Dang, it's late. If I'm gonna make it home on time...

Mother's probably already worried...

Mother's probably already worried...

...oh, so that thing's some kinda watch? I thought it was just a toy.

You what, again...?

We goin'?

Yeah.

Wh...

Oh.

I'd forgotten about this painting... maybe I should just throw it away before I get back...

A picture? Is that one that you did? Lemme see it!

Well, okay, just don't tell anyone about it... I was just thinking about throwing it away...

You... think so?

...I think this is very nice work...

...I think this is very nice work...

"I think it's very nice."

I think anyone who looked at this would say how skilled you are.

Let's say this picture were put in with a bunch of other skillfully made paintings.

I don't think you'd be able to tell your painting from any of the others. That's how you know you're really great.

Even being able to paint above the average is not easy. That's why I think you're amazing.

You are a very skilled painter. That is the truth!

You are a very skilled painter. That is the truth!

Chie seemed to be choosing her words.

Chie seemed to be choosing her words.

Just like Mother up until tonight. It was irritating.

Just like Mother up until tonight. It was irritating.

Hikaru, do you like to paint?

I--

I--

Hikaru's so good at drawing, isn't she?

I like...

Huh...?

When did this happen?

When did this happen?

When did it get to the point that I painted in order that I might be praised for it?

If those are the feelings I've been putting into it, is there any reason to go on?

Is that why Mother is opposing me? Out of concern?

Is that why Mother is opposing me? Out of concern?

Trying to make me realize that my weak feelings had made for weak paintings. That what I loved to do had all along been just a means for others to tell me how great I was.

Guess I'm talking a little out of line, sorry. I really do like your painting.

Guess I'm talking a little out of line, sorry. I really do like your painting.

If you keep working at it, you'll surely get to be even better than you are now. Little by little, your colors will work through.

...would you fly that one for me...?

What?

What?

I'm with you, just crumpling them up isn't heroic at all.

So, I want you to fold that painting into an airplane...

So, I want you to fold that painting into an airplane...

You sure?

I'm going to try talking with Mother again.

So it's "goodbye" to my old paintings.

So it's "goodbye" to my old paintings.

And, um... I think you ought to talk things out with your father... too.

About what you want to do with your life... your feelings of insecurity...

About what you want to do with your life... your feelings of insecurity...

You said it's got nothing to do with your father, but hasn't there actually been something he's said to you that's shaken your confidence?

Chie, I do love your paintings. But I'm not going to be around forever, and to be honest, I don't see how you can actually make any money from this.

Chie, I do love your paintings. But I'm not going to be around forever, and to be honest, I don't see how you can actually make any money from this.

For your father's sake, and for everyone around you, it's best that you settle down and find a job. You can still paint as a hobby, right?

......right.

Don't you ever get to be a good child, Hikaru.

Huh?

Whuh-oh. Sun's almost set.

Gonna be dark soon.

We'd better scurry on home.

Yeah. I don't want Mother worrying about me...

I was actually out here today because I had a fight with her and stormed out. 'Cause I'm a bad kid.

Oh, yeah?

Oh, yeah?

That's not so bad. I'd like to fight with my folks and storm out sometime. Think Father'd worry about me?

You know he would! He'd even try to run you down as you left. Though I shook Mother off...

You know he would! He'd even try to run you down as you left. Though I shook Mother off...

...I can't toss this. Here, take it back with you.

Oh... okay.

Oh... okay.

Here we are. Hinobara's just a straight shot thattaway.

Here we are. Hinobara's just a straight shot thattaway.

It is? Ohh, I really can't thank you enough! And thank God, it's still not 6 o'clock yet!

If I'd stayed out past six, Mother would have been furious.

Ha ha, jeez, listen to me, huh? You'd think I was still in grade school!

Still a kid at your age, heh...

Well, bye-bye, then. It was fun talking with you.

Oh, yes! I mean, same here!

Oh, yes! I mean, same here!

And thanks again for showing me out!

And thanks again for showing me out!

--ah.

I knew it. She's mad.

I knew it. She's mad.

Hurry up and get inside.

Ah, Mother, I... I, um......

You might have called, at least. Where on Earth did you go, anyway?

You might have called, at least. Where on Earth did you go, anyway?

I'm sorry...

When you were talking... about your, um... route, is that the word? Anyway, back then...... your mother wasn't listening as diligently as she should.

When you were talking... about your, um... route, is that the word? Anyway, back then...... your mother wasn't listening as diligently as she should.

