  • Besides, there's a limit to how cute a selfie can be, but with art, there are no limits.
  • Stop calling yourself cute.

Page 35

  • If you're just kidding, you should quit while you're ahead.
  • I'm dead serious!
  • And you said it yourself earlier, didn't you?
  • That if I just put in the effort, I can become as good as you.
  • She's serious...
  • ...In that case, I guess I have to give her a serious answer.

Page 36

  • My bad. That was a lie.
  • Huh...?
  • Someone who aims to be a pro for a reason as shallow as wanting praise...
  • ...is guaranteed to give up soon enough.

Page 37

  • ...Did I really do the right thing...?
  • What if she tells everyone about my account just to get back at me...?
  • No, I'll be fine.
  • She's probably not the type to do something so malicious... Probably...
  • ...

Page 38

  • The Next Day—
  • Slide
  • !
  • After what I said to her yesterday... Surely she's given up by now...

Page 39

  • Hey, Touri! Look, look!
  • I bought 'em! ♪
  • An iPad and an Apple Pencil
  • Her mental game is way too strong!
  • Let me tell you something.
  • It's going to take a lot more than that to make me quit.

Page 40

  • In this case...
  • ...I'll just ignore her!
  • Hey!
  • Are you even listening?
  • penpenpoin Replying to: @unsugar How do I become a professional illustrator?
  • Hmph!

Page 41

  • unsugar... Teacher!
  • Aargh, fine! You win!
  • If you're that desperate to know, I'll teach you... the way to become a pro.
  • Really?!

Page 42

  • But on one condition.
  • If you're really serious, then you have to upload one piece of art that you drew yourself to your account. Every. Single. Day.
  • If you can manage to draw something I deem worthy of praise, then I'll teach you.
  • Got it.
  • It's a promise, then.

Page 43

  • It's just a passing fancy.
  • She'll give up in no time...
  • ...

Page 44

  • Tch... Useless...!
  • The deadline for these revisions is right around the corner... so why am I so bothered by this...?
  • A classmate of mine is becoming a fellow artist.
  • There's no reason I shouldn't just teach her properly.
  • Is it because I think she's looking down on what it means to be an artist?

Page 45

  • No, that's not it... This is jealousy.
  • I'm jealous of her... of how she can so shamelessly declare that she wants people's praise.
  • Coming from me, someone who would rather die than say that... I can't help but envy her.
  • In this world, no matter how much better you are than anyone else, the moment you stand out, people say things like, 'Stop showing off,' or 'Don't get full of yourself.'
  • She has no idea what that feels like... In a way, she might be the happy one.

Page 46

  • Hard to believe it's already been a week...
  • She must be about ready to throw in the towel.
  • !
  • penpenpoin @ April 21, 2021
  • Today's practice sketch
  • ...She's one stubborn girl...
  • Replying to: @pen_2_poin I'd rather see your usual selfies than this kind of illustration.
  • penpenpoin @ April 21, 2021 Replying to: @Sa1RxRS2y6W
  • Shut it! I'm gonna get so good that my drawings will be way cuter than any selfie, so you just keep following and wait!
  • As expected from the rock-solid mentality girl...
  • sabun @mosaic... April 21, 2021 Replying to: @pen_2_poin
  • Meanwhile, I'm in a total slump...
  • I could really use even a little bit of that confidence right now.

Page 47

  • ...
  • Looks like I'll be pulling an all-nighter today...
  • That Kurisaki... absent today, huh...
  • Guess I can finally take it easy for the first time in a while...

Page 48

  • Ando.
  • You've been speaking with Ooba quite a bit lately, haven't you?
  • It seems she still hasn't submitted her career path survey, and the deadline is tomorrow. Would you mind delivering this to her, just to be safe?
  • Uh... I don't really know her well enough to know her address...
  • Is that so... How about her contact info?
  • I mean, I know her social media account, if that counts...
  • Then please ask her for her address.
  • With privacy concerns these days, I can't be the one to give it out.
  • Gah!

Page 49

  • Understood...
  • Standing out never leads to anything good...
  • Oh, and one more thing.
  • Despite appearances, Ooba isn't the type to get close to any particular student.
  • So please don't give up on being her friend, Ando.
  • Right... I'll do my best.

Page 50

  • penpenpoin
  • The teacher asked me to give you a form. What's the best way to do that?
  • It's fine if you don't want to give me your address.
  • It would be a lot easier if she just refused...
  • Whoa, fast reply!
  • Ando
  • Help me
  • 2021/04/23 15:24

Page 51

  • Unlike rabbits, humans...
  • ...can actually die if they get too lonely.
  • I've got a really bad feeling about this...

