Tokyo Tutor: Starting with My Ex-Girlfriend's Sister

Chapter 66: The Final Battle

"Natsuki-san, wake up! We'll be late for the art exhibition!"

Seeing that Himeno Natsuki hadn't come out yet, her assistant and manager couldn't hold back any longer. They risked being scolded by Himeno Natsuki and barged into her room.

I saw Himeno Natsuki covered with a blanket, sleeping in an air-conditioned room, with a book in her hand titled "Learning to Understand Your Lover".

"Miss Natsuki, wake up!"

"Hmm, am I asleep?"

Himeno Natsuki rubbed her eyes.

"Miss Natsuki, wake up quickly! We absolutely cannot be late for today's art exhibition."

"I know."

Himeno Natsuki yawned and, with the help of her servants and assistants, began to tidy herself up.

This exhibition is very important to Himeno Natsuki. The previous painting, valued at 20 million euros, brought her not only honor but also a lot of criticism.

Many people posted on social media claiming that Natsuki Himeno's paintings are not worth 20 million euros at all, and that it is a complete hype.

In response to public criticism, the Himeno family used this art exhibition to invite many well-known figures and artists to support Himeno Natsuki.

Everyone in Himeno Natsuki's team was on high alert, except for Himeno Natsuki herself.

She appeared surprisingly relaxed, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

After changing Himeno Natsuki into a silver-white dress, her assistants took her to the car and headed to the art exhibition.

"Miss Natsuki, please cheer up."

"I see."

With an impatient expression, Himeno Natsuki looked out at the scenery, occasionally stretching out her hands like a camera to capture the moment.

"Stop the car."

Himeno Natsuki suddenly shouted, and everyone looked puzzled, but they still listened to her and stopped the car.

Then, Himeno Natsuki got out of the car and faced a field in front of her. Such hilly fields are common throughout the Apennine Peninsula.

But in Himeno Natsuki's eyes, it seems to have another meaning.

"What's wrong, Natsuki-san?"

"I want to stay here and paint."

"What should we do about the art exhibition?"

"You go in my place. From now on, you are Himeno Natsuki, and I am a sunflower by the roadside. Remember to come and pick me up before the sun goes down."

"Miss Natsuki, please stop talking nonsense. Today's art exhibition is very important."

"What's so important about it?"

"This is your last battle in Europe, Miss Natsuki, please hold on. You don't want to return to Japan in disgrace, do you?"

Even if that man treats you very well, you wouldn't want to go back in a sorry state, begging him for comfort.

Her manager has been by her side since Hino Natsuki was in junior high school and knows a lot about her.

Her words also awakened Himeno Natsuki, who had been slacking off since leaving the house. Himeno Natsuki raised her head and regained her usual sharpness.

When I arrived at the venue, the area outside was already packed with people.

The painting that sold for 20 million euros a few days ago made Natsuki Himeno's name known all over the world, and many people want to see her in person and her other paintings.

"Miss Natsuki..."

"I'm not nervous."

Before her assistant could even speak, Himeno Natsuki had already learned to preemptively answer.

The manager observed Himeno Natsuki's expression and noticed an eerie calm on her face, a calmness the manager only saw in people who were utterly despondent.

"Miss Natsuki, for the honor of the Himeno family, you must persevere."

The agent said in a low voice.

"Don't worry, I'm already dead as an artist."

Whether the painting was worth 20 million euros or not, Himeno Natsuki knew best, but now the Himeno family had no way out.

But if the painting isn't worth that much money, why would a buyer purchase it? Is it for money laundering?

The car door opened, and Himeno Natsuki stepped out of the Lincoln limousine. Instantly, all the reporters in the room pointed their cameras at Himeno Natsuki.

Countless flashes of light shone on Himeno Natsuki again and again.

Natsuki Himeno faced the camera without any stage fright, displaying elegance and composure in every gesture.

Her beauty has earned her a place in major fashion magazines, making her a match for any star.

Besides winning numerous awards in her early years and selling her recent masterpiece for 20 million euros, Hino Natsuki's appearance is also a major factor in her high level of fame.

As the art exhibition began, numerous oil painting enthusiasts entered the exhibition hall. Surrounded by staff, Himeno Natsuki greeted the social elites invited by the Himeno family.

Everything proceeded as the Himeno family had envisioned, with these social elites praising Himeno Natsuki's paintings and making purchase requests.

Everything changed when a man named Lawrence Steve appeared.

"Mr. Lawrence, it's been a long time. It's an honor to have you here."

Lawrence was a famous European collector and well-known in the world of oil paintings. Himeno Natsuki had met him several times.

"Miss Natsuki, I've taken a liking to one of your works. If possible, I'd like to own it."

"Mr. Lawrence, which painting have you taken a liking to?"

"That painting you brought to Europe, 'Snow Mountain'"

"That painting."

Himeno Natsuki's gaze shifted to the painting "Snow Mountain" hanging not far away.

