Drawn Mochi Volume 5 Chapter 6.1: Painting Excursion*5

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“…This isn’t your painting, right?” (Fay)

　Fay asked me that, and I nodded.

　Yeah. This is not my picture.

“…I see. Well, I thought so.” (Fay)

　Fay let out a deep sigh, looked at the painting again… and then looked back at the museum staff and said,

“…Who is the person who posted this painting? The one who lied and is cheating with my artist’s name!” (Fay)

　…Fay is angry. Very much.

　Seeing that Fay was angry, the museum staff answered while cowering.

“I-I heard that he is the artist of the Brompa family…” (Staff)

　I see. So the person who painted this picture was Mr. Tougo 3? I thought I had heard that he was a painter for a family called Brompa.

“Let’s go see him. Where is he?” (Fay)

“Eh, yes. If it’s Tougo Uezora…” (Staff)

　As soon as the museum staff started to say that… Fay interrupted them.

“He is Tougo Uezora. Don’t call lying people by his name.” (Fay)

　…Fay’s scarlet eyes seemed to be on fire. Very scary. But it’s really cool. I want to draw. [T/N: Not the time.]

“Don’t make that mistake. The real person is in our care… And what about that fake?” (Fay)

　Fay stared at the museum staff with his burning scarlet eyes. The museum staff shuddered, then pointed outside.

“Well, actually, they are always painting in the park behind the museum… so perhaps they are there today as well. Ah, but at this hour, they might be on their way home…” (Staff)

“Alright. Thank you.” (Fay)

　After saying that, Fay quickly started walking outside.

“…getting angry is exhausting, isn’t it?” (Fay)

　And a few steps outside, Fay said that as he turned looking annoyed.

“Good job. Thank you for being angry with me.” (Tougo)

“Oh… Well, you have to show your anger in a situation like that, otherwise you won’t be able to push back when you’re pushed.” (Fay)

　He got angry for me. I’m a little sorry, but I’m also a little happy. …Well, I feel happy and then I feel sorry again.

“Well… For now, let’s try to find Tougo 3.” (Fay)

“Yep.” (Tougo)

　I started walking in the park behind the museum with Fay, who had returned to her usual routine.

“…If I meet Tougo 3, I’ll have to get angry again… Ah, you can be like that too!” (Fay)

“Y-yes.” (Tougo)

　…Will I be able to do it as strongly? Hmm.

　I was walking in the small park behind the museum, soon I found it.

“Oh, that carriage.” (Tougo)

　A beautifully crafted carriage was parked, and a light was on inside. …And inside, someone was drawing a picture.

　Fay and I looked at each other, and then, with full intent, we approached the carriage.

　…The person inside the carriage seemed to have noticed us approaching. And…

“Are you Tougo Uezora?” (Tougo)

　When I called out to them, they looked at us with a quizzical look on their face.

“I’d like to talk to you for a moment.” (Tougo)

　The person I called out to is a strong-willed-looking girl, about the same age as me, with chestnut hair and indigo eyes.

　The child I spoke to looked at us intently. …No, it’s not just a child it’s a child staring hard.

“Ah, um…” (Tougo)

　I’m a little troubled because she doesn’t reply. Just as I was starting to wonder if I should say it again, Fay came in, since she doesn’t want to look at us.

“It’s you, right? The one who lied and is impersonating our family’s artist.” (Fay)

　Fay said that and glared at the girl.

“Let’s talk a little bit. There’s a lot I need to ask you. Next up is your employer.” (Fay)

　And when Fay said that the girl said…

“Why do I have to talk to you people?” (Girl)

　After saying that, she averted her gaze from us and faced straight forward.

“Get the carriage moving.” (Girl)

　She said, and the coachman signaled the horses and the carriagestarted to move.

“Wait!” (Tougo)

　I call out to her, but the horses don’t stop. The horses looked back at me, looking a little reluctant to leave, but they were hurried by the coachman, and they walked slowly, pulling the carriage…

　And then, *neigh*. I hear a familiar voice.

　…The horses pulling the carriage stopped in surprise at the alicorn that appeared in front of them.

