Lisa handed the apron to Yatami, who slipped it on effortlessly, tying the strings with practiced ease. The fabric draped over him like a second skin, as if he had worn something similar countless times before. He adjusted the fit, Lisa made her way to the window, unlocking it with a soft click. A gentle breeze swept into the room, carrying with it the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers. The warm air swirled around her, making her auburn hair dance ever so slightly.
She inhaled deeply before turning back to their workspace. Moving with quiet determination, she ventured into the basement, carefully dragging a sturdy wooden table and a matching chair up the stairs. The furniture scraped softly against the polished marble floor as she positioned them with precision, ensuring a comfortable five-meter gap between her and Yatami.
Yatami sat patiently, observing her every movement with quiet amusement. "Are you ready now?" he asked as she adjusted her chair, his deep blue eyes glimmering under the soft sunlight.
"Almost done," Lisa murmured, securing her drawing book on the table. She reached for her art bag, pulling it close with eager hands. Settling into her seat, she beamed at him. "I'm prepared now, Big Brother."
A knowing smirk curled at the edge of Yatami's lips. "Let us commence then," he said, an air of friendly rivalry in his tone. "May the most exceptional artist emerge victorious."
Lisa giggled at his competitive nature, before she could think of what she could draw, Yatami did some twirled it between his fingers, then abruptly dropped it back into the apron pocket. Lisa's brow furrowed as she studied his face.
"What's wrong?" she asked, pausing mid-motion.
Instead of answering, Yatami strode toward the basement again. His steps were deliberate, as if retrieving something crucial. Moments later, he returned, arms full with his own set of art supplies: an identical table, a matching chair, and a professional-grade sketchbook. Lisa blinked as she watched him set up his space with military-like precision.
"You could've just asked me to get them for you," she teased, resting her chin on her palm.
"I prefer doing things my way," Yatami replied simply, removing his apron momentarily to arrange his workspace. He took a seat, unzipped his backpack, and extracted a sleek mechanical pencil. Opening his sketchbook, he began to draw, his hands moving with calculated grace.
Lisa found herself entranced. His pencil glided over the paper, creating delicate yet precise strokes. The way he worked focused, unwavering, as if transferring something from his mind straight onto the canvas fascinated her.
'I wonder what masterpiece my brother is creating now…' she mused, her red eyes flickering with curiosity.
Realizing she had been staring for too long, she quickly shook herself out of her daze. 'I need to focus! I can't let him win so easily.' Taking a deep breath, she picked up her technical pencil and allowed her creativity to take over.
A vision formed in her mind, sharp and vivid. She began with a light circle, crossing the center to map out the proportions. Slowly, her sketch came to life with a face with sharp cheekbones, an intense gaze, and lips curved in a serene smile. The hair, styled in a wolf-cut, cascaded in effortless layers, framing the figure's features with a wild elegance.
Her hands moved instinctively, adding detail after detail the tilt of a delicate nose, the arch of striking eyebrows, the curve of a gentle jawline. She placed a single rose in one hand, held close to the face, as if the character was savoring its scent. On the other hand, she sketched a wide-brimmed hat, the fingers grasping its edge against an imagined breeze.
Lisa's world expanded beyond the figure. A garden bloomed across the page lush and teeming with life. Sunflowers, roses, and daisies wove together in an intricate dance of colors. Above, birds soared in the sky, their silhouettes casting soft shadows over the land.
The warmth of the sun bathed the scene, its golden rays spilling over the petals and leaves. A gentle gust rippled through the air, lifting strands of hair and rustling the edges of the flowing high-waist skater skirt she had drawn. The character's outfit was simple yet charming: a crisp white short-sleeved T-shirt tucked into the skirt, capturing a carefree yet elegant aesthetic.
Lisa exhaled slowly, feeling satisfaction bloom within her. 'This might be my best work yet.'
Reaching into her apron pocket, she retrieved her fine markers and began outlining, defining each curve, each expression, each shadow. Her focus was unwavering, her world narrowing to the art before her.
The sound of soft pencil strokes and shifting paper filled the room as Lisa and Yatami continued their silent competition. Their bond, unspoken yet undeniable, manifested through each sketch and brushstroke, a conversation of creativity unfolding between them.
Yet, even in this peaceful moment, a strange sensation crept up Lisa's spine like a whisper of unease lingering in the air. She brushed it off, convinced it was nothing more than the excitement of the challenge.
Lisa clutched her drawing notebook eagerly, her heart racing as she approached Yatami's side. She wanted to share her work, to see his reaction but the moment she laid eyes on his artwork, her steps faltered. Her breath hitched, and she starred
in stunned disbelief at the image before her.
"B…Big Brother, is that me?" she stammered, her fingers gripping the edges of her notebook tightly.
Yatami's sketch was mesmerizing, so lifelike, so precise, it was almost as if he had captured a moment from the future. There she was, standing elegantly, her eyes reflecting a depth she had never seen in herself. But what truly unsettled her was the mysterious figure beside her.
"Who is that standing next to me?" Lisa's voice was barely above a whisper, her gaze fixed on the tall, faceless boy drawn beside her. The stranger exuded an aura of quiet strength, his features left unfinished as if shrouded in an enigma, waiting to be revealed.
Yatami tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. "I don't know, Lily," he admitted, his tone calm yet thoughtful. "But I felt this image as I drew. My hands moved on their own, like a vision guiding me. I believe this is you… but I have no idea who he is."
A chill ran down Lisa's spine. There was something inexplicably right about the drawing, yet also deeply unsettling. The familiarity of the unknown figure, the way he stood close to her in the sketch sent a shiver of anticipation and uncertainty through her.
"This is serious!" she exclaimed, snapping out of her trance. "Mom and Dad need to see this!"
Her pulse quickened with excitement and urgency. She couldn't explain it, but something about this drawing felt important like a missing piece of a puzzle she didn't even know existed. Without another word, she dropped her drawing dashed toward the exit. "Wait here, Big Bro! I'll be right back!" she called over her shoulder, already rushing to find her parents.
What lies ahead for Lisa and Yatami? What secrets are about to unravel? Stay tuned for the next thrilling part of Secret Spy!