"... Change Madarame's Heart…?"
The group had been left befuddled by this new information as they witnessed Nakonohara vanish into a familiar blue light; all that had been left behind by Nakonohara had been a strange blue sphere.
"... He wants us to change the heart of that guy?" Gunslinger said, "An old artist?"
"...But---He can't be as evil as he say… Can he?" Crescent asked.
"Let's think about that later---" Skull said, "---What's that shiny thing?"
Mona smiled as he laughed with confidence, "That is a bud of treasure! If we left it the way it was, it would've blossomed into a Palace.
This time the group looked shocked by this. "This little thing?" Gunslinger said.
"Never judge a book by its cover." Mona said.
Joker soon snatched it from the air before they looked at the object; it looked to be a pearl necklace.
"To think such a small item, would've made a Palace…" Kiku said stunned.
"So we definitely changed that guy's heart, right?" Skull said, "How are we supposed to know if it worked?"
"I'm sure we'll see the results soon enough, now that we have access to the Phansite." Morgana said.
"Well the lady did post his name online." Gunslinger said, "If he did change, she'll most likely comment again."
"He has a good point." Wolf said.
"So---I guess with this, we can just sell it like we did the medal?" Crescent said
"Looks that way." Dayzer said. "Still---What do you think that guy meant when he was talking about Madarame?"
"I don't know… But it sounded concerning." Kiku said.
Ren soon placed his hand on her shoulder, "We can look into it after the tests, for now we should get back home."
"Hold on a second---" Mona said stopping them, "---We just have one more stop to make."
"Huh?" Skull said confused, "There's more."
Mona soon smiled, "Don't worry, it won't take long!"
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The group journeyed below thanks to the stairs that were provided in the Mementos. When they had gotten below the stairs they found themselves entering the subway station. Though at the end of the station itself… Looked to be a strange wall that had been glowing red.
The group minus Mona had been taken back by it.
"What---Is that?" Joker asked.
"It looks… Kinda creepy." Panther said.
"Like something out of a----" Dayzer started to say as he pondered before---
"---Tim Burton Film!" Dayzer and Crescent said in unison before they turned to each other, "Jinx!"
"Oh good lord…" Gunslinger said as he slapped himself in the face.
"It's… A dead end?" Kiku said.
"Should this even exist?" Skull asked.
"Now wait a minute--" Mona said, as he stepped to the wall, "---Just watch. This is most likely not an ordinary wall." He soon reached his paw out, "If my hunch is correct…"
The moment he placed his paw on the wall, the whole world seemed to shake suddenly. Before their eyes the wall suddenly opened up, revealing a new set of stairs that had descended further into the strange world of Mementos.
"It opened up?!" Wolf said, shocked.
Each of their phones suddenly let out a notification ping. That's when they heard a voice from the MetaVerse Navigator itself.
"A new area has been confirmed in the depths. Updating guidance information."
"New Area?" The group said they were confused.
"AHHA!" Mona cheered, "It's just as I thought! It opened!"
"What do you mean?" Joker asked.
"That wall wouldn't budge when I came here by myself before." Mona explained, "But it would be weird for the deepest part of Mementos to be some normal place like this, wouldn't it?"
"So… You were thinking there's gotta be more?" Skull asked.
"Yup!" Mona said, "With Kamoshida's Palace gone and people actually starting to talk about us, I knew something had to have changed down here!"
"Should we try going further down?" Panther asked.
"Seems like we should, right?" Gunslinger said.
"Let's not." Mona said, "That's not why we're here today, remember? We've already accomplished our goal. We should head back, and I'll be able to explain more." He soon hopped down, "Now come on, let's go home."
The group looked at one another before they started to move. Though---
"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Dayzer exclaimed, "Where's Harukaze and Momodu?!"
"Huh!?" The group exclaimed as they noticed---The chicken and rooster wasn't in the duffle bag.
"Ehh?! You mean those birds?!" Gunslinger exclaimed, "Where would they go in this place?!"
"Hell if I know!" Dayzer exclaimed.
"Oh damn it! That's just great!" Mona said. "You had to take those birdbrains..."
"YOU KNOW FULLY WELL THEY SNUCK IN THE BAG!" Dayzer shouted as he started to dart around in the area and even on the tracks. "MOMODU! HARUMI! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"Dayzer look!" Crescent said as he pointed to the stairs. They looked over and saw Harukaze and Momodu hopping down the stairs and stepped over towards Dayzer.