This old man really knows his stuff; this is my proudest work.

This painting was created during the summer before Himeno Natsuki came to Europe. She visited Yamazaki Kazuka's hometown and stayed there for seven days. In addition to saying her final goodbye to Yamazaki Kazuka, she also sketched the snow-capped mountains.

Over the years, Himeno Natsuki has been refining the details, and three years later, the painting is basically complete.

"Do you think 100,000 euros is a good price?"

"Mr. Lawrence, please discuss the specific details of the transaction after the art exhibition."

The agent stepped forward, blocking Himeno Natsuki's path, and reminded Lawrence with a fawning smile.

Himeno Natsuki walked step by step to the picture with her head down.

She reminisced about her past with Yamazaki Kazukazu, and then glanced at the painting, noting that many details were still missing, because she had only stayed at the Yamazaki family's hot spring inn for seven days.

I spent most of my time with Yamazaki Kazukaze, and only finished the first draft of the painting. After leaving, I forgot many of the details.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Lawrence. I'm not selling this painting."

Himeno Natsuki looked at the painting and said decisively.

"You're not selling?"

Lawrence revealed a sly smile.

"Yes, this is not for sale."

Himeno Natsuki turned around to face Lawrence, who had come specifically to provoke her.

"I'm here to buy your painting with the utmost sincerity. Ms. Himeno Natsuki, you don't really think your painting is worth that much money, do you?"

"Apart from this painting, 'Snow Mountain,' the rest of my paintings are worth at most ten thousand euros!"

Lawrence's roar echoed throughout the arena, and everyone present turned to look.

Himeno Natsuki's manager and assistant turned pale.

Lawrence, a highly respected figure in the art collecting world, had a decisive influence on the value of Himeno Natsuki's paintings.

Despite the awkward situation, Himeno Natsuki still smiled, like a Japanese doll in a horror movie.

She first called out to the security personnel around her, then walked step by step to Lawrence, showing no fear on her face.

"Mr. Lawrence, please calm down. I'm not refusing to sell you this painting because of the price. This painting is truly important to me."

"It may leave me one day, but only after I die."

"Ms. Himeno Natsuki, since you say so, I won't buy this painting."

Lawrence turned to leave.

Lawrence came here to humiliate Himeno Natsuki.

But after Himeno Natsuki refused to sell her paintings, Lawrence realized that the girl in front of him understood and loved art.

She was not the culprit behind this exorbitantly priced painting; rather, she was a victim of family interests.

Why should I make things difficult for a pitiful woman who betrayed her beliefs for her family?

With this in mind, Lawrence decided to leave.

"Wait a minute, Mr. Lawrence. You came all the way to the exhibition to buy my paintings; I can't let you leave empty-handed."

"I recommend you buy this painting. How much do you think it's worth?"

Himeno Natsuki walked under a painting where children were gathered on the grass blowing bubbles.

Three thousand euros.

Lawrence glanced at it and said.

"Mr. Lawrence, I know that in addition to being a collector, you are also a world-renowned philanthropist."

"I painted this painting at an orphanage. I promised the director that all the proceeds from the sale of this painting would go to the orphanage."

"If you are willing to donate three thousand euros to that orphanage, I will give you this painting."

After Himeno Natsuki finished speaking, all eyes in the room turned to Lawrence.

For a moment, the venue was completely silent.

Lawrence was puzzled by Himeno Natsuki's behavior, but he quickly understood her intentions.

As expected, all of Himeno Natsuki's paintings will become tools for money laundering in the future, selling for astronomical sums.

Then, the promise between Himeno Natsuki and the abbot will be impossible to keep.

So, she wanted to sell the painting to me, hoping I would help her fulfill that promise?

"Is this monastery an investment of your family?"

"Lawrence asked."

"No, I discovered it by chance while I was doing fieldwork in the Central European countryside. It has absolutely nothing to do with my family."

Lawrence was deeply moved by Himeno Natsuki's courage and kindness.

Even if you have no choice, should you still stick to your bottom line?

Even though it's summer, Lawrence wouldn't mind being Santa Claus for once.

"I will donate 300,000 euros to sponsor this orphanage and establish a foundation to support the children depicted in the paintings until they reach adulthood."

As soon as Lawrence finished speaking, the entire audience erupted in deafening applause.

"God bless you, Mr. Lawrence."

After the art exhibition ended, Himeno Natsuki and her group did not return to their residence, but went directly to the airport.

The Himeno family's private plane had been waiting there for a long time.

The thought of seeing Yamazaki Kazukaru soon made Himeno Natsuki's body tremble uncontrollably, so much so that tears streamed down her face the moment she stepped onto the airplane stairs.

Looking at the clouds outside the window, Himeno Natsuki reminisced about her high school years and the three years she spent with Yamazaki Kazukazu, which were the happiest three years of her life.

The rest of the time, Himeno Natsuki felt like she was living in hell.

In her heart, Yamazaki Kaze was the only reason she remained in this world.