Chapter 294

Esther looked over curiously. She knew he had been drawing a design, but she didn't know what he was drawing.

On the workbench, near her, were two sketches. They were drawn casually, but they contained all the necessary elements, making it clear what the artist wanted to express, demonstrating the owner's skill in drawing.

One image features classical elements and steady brushstrokes, showcasing men's clothing adorned with patterned fabrics. While retaining an ancient charm, it also incorporates elements of modern design. Its stable and elegant style reveals a challenge to and dissatisfaction with modern stereotypical art. In this fusion of ancient and modern, one can almost perceive a dialogue across time...

One piece is a modern patchwork women's garment that has only emerged in recent decades, regardless of its cut, source of elements, construction method, or color scheme. While retaining the most acute symbolic expression and emotional trends of each element, it forcibly achieves a dangerous composition that breaks through the limits of avant-garde with seemingly more illogical and extreme lines...

Each one is a masterpiece, perfectly balanced and impactful, worthy of being analyzed in a dedicated course within a Design Department.

More importantly, the brushstrokes, the ideas they express, the elements and materials they choose are all completely different in these two paintings.

Without being told, it would be hard for anyone to believe that this was done by the same person.

"Wow, that's amazing... No wonder you're Talent."

Esther was getting thirsty and sweating profusely from watching.

The more professional you are, the more you understand the true significance of this.

Although it was just a sketch, she couldn't even fully grasp the amount of information it contained.

This only proves that the other party is far superior to her in terms of both the amount of knowledge they possess and their ability to manipulate emotions.

"I think I can understand Miss Justin's feelings now, I really want to cry~"

Her eyes shone, and she trembled as she clutched the two drawings, her expression a mixture of joy and sorrow.

What I'm happy about is the excitement of seeing excellent works, and the joy of confirming that my dream is not just a pipe dream;

The tragedy is that I don't know when I'll reach his level, and I feel despair that I might never be able to balance both in my lifetime.

"I don't want to say things like 'You might never be able to do this in your lifetime, so give up.' I will respect any personal dream, but the final decision is up to you."

Although he didn't have a good impression of people like Estelle who didn't know how to work hard, he still admired Esther, a child who had both dreams and talent and worked hard.

Even if, in his eyes, that dream was utterly meaningless and illusory.

The other party has long forgotten the original agreement. Is there any point in continuing this insistence on it, given that only one side is clinging to it?

Sakurakoji Talent yawned, feeling a little sleepy—oh right, I didn't sleep last night!

"Let's finish this quickly so I can go back and catch up on some sleep," he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Oh, I see. Thank you..."

Esther cast a grateful glance my way, then looked curiously at the design in her hand. "By the way, Talent, which method did you use when you drew these two?"

Is it about using acting skills to construct two personalities, or splitting into multiple independent parts, or forcibly shaping two directions with talent...? That's what she wanted to ask.

"It's hard to say... maybe a little bit of both."

He answered hesitantly.

He simply used Sakurakoji Talent and Ogura Asahi's perspectives on men's and women's clothing respectively to create separate drawings.

For him, the two images are both one person and two slightly different parts of that person, coupled with countless efforts made since childhood to explore more possibilities—referring to wearing women's clothing to experience the beauty of opposites...

Finally, combined with his extensive knowledge and talent, he completed these two design drawings.

Even if he were to describe it, he would find it difficult to explain this feeling to others.

"Oh, I see. It seems really complicated..."

Esther had a rough idea of the complicated situation, and her heart sank even further.

The more this is the case, the greater her chances of success become...

"Perhaps it's because I usually like to use different personas, so this was a little easier for me."

"Different appearances?"

Etes blinked in surprise.

"Well... you'll find out sometime when you have the chance."

"Um?"

She tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what he was saying.

But more than that, she wanted to ask his opinion on something else.

"Talent, do you think I have a chance to do this?"

"That depends on what kind of result you want to achieve. Do you want to focus on continuing the original style, or would you rather cut yourself off than not do it... So you still want to continue?"

After a moment of silence, Etes pursed her red lips, her eyes looking up at him with a lonely gaze. "Hmm, I still want to try it for a while."

"I see. Then go ahead and do it your way. You're still young, so taking a few detours won't be a big deal."

He shrugged indifferently.

There's no need to force others to follow the absolutely correct path, just as he wouldn't hinder someone from doing what they truly want to do simply because he regrets their talent.

"Indeed, your Talent is different from others."

Esther smiled, a hint of relief in her eyes.

"Then! I'll have to trouble you tonight, Teacher Talent! I'll try my best to improve and learn, please give me your full support! Hehehe~"

Huh? It's not over yet?

Sakurakoji Talent was taken aback. "I want to go back, wash up, and go to sleep..." he said, looking somewhat troubled.