"Were they---Up the stairs?" Wolf asked.
"What were they doing up there?" Skull asked.
Dayzer immediately ran to them as he gave them a huge hug. "Guys! Thank GOD you're okay! Don't EVER scare me like that again!!"
"Cluck, cluck!" Harumi said.
"Bawk! Bawk!" Momodu said.
Dayzer couldn't help but hug them harder as he said with tears, "MY SWEET SWEET BABIES!"
"Oh brother.." Mona said
"Tell me about it." Gunslinger added as he rolled his eyes, "But glad they're not dead I guess…"
The Fowl gave Gunslinger a look. Though to his own surprise, Harumi hopped up in his arms making Gunslinger turn red. "Wha-Wha-Wha-What, what's she doing!?"
"Awww, she's cuddling! That means she likes you now!" Dayzer said
"WHAT?!" Gunslinger exclaimed as Harumi happily clucked, "T-THA-THA--I---WHAT?!"
"Are you embarrassed?" Kiku asked.
"N-NO! THAT'S STUPID!!" Gunslinger shouted with his face still red, "WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?!"
"Dude, you don't gotta be embarrassed." Skull said.
"I'm so proud of ya man!" Dayzer said with a smile, "They're finally starting to warm up to ya!"
Gunslinger looked too stunned to even speak before he turned and started to stomp away---Though he was still carrying Harumi.
"WHA-WHATEVER! LE-LET'S JUST GO HOME ALREADY!!" Gunslinger shouted.
"... He's still holding the chicken." Kiku pointed out.
"He really is." Joker said, stunned.
"He's actually kind of cute when he's like that." Panther said.
"CU-CUTE?!" Mona shrieked, "THAT GUY?!"
Dayzer only smiled as he said "And he said he hates them--Look now."
Gunslinger flinched when he overheard that as he just kept walking, unknown to him, Harumi only clucked happily on his arm. The group soon ventured up the stairs, exiting the Mementos world.
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Once they exited the Mementos they all decided to take a breather at the entrance of the train station. Neither of them couldn't even believe what they had witnessed or what they experienced.
"Mementos huh…?" Ryuji said as he had been drinking a soda he had bought, "I still don't really get that place."
"Me neither." Haruto said as he fixed his glasses, "And I just witnessed it."
"Hey Morgana---" Ren son said as Morgana had been sitting on the bench with Kiku, "---That wall you took us to, what even was that?"
"To be honest---" Morgana said, "---I'm not entirely sure myself. All I do know is it blocked us from going past a certain depth. If the Mementos is the public's Palace… It might be affected by the general public's belief in us."
"Huh, So maybe we do some side missions and people would believe us?" Dide asked.
"...That's actually the smartest thing you could ever say." Morgana said.
"WHAT?! WHY YOU--" Dide was as he was about to get his mask, only for Ann to stop him
"I think it was a complement." Ann said nervously
"I KNEW THAT!" Dide exclaimed as he immediately put his arms up in the air.
"Wow, what a quick reaction." Ryuji said.
"Mo-chan---" Kiku soon said, "---How come you know so much about that place?"
Morgana flinched before his expression softened, "... My memories are a little foggy in that regard. However… I need to know what lies in the depths of Mementos, no matter what."
"What do you mean by that?" Kai asked.
"The Mementos is not just everyone's Palace---" Morgana said, "---It's the source of ALL Palaces. It used to be that Palaces like Kamoshida's with one ruler simply didn't exist. So if we can do something about the greatest cause of distortions, I'm certain my appearance will…!"
"... Return to human?" Kiku finished for him.
"I think I get it---" Shiro said as he sat at Kiku's feet, "---You wanted someone to save you too." He soon smiled, "I get that feeling too Morgana."
Morgana's ears perked up, "Really?"
"Yeah---Granted I know I'm born a dog, but I've had my own version of what you wanted." Shiro said, "It's how I met Kiku-chan."
"Oh you're talking about that time?" Kiku said.
The group looked a bit confused, "What time?" Ren asked.
"Well---" Haruto said as he started to explain, "---Back when we were still out on the streets, we stumbled upon an old dog fighting ring. Shiro was the only dog left since he was the smallest."
The group looked shocked by this.
"Dog fighting!? As in, they make dogs fight!?" Ryuji said.
"That's horrible!" Ann added.
"More than that! That's scum!" Dide added as Momodu clucked with rage.
