Upon hearing those words, Mori Minami seemed to grow eerily calm. Arms crossed, she sat across from Haru without the slightest expression.
"This 'future' you speak of, what meaning does it have for the 'present'?"
"Haru-kun, your talent in piano and music is certainly impressive. But if you really intend to debut as a professional pianist or composer, the time and effort required isn't something you can just toss out in a sentence."
"The music world places great value on seniority. No matter how gifted you are, you need time to mature. Besides, how am I supposed to believe you'll actually reach that level someday?"
"Even if, by some miracle, you become a nationally or even globally recognized pianist, are you seriously planning to wait until then to talk to me about this?"
She spoke slowly and deliberately, as if giving a lesson, all while carefully observing Haru's reactions. Clearly, she had predicted he would start throwing out vague promises about the future.
But in truth, she knew full well that Haru wasn't the type to speak without a foundation. This boy, far more mature than his peers, must have had some basis for his confidence.
And yet, after she laid out all these hard facts, the black-haired boy across from her remained perfectly calm, eyes steady.
Before she could continue, Haru spoke up slowly.
"Ma'am, I assume you found out more about me than just what you've already mentioned?"
Minami pressed her lips together.
Indeed, she had dug up everything possible when investigating Haru, and there wasn't a detail she had missed.
That included his recent participation in the Youth Art Exhibition, where he made his debut as an artist and won the highest gold prize.
But she found it hard to believe.
Could a person really be gifted in both music and visual art, two entirely separate fields? Could someone really achieve success in both at once?
"That's right. I also know your artist pseudonym is 'Yuuka.' That's actually one of the reasons I called you here today."
"But to be honest... I find it very hard to believe someone could win the top prize at their first art exhibition. In the world of visual art, talent usually reveals itself very early, most so-called prodigies begin showing promise at age seven or eight, sometimes even younger."
"But Haru-kun, before you turned sixteen, there was no sign of any 'artistic' talent."
Her words were clear. She couldn't believe that he could be elite in both disciplines.
If he had only shown talent in one field either music or visual art, she could call him a prodigy. In fact, she had already regarded him as a "musical genius."
That was, until she discovered he was involved in art as well.
Even now, faced with her blatant skepticism, one might even call it suspicion. Haru remained serene, a gentle smile on his face.
He waited patiently for her to finish, then replied sincerely.
"If I want to debut in music, I'll need at least a year or two to fully prepare."
"But... ma'am, are you familiar with the Bunten?"
Minami furrowed her brows. That name, so prominent in the art world, was one even she had heard of.
The "Bunten," or Ministry of Education Art Exhibition, was a legendary art showcase dating back to the Meiji era. It was considered the pinnacle of Japanese visual art.
Winning a prize there meant stepping into the upper echelons of the country's art scene. A career could be made overnight.
"Of course I know about the Bunten. But... are you saying you plan to enter it?"
"With your current credentials, you're still far from eligible. The Bunten is the epitome of a seniority-based system. Even if you win the top prize, you'd need to win it ten more times to be promoted to the highest rank of 'member.' That would take at least ten years!"
If he could really become a "member," then perhaps his ambitions would start to make sense.
"No, I'm not particularly interested in the Bunten."
Haru shook his head, turning his gaze toward the green-haired girl beside him.
Wakaba Mutsumi, sitting a short distance away, felt his gentle eyes on her. The cold fear and pressure her mother had inflicted on her began to melt away under the warmth of that gaze. It reminded her of the first time Haru had embraced her, and even her hoarse throat seemed to regain its strength.
"What I plan to enter is the 'Phantasm Exhibition' six months from now."
Minami froze.
She hadn't expected the boy's ambitions to reach so high.
In Japan, where seniority and hierarchy were so deeply ingrained, it took years just to build the credibility needed to become a nationally recognized artist.
Yet this boy had cast all that aside and set his sights directly on the pinnacle, a legendary exhibition that even the Bunten couldn't reach.
He was going to leap past Japan and aim straight for the world?
She drew a long breath, disbelief in her voice.
"Haru-kun, are you joking with me?"
She truly hadn't expected Haru to be this confident. On what grounds did he dare say such things? Even Bunten award-winners rarely dared to talk about entering the Phantasm Exhibition.
But Haru's certainty only made her more curious.
"Confidence is a good thing, but why do you believe you can enter the Phantasm Exhibition?"
"Everyone who participates is already well-known in their home countries, veteran artists with long-established careers. From what I can tell, you've only just won your first major award. Shouldn't it be impossible for you to qualify in just six months?"
