Chapter 2
Page 2
“Hey! Welcome!”
.
The first time I saw him,
"I felt a reverence, almost envy, in my heart,
one that had never before chafed my soul.”
Page 5
“Hiya.”
Page 6
“On a vacation from Europe?”
.
“No, I’m from the West Coast.”
.
“Oh! It’s rare to see someone with your hair color,
so I thought...”
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“Tsugumi,
Thanks for your help.”
.
“Aunt Molly!”
.
“Is Meir home?”
.
“He went to the factory early in the morning”
.
“Ehh? How could it be!?
I always miss him by a hair!”
.
“Lemme help you with those.”
Page 7
“How was your night?”
.
“It’s good.”
.
“Thanks for helping!”
.
“Were you out drawing just then?”
.
“How ‘bout having Meir drive you to the seaside
for plein air drawing?”
.
“He’s my boy,”
.
”Heard you met each other yesterday.”
Page 9
“Can I come in?”
.
“Sure.”
.
“Wow, did you draw these just now?”
.
“I drew some
before I got here.”
Page 10
“You paint mostly landscapes!”
.
“Yeah, 'cause it's easier to express them.”
.
“What do you mean?”
.
“For example, each tree
has its own growth patterns to trace.”
.
“If observed carefully,”
.
“things like a stretch of grasslands or a path of mountains
also have their own specific tendencies....”
.
“Wha?”
.
“Anyway, it’s just easier for me,
to draw.”
Page 11
“So you don't draw people?”
.
“I do sometimes...”
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“Wow, those are nicely done!?”
.
“Ah. no...”
.
“Portraits are difficult,
Most of these portraits are just
the shell of a person.”
Page 12
“You...”
.
“really aren't a wandering artist
from Germany or something?”
.
“ … “
.
“So, how old are you?
I’m sixteen.”
.
“Nineteen.”
.
“Wow, same with Meir!
Are you in college now?”
.
“Well, I’ve just finished freshman year.”
.
“Nice. Kids in our area
usually start working once they finish high school.
Likely I’ll do the same...”
.
“Anything you want to study in particular?”
.
“Mmm, not at the moment?”
Page 13
“Then university might not be
a good choice for you.”
.
“But I still wanna try living in other places as well.
Don’t you travel for the same reason?”
Page 14
“Hey, tell me more--”
.
“Is university life really like how it is in the movies?
Is art college any cooler?”
.
“Art college?
Oh… you’re mistaken,
I'm in PPE.
(Philosophy, Politics and Economics).”
.
“WHA!?
Those are leagues apart!”
.
“Drawing is just my hobby.”
.
“Don't you feel it's a waste?”
.
“Why? Isn’t it usually that way?”
Page 15
“See you some other time,
art master!”
.
“By the way,”
.
“the boy with green eyes is called Meir, right?”
.
“Oh, yep!”
.
“That guy knows a lot of random trivia,
why not show him your works next time.”
.
“Might as well…”
.
Cya∼
Page 18
“Alone?”
.
“Ah, yeah.”
.
“It's curious how you chose
to visit Netur of all places.”
.
“...While riding the train, I found the scenery
along here quite special, so I just got off.”
.
“Oh, maybe
Long Island’s sacred mountain
was calling you here?”
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“Long Island’s sacred mountain?”
.
“Yeah, just flip to the center of that book,
and you’ll find an introduction.”
.
“Lemme see…”
Page 19
“ ! ”
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“Isn’t it...
the one hung on the wall...”
.
“Ah yes! You're staying at the Tapestry Room, aren't you?”
.
“That was woven by the local aboriginal people.
Beautiful, right?”
.
“It sure has a mysterious charm.”
.
“Is there a way I can go to Long Island?”
.
“There are weekly round-trip boats,
or you can use a private yacht.”
.
“But there are many prohibitions on the island,
You’ve got to do your homework before you go.”
Page 20
“I see...
By the way, what have you been making there?”
.
“Oh, it's sort of my hobby,
I press the plants I pick
and preserve them to show the guests.”
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“How long do you plan
to stay here?”
.
“Haven't decided...
At least a few days?”
.
“In that case…”
.
“If you’ve got time tomorrow
I could show you around?”