pertwk Page 146
Page 146
“Miss Ariel,” Yuuki Takada began, his tone unconsciously tinged with a hint of helplessness, “creativity stems from life, especially the subject of love.”
"You might need to observe more about how couples interact in real life."
"That's right!"
Ariel nodded vigorously, her eyes fixed on the two people in front of her: "That's why I found you! You are the perfect subjects for my observation!"
"A calm and reliable elite detective senior, and a beautiful and capable policewoman team up!"
"The tacit understanding and trust cultivated during dangerous missions gradually ferment into a profound and indescribable affection. This is simply a perfect setting, much more interesting than ordinary campus romances or office romances!"
Sato Miwako's cheeks flushed slightly, and she coughed awkwardly.
Yuki Takada felt a headache coming on; the little girl had completely drawn them into the script in her mind.
“We… are not in the kind of relationship you’re imagining,” Miwako Sato tried to clarify.
“I know… not yet! But that doesn’t mean it won’t be in the future!” Ariel clenched her little fist, full of fighting spirit, and said, “That’s why it’s even more valuable for observation and creation! The transformation from colleague to partner is the most touching!”
"Ahem..." Yuuki Takada coughed lightly, "I think we should just leave."
"Oh...no, no, no, I was wrong, okay!" Ariel saw that Yuuki Takada and the others were about to leave, so she immediately went over to them and apologized.
“I think that, Miss Ariel, with your talent, you obviously know more than the two of us amateurs.”
Miss Ariel continued, "I would appreciate it if you two could offer me some guidance."
The next few hours became one of the strangest and most difficult times in the careers of Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato, and perhaps also in their lives.
Ariel, holding her sketchbook, acted like a director, asking them to recreate various scenes.
"Imagine you've just solved a tricky case together, sharing a can of coffee on the Metropolitan Police Department rooftop at sunset, and then you inadvertently make eye contact..."
Ariel gave instructions as she rapidly sketched the lines.
Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato stood stiffly, an arm's length apart, their eyes darting around, completely lost in their own world.
"No, no!"
"The atmosphere isn't right! We need that relaxed feeling of surviving a disaster, and that unspoken understanding between us!"
Ariel pouted in dissatisfaction, "Ms. Sato, your gaze needs to be a little softer, with a touch of dependence! Mr. Takada, don't look to the side, look at Ms. Sato, and your eyes should show appreciation and... and that subtle kind of concern!"
The two were forced to adjust as requested, making the atmosphere even more awkward.
Yuuki Takada tried to recall the dangerous moments he had shared with Miwako. His gaze fell on her slightly unnatural profile, the golden light of the setting sun outlining her features. At that moment, a strange emotion, beyond the scope of colleagues, seemed to quietly arise, but he immediately suppressed it.
"Good! That's the feeling! Hold on!" Ariel caught something and her pen flew across the paper.
Then there are classic scenes like bumping into each other at a convenience store and helping each other pay change, or sharing an umbrella on a rainy day.
Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato performed mechanically, like puppets on strings.
Miwako Sato is playing the role of "sharing an umbrella".
At that moment, because we were so close, I could smell the faint scent of soap and a hint of caffeine on him, and my heart skipped a beat and my ears felt slightly hot.
Yuuki Takada could clearly feel the warmth from her arm. He stiffly held up the umbrella, making sure most of the umbrella covered her, while half of his shoulder was soaked by the rain.
"Perfect! This kind of unintentional thoughtfulness is the most touching!" Ariel excitedly noted.
Just when the two were exhausted and almost gave up, the old butler knocked on the door and whispered something in Ariel's ear.
Ariel's excitement faded slightly, and she nodded.
She turned to Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato, giving them an apologetic smile: "I'm sorry, my brother said he has something to talk to me about, so let's end today's 'interview' here. Thank you both very much for your cooperation!"
She bowed deeply, "These materials are invaluable to me! I will digest them carefully and strive to create a work that will amaze the editor!"
Leaving the luxury apartment, the cool Parisian night breeze brushed against their faces, and both of them felt as if they had stepped into another world.
"I feel...like I just finished filming a terrible romance movie." Yuuki Takada rubbed his stiff cheeks.
Sato Miwako gave a soft "hmm" and didn't say anything more, but her mind kept replaying the scenes of being forced to "perform" earlier, especially the silent and focused profile of Takada-senpai when he held the umbrella for her.