Minami wasn't questioning his ability, only the reality of his current situation. As an elder, she was simply speaking the truth as she saw it. Still, she couldn't deny her interest in hearing what this so-called genius had to say.
Everything Haru had shown so far backed up his reputation.
In their time face-to-face, she'd come to understand his mindset and temperament. He wasn't someone who spoke empty words. His confidence didn't come from delusion.
Which meant that he had some real reason to believe he could make it.
Haru gave a small, polite smile, then turned serious.
"You're right. With my current credentials and fame, I can't enter the Phantasm Exhibition."
"That's why I plan to compete in the 'FIRST' Exhibition taking place in half a month."
The FIRST Exhibition, prize money of three million yen, often called the "cradle of the global stage."
Its mission was to discover and elevate new artists with international potential. The top prize was awarded only to the most promising newcomer, and without it, joining the Phantasm Exhibition would be nothing more than a fantasy.
But if Haru could win FIRST, then he would qualify to step into the world's elite.
"You said, ma'am, that my 'future' means nothing to the 'present.'"
His jet-black eyes locked onto hers, radiating unshakable confidence.
"Then I'll turn my future into the present. Surely you can wait at least half a month, can't you?"
Confidence
Confidence so unwavering it was almost surreal.
Minami hadn't expected Haru to already have a clear roadmap for his artistic career. Then again, anyone could draw up a plan, what mattered was the vast gulf between ordinary humans and true geniuses.
No matter how grand the words, who could truly back them up?
"You think the FIRST Exhibition is the same as the Youth Exhibition? This is the cradle of the world's elite. Countless young artists have fallen there."
"What makes you think you can beat them all and take the top prize?"
She admired his ambition and confidence but as Mutsumi's mother, she had a duty to be cautious.
Mori Minami also wanted to see what this boy was truly capable of.
Haru, seemingly having anticipated her doubts, spoke without hesitation. "I understand you'd naturally be wary of risks you can't account for, ma'am. So I believe I should offer you something to ease your concerns. Let's make a simple wager."
"A wager?"
Minami gave him a long, meaningful look, then smiled with interest. "And how do you propose we bet, Haru-kun?"
"Let's bet on whether I can win the gold prize at the upcoming FIRST Exhibition in half a month."
A wait of just fifteen days even Mori Minami could afford that.
This kind of bet was ideal for her; she wouldn't need to invest anything. If Haru succeeded, she'd acknowledge his ability and talent. And if he failed, nothing would be lost.
A classic no-lose scenario.
She nodded inwardly, then tested him further. "Since it's a wager, there ought to be stakes, shouldn't there? If you really do win FIRST's gold prize, what do you think would be a fitting price for me to pay?"
Haru only smiled slightly before replying at a measured pace.
"I just want you to stop interfering so heavily in Mutsumi's daily life. Let her play in her band as she chooses. Let her go to the beach with her friends. Let her attend a fireworks festival at nine in the evening. Let her stay up all night on New Year's Eve, and welcome the new year in her own way."
Minami was genuinely surprised. He wasn't asking for approval to be with Mutsumi?
She hadn't expected that. Given this rare chance to bargain, he had chosen to prioritize Mutsumi's freedom. It was clear now that this overly confident boy had a soft and sincere side too. Even Mori Minami could tell that his love for her daughter was real.
Mutsumi, sitting on the sofa to the right, widened her golden eyes. Her gaze toward Haru shimmered with admiration. Then, without either of them noticing, her hand gently clenched into a fist around the bracelet on her left wrist.
"..."
Suddenly, Mutsumi stood up, catching Minami slightly off guard.
Calm and composed, she walked over and sat beside Haru. Under her mother's surprised gaze, she spoke clearly and seriously.
"Mom, I want to be with Haru."
"I don't want to lose my happiness. No matter what... I don't want to."
She bowed her head deeply, voicing a request to her mother for the first time in sixteen years.
Minami never imagined her daughter would go so far. She sat in silence, eyes filled with quiet emotion as she looked at the two seated before her.
Her heart, usually so cold and composed, rippled with emotion at her daughter's words. Was it complicated? Gratifying? Or simply joyful? She couldn't tell. All she knew was, she suddenly wanted to gather her daughter into her arms.
The look in Mutsumi's eyes was one Minami had never seen before, a gaze filled with strength and resolve.
Seeing that, she finally understood. Whether it was this wild, confident boy or her quickly maturing daughter, they both truly loved each other.
