Arriving at the Okumura residence, it occurred to Yusuke that he only had the vaguest idea of what it might look like. He had seen the outside of the building once, back when he and his team needed the keywords to get inside Okumura's Palace. He knew it was large and fancy, nowhere near gaudy like how several rich people make it out to be, although nothing could have prepared him for what the interior could be.
After a long elevator ride to reach the top floor, Yusuke couldn't believe his eyes. Each and every gorgeous painting and art piece lined the walls like grand ornaments used for decorations on Christmas. The massive living room reminded him of a palace in the best possible way, a fusion of Japanese and French architecture all covered in silver, black and white. Up a flight of spiraling stairs led to Haru's bedroom.
First time he laid eyes upon her sleeping quarters, it was beautifully clean, organized and elegant, fitting for a girl of upper class with the characteristics of a compassionate princess. It was so big, plenty of space. A large, lovely oil painting displaying a flowery landscape hung above the bed, complimenting the beauty of the room. Yusuke silently wondered if some famous artist painted it, he'd have to ask Haru about it later.
The bed is big and soft enough to relax in. He wondered if Haru could lay in a serene manner if he asks her to pose on the bed... if she posed bare, vulnerable, exposed, aching to be ravished... Yusuke had to mentally smack himself. Such barbaric thoughts can't taint the mind of an artist.
A sage green carpet covered most of the wooden floor, two white delicate slippers placed at the bottom of the bedside, two white nightstands on each side of the bed where one of them has a lamp, a red cushioned bench positioned in front of the bed, and two fresh thriving houseplants also stood on either side of the room with the bed in the center.
There's a small greenhouse out on the balcony past the sliding glass door, though big enough to grow flowers, fruits or vegetables in there. Multiple flowers blooming brilliantly in square-shaped pots, and an axe lodged into a pile of firewood. No wonder she uses an axe as a weapon in the Metaverse.
A tea set left unattended on a small table next to a vase filled with red, pink and yellow flowers... it would make quite a tranquil and sophisticated painting if he requests Haru pose whilst drinking tea surrounded by flowers... that would make marvelous portrait. Lots of fine china is arranged perfectly inside a glass cabinet. Next to the china stood a white classy vanity table. The mirror is concealed by cloth pictured with multiple flowers. Cosmetics and makeup lined up neatly on the vanity. Yusuke can still smell the sweet aroma of jasmine.
The dresser is decorated with two more vases of flowers, and Yusuke was deeply impressed with how she arranged them. The view from the window above the dresser revealed a patio connected to the balcony with a cushioned chair and a table. A white French wardrobe in the corner. A dark green watering can was left on a second yet larger classy-looking chest of drawers next to a gold and white clock and a small row of books, and above them hung another framed picture depicting pink, white and violet flowers.
"What a fascinating room!" Yusuke responded with great interest and Haru gently brushed off his praise.
"It's nothing, really. This is my one place to be relaxed in my own skin, so I wanted it to feel more comfortable. It's one of the smaller rooms in the house... But I guess it is large for a girl like me." She had gone to the wardrobe to retrieve a large square-shaped object concealed by a violet sheet, handling it with great care. Haru laid it against the dresser and unwraps the sheet, less dramatically than he as she allows the sheet fall to the floor.
The painting in front of Yusuke displays an elegant ballerina, bold in her confidence and glowing elegance all presented a subtle image of grace and strength. Dark hair crowned with flowers, more of those flowers attached to the chest down to her waist. A gasp, loud and unexpected, escapes Yusuke's lips. He closes the distance instantly to gaze rapturously at the painting. His eyes are alight with a magical spark, his fingers trembled over the image as though afraid to touch it. With great care, and curiosity, he maneuvers the painting to examine the back, recalling Haru's mention of a signature on the back.
"Ah! This is a work of Edgar Degas! The L'Etoile!" he gasps, low and gleeful. "The deliberate choice of colors to highlight a radiant woman in a snow-white tutu while diminishing the presence of those behind her." He burst out laughing, exultantly. "To think such a rare masterpiece could be hidden in one's home... oh, this must be my lucky day!"
