“Where do you want to go Rin?”
Hisao gave me a curious look.
‘Where do I want to go?’
“I don’t care.”
He gave me a complex expression. I stared back waiting for an answer.
“I guess we can just go home then.”
“Okay.”
We got back in Hisao’s car. We had spent all day at this thing for people who wanted to sell my art. I told Hisao to take care of these things. But he told me I had to come to this. I still don’t know why.
 
…
 
“Why did I have to come?”
“Sometimes you need to show up so that people can see it’s you who’s drawing them or something. I don’t know. They told me they needed you to come every now and then. Is it too troublesome?”
“I guess not.”
I stared out the window. The clouds are pretty today. They make a lot of shapes. It’s really sunny though. None of the clouds are in front of the sun. Maybe I’ll just take a nap.
 
…
 
“Rin.” … “Rin!”
“Mmmm”
“Rin, wake up.”
“Mmmm”
I finally opened my eyes to see Hisao shaking me gently awake.
“We’re home.”
“Oh.”
I got up and walked to the door with Hisao and we went in. We took the elevator to our apartment and went in.
We had started living in the apartment about a year ago. I don’t know why I decided to stay here. I said some things to Hisao I never thought I’d say. Now I live here with him. I like it though. It’s nice here. He has a place I can stay alone and paint. Sometimes he watches me paint though. It’s okay since he doesn’t talk too much. It’s like how it was when we were in high school. We’ve both been to college and come back here since then. Yamaku isn’t far away. Hisao makes me go to the big events they hold. Sometime he has me do paintings and things for them.
 
“The meeting went well.”
I stared back at him waiting for him to continue. He gave me a confused expression as if I was supposed to say something before he continued.
“They’ll start paying you more from now on… Is there anything you want to buy?”
‘Anything that I want? I don’t really care for other things than painting.’
“More paint supplies.”
“Anything else? Maybe a trip somewhere?”
I switched my look from him to the canvas. It was blank. I hadn’t painted anything there today. I had been painting less new things more and more as time went on. Maybe I needed to see new things. That might help.
“Sure.”
“Well, where do you want to go?”
I shrugged. There weren’t any places I want to go. I just want to go. I need inspiration.
“You choose.”
He gave me a confused look and sighed.
“How about Tokyo?”
“Why there?”
“Well, it’s a big place. With big lights and tall buildings and shopping centers and entertainment places. I’m sure we can find lots of things to do.”
“Okay.”
I nodded as his face grew excited. Is it really that big a deal?
“Let’s go this weekend.”
I could tell he was holding back his excitement.
“Sure.”
I gave a soft smile and moved to the easel to start painting. I wonder what this trip will be like? I’ve never been anywhere outside of this city with Hisao.