Reflected Eyes, Fadeless Colors

[ "That day, I attained true happiness." ]
[ "That day, I was finally able to stay by your side forever." ]

"Hello! Are you Rune-kun?"

I was always alone. Nobody had ever cared about me; all they cared was my work, my painting. Perhaps I deserve what I get, because I've never cared about anyone else but my canvas… but would it actually made any difference had I not born like this?

Had I not blessed with this painting talent, will my loneliness change?

…No. Actually, thinking about all this doesn't give me any merit at all. So why should I?

"I'm Nanobana Kinako. Nice to meet you!"

And then you came, suddenly everything wasn't so dark anymore.

"Ne… Rune-kun, why do you, when painting people, never drew their eyes?"

"…I don't like drawing them."

"Why is it?"

"Eyes reflected lies. I… don't want such things to exist in my piece."

"…I see…"

"…"

Your eyes reflected the very innocence and pureness I longed for, the things I couldn't find in other people's eyes. The kind of affection I wanted, you gave it to me.

Do I, this ignorant person, deserve your wholehearted affection?

…On a second thought, I may not want to know.

Because I don't want to lose you.

"Rune-kun, do you want to go… um… do you want to…"

"What is it?"

"I mean… do you want to go walk outside with me…?"

"…"

"…As I thought… 'no', is it—"

"Yes, let's go out."

"…! Rune-kun…"

"…Let's go, Kinako."

"…Ru—ah… Alright, let's go, Asurei-kun…"

Your blush that day somehow made you look cuter than you already are. The surge of happiness I felt inside my heart made me smile, as well. How long has it been since I last smiled, I wonder? Perhaps even my family hasn't ever seen me smile, behind the door of my workspace.

"Asurei-kun, are you painting again today?"

"Yes."

"Why do you paint every day?"

"That's the only thing I'm good at."

I remembered your enraged face, and I remembered very well how I felt that day; confusion. Why would you get angry over a fact?

As I thought, you were special.

"That's not true!"

"…Huh?"

"Asurei-kun is good at a lot of things!"

"…I—"

"For example, Asurei-kun…"

"…?"

"You make me happy everyday, just with your presence around me."

"Kinako…"

"And your painting makes me, and a dozen of other people, happy too! I-I… A-asurei-kun… your smile… makes me happy; I'm very happy to… s-see… your s-smile…"

I remembered your tears that day, tears that made me felt like I was torn inside. I had never wanted to see your tears; it ruined me.

As I thought, you looked nicer with your usual smile on.

"…Kinako…"

"H-huh? A-am I crying? I'm sorry, Asurei-kun… I must look… very embarrassing right now. I'm such a baby… I cry over… things…" Continued sobs and a forced smile on your face.

"…" I stood up, and took your hand, as I pulled you closer to me. I didn't know what was possessing me, but then I put my arms around your small frame, as I hugged you tight.

"…Asurei-kun…!"

"I'm sorry."

"…Asurei-kun…"

"I'm sorry… please… don't cry."

"…Asurei-kun." As you bury your face on my chest, I could feel fresh tears dripping down from your eyes.

"Asurei-kun… I love you."

"…I love you, too, Kinako."

I remembered the way you smile at me, how that special smile was only directed at me, and nobody else. I felt satisfaction. I didn't want that smile to be anyone else's; egoistic, yet I couldn't help but to think so.

As I thought, I had fallen head over heels for you, my love.

"Asurei?" I heard my mother calling for me.

"Yes, mother."

"There's going to be an art exhibition and you're expected to send your work there."

"…I understand, Mother."

"Good. Now, back to work." She closed the door, without a goodbye.

I didn't know what I was supposed to draw, not at all.

But now I have you, Kinako. You said I was to call you whenever I need your help, so I did. And then you came to my workroom, panting and sweaty. Were you running all the way from your house to mine, after I called for you?

"ASUREI-KUN!"

"H-huh?"

"Asurei-kun, what can I help you with? Is there an emergency?!"

"C-calm down, Kinako… I just… I need an inspiration. I need something to paint."

"I see!"

"But… why were you running?"

"Because you called me."

"It's nothing… urgent… I did say that, right?"

"Yes, you did. But you called for me."

"And…?"

"It's the first time you called for me, so I was anxious and yet grateful. Please count on me more, Asurei-kun."

"…Kinako…"

"Because I love you, and I want to do whatever I could for the love of my life."

Then I got it. That flash of inspiration flowed through me for a second, and I quickly thanked you and asked you to go home before it is late. I didn't want you to know what I was going to paint, I wanted it to be a special gift for you…

I finished it within a month, and I had kept it a secret from you. The exhibition came, and I asked you to go with me.

"Kinako, would you look at what I painted?"

"…Asurei-kun? Was it that one you kept a secret from me?"

"…I'm sorry. Did I make you worry?"

"Of course, dummy! You didn't go out of your room even once; I had to ask your mother what you were doing! She said that it is usual if you had a flash of inspiration and you still eat whatever it is delivered to you, but still…! You could at least tell me…"

"I'm really sorry."

"…Sigh. It's fine, Asurei-kun, at least nothing happened to you."

That day I saw your eyes widen in surprise, and your rosy-colored cheeks reddening.

"Asurei-kun… this is…"

"Yes… it is a painting of you."

"…It has… eyes…"

"Because your eyes are pure; they reflected neither lies nor insincerity…"

"…Asurei-kun…"

"I love your eyes, I love your everything, Kinako."

That day was the day we swore to stay by each other's side, and that was the day I attained pure happiness.

Kinako, I love you.

I'll be by your side forever.

Asurei, I love you.

That's why,

Let's smile together, holding hands,

Forgetting about our doubts and worries.

Asurei,

Let's stay together forever.