I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy-Chapter 97

As I idly covered my mouth with my hand, I sensed someone approaching from behind.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, Teacher. When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

It was Teacher Lee Ah-reum, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time. She greeted both me and Hong Ye-hwa.

Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t seen that moment from earlier.

Or maybe it didn’t matter even if she had?

Hong Ye-hwa smiled softly and walked over to Teacher Lee.

“Teacher.”

“Oh, Ye-hwa! It’s been a while!”

They enthusiastically shook hands, their joy evident. I couldn’t find a moment to join in.

“I guess they’ve grown close while working together.”

They were already friendly before, but it seems their bond deepened while working on Paradise.

Leaving them to their cheerful reunion, I wandered around the area.

As its name suggests, Paradise truly felt like a peaceful world.

There was no threat, no anxiety, no worries—just pure utopia. If such a place existed in reality, wars would undoubtedly break out over it.

“Maybe it’s a good thing it’s just a painting?”

The ownership of the masterpiece Paradise had gone to Teacher Lee. She never intended to donate it, to begin with.

Neither I nor Hong Ye-hwa had any objections, so by default, the painting became hers.

“Its value goes without saying.”

Even if someone wanted to buy it, it would be impossible. Not even a government could forcibly seize it.

If it ever came to that, I could always lend a hand. But that’s a question for another time.

As I shuffled around, something brushed against my foot—a tail, perhaps.

The tail, startled by the contact, darted back into the bushes.

I wanted to touch it just once, but that might stress the poor thing out.

Feeling slightly disappointed, I climbed a small hill that protruded from the ground.

From a distance, it seemed pretty high, but once I reached the top, it wasn’t much.

“This is cozy. I don’t feel like leaving.”

Leaning against a tree, I slid down until I was sitting on the ground.

A refreshing breeze passed overhead. If healing were a physical place, it’d be here.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder how the press conference would go.

It’d be awkward for me to take the stage.

Maybe I’ll just assist Teacher Lee from the side?

“Last year’s interview was a disaster, so my reputation isn’t great.”

But hey, I donated the prize money—that should be enough, right? The world runs on money, after all.

Even if someone seems like a scumbag, people tend to look at them favorably when they do something charitable.

Since I know this well, maybe I’ll take the same approach this time. Teacher Lee can keep the prize money, and I’ll donate an equivalent amount.

“That might actually work.”

Typical guy logic: if something comes to mind, it suddenly seems like a great idea.

If I just go ahead with it, things should sort themselves out.

In the distance, it looked like Teacher Lee and Hong Ye-hwa were searching for me.

Would they hear me if I shouted from here? Probably not. It’d be faster if they just spotted me on their own.

While they wandered around in confusion, my thoughts began to spiral.

“Even if I fix Cerberus right away…”

“Or should I start with my mentor?”

“Ugh, I don’t have time for this.”

It was all useless overthinking.

Resting my chin on my fingers, I stared blankly ahead until I suddenly realized that Hong Ye-hwa had approached me.

Her red hair swayed gently as she bent over at a 45-degree angle, looking down at me.

Raising my eyes slightly to meet hers, I noticed her smiling as she spoke.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

She grinned at me as if amused. After a small pause, I reached out and brushed her hair with my hand.

“Just thinking it tasted like strawberries.”

“…Hmm.”

Her face reddened slightly before she pulled back.

In her place, Teacher Lee tilted her head and spoke.

“What is it? Tell me too!”

And with that, it was over.

I left Paradise behind with those words.

Now, it was time to get to work.

***

“I heard you assisted with Paradise—”

“What is the meaning behind Paradise?”

“Do you have plans for future submissions?”

Let me say this plainly: these reporters are not human beings.

They’re just animals in suits. What the hell is wrong with them?

Even after last year’s mess, they still ask such rude and invasive questions.

But there was nothing I could do. I stood next to Teacher Lee Ah-reum like a scarecrow, saying nothing.

Teacher Lee, ever polite, answered all their questions, though most of her responses were vague or dismissive.

It’s moments like these that remind you how valuable experience is. Honestly, was there even a point in me coming here?

I thought about that as I waited for the interview to end.

Finally, the awards ceremony concluded, and the crowd began to disperse.

