Chapter 1

**Awakening to the Joy of Painting** (絵 (え) を描 (か) く悦 (よろこ) びに目 (め) 覚 (ざ) めてみた, *E o Kaku Yorokobi ni Mezemetemita*?) is the first chapter of Tsubasa Yamaguchi's Blue Period.

## **Synopsis**

In June of their second high school year, Yatora Yaguchi, Sumida, Koigakubo and Utashima spend their night in a bar, drinking to celebrate the most recent victory of Japan's National Football Team. In the next day, Yatora answers receives his midterm exams results, in which he got high scores and ranked 4th. The group is intercepted by a running Ryuji Ayukawa, who carries a big canvas on their back, followed by Maru Mori.

Yatora and his friends continue their way to the elective art class, which most of the students choose because it is easy to have a decent grades and they can use their time to rest or play games. Masako Saeki, the art elective teacher, delivers their new assignment, "My Favorite Scenery" (!! link assignments list).

Yatora arrives at home exhausted but, upon seeing the College Guide his mother left in his bed, he decides to study instead of resting. Just a few moments later, he gets a message from his group chat inviting him to watch the football finals later in that day. Yatora is reflecting on his life philosophy, comparing the satisfaction from raising his school scores or building relationships to the satisfaction of meeting a quota, when he realizes he forgot his cigarette package at school.

He rapidly goes back to their art classroom, where he thinks he left them when he gets mesmerized by an huge canvas with angels painted. Ryuji pulls him out of the transe, showing him that they are the one holding his cigarettes. The two start bickering and are only stopped by Shoko. After hearing a little presentation on Tokyo University of the Arts, the only public art school in Japan, Yatora shows he is not interested in art, that is when Shoko claims he is not being sincere with himself but only trying to be a peoples pleaser.

Yatora meets his friends in the bar, but doesn't seem to let go of Shoko's and Ryuji's words. When walking back home, he shares his thoughts on Shibuya's mornings, but when Utashima disagrees Yatora feels embarrassed and carries those thoughts during the following day. In school he encounters Mori, his senpai, carrying the same big canvas as Ryuji and offers to help. They go to the art classroom where Yatora finds out the angels painting was Mori's and she explains the Terre Verte Technique (a technique utilizing a green under-painting, and layering flesh tones on top, to achieve a natural skin tone). Yatora finds some comfort in Mori's character and shares with her the same Shibuya mornings thoughts, from her he gets a much more satisfying response.

In that day art class, Yatora is not slacking anymore since the assignment is due that day and tries to replicate the blue feeling he gets in those early mornings. He cannot achieve his desired look(?) and regrets not starting the assignment earlier. Nevertheless, Koigakubo is able to recognize the painting as early morning and Yatora starts tearing up. By the end of the day, Yatora gets a message from Ryuji asking for help after school.

## **Characters in Order of Appearance**

Yatora Yaguchi (Debut)

Utashima (Debut)

Sumida (Debut)

Koigakubo (Debut)

Sakamoto (Cameo)

Ryuji Ayukawa (Debut)

Maru Mori (Debut)

Masako Saeki (Debut)

Marie Yaguchi (Debut)

Umino (Cameo)

Shirai (Debut)

Shirota (Cameo)

Yamamoto (Cameo)

## **Trivia**

### Cover Reference

The information below is not confirmed by an official source.

     The Blue Room by Pablo Picasso served as a reference for the Chapter 1 cover.