Volume 2 Extra Part1 (1/2)

Translated by: Rinkage

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Extra : I went to the festival  (1/2)

“Hah? Festival? Party?” [Youki]

I initially came to the guild to see if there were any requests I could accept, but I ended up receiving some unexpected information from Clayman. It seemed that there would be festival-like event organized for the hero’s party soon. Quite some time had pa.s.sed since they defeated the Demon Lord, so there should have been enough parties and celebrations already.

So then, why were they organizing a festival now?

“Ou. I was told that some kind of big shots from another country will be visiting. After the Demon Lord was defeated, each country was preoccupied with their own celebrations and they also had to settle their own country affairs. So, now that everything has calmed down, don’t you think it is finally their opportunity to probe the secrets from respective countries?” [Clayman]

Although he said it in a listless manner, it wasn’t really off the mark.

In fact, I think what he said was spot-on.

“Hmm, will there be anything interesting?” [Youki]

“Beats me. I think there will be merchants coming to open stalls here…. which reminds me, there will be some kind of event where a famous so-and-so painter will be painting a picture of each of the hero’s party members.” [Clayman]

“Really?” [Youki]

Will he also paint a picture of Cecilia?

Since it would be painted by a famous painter, the picture would definitely capture the real beauty in Cecilia. It made me look forward to the festival.

“Well, if they’re going to throw a festival then they should throw a grand one. That means that there will be less people coming to the guild, so I’ll get to relax.” [Clayman]

“Will you not be taking the day off during the festival, Clayman?” [Youki]

The first time I met Clayman was during the parade.

If I remember correctly, all his co-workers took the day off, leaving him alone in the guild at that time.

“I’ll be the only one working in the guild this time as well. After all, there will be no one who would come for a guild request. So I'll get to laze around.” [Clayman]

“Oioi. Don’t tell me that everyone else aside from you will be on vacation again?” [Youki]

“Ou. It seems that the rest of them want to see the hero. Of course, there are also people who are aiming for the other party members too… like that Aquarain young lady.” [Clayman]

“Wipe that smirk off your face!” [Youki]

Are you trying to pick a fight with me?

It p.i.s.sed me off. I wondered if there is a way for me to get even with him.

“I’m going to relay that statement from earlier to Sophia-san. Clayman was smirking when he told me that there will be a bunch of guys who will take advantage of the festival to get close to Cecilia.” [Youki]

“Oi, wait a minute. Don’t do that. Don’t you know what Sophia will do if she hears that?! Besides, you’ve distorted what I’ve said! I didn’t put it that way.” [Clayman]

“That’s all. I’ve got valuable information, too. I’ll not take up any request today. Later, Clayman.” [Youki]

I stood up from my seat and left after bidding farewell to Clayman.

Even though Cecilia might attract the vulgar gazes of many men, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to tell Sophia-san that just to spite Clayman.

“Even so, a picture, is it… It's cool. I'm envious.” [Youki]

Only someone who had made remarkable accomplishment would have their picture painted by a famous painter.

Someone like Cecilia Aquarain, one of the party members who had defeated the Demon Lord would have their legend handed down from generation to generation.

“Alright. This is something to be celebrated!” [Youki]

I’d like to hear about the festival, too.

On the promised day, I arrived at the mansion with a gift in hand.

“I heard that there’ll be a famous painter who'll be painting your picture during the festival. That’s so cool. Ah, here's a gift.” [Youki]

“No, it’s not really that big deal… Oh, thank you.” [Cecilia]

I handed Cecilia the bag of pastries and took a seat on the chair. Cecilia then prepared the tea for two people and readied the pastries for a quick tea time.

“It tastes good as usual.” [Youki]

“Fufufu, thank you very much.” [Cecilia]

I looked at Cecilia as she drank her tea elegantly. It was certainly a picturesque sight worthy of being made into a painting.

“…Is there something wrong?” [Cecilia]

She raised the question, probably because I was just staring at her without touching my tea. I would normally go into raptures over the snacks as I heartily tucked into the pastries and guzzled down the tea.

“No, I was thinking about how you look like a painting.” [Youki]

“Wha-!? Come on, please stop that…” [Cecilia]

Why did her face suddenly turn red? Was it something I said?

“Did I say something wrong?” [Youki]

“No, please don’t worry about it. However, it’s just as Youki-san said. We’ll have our portraits painted in the incoming festival. I’m actually nervous about it.” [Cecilia]

“Nervous?” [Youki]

“Yes. It’s my first time having my portrait painted.” [Cecilia]

“It’s surprising. My impression is that it is a common occurrence for n.o.bles to have their portraits painted.” [Youki]

“I didn’t have an opportunity to have mine painted and I didn’t think of having one done either.” [Cecilia]

It was such a waste considering that fact that she’s so cute.

However, since this would be a picture left to posterity, it wouldn’t do for her to remain nervous. I’d rather have a picture of Cecilia looking relaxed and natural instead of all tensed up.

“Cecilia, let’s have a special training.” [Youki]

“Eh? Training?” [Cecilia]

“Yep. Let’s have a special model training so you’ll not get nervous during the real thing.” [Youki]

I dashed out of the mansion at once to buy the art supplies.

When I was done with my purchase, the store owner said, “You do your best, too.”

“I’m back.” [Youki]

“You’re fast… That dynamism of yours always amazes me.” [Cecilia]

I believe in striking while the iron is hot. It wouldn't do for me to be wishy-washy.

Even though it was a cool line, I couldn’t say it out loud in the current situation. It was likely that she would only smile bitterly upon hearing it.

“I bought these sheets thingy so I wouldn’t dirty the room.” [Youki]

“Okaa-sama told us to do it in the garden when I consulted her about it.” [Cecilia]

“Is that so? Yeah, I guess that’s true.” [Youki]

If, by chance, I were to make a mess of the room, I would only end up troubling Sophia-san.

