Arthur blinked at her words but remained calm for the moment.
The term "Instructor" didn't scare him, he was just a bit confused before he spoke: "What does that have to do with me?"
"I want you to be my model!" Lily replied. "Imagining out of thin air is too vague. The Instructor is just a legend with no photos to go by. So I need a model."
Arthur rubbed his chin. "So that pose you struck downstairs wasn't practice?"
"…"
Lily glared at Arthur.
Scratching his head, Arthur asked, "Why do you suddenly want to paint the Instructor?"
"To make money!" Lily explained with her hands on her hips, looking full of righteous conviction.
"I thought it was for a dream." Arthur grinned. "But making money is more practical."
"Exactly!"
Lily continued, "Where do dreams come from without money? The pursuit of dreams requires funding. I studied oil painting in college. There's a contest over the holidays with a thousand-dollar prize. The deadline is less than ten days away. I've racked my brain, but I can't recreate the image of the Instructor from my imagination alone, so I need you to do it for me. I won't paint your face, of course. If the instructor really existed, he would definitely be more handsome than you."
"Heh…"
Arthur chuckled, not knowing whether to applaud or cry at this moment.
But since she wasn't going to paint his face, it seemed acceptable.
After all, he was dependent on Lily for food for the next two weeks, so Arthur agreed.
Lily appreciated Arthur's "Common Sense" and brought him a pile of clothes.
"What are these? Props?" Arthur asked, surprised by the clothes. "Why do I get the feeling you planned this?"
"No matter how much I plan, I couldn't foresee picking you out of a dumpster on a dark night."
"…If you don't mention the dumpster, we're still friends."
Arthur's face darkened. This could be a lifetime of embarrassment. Should he consider silencing her?
"Hmph, these clothes were designed by some bored people at our school for a bizarre competition. Their investment failed, so these outfits were useless. Some guys who wanted to impress me gave me some sets… You know, chasing girls is understandable…"
"Right, but chasing guys is a problem!"
Arthur nodded vigorously.
Lily was momentarily confused, but continued, "Don't interrupt… You made me lose my train of thought. Anyway, if they wanted to impress me, why would they give me men's clothes? They must be brainless. Teenage males have lower IQs than idiots."
"…"
Arthur blinked. That was quite revealing.
Only he understood; any random foreigner would think it was a compliment.
Besides, they didn't seem to have given the wrong clothes…
Arthur mused silently.
"Anyway, the clothes are good, so I kept them. I just had a flash of inspiration. Their contest might have failed, but the designs are decent. Put these on, and get a feel for them. I'll help you since you probably have no fashion sense!"
She threw the clothes on the bed and started rummaging around.
"Too bright colors won't work, and an outfit full of stars isn't good either. People might think I'm painting Captain America…"
While Lily muttered to herself, Arthur sat bored and looked around.
He hadn't noticed it before when he entered, but there was a display case on the wall filled with various trophies.
"Top student," Arthur remarked.
He hadn't expected someone as assertive as Lily to also wear the mantle of a top student.
"Hmm, this one!" Lily picked out a black outfit and tossed it to Arthur.
The ensemble consisted of three pieces: sleek black pants and a top with a slight military vibe, complemented by a black trench coat.
"Change into this properly!" Lily instructed before slipping out herself.
Arthur looked around the room in confusion. "You let me change in your room? You really don't have any problems being a guy."
Arthur threw off his old jeans and plaid shirt and put on the new outfit. Looking at himself in the mirror, he had to admit that he looked pretty cool.
"I've never worn such nice clothes, not even in battle…"
Arthur sighed and called, "Come in."
Lily hurried in and pushed the door open, "You didn't rummage through anything?"
"You're worried about that, but let me change in your room?" Arthur widened his eyes.
"I didn't think about it before I went out." Lily blinked. "When I realized, who knew if you were halfway through changing? If I burst in and saw something I shouldn't, I'd have to poke my own eyes out…"
Without further ado, Lily pushed Arthur into a chair.
After scrutinizing him from head to toe, she hurried away and returned moments later, unexpectedly handing Arthur a gun, "Strike a more natural pose. And don't forget the killer stare. You know what that means?"
"…Sort of."
Arthur studied the pistol in his hand, exhaled gently, and adjusted his stance comfortably.
Right hand on the gun, legs crossed, head slightly tilted, eyes fixed on Lily.
"Hmm, interesting… Hold that pose while I think."
She contemplated for a full ten minutes, consumed by deep concentration, undistracted by outside distractions.
After ten minutes, she began to sketch meticulously on the canvas.
"Shall we begin?"
Arthur blinked, exhaled gently, and held the pose without moving…
Three hours later, Lily finished, amazed at Arthur's endurance. "What are you made of? Aren't you tired?"
"If I was about to collapse, wouldn't I tell you?"
"You already have…" Lily chuckled. "Truly skilled in martial arts, your physical resilience is beyond ordinary. Okay, I'll treat you to a nice meal tonight as a reward for your efforts. It's about time. I'll prepare lunch first and then continue this afternoon."
A finished oil painting wouldn't fit into a single day.
Fortunately, Lily's work was not monumental, so it shouldn't take too long.
And so the day passed.
In the evening, Lily remained absorbed in her strange thoughts, forgetting her promise of a delicious meal.
Arthur hastily ate a bite and called it a day. Finished, Lily retired to her room.
Arthur looked at the outfit he hadn't returned yet and wondered what preparations he should make.