Hey guys... it's been a while.

So, my final year-end exam has finally finished, and now I just have to enjoy my year-end holiday. I wish I had enough time to continue this story along side with Planet-X, whose continuation will be published before the end of this year. It's been a long time since I continued that one story... almost a year, I think. Hopefully you still remember its plot, though.

And thank you for all your support, reviews, favorites and following this story so that we can arrive at 'almost' the end of the story. I assume if this story will be finished when entering the thirtieth chapter, less or more. Because after this art exhibition arc, something will happen.

Well now... I'm gonna stop talking and head straight to the story.

Happy reading...


"Haah... I never thought we would lose..."

It was happened at night after the last tournament for Roberto in his school days. That time... that night... by chance the two of us - just me with him - met each other on the way home after undergoing a very tiring High School Sports Week. A Sports Week which closed with prestigious soccer tournaments among high school students, and also... the narrow defeat of Roberto's tim.

I who walked beside him only heard all the outpouring of his heart uttered with his smiling face...

"The winner of the national tournament for the third year in a row... got everyone infected with Roberto's fever, then reluctant to go to England. Got a lot of awards every season, and scored the most goals in the league, even rumored to be a model."

I was still silent... on this quiet road I could clearly hear his words...

"My life that should have run smoothly... seems to have faltered." Roberto paused for a moment, while I began to stare at him with a smile, "I have failed to become a Star..."

"Being a superstar is also experiencing a downturn, really." I started giving him a response as his best friend, "In fact, it looks more dramatic..."

"Well In that case, it fits you well..." he replied, replying to my smile, "The position of the star this season, I leave it to you, "

I paused for a moment, glanced back at the book I was reading, "I'm not like you."

"Well, that's obvious." Roberto replied so quickly that my eyes were drawn back to him, "You are you... I am me. I don't have motherhood like Gracie, and I can't write a story as good as yours."

"..." I was speechless, not sure what words would fit to answer him. As a result, my gaze returned to the book I was reading.

"Are your wings no longer trembling?" he asked again. His face, now, shows his concern to me.

I smiled while still keeping my eyes on this book, even though I couldn't really focus on reading, because my mind was filled with bloody memories in that spring,"I can't erase it from my mind," I said, sounding a little absurd, but I believed that Roberto understood what I mean... about that spring, and about the bloodstained wings.

Roberto smiled, "Being a superstar is also experiencing a downturn, really. By facing difficulties, you can find your true self. Because..." he then stopped before me while pointing his finger at the sky...

I followed his finger, lifted my head and... in amazement, I saw a sea of stars that shone so brightly between the darkness of the night... the starry night sky that I saw together with Roberto that night was so beautiful, soothing and calming...

"Stars also only shine brightly when the night comes..."

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Present time...

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On a sunny day... it is the end of the flowers bloom, and it also begins the arrival of warm air from the southeast that envelops in a stunning, luxurious and large building which currently seems crowded with visitors dressed in suits, like in a formal event.

"The Magna House..."

Those who are dressed in suits are welcomed by a female computer voice... a female AI who welcomes visitors with her voice echoing around the building while explaining the history of this very building called the Magna House...

"Built forty-four years ago by a wealthy businessman named Coyote Nirnsield back in the 1970s and inaugurated by the tenth mayor of Moose Lake in commemoration of the third national literary day. The building, which was built on a grant land owned by the Nirnsield family, initially only had a total area of 3000 square yards and only had one main hall on the first floor, and a meeting hall on the second floor. Then, it was rebuilt by his descendants, his great-grandson... Nilleil Nirnsield. He initiative wanted to advance the Magna House not only as a book museum, but also as a museum for all his arts and masterpieces. With the support of the 27th mayor, the building was completely rebuilt three months later with the addition of seven floors, and the expansion of the land to 4689 square yards. So, it became the Magna House building as you see today... We say welcome to all the honorable visitors at our fiftieth art exhibition."

Then...

"I never thought it's now the fiftieth art exhibition." Gracie gave her comment after hearing the explanation of a female AI computer among the crowd in the main hall of the Magna House building. She, as always, with her entourage... Jewel, Roberto and me of course.

