In the Studio.
Griseo picked up a paintbrush.
Then put it back down.
After going back and forth like this countless times.
She jumped down from the high stool.
"Sigh… No, it's completely impossible."
The girl sighed.
After returning from the Horse Girl world.
She had an urge to paint the scene of Teio's championship victory.
Although the agreement was for the Triple Crown.
It didn't stop her from secretly painting a single crown for her collection.
However, it had been several days since she returned.
She couldn't put a single stroke down.
Or rather, no matter how she painted, she wasn't satisfied.
If she used Teio's colors, she could paint it.
But that would just be a self-portrait of Tokai Teio.
Just like her previous paintings, they were all imbued with others' colors, then displaying others' colors on the canvas.
She was just a converter.
But this time, Griseo wanted to paint Tokai Teio through her own eyes.
So, she realized then.
Just as Fu Hua said, her skill was insufficient.
In other words.
She used to constantly copy. Now she wanted to create original works.
Naturally, she felt a bit out of her depth.
Tokai Teio's colors were beautiful.
But she couldn't express them perfectly.
"Perhaps I should find a master to teach me."
Thinking this, Griseo prepared to go find Eden.
Although Eden was a great musician and didn't know much about painting, artists should all know each other, right?
Griseo called Eden.
"A rare visitor indeed."
Eden's laughter came from the other end of the phone.
"Little Griseo hasn't called me in a long time."
"I'm calling now, Sister Eden, where are you?" Griseo asked sweetly.
"Just come find me where I usually practice piano."
Eden's piano room was not far from where Griseo's Studio was located.
In a villa a little further north, in the suburbs.
According to Eden, it was because she was afraid of disturbing others with her piano practice.
But Griseo thought Eden was probably afraid of others disturbing her.
The solitary villa, like a small castle in the wilderness.
Eden was the princess living there.
Whether in terms of ability or temperament.
It all fit perfectly.
Perhaps knowing Griseo was coming, the villa door was unlocked.
Griseo tiptoed in.
Following the sound of the piano, she arrived at the hall on the first floor.
Sunlight streamed into the room through the large French windows, making it glow with golden splendor.
But the hall itself was very minimalist, with no excessive decoration.
It appeared very grand and magnificent.
Just like the piano music Eden was playing at that moment.
As if narrating the deeds of a legend.
—If Teio played this piece during a race, it would surely be very fitting.
This thought couldn't help but arise in Griseo's mind.
The piece concluded.
Eden rose and walked over.
She picked up Griseo and rubbed her face against her.
"Ah, Griseo is still so light~ How about it, do you like this song?"
"Li…like."
Griseo struggled.
She was a little breathless from Eden's softness.
After a few struggles, she finally jumped back to the ground.
"Sister Eden, do you know any amazing painters? I want to ask them for guidance."
"I see…"
Eden walked to the French window, the reflection on the glass accentuating her picturesque face and a hint of sadness in her eyes.
She shook her head, and in Griseo's bewildered gaze, she uttered words of refusal.
"I do know some masters in the art world. If it were before, I would recommend them to you, but now… I don't advise you to learn painting from them."
"Did something happen?" Griseo asked obediently.
"The Honkai descended. In the midst of suffering, the songs and lyrics I wrote could still inspire people, bringing a faint glimmer of hope… But how can you ask a painter who has seen suffering, a doomsday-like artist, to pick up a brush and paint scenes of family joy again?"
Eden's eyes drooped, her long eyelashes as beautiful and captivating as elves from legends.
"Although they can still paint the heroic backs of those who fought the Honkai in bloody battles, and the common people living strong after the suffering, half of their hearts have died, losing many things."
Eden said, smiling and pinching Griseo's little face.
"But what they don't have, you still possess. A little darling untouched by this world~ If those old fellows teach you, it's very likely they'll wear away your spirituality… Even if I agreed, after they met you, they probably wouldn't take you on."
"Because they're afraid of leading you astray."
"Just as your father often says, you are hope. Your existence proves that our struggles are worthwhile… After all, the meaning of the predecessors' existence is to pave the way for the younger generation, so we can't hold you back… Little Griseo is so smart, it won't be a problem for her to forge her own path."
"Okay, Sister Eden."
Griseo nodded.
She didn't quite understand, but she knew Sister Eden was doing it for her own good.
"Then, Sister Eden, can you teach me to play the piano?"
"Why does Griseo want to learn the piano again?"
Eden was a bit slow to react to the girl's sudden change.
After all, they were just talking about painting.
"Hmm, I recently joined a band."
Griseo briefly explained about the Kessoku Band.
After listening to Eden's performance just now, she realized that even if she absorbed Eden's style, she still couldn't achieve such a dreamlike level of playing.
"You joined a band? Oh, then I'll definitely come to see your band perform when I have time."
Eden had a smile on her face, as if she had thought of something interesting.
Then she picked up Griseo and placed her on the piano stool.
"Of course I can guide you, but let me see your current level first."
Griseo nodded.
Her fingers struck the keys.
Meanwhile, Eden's expression beside her was subtle; she felt as if she was watching herself play the piano.
Halfway through the performance.
Eden shook her head.
She interrupted Griseo.
"That's not right. That's not how you play the piano."
Eden walked over and sat down, placing Griseo on her lap.
"For example, this note."
Eden gently pressed a key.
A crisp sound rang out.
"When I want to express happiness, when I want to express anger, when I want to express sadness, for the same note, the force I strike with and the duration of the hold will differ… What you're imitating, in fact, is just a me without emotion."
"Without… emotion?" Griseo seemed to understand something, yet also understood nothing at all.
"Playing like that might make you a textbook example, but you will never reach the highest level. This is also the limit for most pianists."
"Then, Sister Eden, what should I do?"
"That, of course, you have to ask yourself."
Eden rested her smooth chin on the girl's head in her arms, and said softly.
"You're not a real machine, after all. With your talent for painting and your spirituality, you'll understand very quickly."