Chapter 18: Sora the Exiled

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

Aika arrived at the exhibit installed on the wall to the right of the entrance.

It seemed that some of the guests’ collections were also on display, and among them were people negotiating to acquire certain pieces. For the wealthy, it must have been a delightful diversion.

“Which one is it… Ah, that one.”

Aika adorably pointed to a painting. It depicted a lighthouse atop a cliff and the sea below. With its soft tones and rounded contours, it left a strong impression. The motorcycle painting from the night before had been a faithful rendering of what she had seen, but this one, Ginji felt, had been deliberately filtered through “Aika Shiki's” unique sensibilities.

“Heh…”

“What do you think, Sensei?”

Sakakibara placed a hand on his chin, stood directly in front of the painting, and examined it. His expression was dead serious, and he spent well over a minute observing it.

“Aika. This painting is wonderful.”

“Really?! I'm so happy! I tried to be thoughtful about the color—”

“Technically speaking, yes.”

Sakakibara looked sharply at Aika. It wasn't accusatory, but it wasn't praise either.

That nuance was contained in his gaze. Behind Aika, Sora raised her head and focused her attention on Sakakibara.

“Is there something lacking?”

“Oh no, I don't mean to criticize. I'm not good at that. But I do have a question. What did you want to depict with this painting?”

“The sea. As I mentioned earlier, I painted it to study how to express water.”

“There's nothing to study… nothing to learn. Yes, it's a beautiful wave. The perspective also emphasizes the sea. It's unmistakably a seascape.”

Sakakibara gestured dramatically to indicate the painting. Aika and Sora both looked puzzled, not grasping his intent.

“In that case…”

“And yet, the most beautiful part of this painting is the lighthouse. That lighthouse, which looks like it was added just to fill space, is the most beautiful element. Aika, didn't you really want to paint the lighthouse? There's a contradiction between what you could paint and what you wanted to paint.”

Ginji was impressed. He could easily imagine that the lighthouse, added by Aika herself, was where her brush truly came alive—more than the sea Sora had her paint. But for someone to deduce that intention just by looking at the painting… true professionals are terrifying. Though Aika had been pointed out, she turned her head to the side with an embarrassed hand on her cheek.

“As expected of you, Sensei. I've been found out. I was trying to work on the water, but couldn't get satisfied with it and ended up focusing on the lighthouse. How embarrassing.”

This girl's scary, Ginji sighed inwardly. Not for a second did she falter—she immediately switched to using her forte: acting cute and using her charm.

Sakakibara walked over to Aika with a smile that revealed nothing of his emotions.

“No need to worry. That contradiction is part of your charm. I'm looking forward to the next one. I'll be in Japan for work a few more months.”

“Yes, I'll make sure to show you something that earns your approval next time.”

“Don't push yourself too hard. Art is meant to be free. You have to enjoy it. Well then, bye~.”

As soon as Sakakibara was out of sight, Aika, still smiling, spoke in an icy voice.

“Sora, come with me.”

“Eek…”

Though Aika stood out, she naturally made her way out of the venue while exchanging polite greetings, heading toward the hallway.

The two of them moved to a spot hidden by a pillar, and Ginji hid behind some decorative plants.

“What were you thinking? Making me look bad like that.”

Aika brought her face close to the shrinking Sora.

“S-sorry. I really did put effort into expressing the waves…”

“My reputation as an artist can't be tarnished. It can't be helped. Maybe we've reached the limit of how well you can mimic me. From now on, I'll paint the pieces shown to Sensei or entered in contests myself—or find someone more capable.”

“…That might be best.”

“Useless to the end, huh? …Well, I'll still leave the school chores to you. Hey, ugly little Sora, do you know why I kept you by my side all these years?”

“…?”

“You have nothing now. Your looks, your art, your studies—they've all been transformed into my time. That's why there's nothing left in you. Do you get it? You've wasted years you'll never get back.”

“What are you saying? I-I don't understand. Helping you didn't change anything for me…”

“Good. Then it's fine. If you've gained nothing, then that's perfect. You're of no use to me anymore. Honestly, I'm starting to have more dealings with men, and your look has become an eyesore. But I'll tell you this—everything you've done for me meant nothing. It didn't have to be you. You were disposable to me. Just a worthless little Sora.”

“I… I really did try hard to help…”

“Sure you did. And it was all for nothing. Well then, I'll be heading back to the venue. Oh, you may be useless as a tool, but I'll still keep you around as a toy—so look forward to that.”

With a refreshed expression, Aika returned to the venue. Ginji stepped in front of the frozen Sora.

“…What are you doing, Ginji?”

Still looking down, Sora spoke in a trembling voice.

“Sorry. I heard everything.”

“I see. Good for me, huh? Now I don't have to paint Aika-chan's art anymore. Or do any of her chores… All the things I did—they were all meaningless…”

Speaking cheerfully, Sora's voice faltered. Ginji roughly pulled her into an embrace.

“It wasn't meaningless. You worked hard. You gave your all to something unreasonable. No matter what Shiki says—I respect you.”

“…Okay.”

“It's going to be fine. Leave it to me.”

“Guh, uuh… Uwaaaaaahhhhh!”

Clutching Ginji's suit, Sora cried out loudly. Ginji said nothing and held her close until she stopped sobbing.