If Ensho saw her like this, it’d definitely fill his heart with excitement. A burning sensation made her avert her gaze. How does Kiyotaka feel about this? She examined the man’s expression and found it the same as usual but with a tinge of loneliness.
“Does it frustrate you seeing Aoi absorbed in Ensho’s painting?” she asked.
Kiyotaka shrugged. “It did at first, though I knew it was presumptuous of me, but now...I’m simply envious.” He looked at the painting and squinted as if blinded by its radiance. “I’ve wished many times, ‘If only I had that much talent.’”
Yilin recalled what Takamiya had said about craving what one didn’t have. Kiyotaka must have been in the same boat. And Ensho, who possessed the natural talent these men yearned for, was jealous of him. It really was a case of everyone wanting what they couldn’t have.
“Who was that troublesome young lady, by the way?” Yilin asked, remembering his earlier comment.
Before Kiyotaka could respond, Aoi, who had finally finished viewing the painting, came up to them. “Ensho’s Present City is truly wonderful. I nearly cried,” she said, misty-eyed, with flushed cheeks.
“How did you feel when you saw the painting?” Yilin asked.
During the short period when Present City had been exhibited at a Hong Kong museum, Yilin had gone to view it whenever she’d had the chance. Thus, she’d also seen various people look at it and give their opinions. Intuitively, she felt that half had simply been moved, while the other half had used specialized knowledge to explain exactly what was remarkable about it or to criticize its technical shortcomings. There were also those who had called it “garbage made by a nobody,” but they had been few.
What does Aoi think about it?
Aoi looked back at the painting with a distant look in her eyes. “Ensho’s work is really captivating. When I see it, I’m overcome with the feeling that I’m being pulled inside.”
Yilin had felt this too, and many people had described the same sensation.
“And yet it also feels sharp and unapproachable. It’s like it draws you in but doesn’t let you stay.”
Yilin agreed with that as well.
“But this painting doesn’t have that sharp edge, and I mean that in a good way. It feels like it’s calmly saying, ‘Feel free to step inside this painting.’ It made me happy to think that this is how Ensho sees Kyoto now.”
Beautiful, bright, and cheerful, yet mysterious and gloomy. A place that could be freely entered and freely left.
As if relaying a divine revelation, Aoi spoke without pausing to choose her words, conveying her feelings exactly as they were. To an expert giving a long-winded critique at a museum, it might have sounded like a crude review, but it resonated with Yilin more than any other explanation had. At the same time, she felt mildly frustrated, but she didn’t let it show in her response.
“You’re right,” Yilin said. “Also, that’s a lovely kimono you’re wearing.”
Aoi was dressed in a semiformal homongi. Its undyed beige fabric evoked the image of soft moonlight, and it was adorned with a clover pattern. Her dark sash was decorated with a round moon, and from it hung a ceramic rabbit netsuke. A perfect ensemble for the mid-autumn harvest moon.
“Thank you,” she said shyly.
Thinking about it, a kimono was the most fitting attire for tonight’s party. After all, the highlight was Present City, a painting of Gion.
“I should’ve worn a kimono too,” Yilin lamented, regretting her superficial choice of clothing. “I might’ve impressed Takamiya more that way.” She looked down, wishing she could change out of her dress.
Aoi gently touched Yilin’s arm. “Your indigo dress and diamond necklace are supposed to represent the autumn night and stars, right?”
Yilin nodded hesitantly.
“Your outfit is designed to complement the harvest moon. That’s wonderful,” Aoi continued, her firm tone putting the young lady’s heart at ease.
“Really?” Yilin murmured nervously.
“Yes,” said Kiyotaka. “It suits you and the occasion well. You already showed off a kimono at the netsuke showcase, so I think wearing a dress tonight was the right choice.”
Their praise lifted Yilin’s sinking spirits. “Thank you. And again, you look beautiful in your kimono, Aoi.”
Just as she said that, a woman appeared, saying, “Aoi looks so pretty today!”
“Azusa?!”
It was Zixuan Zhou, who went by the name of Azusa in Japan. She had straight hair trimmed neatly at the jawline. Her face was small and egg-shaped with a straight nose, small nostrils, full lips, and almond-shaped eyes. Westerners called her a peerless beauty, and indeed, her appearance did seem like it would appeal to the West.
Tonight, Azusa was dressed in all red, with a crimson dress and ruby necklace. She didn’t seem to care one bit about the party atmosphere or what Takamiya would think. The way she confidently adhered to the style that best suited her, not trying to flatter anyone, was dazzling in Yilin’s eyes.
“Now this is a surprise,” said Yilin. “Why are you here?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Azusa stepped forward and peered into her face. “I’ve tried so many times to get you to wear Hana’s accessories, but you always just said ‘How nice’ and moved on. But suddenly you contact me asking for the star necklace because you really want to wear it to a party? Of course I’d be curious about the event!” She gave Kiyotaka a sidelong glance. “I figured Kiyotaka would definitely know about it, so I asked if I could attend too.”
The man in question merely smiled in silence.
Azusa grinned and looped her arm around Aoi’s. “It’s a good thing I came, because I get to see Aoi looking so adorable. Hey, Aoi, can I give you a little kiss? Don’t worry, I’m just celebrating a reunion between friends.”
“Ah, I’m sorry, but could you please distance yourself from my fiancée?” Kiyotaka stepped between them, pushing them apart.
“Ugh, what kind of boyfriend interferes with a reunion between friends? Aoi must be suffocating.”
“I think it’s less suffocating than a kiss from you.”
“Oh? I feel like your kisses would be more suffocating, though.”
“I leave that to your imagination.”
Kiyotaka’s bold grin was met with Azusa puffing out her cheeks.
“Now, now,” Aoi said, spreading her arms. “I’m happy to see you again too, Azusa. But kissing is embarrassing, so let’s hug instead.”