Page 52

  • Kurisaki, what happened?!
  • Ooba
  • Touri...

Page 53

  • Help me... My illustration software crashed, and the drawing I was working on is gone...
  • There should be a backup file saved here. You can probably recover it up to a certain point.
  • Whoa, you're right! Thank you so much!!
  • I have to say, I didn't expect you to come rushing over in such a panic~
  • That's because you sent a message that could be easily misunderstood!

Page 54

  • You're skipping school just to draw, and your parents don't have anything to say about it...?
  • Ahaha... I live alone, so I tend to lose track of time...
  • ...Wait, so you live here all by yourself?
  • Yeah. My parents both have jobs that require a lot of travel, so they got me an apartment near the high school.
  • Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate...
  • Well, you know how family stuff can be!
  • And in a way, it's because of my parents that I ended up with this need to be praised all the time...

Page 55

  • I see...
  • All she ever really wanted was to be praised...
  • She's just seeking the validation now that she likely never received from her parents...
  • So this desire of hers... it's just the flip side of that neglect...
  • It was her heart crying out.

Page 56

  • But me... I was the same way when I started, wasn't I?
  • I thought drawing just for praise was an impure motivation, but...
  • that someone who aims to be a pro for a reason as shallow as wanting praise would just quit eventually.
  • Whether you're a pro or an amateur, the starting point is the same...
  • The only reason I've been able to keep drawing all this time is because people praised me, isn't it?

Page 57

  • I'm sorry, Kurisaki...
  • ...for what I said the other day, about you only wanting praise.
  • I never realized how painful it must have been, not getting that from your parents...
  • Huh...?
  • Did I say that?

Page 58

  • No... but you just said you can't suppress your need for praise because of your parents...
  • I did, but it's the other way around.
  • My parents were the most ridiculously doting people you could imagine.
  • Ever since I was a kid, they praised me for every little thing. It was almost too much.
  • I guess it just became ingrained in me...?
  • And because of that... it's like I developed a constitution where I can't live without being praised a lot...

Page 59

  • So... I think I'm about at my limit...
  • Are you okay...?
  • Yeah...
  • ...but I haven't gotten any praise from anyone recently...
  • ...so I think I'm starting to go through withdrawal...
  • Huh? Wait a sec...
  • For real...?!

Page 60

  • This is my fault...

Page 61

  • To think I pushed her this far...
  • I never meant for her to change the whole direction of her account...
  • At this point... I guess I have no choice but to be honest.
  • Look...
  • And I'm not just saying this to be nice, I'm being completely serious...
  • That self-portrait you drew back then...
  • It honestly wasn't bad.

Page 62

  • Thank you ♡

Page 64

  • Alright, I'm all fired up now~!
  • ?!
  • W-Wait, are you okay now?! What about your withdrawal symptoms?!
  • I'm pretty much always like this, you know?
  • Though I might have exaggerated a little this time ♡
  • Wha...
  • But since you praised me, you're going to keep your promise, right?
  • Teacher ♡
  • I was tricked!

Page 65

  • Just so you know, the second you give up, I'm done with this...!
  • I'll do my best!
  • Sigh... Why did I go and say something like that?
  • Ring ring, ring-a-ling ♪
  • !
  • Hello?

Page 66

  • Hello, is this unsugar? Thanks for all your hard work.
  • The character designs for the new project were approved, no problem!
  • That's a relief...
  • Although, there is something I need to discuss with you.
  • It's about one of the background characters you submitted along with the main ones.
  • Phew...
  • The author actually has a request regarding that character—
  • I'm so sorry! Was it strange?! I can redraw it right now...!
  • Crap! I was barely conscious when I drew that after pulling an all-nighter... I don't even remember what I drew...!
  • No, it's nothing like that.
  • The original author actually took a real liking to one of them.
  • !

Page 67

  • We've decided to make that character you emailed us the main heroine, so we're counting on you.
  • S-Seriously?
  • Sticky Note / Medium Size / Selected / Write / Category / Mailbox / Notes / Private / See More

Page 68

  • Several Years Later—
  • There is no need to watch it live, you know.
  • C'mon! It's the big debut for both of us.
  • And you should be grateful, you know?
  • After all, I'm pretty much the reason you're so successful now.
  • As if. The original author was just really talented, that's all.
  • Heeh, listen to you now.

Page 69

  • Then how come the character design looked exactly like me, hmm?
  • H-Hey, isn't it almost time for the show to start?
  • Oh, you're right! What channel was it again?!
  • Uhh... I think it was MX.
  • The remote, where's the remote!
  • Ah.
  • It's starting.