Drawn Mochi Volume 5 Chapter 11.2: A Stormy Competition*5

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“I’ve never seen my name attached to a painting before.” (Lila)

“Really?” (Tougo)

　I was a little surprised to hear Lila say that. She said it was her first time… I mean, she had never had any work published under her name before.

“…It can’t be helped. If I submitted it in my name, it wouldn’t make any money.” (Lila)

　Lila seemed a little embarrassed as she said that, she then looked pensive with the way I was looking at her.

“Did you need money?” (Tougo)

“…yeah. Well, I don’t need it anymore…” (Lila)

　I asked back, and Lila replied quietly, with a downcast look on her face, but trying not to let it show.

“Well… my mother was sick. But the medicine was expensive.” (Lila)

　Lila’s mother.

　…If I recall correctly, Ms. Croix said that she died shortly before Lila signed the contract with the Brompa Family.

“I was thirteen when my paintings were first exhibited under someone else’s name. I was painting on a back street in the Royal Capital when the factory was closed, and a passing nobleman bought my painting. I was so happy at that time. My painting had sold. I used the money to buy medicine for my mother.” (Lila)

　Lila began. She didn’t sound sad, like it was a little bit of small talk.

“But that painting was displayed in the square of the Royal Capital. The painting bought by the aristocrat won an award in a competition. The prize money was about a hundred times the amount I sold the painting for.” (Lila)

“Hundred times…” (Tougo)

“It’s a shame. If I had that money… Well, it’s a waste of time to even think about it now.” (Lila)

　I know what was “wasted”. I’m sad because I know.

“…However, I was more hopeful than angry at the time. Oh, my painting was displayed in the Royal Capital.” (Lila)

　It’s a sad story, but Lila laughed a little when she said that.

“I wonder if I was happy about the money. Or was I happy that her painting was recognized… I don’t know. But after that, I started painting under the name of nobles. The first commission came from the nobleman to whom I sold my paintings, so that’s where I started. Eventually, I started to branch out on my own.” (Lila)

　Yes. I heard from Ms. Croix that she painted under the names of many nobles. That’s how needing she was for work, I guess.

　And her motive for work… was probably for the money and the thirst for recognition of her paintings, I think. Maybe the two got mixed up and she didn’t know anymore.

“I was very happy when I saw a picture I had painted hanging in a museum, even though it wasn’t in my name. I was happy. I knew there were people who thought something about my paintings, and that made me happy… I was happy. I think I was happy regardless of the money.” (Lila)

“I see.” (Tougo)

　I nodded in return because I understood a little. Then Lila laughed a little again and continued talking.

“I got the money so I could buy medicine for my mother and she could see a good doctor with it. Also, a lot of people saw my paintings, and that made me happy, so I was able to do a lot of things…” (Lila)

　At that point, she suddenly stopped speaking.

　After the pause, the words wandered through the air, and then they finally came out of Lila’s mouth.

“But I guess I probably didn’t need it.” (Lila)

　Strong emotions can be felt in the words that suddenly come out. However, Lila’s expression didn’t change much, and seeing that made me feel nervous inside.

“My mom, she ended up dying, you know? Just about six months ago. And then. I don’t need money anymore. Then I started wondering what the hell I was doing… So, I decided to use your name to end it all.” (Lila)

“…Why did you choose me?” (Tougo)

“Because you were the most likely to sue me. I thought… that the Redgarde family had that much power, and your painting had that much power. So I approached the Brompas and said, ‘Why don’t you let me pretend and use Tougo Uezora?’” (Lila)

“You were planning on ending it all?” (Tougo)

“Yes.” (Lila)

　Once again, there was a moment of silence.

　…Well, I don’t know what to say in a situation like this.

“…I’m honored to have been chosen.” (Tougo)

“Um, I used you. Is that really what you’re saying?” (Lila)

　We don’t feel the same. But…

“…I think you should be more angry.” (Lila)

“Is that so?” (Tougo)

“That’s right!” (Lila)

　This time, Lila glared at me with an increasingly angry face.

“You should be even more angry. Your name was stolen and you were even entered into a competition without your knowledge. If you don’t come forward and sue me, all your fame will be mine. It might have turned into something worse, you know?” (Lila)

“Hmm…” (Tougo)

“This is not about whether or not I’m going to get in trouble with Master Fay! How do you feel about that as a painter?” (Lila)

“Well…” (Tougo)

“Hey, are you listening to me?!” (Lila)

　Lila looked at me as if her anger had gone full circle and she was stunned. When I saw that face,

“…As expected, I want to talk to you more.” (Tougo)

“…eh?” (Lila)

　Lila’s expression said, “Why are you saying that?” Yep. It’s easier to understand, perhaps because she’s more expressive than the horses. Well, those horses are also pretty easy to understand…

“So, when you’re done with everything, come visit me in the forest.” (Tougo)

　When I said that, Lila’s face distorted a little.

“…What are you talking about? Once everything is cleared up, there’s going to be a trial, right? By the time it’s over, I’ll be…” (Lila)

“Do you not want to come visit me in the forest?” (Tougo)

　But when I asked that again… Lila said with a slightly sad look on her face.

“…I am not saying I don’t.” (Lila)

　I see. That’s good!

“I’m happy to hear that. Then, let’s do it.” (Tougo)

　Lila muttered, “You’re weird,” but that was probably the best compliment.

　…In the end, it seems that the museum was in trouble after that.

　After all, no one could remember exactly which pictures belonged to whom. …It seems that even the person who was supposed to have painted the picture didn’t know which one was theirs. Well, I mean, those people probably didn’t draw it themselves…

　…And so, the competition ended without us being able to figure out, why the Ryuu suddenly appeared and messed things up.

　People who saw the Ryuu said things like, “That dragon must have come to expose the injustices of the aristocrats,” or “Maybe it was a messenger of the gods,” or “That dragon was a mischievous dragon.” and many other things, but no one complained about the Ryuu’s actions.

　After all, it’s a dragon. If a dragon is said to have been a messenger of the gods, then no one would complain about it.

“If it was done by a non-human, then they can’t complain, can they…?” (Tougo)

“And it’s a dragon. Even a member of the royal family, I don’t think they can do anything about it.” (Fay)

　Yeah. The royal family apparently didn’t complain about the ruckus at the Royal Museum. They seem to love dragons after all.

　The royals are trying their best to find the Ryuu, but the Ryuu flies away immediately after the storm that engulfed the city, so in the end, the royals fail to catch a dragon.

　However, it seems that the members of the royal family did not give up. Perhaps because he wanted Ryuu to like them, they were trying hard to guess Ryuu’s intentions behind changing of the name plates…

…Then, Lila made a “confession”, and another small storm was summoned into the Royal Capital.

T/N: Poor Lila, I hope she succeeds with her plan. She’s a bit unreasonable, especially since the aristocrats “technically” didn’t do anything bad… But it is hard not to sympathize with her.