“Shall we move to the garden?” [Cecilia]

”Yes.” [Youki]

We brought the newly purchased art supplies, along with the cups and the basket of pastries, to the garden. It was fortunate that the weather was fine, making it an ideal day for painting.

“All right. Shall we start then?” [Youki]

“What should I do?” [Cecilia]

“Let’s see. Can you take a seat? It will be tiring for you to stand.” [Youki]

The thought of making Cecilia stand the entire time as she modelled for me frightened me as I wouldn’t know what Sophia-san would do to me if she were to find out. Well, I had no intention of making her stand from the start, though.

”I understand.” [Cecilia]

“Of course, I won’t tell you not to move. You can just relax and move about if you want to.” [Youki]

“…Will you be able to paint then?” [Cecilia]

Cecilia looked at me anxiously. It will be alright. Nothing is impossible for me.

I gazed at her seriously and ran my brush over the sketchbook. Even though I had told her that it would be alright for her to move about freely, she remained still, possibly out of consideration for me.

Although it was supposed to be only a model practice for Cecilia, I ended up becoming serious.

“I will definitely produce a magnificent artwork.” [Youki]

“I’m looking forward to it, Youki-san.” [Cecilia]

When I first started painting, I thought that I would be able to pull it off for sure, but I had forgotten something important. There was a problem with my artistic sense.

After taking some time to finish my painting, I stared at my sketchbook. I thought it looked good. At least, that was what I felt, but something seemed different.

“Is this supposed to be Cecilia?” That was the feeling one would get at first glance.

“Have you finished the painting?” [Cecilia]

Cecilia stood up from the chair and walked over to me.

The deafening silence was torturous, so I wished she would stop that.

“Your reaction's the same as Gai’s, that one time.” [Youki]

“U-Um… sorry.” [Cecilia]

The girl I like was being considerate of me, even though it was supposed to be a training session for her to ease her tension.

How did this awkward atmosphere come about?

“It’s not something that you need to apologize for, Cecilia. It’s just that I don’t have any artistic sense.” [Youki]

“That’s not it. Youki-san is just… unique.” [Cecilia]

“Guh-!?” [Youki]

I was stabbed by her words this time, causing me to choke and cough reflexively.

“Ugh, this is not the end. I will not let it end just like this.” [Youki]

I would not let it end just like that after showing Cecilia such a pathetic side. My chuuni switch was flipped.

“Ah, I have a feeling that Youki-san can't be stopped anymore…” [Cecilia]

“Rest a.s.sured, Cecilia. I will not give up.” [Youki]

“What are you not giving up on? You’ve deviated from your main purpose already.” [Cecilia]

Despite looking seemingly weary, she still went along with me, so I had to show her a fitting result. I turned to a new page in the sketchbook and took up the brush.

“Visualization. I have to visualize it.” [Youki]

I tried recalling the moment when I had successfully moulded Gai using my earth magic. At that time, I had done it without taking much time and my mind had been free of obstructions.

Since I failed in achieving realism, I went for the super-deformed (chibi) style.

I ran my brush over the sketchbook while still on my chuuni mode.

The time taken to finish this painting was half of last time.

What was drawn in my sketchbook was Cecilia in a cute chibi form.

“All right!” [Youki]

I cried out in satisfaction.

This level of work should be worthy of presentation to Cecilia.

”Did it come out well?” [Cecilia]

Was it because I was too engrossed in it? Or could it be that I was feeling too excited?

She peeked at the sketchbook from behind me. I almost cried out in surprise, but no voice came out. My heart started racing at her close proximity.

”That’s me?! That’s such a cute drawing. I like it.” [Cecilia]

I was happy that she liked it, but I wished she would move back a little. (ED: Why do you want her to move away?!?!?)

The pleasant smell of her body caused my heart rate to accelerate to dangerous levels at that moment.

”T-Thank you…” [Youki]

I squeezed out my words of grat.i.tude. My chuuni mode was completely switched off.

However, my heart throbbed with excitement once again when I recalled Cecilia’s happy smile.

…More. I would like to make her even happier.

“Alright. Let’s come up with the visuals for all the hero’s party members.” [Youki]

“Eh, you mean Hero-sama, Mikana and Raven-san?” [Cecilia]

“Yeah. I think I’ll try challenging myself and draw the others too.” [Youki]

I looked at the sketchbook with the brush in hand. The important thing was visualization.

First of all would be Yuuga, but seeing that it was that fellow, there was no need to spend so much time on the visualization of his image. After deciding on the theme, I finished his picture in a short time.

“Youki-san, who are the girls around Hero-sama?” [Cecilia]

“They’re just unimportant minor characters that I had drawn.” [Youki]

I came up with the drawing by visualizing Yuuga with a harem of girls. In other words, the theme for this was a harem.

“Then why is Hero-sama, the main character of this picture, so small?” [Cecilia]

“He’s in the center, so isn’t it fine?” [Youki]

Being in the center of the drawing would make him appear like the leader.

“The size of the girls around him is larger… but, it does give one the feeling that the main focus of this picture is Hero-sama.” [Cecilia]

“It does, doesn’t it?” [Youki]

It was something that I had simply drawn… no, it was an important piece of art that I had drawn with my skill. However, the one that stood out the most here was still Yuuga, regardless of how small the visual of him was.

“His presence is still overwhelming even though his size is small. As expected of a hero.” [Youki]

“I think the final impact of a drawing depends on Youki-san, though.” [Cecilia]

“That’s true.” I thought and laughed upon hearing Cecilia’s response.

I took a short break since I was tired of drawing.

“We’re supposed to be having a practice session, but I ended up getting sidetracked.” [Youki]