"Mmm…"
A soft murmur like that of a kitten slipped out. The girl's lashes cast delicate shadows against her cheeks, like butterfly wings dampened by spring mist. Warm sunlight filtered through sheer curtains and fell across her pretty face.
Nijika blinked groggily awake. The quilt slid off her fair shoulders, exposing a collarbone so delicate it looked sculpted by an artist. The morning sun's warmth against her skin told her it was already day.
Eh?
When… when did I fall asleep?
She pressed a hand to her burning cheek. Just recalling the memories of last night's ensemble made her heart pound wildly. The memories were too intense. After that, she had lost consciousness without realizing it…
"Sorry, did I wake you?"
A familiar, gentle voice drew her gaze.
She looked up to see a wooden paintbrush. Its tip, still gleaming with pigment, caught the light like a shard of a star. The boy with black hair tied in a low ponytail focused on the canvas before him, a warm smile playing at his handsome face.
Nijika stared in a daze, then her eyes flew wide.
"Haru?! You… you've been painting since this morning?"
"No, no, I usually sleep like a rock."
Kazami Haru waved a hand casually, then tilted his chin proudly. "So I didn't sleep at all. I spent the whole night admiring Nijika's sleeping face."
"Y-you didn't sleep?!"
She bolted upright, her slender frame glowing in the sunlight. Realizing how much she was showing, her face flamed and she ducked back under the quilt, leaving only her little head poking out.
"That's an all-nighter! No way, that's so bad for your health!"
"Don't worry. Thanks to you, I feel more awake than ever."
His teasing tone painted her cheeks red again. Just as she was about to insist he take care of himself, he raised his paintbrush and winked at her like a mischievous child showing off.
"But thanks to yesterday's efforts, I finally finished this."
Finished?
Nijika's eyes widened as she glanced at the easel.
"That painting… it's done?"
Curiosity and anticipation welled up inside her. She flushed as she reached for an oversized white men's shirt hanging on the wall. Slipping it on, it draped over her petite frame like a winter coat.
Her eyes sparkled. Her voice trembled. "Can I… see it?"
"Of course. This portrait is for you, Nijika. You're the true owner of this painting. Isn't it only natural that you should see it?"
Smiling, Haru set the brush aside. He gently drew her closer by the waist, letting her view the canvas more directly.
Her eyes widened.
A brilliant cosmos unfurled across the canvas like an ideal paradise. Golden hair shone as if scattering stardust, crimson eyes blazed like phoenix feathers, and her radiant smile was captured with strokes so fine it seemed eternal.
"…"
Nijika didn't understand the world of art, yet even as an ordinary person she felt its impact.
The Nijika on the canvas was so beautiful she could scarcely believe it was herself. Each strand of golden hair was painted with exquisite care. It was as if she truly stood beneath a vast starry sky, beholding the splendor of the world.
"So pretty…"
The words slipped out as a whisper. She could not find any others.
Haru only smiled faintly and tapped her cheek with a finger smeared with gold and blue paint, leaving a playful mark.
"The painting is nothing compared to the real thing."
"That's not true! It's amazing… I can't even explain it, it's so powerful… so powerful that I lost consciousness just looking at it…"
She stumbled over her words in fluster, while Haru only looked more content.
His earlier work "Summer" was precious to him, yet he felt no need to compare it to this new portrait. Each painting carried its own weight of love and feeling, existing independently.
"In any case, it's finished."
"Now, as the true owner of this painting, I'll ask the great Nijika to give it a name."
Her eyes widened again. The weight of the request struck her like a shock.
"M-me?!"
"I can't do that! I'm not qualified…"
"This is your portrait. Who else but you should name it?"
His amused gaze made it clear he would not budge. Knowing his nature, Nijika realized she had no way out. Swallowing nervously, she looked at the painting with the most serious expression of her life.
What name should I give it?
The question froze her mind. The moment she saw it, all she could feel was boundless beauty and awe. No words came to her.
"…"
After a long pause, she sighed softly.
"No matter how hard I think, I just can't name it…"
She lifted her hand, then stopped, afraid to smudge the canvas. Folding her hands behind her back, she smiled gently, then glanced playfully at Haru.
"Decided. I won't give it a name at all!"
No name?
"…Untitled?"
Haru tilted his head, then smiled.
Since the painting was for her, of course the choice was hers. But he could not resist a little mischief.
"After working all night, I'm exhausted. Doesn't Nijika have a reward for me?"
"Eh——"
Blushing, she furrowed her brows in mock reproach, then softened. With a shy smile, she leaned closer, lips parting slightly.
Click
The door creaked open. Yahata Umiri stood at the entrance, black hair cascading down, her face beautiful but weary, dark circles under her eyes.
Her gaze flickered at the sight before her.
"Not done yet? Then I'll come back later."
"W-wait! Umiri-chan, it's not what it looks like…"
Nijika tried to explain, but quickly noticed her friend's fatigue. Concern softened her tone.
"Umiri-chan, are you okay?"
"Ah, this? I just didn't sleep much last night. No big deal." She pointed at her dark circles, her cool expression twisting into wry amusement. "Though next time, if you could keep the noise down, that'd help."
"Wahhh!!!"
Nijika's mortified cry rang through Haru's house.
…
Time seemed to skip forward with the rhythm of her mood.
The next day, Saturday, arrived. With a whole day free during the holiday, most bands used the chance to prepare for upcoming lives. But the leader of Ave Mujica had boldly taken leave.
"Haru~"
The cheerful voice rang out, drawing Haru's eyes to the station clock where he waited. A flash of ocean blue rushed into his arms, carrying a sweet fragrance that filled his nose.
So soft.
That was Haru's first thought.
"Sorry to keep you waiting~"
The one clinging to him was none other than Togawa Sakiko, the so-called Togawa heiress. Lifting her head, her stunning face glowed with a coral blush. Expectation and joy radiated from her eyes.
Amused by her excitement, Haru teased, "Sakiko-san, you look like you've been waiting for this."
"Of course I have!"
Clenching a fist, Sakiko made no effort to hide her quirks. She stepped back slightly, pressing her hand to her chest. Her amber eyes shone with sincerity as she looked straight at him.
"There's not a single girl in this world who wouldn't look forward to a date with the person she loves most!"
That's so like you.
Haru could feel the stares of passersby burning into him. A dazzling beauty declaring her love on a busy street was like firing a Kamehameha into an anthill, exploding envy and jealousy everywhere.
But Sakiko's inner chuunibyou spirit was blazing bright. She could declare such embarrassing lines with confidence.
"Haru?!"
Before she could finish her next dramatic phrase, he grabbed her hand.
"I can't wait any longer. Let's begin right now."
"Our date..."