To her surprise, Haru finds his reaction oddly endearing and amusing. She let slip a giggle before she sits on the bedside. "I did tell you this painting inspired me to take up ballet lessons. Father had no hesitation about letting me learn. He said it would prove quite valuable in the future. At first, I couldn't have been more enthusiastic. I savored to learn such a beautiful art. But as I grew older, I eventually realized it was nothing more than a business tool for my father..." the young heiress wavers in her words, swallowing against the sadness of a painful reminder she feels in her throat.
"You mean to say the reason he let you learn was so he could boast to his business partners?" Yusuke's heart broke listening to her story. No longer staring in admiration at Degas' famous work, he looks back at his friend with a concerned frown.
Haru nods, solemnly. "He barely even came to see me perform. I was heartbroken... I lost my will to keep practicing, and eventually quit entirely. What I had once loved instead only brought me pain... Huh?" She doesn't register the sound of his movements, until the physical contact of his hands clasped in hers finally kicks in. It's a sign of solidarity when he did this, sitting next to her.
"That's horrible... it's a waste of your talent. To be honest, I can sympathize with what you had gone through. When Madarame plagiarized my work in order to make a profit, he was often boasting to some of his business partners in the art world. He never acknowledged or gave me credit for my work. In his eyes, I was nothing more than a business tool to help him achieve fame and money..." Oh, how Yusuke still remembers his former mentor's shadow verbally bashing him when he revealed his true colors in that gaudy museum of vanity. He understood the feeling all too well; being used as a business tool by a greedy father figure.
"That means you and I are in the same boat, so to speak. It's nice to know I'm not the only one." His skin is so smooth to touch that Haru opts to massage her fingers across the smooth flesh, but a part of her stiffens. She wants to let go and push him away, as if feeling long elegant fingers on her skin is a reminder of Sugimura's unwanted attentions. Except this is Yusuke, and he would never hurt her.
As though he sensed her discomfort, Yusuke releases her hands. "I'm sorry..." he apologizes.
"It's all right. You're just trying to help." Another part of Haru regrets the uneasy anxiousness and feels ashamed. "But I'm sure I wasn't especially good at ballet in the first place..."
Not good at ballet? That's absolutely ludicrous. Yusuke shook his head disapprovingly. "Haru, stop speaking such nonsense. The ballerina in the painting displays the courage, elegance, confidence and strength of a woman who has triumphed, despite her many trials and tribulations. It's a motivation to reach greater heights, no matter who or what holds her back. She's just like you, Haru."
"But Yusuke..."
"I see it in your poise in the Metaverse. The way you lift your chin in battle when you determine your voice to be heard, even your movements in battle. You display that strength and confidence when you stood up to your father. Your statuesque posture, your gentle countenance… It's as though you've stepped out of a delicate painting. I'd be honored to capture your own elegance and beauty in a painting, a dancer immortalized by my brush."
Haru loses track of the words she forgot to speak. A pink hue colors her cheeks. Yusuke's comments are so eloquently attractive and compassionate that she doesn't think she'll ever forget them. It warms her heart. "Thank you, Yusuke. You especially make a regular compliment so consoling it gives one strength and hope."
Yusuke's eyes widen as a wave of flattery and warmth crawls over his face. "You're welcome."
Now Haru seems tempted to become his model when her confidence had been boosted. "Could we try it? Me, being a model?"
"Absolutely! Let's do it."
"So, do you have a spot in mind?"
"Wherever you would feel the most at ease," Yusuke says this as he unpacks his sketchbook. He wants Haru to be perfect, more like how he knows her himself: gardening, cooking, making coffee, drinking tea, sitting on a cushioned chair overlooking the city skyline, sunset or moonlight colors illuminating her skin.
"How about here?" Haru gestures to the tea set on the table. "If you want, I could change into something pretty to fit your ideal image of a lady at a tea party."
It's a simple request, but no fancy dress could make Haru perfect. He wants her to be comfortable being who she is and what she prefers to wear. "No, your regular attire is just fine," Yusuke explains.
"All right."
Haru sits on the chair next to a table containing the tea set, holding a cup in both hands and soft brown eyes leveled a calm state when poised, watching Yusuke make himself comfortable on the bed, holding a pencil at an arm's length, closing one eye as he briefly examines the angle his muse is in.
