The Versatile Master Artist

(Ahhhh, begging for a monthly vote.)

The sky was ink-black, the scattered stars seemed like silver pearls sprinkled from high above, a crescent moon cast a hazy halo over the two people in the courtyard.

Koizumi Katsuko gently rubbed her head against Gu Weijing’s neck, the faint fragrance of apricot blossoms drifted from her warm body and hair, slowly enveloping Gu Weijing.

Gu Weijing could feel Shengzi’s hand holding his own starting to sweat, and his hand was sweating too, their hands gently squeezed together.

Whispering sweet nothings,

their hearts beat like clocks.

Among the few girls he had limited contact with,

he rarely had such intimate and warm moments, Mona was always distant yet close, Koukou was like an elusive cat, and Miss Sakai?

Miss Sakai was always gentle,

even now, as she nestled against his shoulder, she was like a warm spring enveloping him, seemingly about to melt him.

Gu Weijing had always been somewhat hesitant and gentle regarding feelings.

His emotional experiences were not richer than Koizumi Katsuko beside him, and his social experience was not as vast as Miss Sakai, who had traveled the world.

At one point, he thought he would spend his life with Mona, and upon learning from Mrs. Sakai that Miss Sakai might have feelings for him, the joy in his heart was more about vanity and anxiety.

Who wouldn’t feel vain being liked by such an outstanding girl?

Anxiety,

was because Gu Weijing didn’t know how to respond.

He was too inexperienced with these matters.

Mr. Gu had very strict family education for Gu Weijing, his grandfather Gu Tongxiang was inherently a traditional Oriental scholar who valued family and close relationships.

He wasn’t afraid of children falling in love affecting their studies like old-school pedants.

But since Gu Weijing entered higher grades, after Mona first came to their home, Mr. Gu discussed this issue with Gu Weijing.

It’s natural and instinctive for boys to like girls and girls to like boys, there’s nothing to be avoided or shy about.

But love requires mutual commitment.

Besides enjoying happiness, one must bear responsibilities, if you’re dating someone, you must consider the other party more.

This was his only requirement for his grandson.

Otherwise,

for a ”gentleman”, without the courage to be responsible, there’s no right to fall in love.

By this standard,

Gu Weijing thought that the knight Yang Guo in the novels he read as a child in ”The Return of the Condor Heroes” was a real gentleman.

Guo Xiang was good, the lady of the Gongsun Family was good, Lu Wushuang and Cheng Ying were all good and charming, but liking Little Dragon Girl was liking Little Dragon Girl, it meant being with her for life.

The Ming Sect leader Zhang Wuji was a typical counterexample, loving one after another, even though he seemed more righteous than the unrestrained Yang Guo, yet he was not gentlemanly enough.

If he were to become a real lover with Koizumi Katsuko,

he shouldn’t be thinking about Mona, shouldn’t eat the cookies Koukou fed him, and even when asking Mrs. Sakai to add a spot in the advanced class, he must consider Shengzi’s feelings.

In love, there’s no such thing as— ”I like you, but I am also ’ambiguously good friends’ with other girls.”

If your girlfriend entangled with other men, being affectionate, you would definitely be unhappy.

Conversely, boys should also take responsibility.

Gu Weijing had never been sure if he was ready to take on the responsibility, which is why he remained somewhat anxious and entangled, even had a bit of an ostrich mentality, getting by carelessly in face of her advances.

Tonight,

had he actually been confessed to by Koizumi Katsuko?

Gu Weijing’s heart beat intensely,

being openly told by such a beautiful girl by his ear that he was her boyfriend made him feel light, as if filled with hydrogen, ready to float to the sky at any moment.

He turned his head, gazing at Miss Sakai.

Koizumi Katsuko was also gazing at him.

”Shengzi?” his lips moved slightly.

”Am I pretty?” Koizumi Katsuko asked softly.

Under the moonlight, her skin looked as smooth and tender as the finest bone china, with a shy blush.

Such a bold confession made the young lady a bit shy, her blush spreading from her earlobes down to her neck, yet Shengzi still gathered her courage, unwaveringly gazing at Gu Weijing.

The girl’s warm sweet breath, softly wafted across his nose and neck, her light purple pupils like a kaleidoscope adorned with tiny crystals.

The entire person looked unbelievably beautiful.

”Mr. Gu, I like you.”

Koizumi Katsuko softly repeated, her face reddened even more, but her voice was firm and powerful.

She leaned gently towards Gu Weijing’s ear, softly speaking to his earlobe, ”I’m your girl.”

Gu Weijing felt a part of his heart, ready to melt under the warm gaze of the other.

I’m your girl!

With those words in his ears, his heart echoed a loud ring like a bell struck by a heavy hammer. Gu Weijing felt an unprecedented sense of ownership and fulfillment.

He knew,

whatever the case, it was time to give Miss Shengzi a suitable answer.

He took out his phone from his pocket.

Gu Weijing’s phone lock screen wallpaper was still a photo from a few years back, of him and Mona.

On the screen,

he and Miss Mona stood together.

Teenage girls develop faster than boys, at that time Mona was about as tall as him.

Their shoulders touched, and their hands were clasped together like today with Miss Sakai; the background was the continuous coastline of Yangon, and they smiled intimately.