Aoi: Surprise Meeting at the Art Exhibition

Tightening her grip on the soft strap of her bag, Aoi turns into a small side street. Almost there. A gust of excitement rushes through her. She’s been looking forward to this for so long. It’s just a shame that Haruka-chan couldn’t make it, but surely lots of people would be there on their own. She wouldn’t stand out.

There it is. ME Gallery. One of many in the Daikanyama area. A few guests are entering just as she spots it, and she almost skips at the thought of seeing Togashi-sensei’s works. Perhaps even talk to him, briefly. Taking a deep breath to calm herself and not look too excited, she smooths down her hair, straightens her thin jacket, and adjusts her homemade bag. Its patchwork mustard and forest green fabric adds a welcome splash of color.

Pushing the door open, she’s met by the quiet chatting of the visitors already admiring and discussing the paintings. Others are mingling, sipping pale wine in tall glasses as they move around the sunlit gallery. It’s a colorful blend of people, from artistic bohemians to men in expensive-looking suits.

To one side is a long table with refreshments and a stand with postcards and posters of the most famous works. Both can wait. Eagerly, she steps further in and stops before the first painting. It’s huge, breathtaking in its simplicity, and it’s clear why they chose it as the introduction piece.

Slowly, she continues deeper inside, admiring the works. She doesn’t really pay attention to the crowd, but suddenly, she stops. Standing to the side, watching the crowd is Takamura’s friend, or co-worker. The one who often accompanies him to the cafe, even though they never share a table.

Huh. While she’d never spoken to him - he always sat in Luna-chan’s section – she’d never pictured him to be interested in art. But, if he’s here, then maybe…

A flutter in her stomach makes her look around, searching… but the one she’s searching for isn’t there. Oddly disappointed, she goes to pick up a bottle of sparkling water. As she’s unscrewing the cork, someone steps closer, and a familiar voice greets her.

“Sakamoto-san. What a coincidence.”

She spins around, and there he is. A head taller than her, in a crisp white hoodie that covers his tell-tale hair, and a matching mask. Eyes crinkled as if the thin paper is hiding the biggest smile.

“Takamura-san? What a surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Inside, she’s screaming that it can’t be a coincidence. He must have remembered what she said in the taxi and decided to check it out. But… did he come here for the art… or for her?

“I couldn’t miss it. Not after you were so enthusiastic about it.” He pauses, reaches for a bottle of water, but stops halfway, putting his hand in his pocket instead.

“You brought your… friend… too.” She nods toward the souvenir stand where his friend… co-worker… whatever was standing, casually looking between them and the merchandise.

“Oh yes,” he looks a little uncomfortable, “That’s Sato-san. We work for the same company and often have the same schedule.”

“And interests,” Aoi smiles. So, she was right. They do work together, but aren’t close friends. That explains it.

But – she looks around the buzzing room – there’s so much to see, and they’re wasting time. She gestures toward the first display. “Come on. I’d be happy to show you around, if you want. Some of these pieces are… intense. Togashi-sensei has a way of making light feel alive.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Her fingers fidget with the strap of her bag, following the wobbly seam she’d never gotten around to correcting when she made it. She takes a steadying breath. Don’t look too eager.

“Great. Let’s start over here.”

As she leads him through the gallery, pointing out subtle brushwork and the clever use of shadow, she realizes how much she enjoys sharing a piece of her world. While it’s clear that he doesn’t know the first thing about art techniques, he’s got good intuition, pointing out many interesting details.

“This is beautiful,” she murmurs as they linger before a piece with soft, silvery light spilling over a rough building on a textured canvas. “It reminds me of some of the photos you showed me.”

“You really think so?” He sounds pleased, but surprised.

“I do. Your photos have so much soul in them.”

“Thank you. It means a lot to me that you think that.”

Before it gets too awkward, she clears her throat and leads him to the next piece, almost as stunning as the last. He steps close to it, tilting his head slightly, absorbing the play of light and shadow with that same quiet intensity she’s seen when he was working at the cafe.

Not that she’s staring. She quickly looks away, and there’s Togashi-sensei, looking cool yet sophisticated in a pale blazer over a dark turtleneck. He looks older than she expected, some hints of silver framing his face.

“You should go talk to him,” Takamura-san says, “This is the perfect opportunity.”

“I…” She hesitates for a moment, but he’s right, the artist is alone for the moment – the perfect opportunity. “Yes, I will. You should come too.”

He raises both hands and shakes his head briefly. “No, not me. This is for you. It’s clear how much you love his work, so you should tell him. Trust me, he’ll be happy to hear it.”

“Okay… I’ll be back soon. Wish me luck.”

“You won’t need it. Just be yourself.”

Smoothing down her hair, Aoi approaches the artist who’s standing alone, thoughtfully watching one of the larger paintings, a delicate glass in one hand.