"At first--Shiro wasn't all too friendly." Kiku said, "He just tucked himself in the corner of the cage, and tried to bite Haruto-san and I when we tried to pet him. But---I refused to leave him. So one day I scrounged whatever money I could, and bought a rice ball filled with pork."
"She held it up to my nose and let me sniff it." Shiro soon added, "And when I started to eat it, I felt her hand touch my head." He soon recalled the memory, as they noticed he looked content, "... It was the first time in my life that I've ever felt warmth from another human being. I never got to know it when I was puppy because of what I was put through. Though when I met Kiku-chan… I realized I was just looking for someone to help me." He soon poked Morgana affectionately as he said, "It's the same for you too, right Mo-chan?"
"D-D-Don't get the wrong idea!" Morgana said as he looked embarrassed, "I just needed pawns, that's all!"
"Though I guess that's why you're pokin' your nose around us." Ryuji said.
"Morgana--I'll help you regain what you've lost." Ann said.
"Me too." Ren added.
Morgana looked stunned by this and even looked at Shiro taking in the story he was told. He soon sighed as he said, "I'll---Be relying on you guys."
"Looking forward to it." Dide said as he gave him a pat causing Morgana to purr with a satisfying tone.
"H-Hey,K-knock it off!" Morgana said. "The only person who can do that is--" he purred again as he said. "Damn it, how are you this good?"
"Learned it in an animal hospital tv show." Dide told him
"How many shows have you been in?!" Ryuji said, shocked.
"Enough to rival most celebs." Dide told him.
"Oh yeah that feels SO nice on the ears!" Morgana said as he looked to be content.
"Uh--" Shiro said, noticing how Morgana was looking, "---Is he supposed to look like he's drunk on affection?"
"It's better than scaring him all the time." Dide said.
"Yo-you're not that bad." Morgana said. "--a little bit more."
"Good lord." Kai couldn't help but say.
"A little lower---" Morgana said.
Dide rolled his eyes as he went down his neck.
"Lower---"
Dide groaned as he went to his stomach.
"Low---"
"I am NOT going any lower." Dide soon told him firmly, cutting the cat off.
"HUH?!" Morgana shrieked, "BUT WHY?!"
"YOU KNOW WHY." Dide said as he got up. "YOU MADE IT WEIRD YOU STUPID CAT!!"
"Annnd that's gone out the window…" Ren said.
Dide got his mask as he shouted "OGGA BOOGGA BOOGA!"
"MEROOW!" Morgana screeched as he jumped into Kiku's arms before hissing at him.
"Dide-san, do you have to be so mean to Mo-chan?" Kiku said.
"Someone's gotta give tough love to the guy." Dide said.
"Don't you think that's too much tough love?" Ann asked.
"I don't know what you mean." Dide said with an innocent smile.
"... You're gonna get karma later, you know that right?" Kai said.
"Pfft, you say that now." Dide said, "But that kind of thing just doesn't happen to me!"
"It's gonna get you eventually." Ren said before he started to walk, "Come on we gotta study session to get to."
Thus the group headed over to Ann's apartment, taking the train before they stopped running for the night.
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-The Next Day; After School-
It had been the day after the exams, and mentally speaking? The teens were just exhausted. They had all met up at the train station soon after the school let out; each of them looked pretty much defeated.
"It's over…" Ryuji said as he slumped over.
"... It's over…" Haruto said looking like he had seen war.
"IT'S OVER…" Kiku said as she had been in a fetal position on the floor.
"Finally--" Dide said.
"Why are YOU complaining?" Kai asked. "You're smart enough.."
"When you become a third year--come back to me." Dide told him.
"Geez, at least I know the older years had it tough..." Ann said.
Kiku only grasped her head as she groaned and couldn't help but cry, "I know it's only been a day but I can't bear the thought of seeing my score! What if I don't even make it on the list?!"
"There Kiku-san." Ren said, as he patted her back, "You'll be able to pass I'm sure."
"For now I'd say this calls for some grub." Ryuji said. "What are you in the mood for?!"
"Maybe some Sukiyaki?" Dide asked.
"Not EVERYONE can afford Wagyu, Dide." Kai said. "If you ask me, How about a burger?"
"We had burgers last week." Haruto said.
"... But---" Ann said, "---Even if we did want to go out, we spent it all on those late night snacks remember?"
