We're here!
This is where Ena's dad is holding his art exhibit?
I always thought solo exhibitions took place at smaller venues... I guess it just means he's that famous.
Yeah, I can't wait to see what's inside!
The theme for this exhibit is “Deep in the Night”, so the art we're going to see may all have something to do with that...
Oh, really?!
Wait, Mafuyu, you knew beforehand?
Kanade seemed interested, so we did some research.
I'd seen some of Ena's dad's works in the past, so I've been looking forward to this a little...
Haha. Then, I'm glad we came!
Me too...
Where do you think Ena is...?
Oh, good question.
I was under the impression that she'd be by the reception...
But we may have a hard time finding her since she's also supposed to be helping out behind the scenes...
Right...
But it'd still be nice to see her.
(I mean, Ena really doesn't like having anything to do with her dad.)
(So I hope she's okay.)
Oh...
Look. Over there...
Huh...?
It's Ena!
Wait, huh...?
…………
<What if...?>
<What if your dad was having trouble painting, Ena?>
He'd finally begun his journey as a painter, but no one seemed interested in looking at his art, let alone understand it.
He drew and drew as much as he could. He was so desperate.
(There was a time when nobody would look at his art...?)
(And he seriously thought about quitting?)
(I'm having a hard time believing that...)
(But...)
(If that's true...)
But if you're serious about becoming a professional, you'll keep facing what you are now time and time again.
The difference between those with talent and those without is that those without have to work much harder to be on the same level. More than you can imagine...
I'm saying that you'll keep feeling this pain if you choose to continue drawing...
You won't always be able to produce works that satisfy you. Can you deal with that pain moving forward?
...
(He struggled to produce anything that he was satisfied with.
The thought of not being able to create art agonized him.)
(He felt pain with each brush stroke, which was only made worse by people not showing any interest in what he was doing.)
(And yet, he chose to keep creating...)
(Which means I...)
(I should also...)
(But...)
Shinonome's such an amazing artist.
All of his paintings are just so wonderful...!
Based on the theme of this exhibit, I will say that there are a lot of dark and gloomy pieces... But they're all really beautiful.
I agree.
It's no wonder that he's hailed as a modern master. He's produced a fabulous feast for our eyes.
With “A Peony Blooming in the Night” as the piece de resistance. It's just so beautiful...
(I always saw this one as just another pretty painting...)
(There was something mystical about this peony blooming while surrounded by darkness.)
(But...)
Yes, but...
As you know, he didn't end up quitting.
I don't fully understand the pain he felt or how he figured out what he needed to do.
However...
I do know that he decided to fully commit himself to his art.
He decided to fully commit himself to his art...
(What state of mind was he in...?)
(How was he able to actually do that...?)
...
Ena has a serious look on her face...
By the looks of things, I think we have nothing to worry about.
Yeah, let's give her some space for now.