　When Laocles and Ms. Croix got off the alicorn, the alicorn went straight towards the carriage horses and snorted once. …Then the carriage horses looked at each other and snorted, and then the alicorn snorted again…

　…Then the carriage horses seemed to have lost the will to move. They just sat there and wagged their tails in a relaxed manner. Then they looked at the alicorns in awe. …What did the alicorn do? I wonder. Is the alicorn like an idol to an ordinary horse…?

“Oh, hey! What is going on?” (Coachman)

　The coachman was surprised and panicked when the horses suddenly sat down, but it couldn’t be helped since the horses were no longer moving. The horses were neighing in a good mood, and the alicorn was making a face that looked like “Oh dear.” …What did he really do?

“Is this Tougo 3?” (Croix)

“Um, maybe… What about Lian and Ange?” (Tougo)

“We left them at the inn. It’s getting late.” (Croix)

　Both the driver and the child in the carriage were surprised. They would obviously be surprised to see an alicorn suddenly appear, carriage horses sit down, and more people suddenly appearing. Yep.

“So, I guess we can talk?” (Croix)

　Ms. Croix smiled and looked into the carriage, and the child inside gave a small nod with a wary look on her face.

　So, we moved to a bench and table in the park.

It was getting dark around there by now, but Laocles had brought a lamp, so we put it in the middle of the table and talked there. …This would be nice if it were a picnic or something. It’s a pity that we are going to have a discussion instead of a meal.

“Um… just to confirm, did you enter the competition under the name Tougo Uezora?” (Tougo)

“Yes. I did.” (Girl)

　When I first asked about it, the answer came straight back in the affirmative. The other person’s expression was calm, or rather dignified, or rather… No, she was probably nervous, and since she was surrounded by people, she was probably on her guard, but even so, the way she said it was very clear…

“And you are employed by the Brompa family as Tougo Uezora?” (Fay)

“Yes. That’s right.” (Girl)

　I see. Yep.

…Well, for now, I think it is certain that the girl in front of me is Tougo 3. Then, well, I guess I’m happy for the time being. If there had been a me who entered the competition in addition to me who worked for the Brompa family, there would have been a fourth me.

“I think you already know, but Tougo Uezora is the Redgarde family’s personal painter. Do you know what it means to call yourself that and serve the Brompa family? I don’t think it’s a good thing, isn’t it?” (Fay)

　When Fay continued to say that in surprise, the girl suddenly became more nervous. …But she smiles confidently.

“…Lord Brompa says that I am Tougo Uezora, you know?” (Girl)

　Hearing that, Fay made a face saying, “I see”. Yeah. In other words, this becomes a showdown between aristocrats…

　Fay seemed to be thinking about how to respond, so I decided to ask her a question in the meantime.

“Why did you list it under my name?” (Tougo)

“Because I am ‘Tougo Uezora,’ the painter of the Brompa family. Nothing strange about that, right?” (Girl)

Ah, I see. In other words, she was first hired by the Brompa family. Yeah. That means I have to ask about the circumstances how she was hired.

“Well, why did they hire you under my name? And is it you who says you’re ‘Tougo Uesora’? Or is it Mr. Brompa?” (Tougo)

“…eh?” (Girl)

　But I guess I asked the wrong question. The girl gave me a quizzical look. Well, let me make it clearer…

“Did you take my name of your own free will?”  (Tougo)

　…Then, for a moment, the girl looked upset.

“…Of course. I’m taking this name of my own free will.” (Girl)

“I see.” (Tougo)

　Yep. If you say so, then it must be so. But… For some reason, it just doesn’t make sense to me, or rather, it just doesn’t feel right…

“I thought that Mr. Brompa had told you to paint under my name.” (Tougo)

　When I said this, the girl looked at me quizzically again. I’m sorry for making you frown all the time.

“I saw your picture.” (Tougo)

　But when I continued, the girl’s expression suddenly became tense.

　I was somewhat nervous, too, and asked her,

“…I thought it was good enough for to not use my name. Well. That’s why I was curious as to why you were working under someone else’s name.” (Tougo)

“…Do you seriously think so?” (Girl)

“Yep.” (Tougo)

“Did you see my… the Tougo Uezora painting that I entered in the competition?” (Girl)

“Yeah. That’s right. The picture of the stormy forest.” (Tougo)

　I really think so. That painting was wonderful.

“I could feel the strength of the wind and the coldness of the rain. If I were to go inside this painting, I would be scared. It was as if I could hear the rustling and swaying of the trees.” (Tougo)