You spoke with perfect earnestness, and I can't excuse not returning the favor. I'm sorry.

Your slippers... You probably already know about not wearing shoes into a Japanese home. Indoor slippers exist for those not wanting to wear out their socks, but to wear them outside is something of a faux pas.

Wh-- ack! You're right!

Well, putting on shoes just to stand outside would have been a bother, anyway...

But on another tack, what are you doing with a paper airplane?

You're not a kid anymore... sheesh, are you really all right? Because I wonder...

...no...

...no...

No, I'm NOT all right!

Earlier, I said "I want to go on painting", even though I don't know I'll get anything concrete out of it...

Earlier, I said "I want to go on painting", even though I don't know I'll get anything concrete out of it...

Maybe I'll even get anxious, lose heart and falter on my way...

But to tell me that it's useless to even try,

that it was never meant to be in the first place... I just don't see the connection.

that it was never meant to be in the first place... I just don't see the connection.

that it was never meant to be in the first place... I just don't see the connection.

You think that I'm worrying too much, then?

No, that's not it! You're the only one who does worry about me!

No, that's not it! You're the only one who does worry about me!

Hikaru... you really have given this idea some very serious and thorough thought.

I didn't know that at the beginning, so it took me a little by surprise. Even though you're just acting your age, after all.

Still a kid at your age.

Still a kid at your age...

Still a kid at your age...

Hm?

Hm?

Hm?

Yes, I thought that way, too, when I was in high school.

Yes, I thought that way, too, when I was in high school.

But... there was someone I knew, a friend. A very skilled painter, she was, and never afraid to speak her mind...

You... you spoke to that girl?

You... you spoke to that girl?

It was a long time ago, so I don't remember it all too well, only...

When she said she'd fought with her mother and stormed out of the house...

When she said she'd fought with her mother and stormed out of the house...

...I just thought that was the most amazing thing.

Hungry?

Hungry?

I, I didn't mean to storm out...!

I see.

I see.

There's still some clam miso left, is that okay with you?

...wha?

...wha?

...wha?

You like clam, don't you?

Because that's what we're having tomorrow, too.

Because that's what we're having tomorrow, too.

Chie was a cowardly girl.

Insecurity, wishes, expectations, one's own intentions and impatience...

Insecurity, wishes, expectations, one's own intentions and impatience...

She would fold them all up into paper airplanes and fly them away.

Something tells me not to try and find that alley again, but...

...if I could somehow see her just one more time, there's something I want to tell her.

Hey...

Hey...

I really like

your paintings.

your paintings.

your paintings.

Do you?

Do you?

Yes! I really, really do!

Ohhh... fine, skip it...

Ohhh... fine, skip it...

Ohhh... fine, skip it...

Bring me a dish, would you?

Yeah, yeah...

Yeah, yeah...

...back in junior high, the painting you did of the school courtyard for the art festival...

Out of all your paintings, that one has been my favorite.

Out of all your paintings, that one has been my favorite.

...you remember that picture? That was ages ago.

I remember it. I can remember every single picture you've ever shown me.

I remember it. I can remember every single picture you've ever shown me.

Surely you realize you can't paint all day every day, but we will have to talk some more...

...about what you love and what you want to do, and, well, maybe we'll even clash about a thing or two...

...about what you love and what you want to do, and, well, maybe we'll even clash about a thing or two...

...about what you love and what you want to do, and, well, maybe we'll even clash about a thing or two...

Then... then we'll just keep talking right through them!

There's so much I want to ask you! But there's so much more that I want you to hear!

...good.

...good.

Chie was a cowardly girl.

By the light of the setting sun, with the utmost care and caution, she would fold dreams and send them flying.

By the light of the setting sun, with the utmost care and caution, she would fold dreams and send them flying.

By the light of the setting sun, with the utmost care and caution, she would fold dreams and send them flying.

A Bright Canvas in the Color of Cowardice: The End

Thank you so much for reading "Bright Canvas" through to the end!!
Making decisions on your own is difficult. Whenever you feel like screaming because you don't know what to do, or you just get tired from all the bother, it's best to sound out your complaints and ask advice from those around you, I think.

I imagine you've worked hard to draw quite a lot so far...

I imagine you've worked hard to draw quite a lot so far...

I don't think there are many who can draw this well, even in your grade at high school...

A little while ago, when I was looking at the picture you drew, I felt regretful...

A little while ago, when I was looking at the picture you drew, I felt regretful...

A little while ago, when I was looking at the picture you drew, I felt regretful...

I wondered if you really wanted this piece.