It was exciting, but also nerve-wracking. It was only a sketch, but Haru knew that he was always a bit of a perfectionist to draw anything less than up to his standards of quality. He retains order in his work, but when it comes to Yusuke, it's easily complicated for him to be swept up in the flow when one grows enthusiastic. As she waited patiently, she noticed the blue-haired painter frowning as he looked at her posture and sighed, putting down the pencil. At first, Haru believed she had done something wrong and failed to meet his standards.
"You seem a little tense," he explained. "You must loosen up or I cannot sketch you properly. Your body should naturally correct itself in a comfortable position that you'd like."
Though relieved, Haru didn't feel that she was particularly tense. It was then she realized that she was trying to appear impressive to Yusuke as a first-time model. She nearly jumped out of her seat when he had walked over to her and placed a gentle hand on her face.
Haru's heart beat a little faster as he adjusted her face with great care. Sugimura was never gentle or respectful whenever he touched her face. With Yusuke, it felt different. A good kind of different. His soft fingertips grazed her skin, and she fought the urge to lean into his palm as he moved her slightly.
"That's better," he mumbled, and Yusuke went back to sitting on the bed to continue working on the sketch.
He goes for the sophisticated and tranquil scene, a girl sipping on tea whilst basking in the glows of the sunset. He begins sketching out the preliminary lines. Yusuke knows it's going to be an extraordinary sketch, soon to be made into a magnificent painting.
Everything goes according to plan. Haru is a very patient model. She never says a word, nor does she rush him to finish the sketch in a timely manner. It's so different when having Ann model for him, no complications or complaining. Very different back when living under Madarame's thumb, no need to rush for a deadline. When in the company of one who has the patience of an angel, away from the demands of school, away from interruptions of Ryuji or Futaba, Yusuke felt like he was in the right place.
At last, his sketch is complete. Yusuke showed it to her and Haru gazed at the picture in awe. Even though it's just pencil on paper, it came out incredible and very expressive. Tomorrow will be a new day, where he'll transport it onto a canvas and bring it to life with colors. He graciously thanks Haru for her cooperation.
"You're welcome. I look forward to seeing how it comes out tomorrow," she says.
"Until tomorrow then," he replies, his spirits already brightening. Yusuke can hardly wait to repaint it that he wants to do it now, except his paint and other art supplies are back at the dorms. "I bid thee farewell, Haru." He bows cordially, then packs up his things and is escorted to the main entrance.
He digs around in his pockets, and a disappointed frown appears on his pale features when he fishes out his iPhone to check the time. The hour had grown so late. "Oh dear..."
"What's wrong? Haru asked.
"It appears the train stations are all closed for the night."
"Oh no! If I had known, I wouldn't have kept you here for so long."
"It's quite all right. I'll contact Ren or one of our comrades to pick me up in the morning. Would you mind if I stayed here for the night? A temporary arrangement, of course."
"WHAT!?" Haru's eyes grew wider than ever. Anyone would be flustered in a case like this. Yusuke staying in her residence? Alone with her? This has never happened before. If she did, no telling what he might snoop through out of curiosity. Ann, Ren and Ryuji have obviously told her the story of how Yusuke came to join the team, by requesting Ann to model for him... in the nude. She worried that he... "No, Yusuke would never do anything inappropriate or uncouth to me!" she mutters quietly to herself. "He's too innocent to stoop low." She felt foolish for thinking of him in such a negative manner.
"Or perhaps I should contact Ann and ask her to come get me, then I can stay with her."
"No!" The sudden outburst from Haru leaves her in stunned silence. The very thought of Yusuke staying at Ann's place made her slightly uncomfortable, though she didn't understand why. Ann is one of her closest friends, and there shouldn't be anything to fret over. Perhaps she was a bit jealous of someone else so beautiful granting Yusuke permission to live with her. If Ann grants him permission, that is. Which she never does.
Yusuke had been waiting for her to respond, growing worried due to her outburst. "Haru, are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine..." Haru clears her throat, abruptly regaining her composure. "I'd be glad to have you stay with me. I'll have the maids set up the guest room nicely for you."
Whatever it was, Yusuke decided to let it go for now. He was all too relieved to hear her say this. "You have my thanks, Haru. By the way, what time does dinner start? And when will a bath be available for me tonight?"
"I can ask the chef to start cooking right now. She just bought some fresh lobsters and is going to make lobster hot pot. As for your bath..." she noticed his expression had changed oddly, his eyes had grown wider than saucer plates and his mouth hung open, "...uh, Yusuke, are you okay?"
