Chapter 2

…Bark.

Uu-chan! You’re safe…!

Thank good… ness…

The portrait Kiroku-kun made came in really handy when talking to those people.

Woof! Woof!

Thank you, too… Shumai.

Woof!

Thank you all, truly. Here, have the treats I bought on my way to the park. Please do enjoy them.

Wow, that’s such a cute cookie tin! Are you sure?

I insist. This picture is so vivid, Uu-chan must have thought it was real and gotten startled.

That’s how wonderful it is. I’m very grateful, boy!

…!

Thank you, too… I had… fun. Drawing… Uu-chan…

(Kiroku-kun seems happy. What a relief…!)

Yaaaw…oof.

You worked really hard today, Shumai. You too, Kiroku-kun. Here, some hot chocolate. Let’s eat the cookies we got earlier too.

…Thank, you.

I’m glad everyone was happy, even with that incident.

…Still, all of the portraits were wonderful. I wonder if it’s because you enjoyed drawing them—I could look at any of them forever and not feel bored.

…

In that, case… should I, draw, a portrait… of you, too…?

What!? Really?

You helped… a lot, so… as thanks…

I’d love that. Alright, please go right ahead!

…

…

……

………

(Th-this is bad…)

…

(Kiroku-kun’s staring directly at me…)

(So this is how it feels to have a portrait done. It’s a little embarrassing…)

Ki-Kiroku-kun… is it okay to talk right now?

…?

(He’s not looking away…)

Um, how should I put this… This kind of thing, feels a little awkward…

…? What, does…?

Well… staring at each other like this for so long, I guess…?

…

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ah…! I-I’m sorry!? Even though you were concentrating, I…!

It… it's… al… ri… ght.

(Ah, I’ll try looking at his hands. That way—)

…Chief.

Wh-what?

Look… this way.

Huh!?

I want to, draw you, while looking, at you, properly… Because, your eyes… are very… pretty.

I-I see… thank you…

I'm… done.

Uwah…! It’s so colourful, but so coordinated at the same time. My own face looks so radiant here…! You really are incredible, Kiroku-kun!

…-…

I really like it. Thank you so much! I’ll go put it up in my room right away.

Ah… wai…

Hm?

Uu……

Ah, wanna use PeChat?

N-no… I’ll use, my own, words…

Alright, got it.

…

The reason, your portrait… is so colourful… is… because, I drew you… the way I, see… you.

To me… you're… someone who’s, always… surrounded by, smiles… Both from, the people around you… and, your own, as… well.

So you're… overflowing with… all sorts of, colour. Sparkling and… dazzling.

Kiroku-kun…

(The words he’s getting out bit by bit are making me feel all warm inside.)

I’d like you to… keep showing me, lots of colours. …Thank you, for, today.

…That’s my line! Let’s keep getting along from here on out too.