My Husband Lives in a Painting - Chapter 41

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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My Husband Lives in a Painting — Episode 41
I clenched my fist against my chest, trying to steady the trembling legs that seemed ready to collapse at any moment and the overwhelming surge in my heart.
All the while, Kamiyou guided the conversation forward with a gentle tone.
“That took longer than expected. Did you wait long?”
“……No.”
“Still, I made sure to finish what needed to be done. Pagoda wasn’t the culprit, unfortunately, but I think I’ve identified the real one.”
“…….”
“And I also uncovered the truth about that day. I’ve been wondering whether I should tell you this or not, but—”
“Kamiyou.”
I called to him gently, watching as his long tail swayed, still immersed in the lingering echoes of vengeance.
Then, with his round eyes blinking as he waited for me to speak, I said:
“Would you like to come play with me today?”
“……What?”
Noticing my hand drawing closer, Kamiyou naturally lowered his gaze.
I belatedly realized my hands were stained with paint.
Ah, I should have washed up properly. Embarrassment crept across my face without warning.
“It’s, it’s fine if you refuse. This has nothing to do with our contract.”
I rushed to lay groundwork even before he could answer.
I wanted to cushion the blow of the painful rejection I knew would fall from his lips.
“……But if you could spare just one day, I would be truly grateful.”
It was a pathetic plea, and I knew it. But I couldn’t help myself.
They say the one who loves more is always at a disadvantage. I accept defeat before him every time.
“……..”
With my head bowed, I waited for his cold refusal.
But what entered my sight was the edge of a red ribbon.
When I lifted my head in confusion, I saw Kamiyou had tied a beautiful ribbon around his own neck.
“Oh, why are you making that face?”
He stepped closer, gently took hold of my hair, and placed a kiss upon it.
“This won’t do. Since my dear wife tends to worry so much, I should be clear about this while I have the chance.”
And then his voice, sweet enough to make one melt, whispered against my ear:
“If it’s you, I’ll let you steal my time whenever you wish.”
* * *
I entered the Cottage with Kamiyou and stepped beyond the newly opened door.
The moment I crossed the threshold, my vision filled with a vibrant Plaza in full festivity.
“This is…….”
“The Plaza of the Capital during the Spring Flower Festival.”
“Wow!”
Kamiyou’s eyes sparkled like a child’s as he took in the sights of the Plaza. I followed behind him.
‘For something I painted in a hurry, it resembles what I remember quite well.’
Still, this place felt somehow less saturated and more translucent than reality.
I’d chosen Watercolor Painting over Oil Painting because there wasn’t enough time.
But that choice had yielded a surprisingly brilliant result.
The clear, bright colors unique to Watercolor Painting had transformed this place into a scene from an old memory, even evoking a peculiar nostalgia.
“There’s a fountain here too. Is there one in the real world?”
“Of course. It’s very popular with children.”
Kamiyou approached the fountain and slipped his hand beneath its transparent surface.
With his horns and tail hidden, he looked like an ordinary human who had always belonged in this place.
……Except for the Red Ribbon tied around his neck.
“It’s refreshing. Come on, you try it too.”
“……Should I?”
Drawn in by his radiant smile, I submerged my hand beside his without thinking.
Beneath the translucent, rippling surface, our hands passed close enough to touch but didn’t quite meet.
Just as Kamiyou’s fingertips were drawing near, they suddenly retreated, and he scooped up a handful of water and splashed it at me.
“Ah, it’s cold!”
“Ha! Did you see your face!”
“……Kamiyou, are you saying it’s on now?”
“Ah, I’d better run.”
As I clenched fistfuls of water and glared at him, Kamiyou laughed playfully and retreated from me.
The water droplets I’d thrown shattered into fragments in midair, leaving a small rainbow in their wake.
We were playing around in such a childish way for quite some time when Kamiyou suddenly looked around and tilted his head in puzzlement.
“But there’s hardly anyone here. Isn’t this supposed to be a famous festival?”
“Ah… I simply ran out of time. I couldn’t manage to paint in the crowds.”
“Hmm, but it’s a festival—it feels incomplete without the throng of people. Leave it to me.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Kamiyou’s mouth curved into a knowing smile as he snapped his fingers.
In that instant, figures began to materialize from every corner of the empty Plaza, filling in the gaps.
As moments passed, the Plaza swelled with the warmth of merchants hawking food, families out for their leisure, and lovers walking hand in hand with gentle affection.
“Now it really does feel as if we’ve come to the festival together. Don’t you think?”
“…Yes.”
But there remained considerable distance between us, and several passersby moved through the space between us without a second glance.
‘And yet, truthfully, we’ll never actually go to a festival together in my lifetime.’
Close, yet far—this strange distance between us seemed to speak volumes about the nature of our relationship, and I found myself sinking into an inexplicable reverie.
But I soon smiled softly and reached out my hand toward him.
“Yes. It’s definitely better this way.”
“…”
“Shall we go?”
Perhaps it was merely my imagination, but his gaze lingered on my face longer than usual.
Yet Kamiyou simply whispered “All right” as if nothing had happened, and extended the end of the Red Ribbon to me.
I grasped it tightly in my palm, as though the Red Ribbon were the only lifeline binding us together.
And so our peculiar stroll began, weaving through the multitude of people.
“…By the way, Kamiyou, doesn’t it feel awkward walking around like this?”
I ventured the question cautiously, watching his expression.
“Not particularly. Why do you ask?”
“Well, if it’s not awkward…”
Kamiyou smiled softly once more as he watched my words trail off.
Just as I was about to walk forward again at his side—
“Ah, out for a walk with your husband, I see? What a lovely couple you two make!”
“…What?”
A middle-aged woman passing by had suddenly struck up a conversation.
“Are you newlyweds?”
Her eyes—bright and laughing beneath a flower crown—fell upon the Red Ribbon tied around Kamiyou’s neck.
“What a beautiful necklace your husband is wearing. Did you pick it out yourself, dear?”
“Oh, well, that is to say—”
“Yes, isn’t it lovely?”
Before I could finish my flustered response, Kamiyou smoothly interjected, leaning forward with natural grace.
“My wife finds men who are rather dog-like in temperament to her taste, so I prepared this especially.”
“My goodness, you really do look like a puppy! I should suggest my husband try this.”
“I would certainly recommend it.”
The woman laughed heartily and hurried on her way.
Only after she had completely disappeared from sight did I finally vent my frustration.
“…Kamiyou, must you keep adding unnecessary dialogue?”
“Ah, sorry. It seemed like it would add a touch more vitality to the scene.”
“We don’t need it. Stop it.”
Without acknowledging any wrongdoing whatsoever, Kamiyou simply shrugged with unflappable composure.
As I pressed my forehead with a soft sigh, the furtive whispers of young ladies drifted over from not far away.
“Oh my, how enviable. A man wearing a leash…”
“Ah, I’ve always dreamed of having a man like that!”
“…What?”
Unable to help myself, I let out a dumbfounded laugh and turned to face Kamiyou.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
The moment I met that grinning face, what little restraint I had left simply snapped.
“Enough. Just follow me.”
“Oof!”
I seized the Red Ribbon around his neck roughly and pulled him forward, the cord drawn taut and tense.
Kamiyou’s eyes widened in surprise as he stumbled after me, but soon a quiet laugh escaped his lips.
“Ah… I knew it. You enjoy this sort of thing too.”
Even as he was dragged along, his face flushed with an almost entranced bliss.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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