Yusuke had just tuned out the rest of her sentence, speechlessly overjoyed. Lobster hot pot for dinner? He felt like he had died and gone to heaven.
Dinner had been wonderful. The best he had, as good as the hot pot he had shared with his friends after he first joined the Phantom Thieves. Despite his outwardly proper nature, Yusuke practically tore into the lobsters like a fox devouring his captured prey, only stopping after realizing Haru was staring awkwardly at him. He apologizes for behaving indecently, but Haru brushed it off. Though she did ask if he ever eats enough, his response had left her horrified.
He only ate a few slices of toast for breakfast, skipping lunches to work on art projects every so often because those projects are very important, and growing daikon in his room. If he feels the need to eat, he just resorts to buying the absolutely cheapest of food from vending machines, nothing with Nutrional value. Whenever he goes out to eat, it's usually when he went out with the group, but that certainly didn't happen enough for him. One time, he was forced to survive on nothing but grass and beansprouts for three whole days. Hearing this made Haru think, at first, for a minute there if he had been stranded on an island, only to learn that was Madarame's fault. And the worst part is how casual Yusuke was about it, as though his life isn't important. For a man who's so focused in his work, he forgets to eat in the first place. He lost count of how many times he's been fed at Leblanc, which is often paid for by either Ren or Ryuji. He stops himself when he finally noticed the concern on Haru's pretty features was replaced with seriousness.
"You cannot continue living like this! It's not healthy for you!" she declared, leaving the young artist speechless. Haru just couldn't bear seeing this passionate and kind-hearted boy struggle with the basics of feeding himself. Especially when she comes from a wealthy family, surrounded by a mountain of money which can be more than enough to feed her entire team.
Yusuke, for his part, just shook his head with a tiny smile. For all his eccentrics, he has an incredibly stubborn sense of pride. "Haru, you are too kind. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine. I go on for days without food with no trouble. Besides, I don't want to take advantage of you."
"No! You're my friend, Yusuke, and I'll not have you starve yourself all day! I won't be able to live with myself if I heard you collapsed during school hours or in the middle of the street! From now on, I'll cook you the best meals you've ever had! No more beansprouts, daikon and cheap snacks!" Those words left Haru's mouth without realizing what she just said, only then does she realize this too late.
Something lit up in Yusuke's eyes. Was it hope? Whatever it is, he seems to consider her request, and for a moment, Haru wonders if he will reject her offer. If he doesn't, what can she say to persuade him? Is there no one who can help him survive? Does their group know of this? She'll have to bring this up to her friends the next time they meet.
"Well, I would be a fool to refuse free food," he accepts, finally.
Instant relief for Haru.
After dinner, Yusuke took a nice, long bath. The hot water felt refreshingly good on his body, never having the chance to afford hot water on a regular basis whenever he showered at the dorms, most likely due to his money problems. It wasn't too bad for him, having bathed in cold water during the previous winters is no bother. He brushed his teeth, then got out of the bathroom... wearing a nighttime attire the late President Okumura used to wear. A little big on him, but at least he has something to sleep in for the night.
The guest room the maids had prepared for him was incredibly marvelous. Faintly similar to Haru's room, except the wallpaper is sky blue and the closet could have fit both his clothes and his art supplies, if he ever wanted to move in. It was beautiful, with a patio on another balcony overlooking the city. The bed smells gently of Haru - cherry blossoms and sweet jasmine.
It's better than living at the dorms, which somehow managed to be a downgrade from even his old home at Madarame's atelier. At the dorms, there's too much of everything - a complete overload for the artist's senses, noisy neighbors, smelly odor and... Junko Tomioka. God, he can't stand her. Junko may not live at the dorms, but whenever he sees her or gets forcefully involved in a conversation with her in class... he would often wish he was anywhere else away from her. Here, Yusuke is safe in a pleasantly quiet haven. It sparkles of Haru's personality and lifestyle, present all around him in touches of elegant ornaments and patterns.
The door to his room creaks open and Haru stands in the sliver of light, checking on him. She's in a sleeveless, blossom pink nightgown. Yusuke analyzes her with his signature finger-framing, scanning her in that gorgeous nightdress. If he could, he'd capture this version of her on paper. Perhaps another day he would.
