Shikiriyan: The Struggling Painter (Part 2)

"T-Tanimaki! Artists are often difficult people! What if you offend him and he refuses to tell us where the Nyaon Jar is?"

Debiru panicked.

No response came from inside.

"He's probably another troublesome guy, meow. Three in a row? What's going on, meow?"

Muttering to himself, Tanimaki casually opened the door and walked inside without waiting for permission.

"Hey, Tanimaki!... Though I guess the door wasn't even locked," Ruritel exclaimed, sounding both annoyed and surprised.

With little choice, Debiru, Ruritel, and Mayutan followed Tanimaki into the house.

"This is bad. Let's get out of here, Tanimaki," said Debiru, the voice of reason.

"We don't have time to dawdle, meow!"

Without a second thought, Tanimaki charged ahead.

"Who are you?"

They felt someone's gaze looking down at them from the open second floor. An elderly cat with a magnificent beard, who looked every bit the stubborn old artist, stared down at them.

"U-um... Are you Mr. Shikiriyan?" Mayutan asked carefully, trying not to offend him.

"Indeed, I am Shikiriyan. What do you want?"

Shikiriyan fixed them with a piercing glare.

"Um... We heard that you know where The Nyaon Jar is," said Mayutan.

"I do. So what?"

"We'd like you to tell us where it is."

Mayutan chose his words with great care.

"And why should I tell a bunch of strangers? What's in it for me?"

As expected, this wasn't going to be easy.

"We've got plenty of money, meow. So quit wasting time and tell us where it is. We're busy too, meow."

"T-Tanimaki!"

The others braced themselves, horrified by Tanimaki's complete lack of tact.

"...So you take me for some second-rate painter who'd sell out for money. Get out!"

With that, Shikiriyan stormed off to his room upstairs and slammed the door shut behind him with a thunderous bang.