Dide let out a horrified gasp, "SHIT YOU'RE RIGHT!!" He soon put himself in the corner as he looked depressed, "... WHY DID I GIVE INTO MY GUILTY PLEASURE OF THE CANDY…"
"Uh, you gonna be okay dude?" Ryuji asked.
Dide replied as he kept his eyes to the wall, "After my next paycheck..."
"Seriously Dide…?" Kai said as he shook his head.
"Well, we'll know the results by next week, anyway." Haruto said, before he opened his phone, "Let's take our mind off of our---Post test day."
"What are you looking at?" Ren asked.
"The website." Haruto replied as he started to look through the forum, "Something about what that guy said unsettled me."
"You mean about Madarame?" Ren said, "Did you find anything?"
"That's the thing. I checked it over a bunch of times." Haruto replied, "There's not really any useful information. No one even mentions Madarame. Not to mention the posts on the phansite are getting less and less."
"So what?" Kai said, "You think Madarame could have a palace?"
"Well no that's not what I'm saying." Haruto replied, "Even if he doesn't, I think we should see what the guy was talking about."
Kai sighed as he scratched the back of his head, "Come on aren't you being a bit paranoid?"
Haruto sighed, "I don't know maybe---" He soon fixed his glasses, "---It's just, ever since I stayed in that house, I always had gotten this… Feeling when it comes to other people. I just want to make sure we do a thorough check."
Kiku couldn't help but think back to the dream she had as the others pondered themselves. She couldn't help but feel as though the dream and what the man had said had been connected somehow. She had to admit, she wanted to find answers.
It was then she realized something.
"Oh---The passes!" She said as she rummaged through her skirt pocket.
"What's that?" Ren asked.
She soon got out the art exhibit passes. "Maybe we should confirm if he really was telling the truth." Kiku said, "Let's go to the exhibit tomorrow and see for ourselves."
"Seriously?" Ryuji said shocked, "But the guy's a harmless old man isn't he?"
"True---but given what that guy said in Mementos.." Dide said.
"... I'm kind of curious myself." Ann said, "What if he was telling the truth?"
"I couldn't agree more…" Ren admitted, "In any case, I agree with Kiku-san. We should go and confirm it."
Kiku couldn't help but smile at this before Kai sighed. "Fine." He said, "I guess we're doing this then… Not like the kind of art a guy like him produces interests me anyway…"
The teens couldn't help but look at him shocked at this. "What?" Kai said, confused.
"Sorry---" Ann said, "---It's just shocking coming from you."
"Yeah, aren't you an artist?" Ryuji asked.
"Yeah---But that doesn't mean I'm into Fine Arts." Kai stated, "Not to mention---I don't like to gloat about it."
"Just say, you like art, that's all." Dide said "No need to beat around the bush."
Kai flinched as he said "H-Hey! Who said I was?!"
"Wow---" Ann said, "---That's actually really cool of you Kai-kun."
Kai's face turned even redder at this comment. "I-I-IT'S NOTHING REALLY!" Kai shouted startling Ann a bit, "I-I MEAN IT'S NOT COOL! BUT IF YOU THINK IT THEN IT'S FINE!!!"
Ann only laughed awkwardly at this while Dide couldn't help but facepalm himself. "Good lord, dude.."
"OH SHUT UP LIKE YOU'RE ANY BETTER WITH YOUR OWN CRUSH!!" Kai yelled, this time Dide ended up turning red.
"Y-YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH ABOUT THAT!!" Dide yelled.
"WHEN YOU STOP TEASING ME, YA HYPOCRITE!!" Kai yelled.
"GEEZ ANNOUNCE THAT TO THE WORLD, WHY DON'T YA?!" Dide exclaimed.
The rest of them couldn't help but watch this awkwardly as Kai and Dide continued to argue.
"... I think we should leave them be." Ren said.
"Agreed." Ryuji said.
"Yeah." Haruto said.
"...Boys.." Ann said as she shook her head.
Thus, without Kai or Dide noticing, they quickly left them to bicker. Morgana, who had been hanging out in Ren's bag the whole time, couldn't help but comment on them with only one word.
"... Idiots."
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The next day they headed over to the Madarame exhibit and needless to say---They were a bit taken aback by how crowded it was. Everyone had gathered to see the paintings on display, and some even bought the pieces.
