Thinking of You

Did you find the place in the pictures yet?

Huh? Looks like someone dropped a bag...

Someone's bound to be looking for this. I wonder who it belongs to...

Pictures of a girl...? What are these doing in here?

Sure are a lot of them. They probably have a lot of sentimental value. Who do we look for first, though? The girl in the pictures, or the owner of the bag?

That girl over there... She looks like the woman in the pictures.

Don't think I don't see you staring at me. Is something wrong?

Oh, sorry! I just wanted to talk. I haven't seen you around before. Are you new in town?

Yes, I just moved here a little while ago. My name is Anette. So...what else did you want to talk about, handsome?

I wasn't trying to pick you up, I just wanted you to look at these...

These portraits look a lot like you. Do you know anything about them?

Oh, I'm sure I'm not as pretty as this. Just where did these come from?

I don't know. I'm trying to find whoever owns them.

I wish I could help you, but these aren't mine. I can't say any of my friends are artsy types either...

Oh, that's too bad. I was sure this was you...

Are these things all you have to go on? Hmm... Take a closer look at this picture. Doesn't the scenery in the background look a little like the Karek Swampland?

Now that you mention it... Maybe that's where these were drawn. Let's go check it out.

If you find them, I'd like to meet the artist behind these beautiful portraits, too. Hee hee.

This is where the portraits were drawn. There may be a clue here somewhere.

Huh? There's someone over there.

Hey!

Whoa! Don't scare me like that! Wait, is that you, Aldo? What are you doing way out here?

Oh, Korin, I thought it was you. I'm looking for someone, do you think you could help me out?

Who are you looking for?

I don't really know. Whoever it is lost these pictures...

Hey, is this some kind of joke? Those pictures are mine! Give them back!

Really? You drew them? Why are you carrying pictures like these around?

Well, y'see...

They seem to mean a lot to you. What's the story here? Don't be shy, we've known each other all our lives, right? You can trust me.

Hmm... Okay, I guess there's no point hiding it. I did draw these portraits, they're of a girl named Anette. Y-You don't really have to ask why, right? She's so beautiful...it was love at first sight. This was the only thing I could do to express what I was feeling.

Thank goodness, for a moment I thought it was something weird. Wait...Anette, as in the girl who just moved to Baruoki?

So you know her too! Isn't she the most beautiful girl you've ever seen?

If you say so. But you know, I asked her about the pictures and she didn't think they were of her.

What?! Y-You showed them to her? Why would you do that to me?!

I didn't know! Besides, she has no idea they're yours or that they're of her.

Are you sure?

Positive. Why do you want to keep it secret? Why not just come out and tell her how you feel?

There's no way a goddess like that would waste her time with me. And if she began to hate me for it, I... I wouldn't be able to stand it! Putting my heart into my pen and creating art in her image, that's the best I can do.

You sure about that?

A-Anyway, can I have the portraits back now?

Of course. Here you go.

I thought I was going to go crazy looking for these. At least now I can get back to honing my craft.

And the whole me-being-the-artist thing? Keep that under your hat, okay?

I don't get it. If he likes her that much, why doesn't he just say so? We should let Anette know we solved the case. I'm not sure how much we ought to tell her, though...

Hello again, Aldo. How did your search for our mystery artist go?

I found him, but...

Wow, that's great! Who is he?!

I can't really say...

Huh? Why not? Is he afraid of fame?

Something like that. But we gave him back his lost property, so it all worked out.

You can't leave now! I'm even more curious than I was before.

If someone's been drawing me, I have a right to know about it, don't I?

You probably have a point there, but... Hey, wait a second!

Ah-ha! They really were of me!

Urgh. I let my guard down...

Oh my, how embarrassing... They made me look so pretty, too. I'm blushing just thinking about it.

Is that how the artist sees me? Could that mean what I think it means?

I'm sworn to secrecy. I really can't say any more.

That's all right. I think I've figured most of it out myself.

Huh? Figured what out, exactly?

The person who drew those portraits must feel very strongly about me. Is he...in love, maybe?

Whoa! You knew about that already?

Oh, looks like my guess was right on the mark.

Oops. I did it again...

I think it's time you told me everything. I've worked out so much it won't make a lot of difference now. Hee hee...

Okay, fine. Here's the deal. You're right. Those portraits were drawn by someone who likes you. He's crazy about you, in fact.

I knew it! Hee hee... Oh, that's so touching... It's everything I could wish for.

It is?

The truth is, I've noticed someone watching me from afar lately. The passionate heat of his gaze sets my heart racing!

You saw him, huh...? Sounds like you're actually kinda into him. Want me to introduce you?

Nay, that would ruin the effect! I prefer the simple comfort from knowing someone loves me. If he got to know the real me, he'd only be disillusioned. I couldn't stand that.

These two are kinda crazy... If you ask me, they're perfect for each other.

Like I said, I'm fine with things the way they are. See you around...

Hmph... Nope, I just can't let it end like this. Let's go talk to Korin again.

There you are! Hey Korin, you got a minute?

What's up? You don't want the portraits back, do you?!

Listen, the thing is... I kinda told Anette about you.

What?! Wasn't I clear about wanting to keep it all a secret?

Sorry... She got under my skin, and it just spilled out. But she still doesn't know your name.

She had noticed someone had been watching her, though.

What? Oh no, what do I do now?!

She sounded pretty flattered by the attention. Why not talk to her?

I couldn't! She'll think I'm some depraved weirdo stalker!

You can't go on living like this!

B-But, I...

Korin! Where do you think you're going?

They'd make such a great couple. Why can't they see that?

Looks like I'll have to give them a little push. I have a plan. I'll need some Lizzy scales. There should be plenty all over the Karek Swampland. Then head back to Baruoki and find a nice, picturesque spot.

This place should work. Now, where are those two?

Oh, excuse me... Are you...

A-A-Anette! M-My name's Korin!

Oh. I'm...pleased to meet you.

I...I wasn't planning on ever talking to you face-to-face like this. But when I heard you were leaving Baruoki, I knew I had to...

Huh? But Aldo told me YOU were moving to the capital... Aha!

We've been set up. Hey, Aldo! You're around here somewhere, aren't you? Show yourself!

Looks like I'm busted... I did this for your own good, you know.

Aldo, you traitor! You had me totally fooled... You even made a real Farewell Scale!

You made this, Aldo?

That's right. It's a traditional goodbye present around here. They show up in fairytales and everything. I figured it'd make the setup more believable.

You went through all that trouble just to play a trick on us?

I'm sorry, all right? But I proved my point. The idea of being separated scared you into finally talking to each other.

I...guess so.

You'd never have done that if you really had been satisfied with things as they were. Don't you think you should get your feelings out in the open now while you can?

Aldo...

But no more!

Anette, I... ...Uh, I...

I drew the portraits Aldo found. And they're of you.

But I'm really not as pretty as that, am I?

I think you're the most beautiful person I've ever had the pleasure to meet.

......

See, Korin, you can do it when you try. I have a feeling you two are gonna get along just fine. I wish you all the happiness in the world.