Tokyo Heart Thief's Daily Life

"So my friends and I have decided to have you participate in a documentary. They'll explore your story of how you've struggled to commit to art, how you've felt your talent was never recognized, and how you've persevered until now. They'll also give you an appearance fee. Not only will your paintings be featured, but you'll also get paid. Isn't that a great deal?"

Madarame: "[...Trade?]"

——Agitation.

Humiliation, anger, hatred.

The stinging negative emotions seeped into the hearts of the Phantom Thieves who were peeking into his memories.

They all sensed the grievance beneath Madarame's calm exterior and watched him argue:

"But teacher! Didn't we agree that as long as I provide you with five years of work, you would train me..."

“[So, times are changing!]”

The old man interrupted him rudely.

He faced the young people with a sense of oppression and made no secret of his attitude:

"How dare you contradict your master, Ichitaro! Do you understand your situation? You're a twenty-something artist with no reputation. If I hadn't discovered you, you'd still be stuck in your rented room, painting on those scraps of paper!"

"I'm telling you a path to success, don't be ungrateful. I'm telling you bluntly: you've only got a solid foundation, but you don't have the talent to become famous. In an industry that relies on talent, you'll have to find another way to succeed! That's all I have to say, so consider it for yourself."

"【......yes.】"

The dark and humiliating memories ended with the young Madarame gritting his teeth and clenching his fists.

When everyone returned to reality, they were silent for a while.

In the end, it was Momoka, the adult, who unsurprisingly gave the following summary:

"So, this old man was also bullied by a teacher when he was young. He submitted his work to him in exchange for a chance to become famous. But in the end, he was still fooled and labeled as 'untalented'."

"This kind of thing is really the same in every industry. And it hasn't changed since ancient times."

Kitagawa Yusuke: "...Hurry up and continue the strategy."

Kitagawa, who was caught in this dangerous cycle, didn't say much and immediately urged the team to move on.

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After charging all the way and exploring the distorted art gallery for half an hour, the group discovered the second Desire Stone.

Because Madarame's emotions are out of control, the danger level of this palace is increasing day by day, and the pressure is indeed not small.

However, thanks to the advantage of having more people, Luo Zhen's bandit group was able to take turns to rest and was able to hold on.

Luo Zhen picked up the stone: "Get ready, this is the second memory."

...this time.

Everyone came to a simple studio in a daze.

Luo Zhen, An, Subaru and the Yoshizawa sisters who had actually been there immediately realized that this was Madarame's house.

This "hut" has always been so shabby that it is hard to imagine it as a place to live for a long time.

And Madarame... twenty years older than in the previous memory, looking to be in his forties, was painting furiously.

A moment later, a middle-aged man of about the same age entered the room:

"[Brother, are you okay?]"

"[...It's Kawano. I'm no longer your senior brother, so there's no need to call me that.]"

Kitagawa frowned. "That man called Kawanabe, I remember he was the president of a foundation that supports young artists. So he and Madarame were from the same school..."

The nepotism in this industry is really too serious, there is really nothing we can do about it.

However, although he seemed to be an important figure, the middle-aged Madarame in his memory did not have a good face towards him.

The man named Kawanabe looked at Madarame concentrating on his painting and said helplessly:

"I'm worried about your life. Where's your refrigerator? I brought some food, which should keep you alive for a few more days."

"[Sold it.]" Madarame answered without hesitation:

"[Keeping that kind of stuff will only waste electricity. You can save some money by not storing food. If you have time, please help me cook a few dishes. Remember to add more salt.]"

Wow...the onlookers' eyes twitched when they heard this.

What a despicable and crazy person this person is.

He was completely obsessed with painting, and he made himself look like a ghost, not human at all, and seemed to be on the verge of sudden death.

Kitagawa, on the other hand, did not express any opinion and seemed to think this was normal.

The man named Chuan Guo was even more speechless:

"[Madarame...don't you have any other way to survive?]"

"[Although I hate to say this, painting isn't your only way to make a living, right? Learning to give up at the right time and not being stubborn is also a wise way to live, isn't it?]"

"[...Give up? Me?]"

——Agitation.

Stronger jealousy, resentment, and bitterness.

I have devoted half my life to my dream, but have been frustrated again and again.

Being crushed to the ground by the reality that he had no talent.

This intense sense of grievance fermented into dark, boiling resentment, making the onlookers feel uncomfortable all over.

Madarame, who was already a middle-aged man, did not have any violent emotional outbursts.

He just gripped the brush tightly, gnashing his molars as if to grind it:

“I occasionally compare myself with my peers.”

“[They have established families and accumulated wealth. They have gained the respect and recognition of those around them and have begun to train a new generation of young people, reaching the status of teachers.]”

"But look at me? I'm still just an unemployed vagrant who wants to be a painter. I'm no longer a teenager pursuing my dreams, but a middle-aged man who's almost ready to be called grandpa. I can't even laugh.

