V4C3

Translated by Mlzkzr Edited by Mlzkzr

A picture of me straddling a dignified donkey, Rurune, taking the same pose as Napoleon.

………… What’s that.

Moreover, I wasn’t wearing a hood…… why?

I was normally drawn with black hair and black eyes……. Since I came to the Royal capital, I haven’t seen a single person with black hair and black eyes, so no matter what I thought, it’s me. Rurune in her donkey figure looks exactly the same.

……Perhaps, my hood got taken off without me noticing? That’s stupid……

I thought about it, but my hands were too busy holding onto Rurune’s reins, so I realized that I couldn’t really hold my hood down with all that fierce movement.

…… What the hell was my hardship so far……?

Well, I know that my black hair being black is rare but it’s not that it didn’t exist, so that’s not an issue.

Yes, the biggest problem is ————

“What a majestic figure……”

“Ah…… this, must be what the heroes in the stories look like ……”

“It’s quite charming……”

“Whoa! A good man!”

————it was the image of me riding Rurune being freakishly glorified. Or rather, the last line I heard gave me chills…….

I was the one drawn in the painting! I was portrayed as a super dignified and unbelievably good-looking man that it almost mimics the word handsome .

………….

Who the hell are you!?

I’m sure I’ve lost weight, but!? What’s that? Such useless beautification! An incredibly handsome guy was drawn though!?

…… Oh, maybe it’s not me, perhaps it’s someone else?

If you think about it, there’s no way that I’m going to be chosen as a model. There might have been a handsome man with dark hair and black eyes who happened to be riding a donkey that resembled Rurune.

I see, it makes sense when I think about it.

However, a handsome guy who straddled a donkey …… No, there are some strange people out there!

『So, Mei-san, please introduce your work. 』

『Ye,yes…… this painting, depicts a person who gave me the courage to participate in this tournament. That person, was an amazing person who participated in the Royal capital Cup held last month with a donkey, and won. I still can’t forget the scene at that time. 』

As I thought, it was meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I collapsed on the spot.

She said that it was last month’s Royal Capital Cup! I’m the only one who won that with a donkey! There’s no way out!

First of all, there are no good-looking guys who ride on a donkey and has a nice face! No, they say that the horse Napoleon rode was actually a donkey, so in a sense, I’m also a hero, right? ……Let’s stop. It’s making me sad to say that.

However, as I was taking a great deal of damage, Mei came after me.

『I see…… So, what is the name of your work?』

『The title of my work, is 【Hero】! 』

Please stop! I’ll die of embarrassment, you know!? Or rather, it was 【hero】 as expected!

Not only is it embarrassing, but because I also felt crushed with guilt! I’m sorry!? For being such a hero!

As I pulled my hood even deeper, wincing in shame, Saria and Al said.

“Seiichi is cool, right!”

“Ah…… that’s, he’s cool alright”

Please see an ophthalmologist! I mean, you guys have seen my true face before, right!?

“As expected of Milord, isn’t it. He’s a hero to be admired.”

“What kind of comment is that!”

I reflexively quipped at Rurune’s line, but I quickly became embarrassed.

It’s a huge shame play……!

However, even if we leave my face aside for the moment, I think Mei drew a great painting.

Since there was no way anyone in this world would know Napoleon’s painting, it is surely a work that Mei drew as she saw it, and had such feeling.

However, what is clearly different from Napoleon’s painting, is that it’s not a painting of a horse climbing a mountain, but a painting of a donkey kicking a wolf!

As I was becoming half desperate, Leon, the judge, quietly opened his mouth.

『————wonderful』

Please let me off already.

Leon-san’s words made me think so from the bottom of my heart.

『The placement of the character, pose, and the surrounding state…… All in all, this is perfect. With that, I can see that you’re a very talented child. 』

『Tha,that’s…… 』

『It’s just, the color scheme is still a bit rough that it’s standing out. However, that means that you still have plenty of room for growth. Mei-san, please continue to draw wonderful paintings. 』

『! Ye,yes! 』

Mei smiled as she received a high evaluation from Leon-san.

『————This concludes the introduction of the participants’ works. From now on, Leon-sama will select the Grand Prize winner. There will be time for the selection, so we will announce it after 30 minutes. 』

When such an announcement was heard, the people who had gathered at the venue began to take their breaks.

Thus, the presentation of Clay and Mei’s work ended without incident.

◇◆◇

As a result, Mei was selected as the grand prize winner and Clay with an award of excellence.

At that time, Mei was so happy that she was crying, and Clay was honestly admiring Mei’s work.

What can I say, Clay is good. He’s also good-looking.

With these thoughts in mind, I made my way to where Mei and Clay were.

Saria and the others have gone back to the inn, so now I’m all alone.

When I managed to make it to Clay and the others, while avoiding the crowd, they seemed to have noticed me.

“Hmm? Ah, Seiichi.”

