Shikiriyan: The Struggling Painter (Part 3)

Everyone let out a collective sigh.

They all looked at Tanimaki with disappointment.

"You really shouldn't say something like that to an artist. Anything that reminds them of money is practically taboo," Debiru said with an exasperated look.

"M-Meow! Was I really the one in the wrong, meow?"

Tanimaki was a different kind of troublesome altogether.

"Don't worry. If he's angry, it means he expects something from us. Let's try a little harder."

Mayutan remained optimistic—or perhaps he was simply calm and analytical.

"So what now, meow? Are we going all the way back down the mountain trail, meow?"

Even though this situation was entirely his fault, Tanimaki spoke as if it had nothing to do with him.

"Let's offer to take care of his daily needs," Mayutan suggested. "We can do his household chores or help him get supplies like paints and brushes."

"There's no way he'd accept that, meow," Tanimaki replied pessimistically.

"Let's at least make the offer. If it doesn't work, we'll think of something else."

Being the intelligent one, Mayutan believed that if one approach failed, all they had to do was try another.

The group climbed the stairs and, with somewhat more restraint this time, knocked on the door of the room where Shikiriyan had shut himself away.

"Excuse me, Mr. Shikiriyan. We'd like to help take care of your daily needs and support your creative work..." Mayutan called.

Debiru and Ruritel weren't quite as skeptical as Tanimaki, but they still weren't sure whether it would work. Even so, they held their breath and waited.

"Do as you please."

A gruff voice came from inside the room. However, he hadn't turned down their offer.

"It worked."

Ruritel said with a smile as she looked at her brother with admiration.