I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 59

I first saw Lee Ha-Eun at the Peach Blossom Paradise awards ceremony.

‘...Someone my age. Could that be Lee Ha-Eun?’

While walking down the corridor, I noticed him moving with two girls.

I felt a brief glance brush over me, but I dismissed it as my imagination.

It was just a small curiosity—I simply wanted to know who the boy behind Peach Blossom Paradise was.

Maybe he was someone related to Ho-Sung.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

But for some reason, I kept finding my eyes drawn to Lee Ha-Eun.

There were plenty of reasons. His looks, for one, and his mannerisms—they were a bit rough.

How to describe it? Raw, maybe? His actions seemed unfiltered, unrestrained.

Something about that caught my attention.

Every time our eyes met, he would consciously avoid looking at me.

‘Why does he do that?’

I wondered about his reaction but didn’t dig deeper.

The reason I was here was to see Peach Blossom Paradise.

Even though I had seen photos and videos of it, seeing it in person was entirely different.

The gap between two-dimensional and three-dimensional art makes a significant impact.

A single sheet of paper is light, but a thousand sheets are incredibly heavy.

...Is that the right metaphor?

Anyway, I’ve always preferred seeing things in analog rather than digital.

‘...It’s beautiful.’

It was my first time seeing Peach Blossom Paradise in person.

The painting, which personified peaches as a smiling girl with glowing yellow eyes, was stunning.

‘Someday, I want to...’

I want to create a painting that can rival Peach Blossom Paradise and Ho-Sung’s work. No, something even greater.

To do that, I need someone to teach me.@@@@

I could ask my father, but his path is different from the one I want to take.

I need someone else.

Someone like the boy idling over there—someone like Lee Ha-Eun.

Honestly, I was surprised.

He was the same age as me, sixteen. How could someone like him create Peach Blossom Paradise?

We’d both lived the same sixteen years and likely grown up in similar environments.

But there were no limits to his talent. Skill beyond his years.

He proved it through his YouTube channel.

Aside from my father, he was the first person I truly admired.

‘Maybe I should talk to him.’

That thought crossed my mind, but I shook my head and turned away.

If we’re meant to cross paths again, it’ll happen.

If not, well, it would be unfortunate.

No need to dwell on it.

***

“Haha. Thank you so much. I’ll make sure to wash this and return it to you.”

In front of me stood a strange boy—or rather, someone my age.

“You don’t have to return it. I’ve got plenty of handkerchiefs.”

He was the guy who had just fallen on the stairs, scraping his knee. I happened to see it by chance.

Since we were at the awards ceremony and no one else was around, I felt it was my responsibility to help.

“Alright. But if we meet again, I’ll repay the favor. My name’s Lee Do-Yoon.”

“...Hong Ye-Hwa. Well then, goodbye.”

“Okay, see you around!”

As someone with an extreme I personality on the MBTI scale, socializing was hard for me.

I couldn’t wait to leave the scene, and soon enough, I forgot the boy’s name altogether.

***

I enrolled in a private integrated arts high school.

Known as SAHS for short, the school was backed by a massive corporation, so all the facilities were state-of-the-art.

‘Will he be here?’

But my focus wasn’t on the school or its amenities.

It was on one person—Lee Ha-Eun.

However, even as the entrance ceremony began, there was no sign of him.

‘Did he end up going to a different school...?’

I felt a pang of disappointment.

Just as I was thinking that, the doors to the auditorium creaked open.

‘Someone’s late to the ceremony...’

I turned to see who it was.

There he was, Lee Ha-Eun, wearing a slightly awkward expression.

What had he been doing to show up so late?

He didn’t seem like the kind of person who’d oversleep.

The word popped into my mind, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Don’t you think you’re not in a position to say that?”

I wasn’t offended. I knew my own skills better than anyone.

Someday, I want to submit a painting to the [Prize] too.

After a brief silence, Ha-Eun offered to help with my submission for the national competition.

Since I needed the help, I readily nodded.

He reviewed my lines, gave feedback on my coloring, and spent time working with me.

Eventually, it was time for his event.

With a suggestion to find Ms. Lee Ah-Reum, he headed out.

I watched the door he had just walked through for a moment before picking up my pen again.

‘...Why does it feel so lonely?’

The classroom, which had been lively just moments ago, was now quiet.

Click!

As if sensing my thoughts, the door opened again, and a woman entered.

It was Ms. Lee Ah-Reum.

“Ha-Eun asked me to help you out.”

She said it simply, then sat next to me to assist with my painting.

For some reason, I felt a little annoyed.

***

I used Ho-Sung as an excuse to bring Ha-Eun to my house, but the other girls followed too, leaving me disappointed.

‘Why am I feeling disappointed?’

The thought crossed my mind. I’d been having these strange thoughts about Ha-Eun for a while now.

And the fact that I felt disappointment again only made me more confused.

I knew Ha-Eun was going to win the [Prize].

Because he’s Lee Ha-Eun.

I believed failure wasn’t an option for him.

And I was right—he became the center of public attention.

‘I’ll catch up soon.’

With that thought in mind, Ha-Eun opened his mouth.

“Well, congrats on winning the national competition. You did great.”

“Oh... uh, thanks. Wait, you knew?”

I hadn’t expected him to bring it up first, and my voice came out slightly flustered.

“Mr. Hong Jin-Hoo wouldn’t stop bragging. He kept showing off photos like a doting dad.”

Dad, seriously! I specifically told him not to show those to Ha-Eun!

As he continued to chat, the conversation turned to my Oasis painting.

His surprised expression made me feel good.

Of course, I had finished this painting with help from both Ha-Eun and Ms. Lee Ah-Reum.

Still, I was the one who painted the final strokes.

Surely, I’m allowed a little pride, right?

When I asked for feedback, he thought for a moment before raising a finger.

His critiques were harsh, but his final comment was praise.

“Even with these points, there’s nothing major to criticize overall. You deserved the win.”

Hearing such a compliment felt awkward. I lowered my head, feeling my face flush.

“I’ve been acknowledged...”

I muttered softly, and Ha-Eun tilted his head in confusion.

When I mentioned needing a mentor, a thought crossed my mind.

‘Could it be...?’

When he recommended Ms. Lee Ah-Reum, I felt a little upset. Not because I disliked her but...

“Um, could I... learn from you instead?”

“Me?”

He pointed at himself, and I nodded.

“Sure, why not?”

“!!! Thank you!”

He agreed, and I was overjoyed.

If I could learn from someone I admire...

‘...Someone I admire?’

The sudden thought made me blink, but my heart had already made its decision.

Thump. Thump.

My heart raced.

Even when he set conditions, none of them mattered.

What mattered was that I wanted to be by his side.

Was it because I realized my feelings?

I wanted to stay by his side forever.

To paint together, to spend time together.

‘...Kidnapping and confinement?’

If Ha-Eun heard that, he’d probably faint.