[180] Stealing Hearts

Chapter 180: Stealing Hearts

"We're here."

Perhaps it was because she didn't want to continue the topic of caretaking, or maybe because they had finally arrived at their destination, but Rita quickened her pace, pulling Shunsuke along until they stopped in front of an exhibition hall.

Seeing the sign that read "Modern Art Exhibition," Shunsuke immediately understood Rita's innocent intention.

"Aren't we buying tickets?"

"It's free today."

"That's pretty rare. So we're basically freeloading? Not even spending a hundred yen?"

"Shunsuke, can you stop linking everything to money?"

"Sorry, I guess it's just the mindset of a commercial novelist like me."

The two bickered casually, but as they stepped into the exhibition hall, they instinctively lowered their voices. Such was the power of the atmosphere.

Even though it was the weekend and admission was free, the hall wasn't particularly crowded. That wasn't surprising—99% of people in the world would probably think the so-called art here was nonsense, and would rather enjoy the works of artists like "Mougyuu Milk-sensei" and their alluring fantasy illustrations.

And even among those who did come, only a small fraction truly understood art. The rest were merely here to feign sophistication.

The moment Rita entered, she had a clear destination in mind. She grabbed Shunsuke's hand and led him toward a corner of the exhibition. Despite being a corner, it was one of the few areas with a gathering of people—an unusual sight in this hall.

Shunsuke didn't even need to look. He could already guess that the artwork drawing this crowd was Mashiro's.

However, on the way there, a casual glance to the side made him stop in his tracks.

A painting—one that looked oddly familiar.

Instinctively, his hand slipped from Rita's grasp as he stepped toward it.

"Shunsuke, you…"

Noticing the sudden loss of warmth from her hand, Rita turned around and softly called his name. But the moment she caught sight of the painting, her expression changed.

"This painting is quite something, isn't it?"

Feeling Rita's subtle tremor as she stepped behind him, Shunsuke spoke up suddenly.

"Y-Yeah, it is."

Rita forced a smile, her gaze flickering evasively, a telltale sign of a feigned expression.

Shunsuke slowly turned his body, shifting his gaze from the painting to Rita, studying her carefully.

Around them, people passed by quietly, their footsteps muted by the plush carpet. Yet, under his scrutiny, Rita felt an inexplicable illusion—like, in this moment, they were the only two people in the world.

"I meant your painting is quite something."

The artwork depicted a noblewoman with golden hair and striking blue eyes, biting down on a flower, her expression strained.

Shunsuke pointed at the plaque beneath the painting, where the name Rita Ainsworth and her nationality were displayed.

"T-This could just be someone with the same name…"

Rita lowered her head, muttering something even she didn't believe.

"Rita, it's the 21st century. You can look up my information, so do you really think I wouldn't be able to look up yours? The rising star of the British art world, second only to Mashiro—Miss Rita Ainsworth."

Returning his gaze to the painting, Shunsuke sighed in admiration. "It's truly incredible. Even someone like me, who doesn't know much about art, can feel the emotions you poured into this piece. It's dazzling."

"Dazzling…? Just go look at Mashiro's painting instead!" Rita's voice suddenly shot up, her eyes reddening as she pointed a trembling finger toward the corner. "The real masterpiece is over there! Everyone's looking at it! You should go too!"

Her sudden outburst shattered the quiet of the exhibition hall, drawing the attention of those nearby.

Without hesitation, Shunsuke pulled Rita into his arms, gently stroking her golden hair before pressing a kiss against her pale lips.

"Mmh… Mmm…"

At first, Rita struggled, but her resistance soon weakened. In the end, she completely relaxed in his embrace.

The adults and elderly patrons around them, seeing such a youthful moment unfold, simply smiled and turned away.

"So? Still feel like crying?"

Shunsuke brushed a fingertip over the redness beneath her eyes.

"As if I'd cry over something like this. Don't underestimate me."

Rita gave him a light push, sniffing softly, still trying to put on a strong front.

"Yeah, yeah."

After a moment, once she had barely managed to calm down, she forced a smile. "Let's go. I brought you here to see that painting, after all. You should see how everyone looks when they admire Mashiro's work."

Shunsuke didn't move. If this were a visual novel, this would be the point where the screen prompted a choice: Go or Don't go.

He chose Don't go.

"So this was your plan all along, huh? You wanted me to admire Mashiro's painting, watch how others are awed by it, and then have me convince her to go back?"

"That's right! Shunsuke, look—so many people are moved by Mashiro's art. Are you really going to let your selfishness hold her back?"

"If we're talking numbers, manga has way more admirers than any painting."

Shunsuke quipped, but seeing Rita's flustered and angry glare, he decided to drop it.

"Besides… I like this painting more."

He glanced at the nameplate again and smiled. "It has a great title."

Holding the suddenly dazed Rita by the waist, Shunsuke turned his gaze to the painting titled Jealousy.

"What's so great about this painting? No one's even looking at it. And that title… it's a complete disaster."

Rita gritted her teeth, suppressing the storm of emotions inside her as she leaned against his chest. If they weren't in a gallery, she would have shouted out loud, screaming to release the suffocating pain in her heart.

Shunsuke could feel her turmoil. Tightening his arm slightly around her slender waist, he let her feel his presence. "How can you say no one appreciates it? I'm standing right here, admiring it."

"That's just you—"

"You don't believe me, Rita? But I truly love this painting. Even someone like me, who knows nothing about art, can understand and feel the emotions you poured into it. When you painted this, you were thinking about Mashiro, weren't you? This painting is filled with your emotions—all of them, your jealousy toward her."

"You…"

"Subarashii. It's truly magnificent. Absolutely dazzling."

Shunsuke cut her off and continued, his voice filled with genuine admiration. Of course, he wouldn't deny that part of him wanted to leave an impression on this vulnerable British lady, embedding himself into her heart at her weakest moment.

But his feelings about the painting? Those were real.

He genuinely loved it.

At the very least, compared to the other artworks he couldn't even begin to comprehend, this one spoke to him. He could feel it, understand it, and appreciate it.

Rita's lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, no words came out.

"But you know, Rita," he continued, "the most dazzling thing here isn't the painting—it's you. Even though you're consumed by jealousy, you still care about Mashiro. When you encouraged her to pursue manga, you must have regretted it, right? If you had just let her be, you would have been the most talented artist in the British art world."

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