Chapter 330 Where Did We Go Wrong? and the Musical Instrument Store.

The next day, early morning.

With disheveled hair and still wearing pajamas, Sakurakoji Talent looked at the person waiting in the elevator lobby and said with a strange expression:

"I expected you to come straight here, but I didn't expect you to arrive so early..."

"Haha, I was so excited about it last night that I got up really early this morning."

Dressed in elegant casual wear, she responded with a joyful smile comparable to the most beautiful rose.

"You have a unique charm even when you've just woken up..."

"Thank you, I'm always beautiful, and you look beautiful today too (straightforward)."

"It's so nice to hear your praise!"

After smiling, she lowered her eyebrows in apology. "I'm sorry, did I disturb your sleep?"

"A little bit, I went to bed a bit late last night. Come on in."

He stepped aside to let her in.

"Then I'll have to bother you~"

The person who could speak to him like that was naturally Ouka Mai.

Although it's Friday and she still has classes, she came early this morning because he had scheduled their agreed-upon date for this morning.

He spent a lot of time last night instructing Esther on drawing design drafts, and it was already past midnight when he got back and washed up.

He was still asleep when I heard the doorbell ring.

"Luckily, I forgot to close my bedroom door when I went to sleep last night, otherwise I wouldn't have heard the doorbell."

"That's alright, I'll just wait at the door until you wake up."

Didn't you ever think about making a phone call?

"Since the doorbell isn't working, you must be sleeping, right? I'm not going to disturb my lover's sleep just to get in the door sooner, you know?"

"That's great, let me compliment you... I already said we're not lovers yet, right?!"

"Haha! Don't be shy! You'll be one sooner or later!"

"You... never mind, have you had breakfast yet?"

"Not yet, I'd like to eat with you."

Ouka Mai looked at him with knowing eyes.

"Really? Then you sit down first, we'll eat together later. Let me go wash up and change first... Don't look!"

He ignored her feelings, even with a hint of warning.

"What should I do? The more you say that, the more I'll think you're deliberately trying to seduce me!"

Ouka Mai chuckled, and smiled lightly without any embarrassment.

"... female hooligan!"

After saying that, he walked towards the restroom.

"So delicious!"

At the dining table next to the kitchen, Ouka Mai covered her mouth slightly, staring in surprise at the breakfast in front of her.

"Talent, do you make your own breakfast every day?"

She couldn't help but ask.

"Not really, sometimes I'll just grab some snacks to tide me over."

He used his fork to pick up a golden-brown, perfectly shaped omelet, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

"Hoo-hoo~"

Ouka Mai was incredulous. "Where's the maid?"

"I have other tasks assigned to her in the morning, and she needs to go to school. Besides, her cooking skills aren't as good as mine, so I usually don't let her cook for me."

On weekday mornings, Aoyama Nanami spends a lot of time just waking Shiina Mashiro and Esther up, and occasionally she also has to do other tasks.

Even if I ask her to prepare breakfast for me, it's usually just tea or snacks, or I buy it from other places nearby and bring it back.

Of course, she can cook, but you generally don't bother her.

Furthermore, he sometimes needs to go to school and use his own lunchbox and snacks to increase everyone's goodwill, which is something he has to do himself; there's no other way.

Haven't you considered hiring a chef?

"Ashiri and I are both good cooks, Ashiri have a cafeteria at school, so there's no need for that."

If we only consider pastry making, Ashiri's cooking skills are better than Old Man Deng's at home—though not quite as good.

"That's true, even if we hired a chef, it would be difficult for their skills to reach your level..."

Ouka Mai enjoying herself, her face beaming with happiness. "Being able to enjoy this meal together, just the two of us, and have a delicious breakfast, makes today all worthwhile!"

"Really? How about we all go back and catch up on some sleep after we eat?"

"If we could share a bed, that wouldn't be a bad idea!"

"..."

"Only,"

Ouka Mai's expression showed a hint of regret, "You're always so capable, it just makes me seem so useless."

As a genuine heiress, she learns everything quickly, but she doesn't usually force herself to cook lunchboxes herself.

"You don't need to compare yourself to me. There aren't many capable people who can compare to me. Just be yourself."

Although he was a little speechless, he still habitually offered words of comfort.

"If it weren't for certain reasons, I would also be living a carefree and decadent life every day."

"Hehe~ Are you trying to comfort me? Thank you! You're so Talent and gentle!"

Ouka Mai smiled and squinted her eyes.

"But your dejected state? It's hard to imagine... What other reasons might there be?"

"Let's talk about that when you've really become my lover."

Sakurakoji Talent urged, "Eat quickly!"

"Ya Lei~ Are you so excited about our date? That makes me so happy! But if you say that, it means I'll find out soon!"

"So, what's with this inexplicable confidence of yours...?"