“Ah, Seiichi-san!”

“Good work. Those were great paintings of both of you.”

When I said so honestly, Mei laughed shyly and Clay puffed out his chest as if it was natural.

“Isn’t it natural? Because I’m the one who drew it!”

“You’re as confident as ever. I thought you’d be a little more in regret, though……”

When I said that with a bitter smile, Clay’s expression turned serious.

“Of course, it’s frustrating. But, more than that, she …… Mei’s painting was wonderful. So, I’m kind of happy for her.”

“ Fuun …… Well, if Clay’s happy with it, then I think that’s fine. However, what I felt when I saw this painting competition, was that I couldn’t understand what the artist was thinking about, which was expected.”

I can’t keep up with the story at all anymore.

Even if I think that a painting is good from my own point of view, artists see it with a different sensibility…… it really made me feel that they were different from ordinary people like me.

But Clay, in response to my words, shook his head.

“That’s not the case, Seiichi.”

“Eh?”

“In the first place, music and painting are things that we can live without in our lives, so it’s true that we artists who pursue this cannot be understood.”

“……”

“But, our work becomes 【Art】 only when it deeply moves, and is understood through its uselessness. If people don’t understand our work, no matter how good it is, it’s just crap in the end, you know.”

“……”

“In that sense, that’s exactly what my work is. My grandfather told me, and I finally noticed it. The reason why I started drawing was because my grandfather praised my drawings. After that, I can honestly say that no one else ever complimented me on my paintings. However, people who are interested in my paintings, just because I was my grandfather’s grandson, buy them due to that. They didn’t see the value in my paintings themselves, you know.”

The expression on Clay’s face was a little sad, which was the first time I had seen it.

But in the next moment, his expression changed to one of confidence and strength again.

“That said, I never stop painting, and I’m proud of my paintings. The first viewer of my work to make it 【Art】 is myself, the one who drew it. If I, no one else, don’t understand my work, it can’t be 【Art】 for anyone anymore.”

“Clay……”

I had an honest respect for Clay’s straightforward thinking.

This guy, is strong. And I don’t think that it’s wrong to say that he’s a genius.

Then Mei, who was listening to the conversation next to me, seemed to be thinking the same thing and muttered quietly.

“Clay-san is …… amazing.”

“Indeed……”

Clay, unconcerned about our situation, tells us with high tension.

“Now then, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go! Now that I know what I can do to improve my work, I want to put this feeling on canvas right away! Then …… farewell!”

That’s all Clay said, and he dashed away from the place. What a really energetic guy……

When the two of us look off at his state, Mei turns to me.

“Err…… Seiichi-san. Thank you very much for everything!”

“No, I didn’t do anything, though……”

“That’s not true! Thanks to Seiichi-san, I got the courage to participate in this tournament, and most importantly, it was because of Seiichi-san’s success that I was able to complete my painting!”

“……I’m glad I could be of some help to Mei…….”

I remembered that painting, and felt a sense of sadness on my own. I’m really sorry that someone like me is a hero.

“At any rate, I’m relieved that it all worked out. When Mei came up on stage, she was so nervous that I became nervous watching her.”

“Su,such…… I’m embarrassed about that”

Mei said, flattening her dog ears and looking down. Yup, she looks like a puppy.

As I thought about this on my own, Mei looked up and gave me a determined look, just like Clay who had just left.

“Seiichi-san. I’m thinking of going to Amuria, the city of art, to learn more about painting.”

“Amuria?”

“Yes! It is the city where famous artists like Leon, who was the judge this time, gathered. Earlier, Leon-sama invited me to learn more about painting there……”

“Oh! Isn’t that amazing”

I wonder if this what they call scouting or something like that.

As Clay said, this painting competition is supposed to be amazing, and it wouldn’t be surprising if there was such an invitation.

“So, I’m going to say goodbye to this city soon ……”

“Ah, yeah…… that’ll be lonely”

“Yes…… Uhhm, I really can’t thank you enough Seiichi-san. It was all thanks to Seiichi-san who first bought my painting in that square, and encouraged me. That’s why ……”

“No, it’s different. It’s all Mei’s ability. The reason I bought the painting and the reason you won the top prize in the competition, was because Mei’s painting was wonderful. That’s why, I think you should be proud.”

When I said that, Mei smiled happily.

“Then, Seiichi-san. If I learn how to draw well at Amuria, then can I draw a painting of you first, Seiichi-san?”

“Eh? Painting of me?”

……It isn’t old man gag, is it?

“Yes! Seiichi-san’s painting!”

“…… I think it would be boring if you draw me as painting, though ……but, I’m glad. If so, will you please?”

“Yes! Please look forward to it!”

Finally, Mei smiled even brighter.

——This would be the beginning of Clay, who was later called the 【Genius of abstract painting】, and May, who was called the 【Hero of painting】, and I never dreamed that that 【Hero】 would become famous all over the world.

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