Kawanabe: "[...So, you can also...]"

“[That’s why I can only repay my life with the success of my paintings!]”

Madarame suddenly erupted, shaking violently and practically roaring.

Facing his speechless junior fellow, the middle-aged man poured out his inner turmoil:

"I will definitely reach the pinnacle of the art world! Make everyone recognize the name Madarame Ichiryusai! There's no turning back in my life, I must succeed no matter what!!"

“[…Okay, I understand.]”

Trapped by Madarame's intense emotions, his junior fellow apprentice knew that there was no way to persuade him to turn back.

Even so, he still kindly handed over a business card:

This is a painting studio run by a friend of mine. It accepts everyone from children to adults, and mainly teaches basic techniques.

"I've said it before. The fundamental skills you've honed day after day, as well as your appreciation for art, are genuine. Even if you don't become a painter, you can still become famous as a critic. ...At the very least, find a way to make a living and fill your stomach first."

"【......Thanks.】"

Having said this, Madarame, having vented his emotions, took the business card and swallowed the bitterness in his throat.

......The memories end here.

The memories were more realistic than expected, leaving the young members of the Phantom Thieves at a loss for words.

Taoxiang was the only one present who could truly understand the embarrassment and unwillingness of facing the difficulties of reality.

And even she is only 20 years old.

At one point, she wanted to give up and return to her hometown with her tail between her legs.

And this old man with spotted eyes has persisted in living a life more than twice as long as hers, swallowing the bitterness all the time.

This is indeed difficult to comment on, as the young people present all know that they are not qualified.

"...That business card belongs to the person in charge of the painting classroom, right?"

Only Kitagawa Yusuke's eyes were as focused as the long sword in his hand.

He was not at all shaken by Madarame's memories, and even felt that it was all natural.

Therefore, he grasped the details that others did not pay attention to:

"Madarame once said that he was my mother's teacher. My mother never left any mark in the painting world and was probably an unknown apprentice."

"So, if he has a chance to meet my mother, it's only here. ...Captain, let's go quickly."

"Okay." Luo Zhen nodded immediately.

The Phantom Thieves' strategy is now completely led by Kitagawa Yusuke's persistence, and they continue to move forward.

After everyone turned around.

Taoxiang came over quietly, pulling Luo Zhen's sleeve pitifully:

"Luo Zhen...will you regret it? Will you get tired of me?"

"If I just stay like this, unable to succeed in music... and still be a useless loser at 30, 40... and become a jealous, troublesome old woman—Ugh!?"

While the other team members were walking in front, Luo Zhen suddenly hugged Tao Xiang, who was feeling resentful, and sucked her in like a gust of wind!

The action was so neat and quick, cleverly capturing everyone's blind spot.

The moment before being discovered, Luo Zhen instantly returned to normal.

Only the peach fragrance was left disheveled in the wind, and her chest was heaving with gasps.

He quietly took Taoxiang's hand:

"I've made enough promises. I'll prove what's coming next with my actions."

"But at least I can promise you this: even if you really become an old woman, reaching the age of death, I will still hold you. I will hold you until you cry and beg for mercy, and even if you call me daddy, I will not let you go."

“..................idiot~?”

Taoxiang only felt a tingling electric current flowing from her spine to her brain, which almost made her knees go weak and she couldn't walk.

She really loved this little man and wanted to do anything for him.

He is really a natural gigolo, the kind who can play women around.

......But if I could just be played with by him like this for the rest of my life...it would be happiness enough.

Taoxiang couldn't have imagined that she would be so obsessed with men a few months ago.

This even broadened her mind and helped her figure out many things that she had been obsessed with in the past.

"...If there's a chance in the future, I'll introduce you to Nana and the others... Hehe~?"

Taoxiang thought of her good sisters who dropped out of high school and came to Tokyo to work hard.

She will definitely be conquered by this man just like herself.

With a foolishly obsessed expression, Sihasha drooled...

She even developed a strong sense of superiority, and just imagining it gave her three bursts of electricity!

Regardless of whether or not I can succeed in music.

At least I can prove that my judgment of men is successful.

Isn't this a kind of revenge? Miss Taoxiang is becoming more and more rock 'n' roll!

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Then, the third stone of desire came next.

We are almost at the deepest part of the palace, where the secret treasure is located.

The closer to the core, the more vigilant the palace master will be, and the stronger the shadow that appears will be.

Even the large group of robbers seemed to be a little tired, and the chatting on the road became less.

After dealing with the shadow guarding the Desire Stone, Luo Zhen gave a final reminder:

"This should be the last piece of Lust Stone, and it will also be the most critical node in the Palace Master's distorted desires. In short, remain rational and cautious, and don't be affected by emotions. Do you understand?"

...The Phantom Thieves nodded in unison and watched Luo Zhen pick up the Desire Stone.