"Hi. Do you have everything you need?" she asked.
"I'm perfectly comfortable, thank you. Although, I'd like some tea before bed."
"I'm afraid the kitchen is closed tonight. If you go snooping around in the middle of the night, Umeko-san might mistake you for an intruder. The maids are currently doing laundry before bedtime. Tomorrow, you'll get your uniform back."
Earlier, Yusuke had tried to make himself some tea in the kitchen. But Umeko, the chef, had shooed him out of the kitchen because the hour is late, and no one needs late night snacks. When he tried to protest, her terrifying aura silenced him. Oh well, he can't except every place he stays at for one night to be as hospitable as Leblanc. However, Umeko did give him a glass of water for him to keep at his bedside.
Haru is about to leave when he calls out before she can ease the door shut. "Yes?" she says, looking back.
"Thank you for letting me spend the night."
His genuine gratitude seems to surprise her, causing Haru to blush slightly. "Oh. You're welcome. It's the least I could do for you."
Yusuke nods, and settles himself in bed, surprisingly finding it more comfortable than a futon. Haru watches him fall asleep under the blanket for a few more seconds, lingering as if she wanted to say something, but no words came other than her eyes were sincerely focused on his sleeping form.
His blue locks and pale skin glisten in the rays of the moonlight beaming through the glass doors. It's almost as if he's glowing in pure, angelic light. His expression is that of one lost in peaceful thoughts. Haru wonders if she could try capturing this moment on paper, he'd look really impressive as a model himself.
"Goodnight, Yusuke." She whispers softly, gazing at him one last time before gently easing the door shut.
By morning, Yusuke is ready and dressed in his freshly cleaned uniform for the day when Haru emerges in school attire with her casual pink turtleneck cardigan. She walks with grace and elegance, though some sleep lingers in her eyes. Good mornings are exchanged between the two, which changes to discussions on plans for after school or the upcoming weekend. Haru asked how he slept that night. Yusuke had gotten used to sleeping in a futon in the past and sleeping in a bed for the first time felt comfortably relaxing.
Umeko had brought in plates of freshly cooked breakfast to the table, and Yusuke is left in a transfixed state at how much food he's given. Tamagoyaki omelets sliced in pieces with bits of cheese and veggies, dorayaki with red bean paste, miso soup and rice. And to top it off, two cups of freshly brewed coffee to complete the set.
"This looks fantastic... I almost feel as though I don't deserve it..." Yusuke responded guilty.
"Don't say that, of course you deserve it. You're my friend and I care about you..." Haru stated, albeit blushing when she said it. Why did she blush? He is her friend. Of course, she should care about him.
Hearing her say this, Yusuke's heart melted. "Thank you for caring about me."
He wastes no time scarfing it down, but he still savors the wonderous flavors exploding in his mouth. Haru, on the other hand, just smiles and delicately cuts into his food and ate carefully. He couldn't remember the last time anyone cooked for him, let alone Ren who often made curry or coffee for him, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He couldn't wait to see what Haru had asked the chef to make for his lunch after noticing Umeko discreetly placing a bento box in his bag.
"You know you're not supposed to peak until lunchtime." Haru playfully reminded him when she followed his gaze.
"I shall be patient." He agrees.
"And I'll lend you some money for the train fare if you ever want to visit me again. But please, promise me you won't spend it on countless art supplies, unless you really are running low on them." She had been told, mostly by Ryuji, that art supplies are Yusuke's biggest expense, either those or whatever beautifying objects that capture his attention, like a pair of lobsters he bought during his trip to the beach. So, Haru took it upon herself to correct it.
At first, Yusuke wanted to object that art supplies always come first. However, the serious, and yet, gentle concern in those sweet brown eyes persuaded him. "Very well. I promise," his acceptance brought relief to her and she resumed eating.
He could already imagine how many times he'd want to paint Haru, how often she would look so enchanting as to fill him with an overwhelming desire to capture her like that on a canvas or in his sketchbook forever. As he continues eating, Yusuke silently came up with another goal. Not only does he determine to escape another slump, but to create the perfect masterpiece of Haru surrounded by angelic light, bathed in the soft lighting of her pure soul and surround her with kindness and compassion. For however long it takes, and no matter how many times he will come back here, he determined to paint Haru as she was meant to be seen; the definition of kindness in true beauty.