Needless to say however---
---A certain redhead had been overwhelmed. The whole time she was hiding behind Ren. Kiku had been wearing a casual pullover hoodie with Rilakkuma on the front and even a couple of bear ears on the hood itself; she even wore a pair of short jeans with black leggings and casual sneakers. She had been carrying her sketchbook though held it close to her chest.
"Man---It's so crowded." Morgana said.
"A lot of people REALLY like this guy." Kai said with disdain as he had been wearing a varsity jacket with a black muscle top and jeans.
"I see---some familiar faces." Dide said as he had a hoodie to hide his face and hair though---
"You already have the hood and hair, why the hell do you need that mask for?" Kai asked.
As it turns out---Dide had been wearing a fox mask over his face, despite the fact he had his hood covering it.
"Seriously, that makes you look like a thug." Kai pointed out.
"Well you would rather have the Paparazzi invading this event?" Dide asked.
"Don't you think you're overdoing it with the mask?" Ryuji asked, "People might get the wrong idea."
"Oh relax, it's not like people are gonna mistake me for an actual thug." Dide said. Though just as he did---
"IT'S A THUG!" A Security Officer yelled.
"GET HIM!" Another shouted.
Dide flinched as he said "Damn it!" He soon made a break for it as the security officers chased after him. "I'll meet up later!"
"... At one point did he think that would actually work?" Morgana couldn't help but ponder aloud as this time he was on Kiku's shoulder.
"How should I know?" Kai said.
"I told him it was a bad idea." Ren said as he shook his head.
"Hey heads up---" Haruto said, noticing someone familiar approaching, "---Kitagawa's coming over here."
Yusuke soon approached the group as Morgana quickly hid himself in Kiku's cat backpack she was carrying.
"It's you two!" Yusuke said as he approached Kiku and Ann, "You came afterall!"
"Y-Yeah." Ann said awkwardly.
"We're---Here?" Kiku added with an awkward smile.
He soon noticed the guys as to their own surprise---His tone of voice actually changed as he said, "... You came."
"THAT TONE AGAIN?!" Kai shouted.
"Wow---He really does have a type…" Ryuji said.
"What a perv…" Morgana said in the bag, making Kiku nudge her backpack a little.
Yusuke soon noticed that Dide wasn't among them, "Shouldn't there be more of you?"
"Uh, well he---" Ren started to explain until---
---Dide suddenly returned, this time he wore a baseball cap and a facemask and he looked to be catching his breath.
"Dide?!" Ren said, a bit shocked, "Wait, how did you lose security!?"
"And---When did you get that cap and mask?" Kai asked.
Dide soon said as he caught his breath, "I know a guy. And---I basically lost em at a roundabout."
"Oh… You're here too." Yusuke said with a look making Dide flinch.
"Wait, you know who I am already?!" Dide exclaimed.
Yusuke looked confused before Kai and Ryuji gave Dide a smack on the head making him jump. Dide realized what he was saying before he stated awkwardly, "Oh right---I mean---What's with that tone, bro!?"
"You really expect anyone not to know who you are with that juvenile disguise?" Yusuke asked.
"Well Fuck you too." Dide said
"Weren't you the one that gave us tickets wiseass…?" Kai said as his eyes twitched.
"Make sure that you don't get in the way of the other visitors." Yusuke told the boys in particular as Kai and Dide both looked stunned. He soon turned to Ann and Kiku, "Come now, I'll show you around. And if it's alright Takamaki-san, I'd like to speak more about the picture I'd like to draw."
"O-Oh, sure." Ann said.
"Tha-thanks Kitagawa-san." Kiku said.
Thus the two girls left with Yusuke leaving the others stunned.
"... That fucking guy---" Kai said as he looked ready to punch something.
Dide added as he had an angry smile, "He's really pushing it."
"Guys, guys---" Ren said calmly as he noticed their aura's, "--Bring it back to a two please."
"Are we sure that guy isn't gonna do anything weird to 'em?" Ryuji asked.
"Even if he does---Kiku's got Mo-chan with them." Haruto said, "So it should be fine."
"Then---What do we do?" Ryuji asked.
"I guess we just wander." Ren said.
The group shrugged before they started to head into the gallery. Though---
"Wait---Ryuji said, "---Which way are we supposed to start?"
The group froze up a bit. "Um---" Kai said looking around, "---Is there supposed to be a pathway or---?"
"Oh I see it." Dide said before he went left. "Right this way."
"Are you sure?" Ren asked.
"Positive! I've been to these things before in America. Just like MoMA" Dide told them.
