Ch. 6: A Cool Smile

I had coincidentally overheard the conversation between the two art dealers about how they’d given up on Kaede’s work, and my lips trembled with frustration.

OO: “…”

Suddenly, I felt something behind me and turned around…-.

OO: “!”

I saw Kaede, his expression a sullen frown as he scowled at the dealers behind their backs.

OO: “Kaede… did you hear…”

Kaede: “Those imbeciles don’t know the true value of art, all they care about is the money… going about saying whatever they please…”

Kaede spat out his words as he smiled in a condescending way.

His eyes were so cool and hard that it sent a shiver down my spine.

(Kaede… for some reason, he’s kind of scary… I guess it can’t be helped considering what he just heard… but still…)

At that time…

I didn’t realize the shadow that had been cast over Kaede’s heart.

Ch. 7: An Ominous Creation

Dealer 1: “Prince Kaede seems to have dried up.”

Dealer 2: “Then we need to hurry and take steps to make him aware of it so he’ll retire.”

Dealer 1: “It’s not a pretty thing for an artist whose talents have dried up to resist the inevitable.”

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Kaede: “Those imbeciles don’t know the true value of art, all they care about is the money… going about saying whatever they please…”

————————

After Kaede had overheard the severe criticism from the dealers…

He shut himself in his room and worked on his creation.

Today as well, I brought food as I poked my head in to check on him, but Kaede was immersed in his work with a ghastly vigor.

(Kaede…)

An ominous feeling oozed from him and I couldn’t help but feel anxious.

OO: “Kaede… don’t push yourself…”

Kaede: “Push myself…? Does it look like I’m pushing myself to you?”

He turned to look at me, his face haggard from lack of sleep, but his eyes gleamed as he laughed.

Kaede: “I’m not pushing myself. I’m simply concentrating on my work.”

Kaede wouldn’t acknowledge that his own body and mind were both fatigued as he made his declaration and turned his back towards me.

OO: “…”

(It’ll just be problematic if I stay any longer…)

OO: “I’m sorry for disturbing you…”

I kept a firm hand on the pain in my chest as I quietly left the room…-.

(It’s not a bad thing to be working in such a devoted way, but… that just now, Kaede will wear away at his soul just like his art… if he does, his body and mind will collapse…)

I was filled with an unbearable unease as I looked back at the doorway I’d just come through…-.

I went to visit Kaede in his room the next day as well, but this time I set down the food I brought inside the door without actually going in.

 (Kaede is concentrating today too, so he probably won’t notice that I came…)

In that way, I stood silently to leave when…-.

Kaede: “Why are you leaving so silently…?”

I looked up at Kaede, who had carelessly stopped painting and come to the doorway.

Then Kaede grabbed my wrist, and with an overbearing strength, pulled me into the room.

Kaede: “OO, answer my. You heard me ask you why, right?”

OO: “…well, I… thought I’d get in the way…”

Kaede: “Did I ever say that? Wasn’t I welcoming to you and only you no matter the time?”

OO: “…”

He drew closer, his voice filled with anger, and I was at a loss for words.

Kaede: “Hey… tell me honestly. What do you think of this piece?”

OO: “It’s…”

Kaede still held my wrist as I turned my eyes to the piece he was working on.

His newest creation gave a powerful impression, but it felt sinister and a chill went down my spine.

Kaede: “Not bad, right?”

As I was about to say my honest impression, I couldn’t say any negative words in the face of Kaede’s attitude.

OO: “Kaede…”

I sunk into silence, unable to speak of the uncomfortable feeling I sensed from his newest work.

Ch. 8: Until You Understand Me

While I couldn’t express the uncomfortable feeling I got from Kaede’s newest piece…

Suddenly, the day of the art exhibition arrived…-.

The dealers had gathered before Kaede’s masterpiece and each and every one of them praised Kaede’s work.

Dealer 1: “This ghastly intensity… it’s wonderful!”

Dealer 2: “Indeed… at last, Lord Kaede has moved towards a mind full of strife as an artist…”

Dealer 3: “That’s because the crazier an artist gets, the better their art becomes…”

(…Kaede’s work is wonderful… but…)

Child 1: “This one’s scary…”

A child pointed to Kaede’s work and looked as if they were about to cry.

Child’s Mother: “Come now… you mustn’t say things like that!”

Saying as much, the mother frantically took her child away and, for an instant, turned to look back at Kaede’s folding screen painting with a look of fear.

This is the reaction I saw time and again from the general population.

OO: “…”

I was filled with a complicated mix of emotions as I headed towards Kaede’s room, as he hadn’t made an appearance on the center stage…-.

……

OO: “Kaede…um, can I come in?”

Kaede: “OO? What’s with the reservation at this point? Come on.”

I saw Kaede sitting slumped against a pillar as he looked at me and beckoned me inside.

OO: “Thank you.”

Kaede: “Did you enjoy the exhibition?”

OO: “Yes… the dealers gave your piece very high praise.”

Kaede: “Hm. I suppose that group has finally recognized my ability.”

He smiled in contempt as he nodded his head in satisfaction.

Kaede: “And you?”

OO: “…eh?”

Kaede: “What did you think of it?”

OO: “Ah… well…”

Keade: “Hey… did you take a good look at my work?”

Kaede had been in good spirits up until that point, but now his expression clouded faintly.

OO: “Yes…”

Kaede: “What? Was there something you didn’t like about it?”

OO: “No…”

Kaede: “Your expression tells me you want to say something, so it’s probably something negative.”

He spoke with a sigh and my shoulders jumped in surprise.

OO: “I’m sorry… it’s just that I like the piece you made before…”

I remembered the graceful piece with its pure openheartedness as I answered.