Even if she tried to separate them, it would only hurt everyone involved.
With her spirits lifted, Minami let a faint smile curl on her lips. She looked deeply at her daughter, then turned her gaze forward.
"Since this is an equal bet, it can't just be one side offering something, right? That wouldn't be fair."
"So I think you need to put something up too, Haru-kun... something that proves to me you're truly committed."
"Of course, ma'am. Please go ahead."
Haru nodded without hesitation. No bet came without risk.
"If you really do win the gold prize at FIRST, I'll agree to everything you said. I'll also allow you to get engaged to Mutsumi immediately, and I won't interfere in your relationship from then on."
Minami looked gently toward her daughter and continued at a leisurely pace.
"But if you don't win the top prize, I'll still agree to what you said, and I'll still let you and Mutsumi get engaged... However, from the moment of your engagement, you'll marry into the Wakaba family and be devoted to Mutsumi alone."
So in the end, it was all about getting him to join their family, huh?
Whether he won or lost, she wouldn't stop Mutsumi from pursuing her happiness.
But if he failed, the price Haru would pay would be one he couldn't easily bear.
"If you can accept all that, then I'm willing to accept this bet. But before that, you'll still need to prove to me that your talent and skill are real."
As if seeing it all in advance, Minami raised an eyebrow. Before Haru could respond, she added, "I know your specialty is oil painting. I've already prepared high-quality paints and brushes. Since you're confident you'll win the gold prize, there shouldn't be any problem doing a live demonstration, right?"
"No problem at all."
Haru nodded confidently, but after a few seconds of thought, he added, "I'm fine using your paints, but I need to use my own brushes. Would you allow me to go home and get them now?"
"In that case, why not take Mutsumi with you?"
Minami waved her hand generously, then turned her gaze toward Mutsumi.
Maybe she was impressed by Haru's confidence and spirit or maybe... she was simply happy with her daughter's growth. Either way, the stern woman who had just been 'negotiating' was now giving them an opportunity to spend time alone.
"..."
Mutsumi's eyes shone with a light she'd never shown her mother before.
"Mutsumi, shall we go?"
Haru smiled, extending his hand to the girl in the pure white dress. Mutsumi slowly smiled in return. Without hesitation, she placed her left hand, the one wearing the glass bracelet, into his. Under Mori Minami's gaze, Haru led her out of the Wakaba estate.
Just like the first time he'd taken her hand and "run away" together.
…
Rumble, rumble...
The sound of the train wheels grinding against the tracks echoed like distorted guitar chords from an electric solo.
The black-haired boy sat by the train door, his dark eyes gazing through the crystal-clear glass. The sky beyond was a deep, endless blue like the ocean. Beside him, the girl leaned her head against his shoulder, silently savoring this moment that belonged to just the two of them.
"Haru, thank you."
The girl with long, pale green hair spoke softly, her gentle voice tickling his ear.
"Why aren't you saying sorry anymore~?"
"Because... I'm not afraid anymore."
As the girl whispered from her heart, Haru felt her grip in his hand tightening.
The warmth flowing through their veins met in the center of their palms, creating a unique kind of heat only they could share. The golden light of the afternoon filtered through the train's glass, falling gently across their backs. Mutsumi's pale green hair seemed to glow with a translucent brilliance, full of comforting vitality and life.
She gently rested her chin on his shoulder, her soft lips brushing against his ear as she whispered.
"Haru, what do you think my mom is really thinking?"
"...If she truly disapproved of our relationship, she wouldn't have let you come home with me. Besides, the wager she proposed leads to us getting engaged no matter who wins. That alone means she's already allowing us to stay together."
The girl blinked in surprise, then slowly nodded.
"But... if you lose..."
Haru took a deep breath, replying seriously, "I won't lose. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the right to say what I did."
Mutsumi was stunned for a second, then gave him a solemn nod.
"But she still wants you to paint in front of her. I'm not sure what her real intention is..."
Haru narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled. "Maybe she just wants to see for herself... whether I'm really as amazing as I claim. After all, I did shamelessly declare I'd marry all of you."
Of course, it could also be that she simply wanted to mess with him a little.
The doll-like girl pursed her lips, then reached out her other hand and formed a tiny pink fist.
"Haru, good luck."
"Alrighty~ I'll do my best to marry you fair and square."
He felt her grip tighten again. Mutsumi's cheeks blushed as she looked up at him with those radiant golden eyes, nodding with all the strength she could muster.
"Okay."