84 ...The Painting.

For hours, Yusuke painted with unwavering concentration, his brush strokes both swift and precise. A bead of sweat formed on his brow from the intensity of his focus. Shiho, perched silently on the ladder, exchanged playful glances with Ren, trying to communicate through subtle facial expressions in the quiet room.

Ren and Shiho were both waiting to discuss Madarame, yet they refrained, not wanting to disrupt Yusuke's creative process.

Eventually, Yusuke leaned back, a look of deep satisfaction washing over his face as he viewed the painting from a distance.

"It is perfect... I believe I am finally close to capturing the essence that rivals the Sayuri." he declared, his voice tinged with a sense of achievement. His eyes gleamed with pride as he admired his work.

Noticing Yusuke's pause, Ren seized the opportunity to speak. 

"Yusuke, have we reached a good stopping point for today? It's been quite a while, and I think Shiho might need a break from sitting on that ladder."

Yusuke hesitated, about to dismiss the need for a break, but noticing Shiho's slightly strained expression, he sighed.

"Actually, I am a bit uncomfortable," Shiho admitted, her voice betraying a hint of discomfort. "I wouldn't mind stretching my legs, though I can sit a bit longer if you need me to continue."

Yusuke, now visibly torn, finally nodded in understanding.

"I appreciate your dedication, but let us conclude for today. The light is fading, and I can continue with fresh eyes tomorrow. Amamiya-san, your cooperation has been invaluable," he said, bowing deeply in gratitude.

As Shiho carefully climbed down from the ladder and began to stretch, Yusuke turned to her with another respectful bow. 

"Suzui-san, my thanks extend to you as well. Without your presence, the emotional depth of this painting would have been lesser."

Shiho responded with a bright smile and a playful thumbs up. 

"Anytime, Yusuke."

Together, they approached the canvas to inspect Yusuke's progress. Shiho gasped in surprise at the depiction, while Ren's gaze narrowed thoughtfully, taking in every detail of the image that Yusuke had so meticulously crafted.

The painting used a palleted dominated by deep blues and accents of gold and silver, evoking a serene yet melancholic atmosphere. At the center of the illustration sat a man nestled among the ethereal clouds of the night sky. His posture was relaxed, yet his expression was complex. His eyes were filled with longing and a sorrowful sense of absence. His eyes wander as if searching for something forever lost.

The full moon in the background cast a gentle, solemn light over the scene. Its light highlighted the golden chains draped elegantly yet somberly around the man's arms and neck. While delicate, the chains restrained the man who neither resisted nor embraced them. From within the clouds, dark shadows, like tendrils, were reaching out to the man, gently enveloping him near the chains.

His eyes, a striking golden, echoed the chains' reflective luster, while his pure silver hair starkly contrasted against the night sky.

"I have titled this piece 'Humanity,'" Yusuke announced, his voice filled with pride as he regarded the unfinished painting. "Whereas the Sayuri captures beauty within the bounds of human sorrow, 'Humanity' explores the essence and absence of beauty that resides within our souls."

Shiho, intrigued by the theme, asked.

"Could you explain on why you chose this direction?"

With an enthusiastic smile, Yusuke gestured toward the figure in the painting.

"Our subject here, nestled among the night's ethereal clouds, is simultaneously free and bound. His golden eyes, mirroring the chains that adorn him, reflect the paradox of his existence, radiant yet burdened with grief. His white hair starkly contrasts the somber backdrop, symbolizing the purity of his isolation."

"The shadows... they seem almost alive, reaching for him." Ren muttered as he looked at the eerily familiar tendrils.

"Exactly," Yusuke nodded. "These shadows represent the night itself, trying to envelop him. This subtle embrace by the darkness symbolizes the parts of our spirit that remain untouched by the light of day."

"And the chains?" Shiho questioned further.

"They are symbolic," Yusuke explained. "These golden chains reflect the moon's solemn light but are, nonetheless, chains. They signify the unseen bonds that tether us to our destinies. He bears them without struggle, suggesting perhaps an acceptance of fate or a resignation to the inevitable."

Ren studied the painting for a moment longer, then turned back to Yusuke

"So, what exactly does 'Humanity' mean in this context?" 

Yusuke's smile widened, proud of the intrigue his work had sparked. 

"'Humanity' is an invitation to reflect not just on who we are but on what we fundamentally lack. It challenges us to confront our inner voids and find beauty not in what fills them, but in the void itself.".

As Yusuke delved deeper into the symbolism behind his painting, his stomach betrayed him with a loud, unmistakable grumble.

"Ah, I must apologize," Yusuke said, a hint of embarrassment coloring his refined demeanor. "It appears I have neglected my need for sustenance today."

Ren and Shiho exchanged amused glances before Shiho offered.

"Why don't you join us for a meal? It's on us."

Yusuke's expression momentarily brightened. 

"Truly? I would not wish to impose. It is I who should be extending hospitality, given your patience today. However, I must confess, my current financial circumstances are... somewhat limited."

Ren laughed softly, dismissing Yusuke's concerns with a friendly wave. 

 "Don't worry about it. What kind of food are you in the mood for?"

Yusuke pondered for a moment before answering.

"I have a preference for dishes that are nourishing and hearty," as his stomach punctuated his words with another rumble.

"Sounds like we should find somewhere with plenty of options then," Ren said, leading the way out of the studio.