"But this is weird. Wasn't this building built forty-four years ago, but why is it now the fiftieth one?" a question that was a little sensible was brought up by Roberto while holding his chin, and his eyebrows constricted... trying to understand the tangled end of the red thread.

"Well, actually..." Jewel responded, "Before this building was built by Nirnsield family, this art exhibition was held in their residence."

'I didn't expect her to know enough about something like that.' I told myself, who was staring behind her back covered in a dress the same color as her feathers.

"So, the calculation is based on the exhibition held by their family?" Gracie concluded what she had explained.

Jewel then nodded, "Yeah, that's right... even this year's sponsor of the exhibition is Nirnsield family."

"I wonder how rich the Nirnsield family is..." Roberto muttered to himself, seemed wondering what was currently in his mind.

"The Nirnsield family is just a family of art enthusiasts..." I, who had only been able to listen to the chat of the three of them, finally found an opportunity to join in, "It just so happens that they are among the richest families in the world. They spend almost all of their wealth to be dedicated to things that are related to art. You remember, the winner of the auction of sunflower paintings by Van Gogh last year... Flowny Nirnsield. I doubt if there isn't one of their collections on display here."

"As I expected from a nerdy..." teased Jewel, grinning at me.

"It's not like that..." I said with annoyance, "It's just that, I used to come here with my mother, when I was a kid, when there was an event like this. As long as you know, every year the lady in the computer always explains about Nirnsield family, even her voice has not changed for almost ten years."

"Nah..." Roberto interrupted, "Who cares about this Nirnsield family. Sis Mi has been struggling to make our invitation. Since she is the head of the committee this year, it can be concluded that we are special guests, aren't we? So, can we stop talking and enjoy these masterpieces?"

"Oh... since when did you become such an art lover, huh?" Gracie teased him by giving a smirk.

"A few seconds ago, after I saw the painting of..." Roberto answered casually, "Oh God, there are many paintings of beautiful woman there...!" unconsciously, he revealed what was on his mind too loud, so the three of us could hear it clearly.

"I should've known that..." Gracie grumbled to herself.

'Hahaha, that's Roberto I know...' I thought, chuckling.

"Anyways, It's true what he said..." interrupted Jewel, "Sis Mi has invited us to come here at an event that can be considered too formal for an art exhibition."

"That's right... thanks to her we can enjoy world-class masterpieces." I added, "I think there's nothing wrong with going around for a while and enjoying the soothing paintings."

"But, our first goal to come here is because of your book, Blu." Gracie said, looking at me.

"It's okay. After all, it's still a script, and it hasn't fully published yet... it's just a pile of papers." I replied calmly.

"What the heck is that? You underestimated your own work piece, huh?" for some reason Gracie looked rather angry after hearing my answer.

"I didn't underestimate my work piece at all. That is the reality." I could still calmly answer her, and smiling,"Come on... maybe after seeing some beautiful scenery, your feelings will feel better..."

"Fine..."

Ahh... it's been three years. But it feels like I just came here yesterday with my mother who was sick and sitting on a wheelchair. The familiar aroma of marble floors, the bustling atmosphere and the noise of people talking about these extraordinary masterpieces. After all these years, I never thought I'd come back here once again...

The four of us walked down the corridor with various types of paintings lined up neatly on both walls, our right and left sides...

"Oh that is..." Jewel suddenly stopped in front of me, "That is the well-known sunflower painting, right?" she stopped suddenly due to interest in an oil painting on a canvas measuring 73.5 × 60 cm, with a background of turquoise. The painting was emblazoned in a bulletproof and explosionproof thick glass frame, I think... they really guarded this painting very vigilantly.

"Yes." I replied, stopping my steps beside her, "That is the first version of his sunflower painting. I heard it is a private collection, but I never thought that the owner of the painting is the Nirnsield family."

"Why you can conclude like that?"

"Well, who else will display the original sunflower paintings in the small town if not them?"

"That makes sense." Jewel then turned her face away from the painting and looked at the crowd of visitors, "Where Roberto and Gracie are?" I had expected it, they were the ones she was looking for.

"Don't worry about them... we can certainly easily find them." I replied casually, "Because they are the most noisy visitors here..."

"Magnificent...! The woman in this painting really looks elegant and feminine..."

