The morning of the showcase arrived quietly.
Aiko woke up before her alarm. The sky outside her window was pale gray, soft and muted, like the world hadn't fully woken up yet. She lay in bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling, listening to her own breathing.
"This is it," she whispered to herself. "Today is the day."
She got up slowly. Her feet touched the cold floor. Everything felt normal — the same room, the same sounds from the kitchen, the same smell of morning tea. But inside, everything was different.
Today, people would see her soul hanging on a wall.
She walked to the kitchen. Her mother was already there, setting the table.
Mom: "Good morning, beta. Did you sleep?"
Aiko: "A little."
Her mother looked at her with soft eyes.
Mom: "You'll be wonderful today. I know it."
Aiko smiled faintly.
Aiko: "I hope so."
Her father walked in, holding the newspaper.
Dad: "There she is. The artist."
Aiko laughed nervously.
Aiko: "Dad, don't tease me today."
Dad: "I'm not teasing. I'm proud."
He kissed the top of her head and sat down.
Dad: "Now eat something. You'll need your strength."
Aiko sat down and tried to eat. Her stomach was tight with nerves, but she managed a few bites. The tea was warm. It helped.
---
After breakfast, Aiko went to her room to get ready.
She had chosen her outfit days ago — a simple cream-colored dress with soft sleeves, comfortable but elegant. Mika had helped her pick it out. "You should look like yourself," Mika had said. "Not like you're trying to be someone else."
Aiko stood in front of the mirror. She looked at her reflection for a long time.
"This is me," she thought. "This is who I am. An artist."
She pinned a small flower-shaped brooch to her dress. It had belonged to her grandmother. Her mother had given it to her the night before.
Mom: "For good luck. She would have been so proud of you."
Aiko touched the brooch gently.
"I'll make you proud too, Grandma," she whispered.
---
Her phone buzzed.
Mika (text): "TODAY IS THE DAY!!! I'm so excited I might explode!!!"
Aiko laughed.
Aiko (text): "Please don't explode. I need you there."
Mika (text): "I'll be there. Front row. Crying probably."
Aiko (text): "You're ridiculous."
Mika (text): "And you love me. See you soon, star."
Aiko smiled and put her phone in her bag.
---
Before leaving, she went to see her Dada Ji.
He was sitting in his chair by the garden window. The morning light fell softly on his face. His eyes were closed, but when Aiko entered, he opened them and smiled.
Haruto: "Aiko. Come here."
Aiko walked over and knelt beside his chair.
Aiko: "Dada Ji... I'm leaving now."
Haruto looked at her carefully. His eyes moved over her face, her dress, the brooch.
Haruto: "You look beautiful, beta. Like an artist."
Aiko's eyes filled with tears.
Aiko: "I wish you could come with me."
Haruto: "I am coming with you. In here."
He touched his heart.
Haruto: "Every painting you make has a piece of me in it. Because I'm the one who gave you your first brush. Remember?"
Aiko nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Aiko: "I remember."
Haruto: "Now go. Show them what you're made of. And when you come back, tell me everything. Every detail. Promise me."
Aiko: "I promise, Dada Ji."
She kissed his forehead and stood up.
At the door, she looked back. Haruto raised his hand in a small wave.
She waved back and walked out.
---
The Canvas & Co. gallery was beautiful.
Soft lighting. White walls. Wooden floors that gleamed under the gentle glow. Aiko's two paintings — "Longing" and "Silence" — hung on the far wall, side by side. They looked like they belonged there.
Other artists' works were displayed throughout the space. Paintings, sculptures, mixed media pieces. Each one telling a different story.
People began arriving slowly. Gallery owners. Art critics. Fellow artists. A few journalists.
Aiko stood near her paintings, her hands clasped in front of her. She felt exposed. Vulnerable. Like she was standing naked in a room full of strangers.
Mika arrived and immediately rushed to her.
Mika: "Aiko! Oh my god. Your paintings look AMAZING!"
Aiko: "Really?"
Mika: "Are you kidding? Look at them. They're beautiful. I'm already emotional."
Aiko hugged her tightly.
Aiko: "Thank you for being here."
Mika: "Where else would I be? I'm your number one fan."
They stood together as more people filtered in. Some stopped to look at Aiko's paintings. A few nodded appreciatively. One woman stood in front of "Silence" for a long time, her head tilted slightly.
Aiko watched from a distance, her heart pounding.
"What is she thinking? Does she like it? Does she understand it?"
The woman eventually walked away without saying anything.
Aiko's stomach dropped.
Mika: "Hey. Don't overthink. Not everyone shows their reactions."
Aiko: "I know. I'm trying."
---
Then Yuna appeared.
Yuna: "Aiko. There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Aiko followed Yuna to a small group of people near the entrance. Among them was an older man with silver hair and kind eyes.
Yuna: "This is Mr. Ishida. He's the owner of Ishida Gallery — one of the most respected galleries in the city."