— — —

The trio strolled through Tokyo's bustling streets and eventually settled at a sushi restaurant. Yusuke appeared hesitant to order anything substantial, but Ren decided to treat him to an assortment of sushi.

"Think of it as a reward to yourself for getting so much of the painting done.." Ren said with a chuckle as he saw Yusuke staring down at the food with hesitation.

"I am grateful, truly," Yusuke replied, eyeing the dishes before him. "I typically abstain from indulgences, as Madarame taught me that true artistic spirit often flourishes in the absence of excess."

At the mention of Madarame, Ren's eyes glowed slightly as he asked.

"Madarame… what is he like?" 

Yusuke's expression softened with admiration.

"He is an extraordinary mentor. My mother was his disciple, and following her passing, he took me in out of respect for her memory. Everything I know, I owe to his guidance."

Shiho interjected, a hint of skepticism in her tone. 

"That's interesting because I read some mixed reviews about him online. While his art is generally praised, some former students seemed quite unhappy with him."

Yusuke's brow furrowed slightly as he heard her.

"Those students simply failed to appreciate the opportunities he provided. After he offers so much to us, it is only fair he expects something in return. They also lacked the resolve to meet his expectations, which are, admittedly, quite demanding."

Ren probed further, intrigued by Yusuke's defense.

"What kind of expectations does Madarame have for his students? What does he ask for?"

Yusuke paused, his chopsticks hovering mid-air.

"It's nothing… I apologize, but that is between Madarame and his students. Though I can assure you, it is nothing unethical." 

As they continued their meal, Ren tactfully changed the subject to keep the conversation light but insightful.

"I see… you know, I was amazed when we went to the museum. It seems impressive how diverse Madarame's portfolio is. The pieces at the museum suggested he's mastered numerous styles, each distinctly unique. Almost as if they were done by different people."

Yusuke hesitated for a moment before he nodded, his expression turning contemplative. Though it was clear he was starting to become guarded.

"Madarame is a man of many talents. He has mastered countless styles throughout his life. I usually enjoy painting in an abstract manner. However, for Humanity, I decided to go for a different style to suit the painting." 

After his answer, Shiho subtly nudged Ren under the table, telling him to ease off the hard questions before Yusuke got angry. Turning to Shiho, Ren couldn't help but smile as he gave her a subtle wink of acknowledgment.

After some casual chatter, Ren revisited his earlier curiosity with a gentle question once Yusuke had relaxed again.

"I couldn't help but notice the condition of the house you and Madarame live in. It seems quite modest for someone of his stature, especially considering he owns a museum. Does he actually live there?"

"Indeed, Madarame frequently resides in our modest dwelling. Although he was away for work today, he typically spends considerable time in his private studio at home. The museum, you see, is his singular investment in public outreach," Yusuke clarified, his tone reflecting a mix of pride and reverence.

"He envisioned it as a platform to exhibit his works and ignite artistic passion among visitors. This is also why he organizes art classes accessible to all skill levels. Remarkably, he donates nearly all the proceeds from the museum and these classes to further support the arts."

Hearing this, Shiho's eyes sparkled with renewed enthusiasm, looking to Ren for approval before asking her question.

"Hey, umm… speaking of art classes… would you mind giving us a few extra lessons or tips? I've been practicing almost daily since our last session, and while I am improving, I'm not quite sure what direction to take to properly improve."

Yusuke's face lit up with a warm, sincere smile at her request.

"Absolutely, it would be my pleasure to offer guidance to a fellow artist. I am grateful for your help today and this delightful meal, so it is only fair that I reciprocate. Though my schedule is often filled with my own artistic endeavors, I will make time to provide you with some tips and further instruction."

Shiho's question seemed to ignite a spark in Yusuke, who quickly became animated and curious about her artistic journey. As Shiho began to explain her experiences and the progress she had made, Yusuke engaged deeply, nodding appreciatively or shaking his head when suggesting a different approach.

Initially, Ren and Shiho had hoped to probe further into Madarame's affairs, particularly to uncover more about his potential distortion and ways to defend against it. However, it became apparent that Yusuke was closely guarded about his mentor, showing no signs of suspicion or awareness of any wrongdoing. 

Realizing that they were going nowhere, they decided to wait until after they had investigated the Palace to try to gather more information if they needed it. 

Watching Shiho light up as she discussed her newly found passion for art, and seeing Yusuke respond with genuine interest and eagerness to help, Ren felt a warm smile appear on his face as he sat back to let them talk.

~Confidants~

Yusuke Kitagawa (The Emperor) Rank 2

(Ya'll, Yusuke is a funky lad. He speaks weirdly refined English and also acts weird. But he is not consistently weird because he sometimes speaks normally so he is only three-quarters eccentric. He's a hard guy to write, I tell ya, lol.

Also, I've been cooking up how I am planning the Madarame arc to go, and I have a really good idea of what will happen in it… Also, I bet ya'll probably won't guess what the next palace after Madarame is. Things are going to get more unhinged(in a good way) from og P5 from Madarame's palace onwards.

Finally, if there is a confidant ya'll been missing, lemme know in the comments, like I said before I usually have a Google doc with the confidants and then randomly pick one. I was planning on focusing on party members, but I also wanna go with the flow like always, so lemme know, and I'll probably do a chap about them soon. The reason for setting up Kawakami's is cuz of JonRedSea.)