"You stupid bird, don't shouting in front of the painting. You disturb other visitors."

"I want to have one!"

"I told you to lower your voice...! This is an art exhibition, the painting is not for sale or even taken home."

As expected, their voices were heard almost along this corridor...

"See what I mean?" I glanced at Jewel.

"haha..." she responded only with her small laughter.

Then...

"What are you doing?" I asked the source of the noise with annoyance.

"Oh Blu, you came at the right time..." Roberto turned and walked toward me. Embrace me with his wings, and whisper something, "Look... the woman in that painting is very sexy, right?"

Maybe what he meant was the painting of the woman on the beach, by the famous Moose Lake painter. Well, even though I already know it... the background in the woman's painting is not the beach, but Moosehead lake. He is very genius, he's able to change the background of the lake into a beach that feels very good, both from the gradation of coloring and reflection. The people who first saw this painting must have thought the background was on a tropical beach.

"What painting?" Jewel suddenly said to both of us with a normal smile. Apparently, she heard what we whispered about.

"Eh... ah... that is..." and of course, the one who panicked was Roberto. He must maintain his image in front of the girl who likes him.

'Next time, pay attention to the situation first.' I muttered to myself as if advising Roberto even though I knew he wouldn't be able to hear it.

"Oh yeah... this painting..." he showed the woman's painting, "Blu said, the woman in this painting is very sexy..." he then looked at me with his nervous face, "Right?"

"What?!" Of course I was surprised, he made me to be his reason to avoid the problem, "I never said like that...!"

"Hmm..." Jewel stepped closer to the painting. Staring at a woman in her blue swimsuit that covered her blonde hair, "This is true... she looks rather sexy. His body is ideal. Well, I wouldn't be surprised if he is the one who called this woman sexy."

He...? I bet 'he', that she mentioned must be referring to me, "I told you, I never said like that...!" I muttered irritably.

Moments later, the crowded corridor suddenly became rather quiet after a noisy noise from the main hall to the west, close to the entrance. Many reporters were there, along with the visitors who were swarming at something that was being covered by them... even the visitors who were still enjoying the paintings a few seconds ago immediately ran towards the 'sugar' source. They are like being attracted by an extraordinary force of gravity.

"What's wrong? What's happening?" Gracie said, looking at the crowd before her eyes.

Roberto and I were just silent because we both did not know the answers... until Jewel gave one for many questions that were in our minds.

"Maybe that is Timans Noque and Deduvox..."

"What? Those two famous writers?!" Gracie apparently knew about them, because her face depicted feelings of disbelief and surprise.

Jewel nodded, "I heard that they recently canceled their contract with an important person in Europe just to take part in this art exhibition here. They sent their latest books, which should have been published in Europe, at this exhibition."

"That's why this year's visitors are three times more than usual?" Gracie concluded.

"I also thought like that, because there was no other reason that caused them all to come here. What's more, this year's exhibition is too formal. I think they're both the source of the cause." Jewel gave her final explanation.

Timans Noque and Deduvox, eh? No doubt, they are indeed such great writers. Many of their readers come to this exhibition, only to meet face to face with them. What do they actually write in their books so that they can attract the hearts of many people?

"Unfortunately..." Roberto suddenly patted me on the shoulder, then our gazes met each other, "Now is not your time to shine, former artist. The night hasn't yet arrived..."

"Well..." I replied casually, "I don't really like being the center of attention. In fact, thanks to them this corridor has become a bit loose."

"So... do you want to see some book collections here?" asked Gracie, smiling at me.

I nodded, replying to her smile, "Sure... why not."

But still, this corridor has become too loose... even almost deserted. Some of them were seen carrying several books in their wings. They certainly want those two writers to give their signatures in their books, as a thank you for writing great stories that can change someone's life...

'Timans Noque dan Deduvox, eh...?' I whispered in my mind,


Chapter 22 : Night Hasn't yet Arrived


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'Why do I feel those two names sound familiar in my ears...'

And done...

Thank you guys for taking your time to read this 22nd chapter. I hope you enjoyed it...

After this, I intend to continue Planet-X, so we will meet again afterwards. I can't be sure when, but... the sooner the better, right?

Take care, guys. And... see you again.