“Stop. Just wipe it here.”

Anita rummaged through her pocket, took out a handkerchief, and handed it to him. He silently wiped his hands.

“Why did you come to Aberdeen?”

While nibbling on the corner of the sandwich, Anita asked. It was a question she had been curious about, but circumstances and opportunities hadn’t allowed her to ask until now.

“Me?”

“Yeah. Originally, you were supposed to go to Lehmann’s.”

Lehmann was famous for various reasons, especially as the school that produced Jeff Orwell, a renowned painter. Even Anita, who was somewhat unfamiliar with that side, had heard of the artist. She heard that Rutger donated most of the money he earned to Lehmann, his alma mater.

Rutger also occasionally attended exhibitions to see his works, which Anita knew.

“And you were planning to enroll at Lehmann too, right? Miss Rodel?”

Judging by his playful reaction, it seemed like he didn’t intend to give a straightforward answer.

Of course, if asked whether she had ever considered enrolling at Lehmann, the answer would be no. There was a time when she made a crazy plan to enter the same school, pretending it was a coincidence.

It’s because of you, Anita wanted to say, Of course, she never uttered such foolish things out loud.

She didn’t know. Until she sent her application to Aberdeen she hadn’t expected such a turn of events. She had vaguely thought that getting along with Rutger in their hometown would be the last time.

Anita finished the sandwich with a gloomy expression.

Should she ask why he’s suddenly being friendly today?

Fidgeting with the sandwich wrapper, Anita glanced sideways. Rutger sat with an inscrutable expression. He seemed to have already finished his share of the sandwich; his hands were empty.

Being a natural gossip, Anita couldn’t even finish one sandwich. She broke the remaining bread into small pieces and tossed them to the pigeons. They looked plump, probably because they received plenty of food from tourists.

“Have you thought about what you’ll do after graduation?”

Well, Anita hasn’t really thought about the distant future. There are still four years left, and isn’t it okay to think about what comes after graduation when the time comes?

“No. How about you?”

His gaze, which had been directed towards the sky, briefly met Anita’s before quickly shifting away.

“Wandering around like a traveling troupe might be interesting, don’t you think? I draw portraits of passersby.”

At that moment, a man with a shabby appearance passed by the two. He carried what looked like a worn-out bag and casually unpacked his belongings in a corner of the square. Watching the man with the naturalness of a ritual, Anita turned her head.

“Like that?”

“Yeah. Since you don’t know how to do anything other than study. You might just have to sit by my side.”

“…Do I have to live like that too?”

Anita’s expression stiffened, not appearing very enthusiastic, but she wasn’t in a bad mood. Despite sounding quite silly, Rutger spoke as if it were only natural for him and Anita to share a future.

She knew all his words were just empty promises. It’s better not to dwell on vague commitments or words thrown without much thought.

Even if he talks about a future where she is always included, they are not lovers. Could there be any sincerity in those promises?

Thinking about the artist she saw drawing in the studio recently, Anita recalled Rutger’s workshop she visited a while ago. It was fascinating how a few simple lines could make a drawing look more real than reality itself.

Anita wondered how the painting had turned out by now.

“Back then.”

“Hmm?”

“What you were drawing.”

Anita tried to speak as casually as possible. She didn’t want to reveal that she was paying too much attention to that painting.

“Oh. Interested?”

“…Not really.”

Maybe she shouldn’t have asked. The way he spoke as if remembering a forgotten existence made Anita feel embarrassed.

“If you’re curious, come and see.”

“Is the work already finished?”

It seems like he has already finished her role as a model for drawing.

Anita’s thoughts were evident on her face when Rutger made a frivolous response.

“Is seeing your face a big deal? I can draw it even without looking.”

“….”

Indeed, thirteen years is by no means a short time. Anita herself could probably draw his face with her eyes closed, no need to say more.

Of course, Anita was in the midst of unrequited love, so she couldn’t objectively judge if this was a common case.

Anita decided not to complicate things. Maybe Rutger drew her face more beautifully than reality as a form of consideration, just as portrait painters receive money to draw pictures that complement the flaws of the actual person.

The reason for choosing to draw Anita’s face in the first place might be similar. It’s familiar and easy, so he probably chose it.

Thinking this way surprisingly eased her mind.

“Actually, I’ve been wanting to ask you something for a few days now….”

Tuck, something cold touched Anita’s forehead. Sensing an uneasy feeling, she raised her hand and felt her head. It was damp.

The raindrops, falling one by one, turned into a heavy downpour. The painter drawing on the street or the children playing had already disappeared, sensing the rain in advance.

Swoosh.

The raindrops falling on her head turned into a steady rain.

Thud.

Because of the strong downpour, it was hard to distinguish what was in front, and something was covering the thin drops that had been falling.

Anita tried to take off Rutger’s jacket before reaching out, but his hand pressed firmly on her head.

“What are you doing?”

“Just wear it.”

“…I can’t see in front of me.”