"Alright---We're trusting you." Haruto said.
The group started to walk forward through the gallery. Though not before they noticed Madarame nearby. "Hey--Check it out." Ryuji said as they looked over.
"We continue to be truly surprised by your imagination." An Interviewer said, "You have such an expansive style, it's hard to believe that it all stems from one person… Where in the world does all your inspiration come from?"
"Well---" Madarame said, "---It is rather difficult to put into words… They naturally well up from within my heart like bubbles rising one after another in the spring."
"Naturally, you say?"
"What's important is to distance oneself from worldly desires such as money and fame. My atelier is a modest shack, more than enough to pursue true beauty."
Ryuji couldn't help but flinch at the term. "... A shack…?" He said.
"What is it Ryuji-san?" Ren asked.
"It's just---" Ryuji started to say before they heard the reporter again.
"I see…" The Interviewer said, "... So the act of emptying one's mind gives rise to inner beauty. Still to think we could hear the word 'shack' coming from the great artist Madarame."
Madarame chuckled, "You would understand if you saw it."
Just then the boys could hear several people around them.
"That's Madarame for you!"
"Madarame?! He's here!?"
"I'm so glad I came on opening day!"
"Quick! We must shake his hand!"
Soon enough, the boys were startled when a crowd of people practically stampeded towards Madarame, causing them to get caught in a sea of people as they shrieked.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Kai exclaimed.
"HEY, QUIT SHOVING!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"HELP I'M DROWNING!" Haruto exclaimed.
"Ow! That's my foot!" Ren exclaimed.
"Qu-Quick get to the exi--OH SHIT!" Kai exclaimed before he found himself tumbling out of the crowd---
---Knocking over Dide in the process.
"... Ow, my back." Kai groaned.
"Ow, my everything." Dide moaned.
Kai and Dide looked to notice---They were in a very awkward position. That being Kai was under Dide, as it looked like he was pinning him. Immediately they recovered and got 5 feet from each other as they immediately raised their hands.
"...Never speak of this again?" Dide asked.
"What happens in the gallery stays in the gallery." Kai stated.
The two shook on it with an awkward expression, before they soon recovered. "Crap--" Kai said as he looked around, "---Looks like we're further in the gallery."
"That crowd really swept all of us away." Dide said as he got up." I hope Ren and the others are alright, let's circle around and meet em at the entrance."
"Right." Kai said.
Thus the two of them went along the path… Or at least that's how it would've been, if Kai didn't notice a couple of paintings.
A few of them had been landscapes, but as they had been further down the line, he noticed that some of them looked to be… Abstract. It was an odd and sudden transition. That wasn't even the weirdest thing… And it struck a chord with Kai.
"Kai, what is it?" Dide asked.
"... Dide---You've seen my style…" Kai said suddenly, "... Despite me drawing different things… You know my way of drawing doesn't change."
Dide couldn't help but look confused, "... Yes?"
"Then…" Kai said looking at the line of paintings, "... Wouldn't it be the same case for Madarame?"
"Where are you going with this?" He asked.
"... He should have a constant way of drawing or painting…" Kai said before he gestured to the paintings and stated one thing.
"... Yet each one of them… It was painted differently."
Dide looked at the paintings as he soon saw it. From the strokes, composition, to even the details in each one… They had a distinctive style…. Not one was constant.
Dide couldn't help but back up as he was stunned at the sight.
All he could do was ask one thing.
"... Why are they different?"
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Kiku and Ann were stunned by the sight of the various paintings. Honestly Kiku didn't know what to think as she had been awestruck with them.
"I didn't know there were so many types of Japanese art." She heard Ann say.
"Me neither." Kiku said, "They're so many different ones here."
"Usually one concentrates on their own style." Yusuke explained, "However, Sensei creates all this by himself. He's special." He soon turned to Kiku, "I found inspiration in a piece of his when it comes to drawing, perhaps you can find one here too."
"Hu-huh?" Kiku said embarrassed, as she twiddled her thumbs "I--I don't know if I would reach that far. I mean I've thought about it before but---"
"Please, there's no need to be modest." Yusuke said, "You certainly have the talent for it."
"Are your drawings really that good?" Ann asked as she leaned over.
Kiku's face turned red before she couldn't help but hide her face with her hood. "Aww Kiku-chan, there's no need to be embarrassed." Ann said as she patted her back.