Aiko's eyes widened.
Aiko: "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
Mr. Ishida: "The honor is mine. Yuna has told me a lot about you. I wanted to see your work for myself."
He walked toward Aiko's paintings. Aiko followed nervously.
Mr. Ishida stood in front of "Longing" for a long moment. Then he moved to "Silence." He didn't speak. He just looked.
Aiko's heart was beating so loudly she was sure everyone could hear it.
Finally, Mr. Ishida turned to her.
Mr. Ishida: "You paint like someone who has lived."
Aiko didn't know what to say.
Mr. Ishida: "That's a rare thing. Most young artists paint what they see. You paint what you feel. There's a difference."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card.
Mr. Ishida: "When you're ready, come visit my gallery. I think we should talk about your future."
Aiko took the card with trembling hands.
Aiko: "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Mr. Ishida: "Don't thank me. Just keep painting."
He smiled and walked away.
Aiko stood frozen, the card clutched in her fingers.
Mika: (rushing over) "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
Aiko: "I... I think he liked my work."
Mika: "LIKED?! He gave you his card! Aiko, this is HUGE!"
Aiko looked down at the card.
Ishida Gallery. Established 1982.
She felt tears welling up again.
Aiko: "I need to call my mom."
---
The rest of the showcase passed in a blur.
People came and went. Some praised her work. Others simply looked and moved on. A few asked questions about her process, her inspiration, her journey.
Sera appeared at one point, standing beside Aiko near the paintings.
Sera: "Congratulations. Mr. Ishida doesn't give his card to just anyone."
Aiko: "Thank you. I'm still in shock."
Sera: "You should be proud. You've earned this."
Her smile was warm. Her words were kind.
But there was something in her eyes — a flicker of something Aiko couldn't name.
Sera: "I'll see you around, Aiko. I have a feeling our paths will cross often."
She walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Mika leaned close to Aiko.
Mika: "I still don't trust her."
Aiko: "Mika..."
Mika: "I'm just saying. Something's off."
Aiko didn't respond. But somewhere deep inside, she felt it too.
---
By the end of the evening, Aiko was exhausted.
Her feet hurt. Her face ached from smiling. But her heart was full.
Yuna found her sitting alone in a corner, staring at her paintings from across the room.
Yuna: "You did well today, Aiko."
Aiko: "Did I?"
Yuna: "You did more than well. You made an impression. That's all that matters."
Aiko looked at her paintings — the girl at the window, the figure beneath the tree.
Aiko: "They're pieces of me, Yuna. And now strangers have seen them."
Yuna: "That's the bravest thing an artist can do. Share their soul with the world."
Aiko smiled softly.
Aiko: "I think I'm starting to understand that."
Yuna: "Good. Now go home. Rest. Tomorrow, the real work begins."
---
That night, Aiko sat on her bed, still in her dress.
The card from Mr. Ishida was on her bedside table. She kept glancing at it, as if to make sure it was real.
Her phone buzzed.
Mika (text): "Today was legendary. You were legendary. I'm so proud of you."
Aiko (text): "I couldn't have done it without you."
Mika (text): "You could have. But I'm glad I was there. Now sleep. You earned it."
Aiko (text): "Goodnight, Mika."
Mika (text): "Goodnight, star."
Aiko put her phone down and lay back on her bed.
She stared at the ceiling.
"I did it," she whispered. "I really did it."
Outside, the city hummed quietly.
And somewhere across the city, Ruen was lying on a hotel couch, scrolling through his phone.
He had just finished a concert. His body was exhausted. But his mind was restless.
A notification popped up. An art page he followed had posted about a small showcase that happened tonight. He scrolled through the photos.
Then he stopped.
Two paintings. Side by side.
"Longing." A girl at a window.
"Silence." A figure beneath a tree.
He read the caption.
"Emerging artist Aiko Tanaka impresses at Canvas & Co. showcase. Gallery owner Mr. Ishida expresses interest in future collaboration."
Ruen stared at the photos for a long time.
Ruen: (softly) "Aiko Tanaka..."
He saved the post.
Then he closed his eyes.
Somewhere in the same city, Aiko was falling asleep with a smile on her face.
Neither of them knew it.
But the universe was quietly connecting the dots.
---
To be continued... ✨
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Hey everyone… 💫
I'm really sorry for the delay in uploading. I know many of you have been waiting patiently for the next part, and it truly means the world to me.
My exams are currently going on, and my routine has been a bit all over the place. I didn't want to rush the chapter or write something half-hearted just to post it. This story is very close to my heart, and I want every chapter to feel meaningful — for you and for me.
But don't worry! Once my exams are over, I'll be back to uploading regularly. I promise. ✨
Thank you so much for your patience, your love, and your support. It really keeps me going.
See you very soon with the next chapter.
With love,
[HIDDEN WRITER]
🌸