Kaede: “How brazen… I didn’t think you’d speak ill of my art… I thought that you of all people would understand the meaning that comes from the depths of my heart… at least that’s what I had hoped. I’m extremely disappointed. You’ve let me down.”

OO: “But I…-.”

As I started to speak, I thought Kaede would just grab my arm, but instead he grabbed and pulled.

OO: “…!”

Off balance, I fell against Kaede’s chest…-.

Kaede: “Quiet.”

After he easily caught me, Kaede lifted my chin with his finger.

OO: “…!”

I tried to twist around in shock, but Kaede wasn’t letting me go.

Kaede: “OO… why do you say things that can hurt me? You’re the only person that I’ve opened my heart to… if you hate me, then I…”

His voice was thin and imploring as he spoke.

(…Kaede.)

His tone and those eyes that looked down at me were full of sorrow… and I lost the will to resist.

(Honestly, right now Kaede is a little scary… but when I see him so sad and lonely like this…)

Kaede: “It’s alright if you can’t understand my art right now. I’ll teach you so that, in time, you can understand me. So from now on, don’t leave me…”

Kaede’s fingers clung to my waist, and my body felt like it was screaming.

Even still, I stayed in his arms.

(If I could stay with Kaede and ease the pain in his heart… then I’ll be the one who stands beside him.)

OO: “Kaede…- Nn…!”

He grabbed my jaw and placed his lips over mine.

It was a forceful kiss, as if he was saying he wouldn’t let me say anything negative or reject him…-.

OO: “…”

As he pulled away, I thought it was done, but he immediately went back in for another kiss…-.

The kisses came again and again without a chance to catch my breath, and eventually he moved from my lips to kissing down the side of my neck.

Kaede: “Until you really see me… I’ll never let you go.”

OO: “Kaede…!”

He grabbed both of my wrists and pushed me down onto the tatami mat.

Kaede: “Accept me…”

My heart waivered violently hearing the misery in his voice…

OO: “…”

I gave a tiny nod, and Kaede moved his hands to my chest.

OO: “Nn…”

He placed kisses along my bare skin.

Each time, I felt something overwhelmingly painful in them…

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Kaede: “You have a discerning eye… I painted that.”

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I fiercely wished that someday, I would get to see more of Kaede’s art that was similar to the painted screen.

END

Secret Story: When the Darkness Clears

Dealer 1: “Prince Kaede seems to have dried up.”

Dealer 2: “Then we need to hurry and take steps to make him aware of it so he’ll retire.”

Dealer 1: “It’s not a pretty thing for an artist whose talents have dried up to resist the inevitable.”

————————

The moment I overheard that conversation, something in me snapped…-.

After that, I put my heart and soul into my painting and was able to receive high praise from the gallery dealers.

And yet…-.

OO: “I’m sorry… it’s just that I like the piece you made before…”

(And yet, why do you reject the piece that I threw my entire being into…!?)

Kaede: “Until you really see me… I’ll never let you go.”

OO: “Kaede…!”

I forcefully grabbed her wrists and pushed her onto the tatami floor.

(…it’s all pointless if you don’t accept me.)

I had difficulty controlling my body from the lack of sleep.

Then I remembered OO’s smile when she saw my art….

(If I can’t get you to accept me, then I… my art is…)

No matter how many dealers praise me…

I couldn’t help but feel like my own art was filth when the pure OO rejected it.

Kaede: “Accept me…”

OO: “…”

She gave a tiny nod.

(…grab hold of my heart.)

I undid the ribbon at her breast and started to place kisses there.

OO: “Nn…”

She let out a small sound and I gasped in surprise.

Kaede: “OO…?”

I nervously raised my head and saw there were tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.

Kaede: “…”

I gently wiped the tears away with my finger.

OO: “Kaede…”

Kaede: “…I’m sorry.”

I slowly helped her sit up and held her, as if trying to cover her exposed chest.

(I’m… the worst. This heart is filthy… so I couldn’t paint anything other than what I did.)

The shame smashed my heart into pieces, and OO slowly wrapped her arms around me.

Kaede: “OO…? …!”

I found myself in shock again as I looked down to examine her expression.

(Such beauty…)

Her expression was completely open, and those crystalline eyes of hers reflected my own haggard appearance.

OO: “Kaede…”

My heart was a whirl with dark emotions, but her brightness shining on me felt purifying.

Kaede: “OO…”

OO: “That painting…”

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Kaede: “You have a discerning eye… I painted that.”

OO: “Just the painting alone gives the room a dignified and clear atmosphere… it’s quite amazing.”

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OO: “That painting… I love it.”

Kaede: “…”

From just those words, I knew what she was trying to tell me.

(…I’m such an idiot.)

Concerned for my health, OO had brought me food countless times.

She could have left it to a servant, but she likely had wanted to do it herself…

(This whole time, you’ve been trying to get close to me.)

I lightly wrapped my arm around her shoulder and placed a kiss on her eyelid.

Kaede: “…I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.”

OO: “Kaede…”

Her eyelids quivered as she gently placed a hand on my cheek.

OO: “I love your artwork Kaede. So…-“

Kaede: “I know.”

I slowly closed my eyes, focused on the sensation of her hand on my cheek.

Light would surely break through into that pitch black world…-.

Kaede: “…I want to paint you.”

OO: “Eh?”

Kaede: “I think I could paint something really good.”

I opened my eyes, and I saw her dazzling smile.

OO: “…sure!”

(The light of the sun…)

I was positive I could complete something that would brighten people’s hearts when they looked at it…

(Because you’re here with me.)

Like an overflowing light, the image of a new painting welled up inside my mind.

END