"Yeah! Who knows? Maybe we can see some of your works up there for display." Yusuke suggested.
Kiku immediately shook her head, "I think I might just die of embarrassment alone from that…"
"Uchiyama-san?"
Kiku flinched before she looked over, noticing a familiar young teen. It was her classmate, Mirai Kazuyuki.
"Kazuyuki-kun!" Kiku said surprised.
Mirai looked a bit startled, yet a surprise was written on his face, "Uchiyama-san?"
Mirai walked over as they noticed he still had his hood over his head. "Hey--" Ann said, recognizing him, "---You're from the station aren't you?"
Mirai suddenly looked a little nervous, "H-Hi."
"Kazuyuki-san--" Yusuke soon said, "---I didn't think you would come today."
Kiku and Ann looked surprised by this.
"You know each other?" Ann asked.
"He's another student that's studying with me." Yusuke explained, "Though I didn't think you two would know each other, Uchiyama-san."
"He's in my class." Kiku explained, "We only started talking recently." She soon turned to him, "Still it's good to see you. I didn't think you'd be into this kind of thing."
"Y-Yeah." Mirai said nervously, before his expression softened, "Madarame-sensei insisted…"
Kiku noticed something off about his expression as he looked to be… In pain. "Kazuyuki-kun? What's wrong?"
Before Mirai could say anything---They soon heard Madrame.
"Mirai, Yusuke, there you are." He said as he approached them.
"Sensei!" Yusuke and Mirai both said, though Kiku noticed that Mirai looked especially nervous.
"Oh?" Madarame said noticing Ann and Kiku, "You two are the girls from yesterday. Are you enjoying the exhibit?"
"Y-Yes sir." Kiku replied, "It's really lovely."
"I don't know how to put it into words…" Ann said, "... But it's really amazing."
"You're both sensing something from the artwork." Madarame said with a smile, "That alone is enough to give us artists satisfaction. I hope this becomes a wonderful piece Yusuke." He soon turned to Kiku, noticing her sketchbook in hand. "Ah, are you an artist too young lady?"
Kiku flinched at this before he extended a hand. "May I see?"
"Oh!" She said as she immediately put her sketchbook behind her back, "T-T-They're not very good!"
Madarame looked surprised, before he gave a laugh, "It is just as Yusuke has told me, you're modest. But I understand if you don't want to show me right away." He soon bowed, "Well then, if you'll excuse me."
With that, he soon left the small group, as Kiku could see that Mirai had been more at ease. "Kazu---" She started to say before Ann spoke up.
"You'd imagine artists would be difficult to approach… But he seems really friendly." Ann said, "Right Kiku-chan?"
"H-huh?" She said as she seemed to lose her train of thought, "Y-Yeah, your right Ann-chan."
"Everything alright?"
"Y-yeah, I've just never talked to a famous artist before, so it's a bit overwhelming."
"Yeah…Overwhelming…" Mirai said as his expression softened.
Ann soon noticed a painting of an abstract landscape just behind Mirai, as her expression brightened. "This is it!" She said, "The painting I wanted to see in person!"
Yusuke looked surprised, "... This one?"
"Wow…" Kiku said stunned, as she looked to the painting, "... This is on a whole different level."
"Y-yeah." Yusuke said as he averted his eyes from the painting. Kiku soon noticed this, "Kitagawa-san?"
"I guess it's the painter's anger?" Ann said, "I'm not sure, but I sense this… Strong frustration from it."
"Yeah, I actually see it." Kiku said before she was taken aback at the thought, "But… Madarame-san… Doesn't seem the type to paint something like this… He looked so happy and not to mention he was a gentleman to us… So it's the opposite…?"
Just then she felt a sudden ring go off as the image of her dream suddenly manifested in her head. Kiku let out a groan as she could hear the voice again.
"Save them… Please…"
"Uchiyama-san?"
Kiku was snapped back into reality when she felt Mirai place his hand on her shoulder. The second she snapped back into reality she noticed Ann, and Yusuke had concerned expressions.
"... Are you okay?" Mirai asked.
Kiku placed her hand on her head as she replied, "I… I had a headache…"
"Perhaps a drink of water would help." Yusuke said before he started to guide her through the crowd, "Come, they're better pieces than that one anyway."
Ann soon noticed his tone of voice as Yusuke took Kiku over to the water dispensary the gallery had available as she sat down on the bench provided. She took only one last glance at the painting before she went to join them.