“Togashi-sensei,” she says, her voice a bit quieter than she intended.

He turns, his sharp eyes studying her for a brief second before his lips curl into a polite, welcoming smile. Aoi bows slightly.

“It’s an honor to be here. Your work… it’s incredible. The way you capture light… it’s so alive. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

His smile softens as he considers her words.

“Thank you,” he says simply, yet there’s a warmth in his voice that makes her chest tighten. “It’s always good to hear that others can feel what I try to express in my paintings. I find the simplest moments often hold the most meaning.”

“My friend and I were just saying the same thing,” she exclaims, glancing back at Takamura-san. “The way you make the light feel like it’s breathing... it’s wonderful.” She pauses, admiring the painting. “I hope to understand it better the more I learn.”

“You’re a student of art, then?”

“Yes. I’m in my first year at Aoyama School of Fine Arts.” Oh, maybe she shouldn’t have said that. A first-year is barely a beginner in the world of art, after all. She hopes he doesn’t sense her insecurity.

“A good school,” he smiles. “But life is the best teacher. True art comes from the heart, and the journeys we all make.”

“Thank you, Togashi-sensei. I’ll remember that.” She bows again, more deeply this time.

“Best of luck with your studies and your inspiration.” He flashes her one last, warm smile before he turns to another guest. Aoi turns away, heart still pounding with excitement, and practically skips back to Takamura-san.

“I take it that went well,” he says, just a hint of teasing in his tone. “Did he give you some inspired advice? You look very determined right now.”

“In a way. I can’t wait to get back to my projects now.” In fact, she’s about to burst and has a hard time standing still.

“Some day,” Takamura says quietly, pulling her back to the present moment, “people will come to see your art. I’m sure of it.”

“I… I hope so,” she murmurs, taken aback by his comment. “Being able to touch people’s hearts with my art would be a dream come true.”

“If you work hard, dreams really do come true sometimes. Trust me.” He says it casually, but the strange look in his eyes makes her want to reach up and pull his mask down so she can see the expression on his face.

“Thank you. I will work hard to succeed.” Her fists clench by her sides as her hands itch to get started.

They continue through the gallery, idly chatting until they’re back where they started, and he nods to the stand with pictures for sale.

“Do you want to get some souvenirs? Of your favorites?”

“I do.” She picks out a few, he only one. The one with the painting she’d said reminded her of his photographs. “Actually, I’ll get a few extra for my father. He’ll love them.”

“He’s an artist too?”

“Not exactly. He owns a small antiques shop, so he handles and appreciates a lot of beautiful things. Including paintings.”

“That sounds like interesting work.”

“It is. I loved spending time in the shop when I was small. Still do, even if the magic isn’t quite the same as an adult.”

She pays for her small stack of postcards, and they step out into the narrow side street together. The outside air chilly after the warm, crowded gallery.

He stops walking, hesitant. His hoodie shadows most of his face, but he unhooks the mask from one ear so she can finally see his face.

“I was wondering…” he begins, hesitating just long enough to make her pulse race. “Would you… like to go for coffee someday? At a café that isn’t the one where you work?”

“I’d like that,” she says, just a little too fast, and she winces. So much for not sounding too eager… “I’d like that very much.”

He pulls out his phone, holding it out toward her. The screen shows a simple QR code.

“If it’s okay… we can exchange LINK,” he adds. “Just in case. It’ll be easier than at the cafe, I think.”

“Yes, much easier.”

Her hands tremble slightly as she scans the code. The confirmation chime as they add each other is small but satisfying. His fingers immediately race over the screen, and her phone chimes again.

yo: ‘Thank you for today. I had fun. I’m so glad we bumped into each other.’

Laughing as she read the message, savoring each word, she looks up at him with a cheeky grin before quickly typing her own reply.

aoi_nek0: ‘Me too. I can’t wait to see you again.’

His phone buzzes, making his smile turn into a frown as he reads the new text.

“It seems I’m needed elsewhere, but thank you again for today. And I’m serious about that coffee.”

“Okay, I should head home too. I have so much inspiration right now.” She smiles up at him, waving her phone a little. “So… we’ll stay in touch?”

“Absolutely.” He looks like he’s about to say more when his co-worker, Sato-san, steps closer, clearing his throat meaningfully. She hadn’t even noticed him standing close by.

“Bye for now, then,” Takamura says with a small bow before turning and leaving with Sato by his side. Aoi remains standing, phone clutched to her chest, watching him go, until they turn around the corner. Only then does she put it back in her bag and head to the Metro, trying but failing to control the big smile on her face.

Later that evening, once she’s home, she hesitates before opening LINK. Then her fingers move quickly, fast and steady, like her heartbeats, not allowing any doubts.

'About that coffee, I’m free tomorrow if you have some time off too.'