#elm root

Before Satoshi’s birth, Rio hadn’t exactly cared for much. After all, she felt apathy towards all artworks and all kinds of matters. Now, the woman held him in her arms as though he was a precious jewel. She took the boy everywhere with her, something that Elm Root had noticed. “You really care for that child, don’t you?” The artwork spoke, noticing that the artist before him had a mask of nonchalance on again. “What makes you think so?” She answered with a question. “You’re keeping him fairly close.” Or was it perhaps out of some maternal instinct of sorts?

“I just wanted to feel loved, I guess. If I had said that was the reason, what would you do?” Rio spoke, looking right at the artwork. Though she said that, it didn’t seem as though that was the case. “Oh?” Elm Root looked right back at her. “Though I doubt that’s your real reason.” “Nothing gets past you, does it?” The woman asked, not at disturbed by its words. Almost as though she had expected it. “To me, it seems that you’re more interested in that experiment of yours than the idea of being loved.” It pointed out. And perhaps, maybe it was right.

“Did you miss me?” “...” Fukami looked from his easel, then returned to painting. Almost as if barely acknowledging the question at all. “Not even a little, Hikari-san?” The artwork stepped closer, causing the artist to move away. It’s clear at this point that Fukami was clearly engrossed in his work. And so it tries again, this time whispering into his ear. “You know I’ve really missed you~” At that, the other finally turns to face the artwork. “We all know that’s not true.” Fukami replies coolly, his brush stopping midstroke. “After all, you’re only here to ‘observe’.” And right he was…

Taking a look at her body, he spoke. “It felt as though it was just yesterday that we were discussing your plan.” A memory of their last conversation passed through in his mind. Elm Root stepped closer to the bed, reaching over to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “I wonder if you thought about it being your last day before.” Yet, knowing her…It was possible that she had. The artwork remained there for a moment before pulling up the blanket to cover her. “I suppose this is farewell, isn’t it Hikari-san?” A flicker of an emotion that he could not yet name appeared on his face, then his usual smile was placed back on.

“I never knew daylight could be so violent.” Elm Root commented, stepping outside. “Don’t you think so as well?” It turned over to face Hikari who looked so engrossed in his sketchbook. The artwork moved closer until it was within the artist’s view. “...Would you mind moving? You’re blocking the view.” Hikari commented, his dominant hand stopping at a line as he looked up. “You have no interest in anything other than art, do you Hikari-san?” The artist shrugged before returning to sketching. “Is there really anything more interesting than that?”“Maybe you should go out more while you still can.”

“You’re gonna melt. Get in here.” Rio said, eyeing Elm Root from the corner of her eye. "Worried about me?" Elm Root questioned, a smile on its face as it stepped back inside. Although it asked, the answer was pretty clear to the artwork. Rather than out of concern, it was out of inconvenience. "Should I be?" The Hikari looked up, looking quite disinterested as usual. Answering her question with yet another smile, "I suppose not." And yet perhaps the artwork was curious whether or not the artist could truly feel concern for another. Only time would tell.

Just when the artwork thought it had gotten Rio to open up to it at least a little, she had her defenses up once again. No matter what it tried, nothing had changed between them. Perhaps, the artist wanted to keep it like so. "Elm Root." She called out to it. "Hmm?" It said with a smile. "You're staring again." Ah...Of course, she'd notice even if the artwork tried its best to hide it. "Just enjoying the scenery, should I not partake in doing so?" It posed the question. "I see..." And just like that, she never pressed any further.

And possibly the most tragic one of all.