The voting percentages, the competitive landscape of the art world—all of it felt irrelevant in the face of Paradise, the clear winner.

Teacher Lee and Hong Ye-hwa hugged each other, bursting into tears.

Seriously, these people might as well be classified as Type F personalities.

Such overflowing emotions—definitely not compatible with a Type T like me.

Leaving the two sobbing women behind, I turned my attention to the reporters approaching me.

Great, it wasn’t over yet. Now it was my turn.

I let out a deep breath, covering my face.

“Ah, life.”

It was one of those moments when the saying there’s never a quiet day came to mind.

.

.

Even back at the lodging, exhaustion weighed on me.

I couldn’t even dream of emulating Teacher Lee’s eloquence and composure.

How can someone be that good at speaking? I’m terrified of giving presentations.

Curled up on my bed, I noticed my little sister sneak into the room.

“Go to bed, miss. It’s late.”

“Ugh, that doesn’t suit you at all.”

That stung a bit. But strangely, her comment lightened my mood a little.

She held up her phone, showing me the screen.

“Ta-da!”

“Whoa... When did you draw that?”

The screen displayed a drawing that Yoon-i had made herself.

It wasn’t a physical drawing on paper but one made using a digital app.

Still, whether analog or digital, the only difference was the tools.

The rest depended entirely on the person’s skill. If I put it that way, my sister’s talent was practically world-class!

Okay, maybe not world-class. But she was one of the few kids in her class who could draw well.

The drawing she showed me wasn’t anything groundbreaking. Inspired by her visit to Paradise, she had illustrated a warm depiction of our home. Not the one in China, but the one here.

“You shouldn’t use filters.”

“Ah, you caught me.”

It was the filter effect that made it seem so vibrant, but her skills were evident regardless.

“Now go play with Ye-hwa.”

“Ugh, your tone is so weird, oppa.”

Making a strange face, she turned and left the room. I waved her off, though the growing distance between us recently was a little saddening.

She’s in her adolescence now, I guess. It feels like she’s slowly pulling away from me.

That hurt more than I expected.

I sighed and wriggled under the blankets.

I’ll need to visit a doctor soon. My body’s condition is really something else these days.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

***

Alright, the Prize is over. What’s next?

What else? Work, of course.

Even if you’re terrified by the endless grind, nothing changes. You just have to resign yourself and accept it—that’s how you become a functioning adult.

“But I’m only 18.”

Why am I even doing this kind of work? I mulled it over again and again.

Oh, right—I’m an idiot.

When office workers feel existential dread, they say they keep working because they’re fools.

Idiots who hold onto their jobs and do what they hate because it’s what they must.

Apparently, that’s the way to become an Archmage.

“Or maybe that’s just for lonely single people.”

Where is this train of thought even going? My hand paused.

I had just finished working on Sara. The overall project still had a long way to go, but the foundation seemed solid for now.

“Ugh, my head.”

Every time I glanced at Cerberus next to me, a headache crept up.

I needed to go inside, but I couldn’t muster the courage.

Sighing, I put down my brush and stood up.

Then, I walked over to Cerberus.

This piece had never tried to draw me in before, likely because someone was already inside.

Otherwise, there’s no way a hungry puppy like this would ignore me.

I inhaled deeply and exhaled. Let’s just get this over with quickly.

“Hold on, Master. I’m coming.”

My vision went dark.

.

.

Jolt!

I snapped back to consciousness and quickly stood up.

All around me was a dark, foreboding mountain range.

It was like the realm of the dead—a place akin to the afterlife.

“Sigh, can’t believe I ended up here again.”

Even in my previous life, this was one place I tried to avoid.

And for good reason: once you enter, it’s hard to leave. Plus, you have to entertain our cute little puppy to get out.

Stretching a bit, I looked around and noticed something fluttering on my body.

“Ah, right. I didn’t change clothes.”

I was still wearing my paint-stained apron.

In this grayscale world, my apron was the only splash of color.

It was vibrant, dotted with all kinds of hues.

If it’s the creature I know, it’ll be drawn to the colors. Or, more accurately, the scent.

Well, I guess I’ll wait for it. If it doesn’t show up, I’ll just go find it myself.

If it comes to the latter, it’ll confirm my suspicion that my master is here.

Time ticked by slowly.