"Misa, look at that boy. Isn't he cute? Red hair-is he a foreigner? Let's go chat him up."
"Don't. Judging by his looks, is he in high school? He might be even younger. If he's in middle school, that would be a crime."
"Surely not. Middle schoolers know plenty these days. Back when I was that age..."
"Oh, stop it! Have you no shame?"
At the Ota Ward Museum, before opening time, two lively college girls in the bloom of youth stood outside with drawing boards on their backs, whispering into each other's ears.
Their eyes kept openly staring at a boy in a black robe.
The handsome boy had curly red hair, a color Japanese people did not have. Though his expression was impassive, a faint melancholy showed through his youthful, baby-faced features, making him especially endearing.
At last, the museum opened. The two college girls stole several reluctant parting glances at the beautiful red-haired boy before heading inside together.
The two college girls arrived at the painting exhibition, set up their drawing boards before an oil portrait of a noblewoman by Peter Paul Rubens, and began copying it.
First, they sketched out the lines in pencil, then squeezed out paint, mixed colors, laid down a base coat, and began painting...
Half an hour later, the oil paintings on their boards had begun to take shape.
The college girl named Misa had long hair and wore gold-rimmed glasses, giving her a distinctly artistic air. Brush in hand, she was concentrating on her copy.
Just then, her friend quietly nudged Misa with her elbow.
Interrupted in the midst of her artistic work, Misa shot her friend a disgruntled glare.
She saw her friend winking and making faces at her, signaling for her to look behind her.
The beautiful red-haired boy