"Your cousin?" So that explains why he sounded like Sai when he talks. They are actually cousins! Wait, does this mean Ara Brent is Yuji's mother? Holy cow, it makes sense now.
"Yeah! Why do you know him? You know Yohan, Yuji?" she asked.
"I saw him last night, and we talked. Is he your boyfriend?" Yuji's eyebrows rose.
"What? No! It's not what you think, he's just my chingu." Sai shook her hand and head.
"Oh, okay. It's nice seeing you again! Mom's busy with her project right now, but I can tell her you're here." He was about to get his phone, but Sai stopped him.
"No worries! We might disturb auntie. Would you like to come with us on the tour?" Sai asked.
"Yeah, you should come with us, Yuji." I smiled at him.
He was hesitant. "Uh, I've been here thousands of times, but I can accompany you. I have no classes today."
Sai jumped for joy. "Alright! Let's go!"
We ended up having Yuji with us while we walked through the building. As expected, there were glass walls where we could see some workers animating a certain show. We can see the process of sketching and drawing frames. Fascinating as always.
"Yuji, do you want to be like your mom too?" Sai asked while watching the animators do their work.
I waited for Yuji's answer, in high hopes that he will tell Sai what his dreams are.
"I'm going to be a painter."
I sighed in relief. This is a big step for him; I don't know if he has told his parents yet. But telling your dreams to someone is a big step. I felt proud of him in that moment.
Sai's eyes sparkled. "Really? I'm rooting for you! That's what Dad and Yohan do!"
Yuji looked at me and smiled with his eyes. I ruffled his hair lightly.
"But don't tell Mom, I haven't told her yet." Yuji scratched the back of his head.
"Of course! It's an honor to know your dreams, Yuji. I'm your biggest fan already!" Sai giggled and hugged Yuji.
We reached the end of the tour, and Yuji was talking to someone on his phone.
"Mom wants to see you at her office. Come!"
We went inside the elevator. The guard allowed us because of Yuji. Well, this wasn't part of a plan... It feels illegal to go somewhere beyond the tour.
"This is mom's office, she'll be here in a sec," Yuji said.
Ara Brent's office is located on the fifth floor. We went inside and sat on a couch. I heard she attended a meeting.
"How many floors does this building have?" I asked randomly.
"Ten. The last floor is highly restricted," Yuji said.
"Let's go there!" Sai joked.
"Mom will kill me! Don't tell her that the floor's restricted," he said, covering his mouth. I think it's normal for big companies to have places that restrict people from going inside.
"Auntie!"
A woman in business attire entered the room. She placed her clipboard on the table and approached us. Ara Brent, the famous animator is right in front of us! What an honor.
"Hennessy! Beautiful as always. How are you?" She hugged Sai.
"I'm doing great, Auntie! Oh, by the way, this is Yohan. He's my chingu, and he's a painter," she introduced me.
I stood up and smiled at her aunt. I didn't know what to do! "Uh, good afternoon. I'm Yohan."
"Hi! I'm Ara, Sai's aunt. You're just like my brother! He's a painter too, but as a hobby," she said, pertaining to Howard Brent.
Ara was easy to get along with. She was catching up with Sai, and I distracted myself by looking at the displayed pieces inside her office. She animated every piece in here, which is amazing.
Moment after, Ara and I are the only ones inside her office since Sai needed to go to the toilet. Yuji came with her to give directions.
"Excuse me, do digital artists never paint at night too?" I asked. I was reluctant first, but I don't want to miss this opportunity to strike a conversation with her.
I got Ara's attention and she nodded. "Yes, that famous rule also applies to us digital artists. That's why we only work during the day."
Oh, I see... So that means even if someone draws something digital, anima perduta also appears.
"I see. I thought it only applied to traditional arts. Thanks for telling me that."
"Have you painted at night, Yohan?" Her eyebrow rose.
"No. I was just curious about the rule."
I immediately defended myself. I needed to lie and play it safe. I don't know how she'll react if I tell her what I did.
"I thought so, I actually did digital art during the night when I was pregnant with Yuji. That's when I talked with a... not so magical creature."
I looked at her in surprise.
"A manta ray appeared when I drew it that time. It felt like a... dream. But I'm not telling you this so you could paint at night, I was stubborn back then," she laughed.
"Does that mean..." I gasped and glanced at the Mystic Manta Ray poster on a wall.
"Yes, that iconic character was based on the manta ray that I saw when I drew at night."
I was speechless!
"Am I even allowed to know that?"
"You seemed like a curious one. Just don't tell anyone about it, or else I will get fired!" She laughed and patted my back.
I'm starting to wonder if other animations were also based on... anima perdutas. If yes, somehow, I think it's a bit unfair that some artists use lost souls for profit. People use helpless souls as their reference or subjects to gain money, how cruel. I used to think a lot about some pieces related to Iseul if artists earn using her. I'm sure they did.
"Yuji's a talented kid," I told her, trying to break the awkwardness atmosphere.
"He grew up having art materials around him. We're pushing him to be like us too," she said, sitting on her swiveling chair.
"To become artists?" I asked.
"Animators." She said shortly.
"But what if he found a different path?" I stopped myself. I think I was meddling too much; I'm just a mere visitor here.
"Then we'll support him. That's what parents are for." She smiled at me.
I felt relieved upon hearing what she said. I guess... Not all parents are like mine. I'm so glad to know that.
Ara insisted on eating lunch inside her office, so we had no choice but to eat here. We had a small chat, as if I didn't hear a very confidential information a while ago. We bid farewell to Yuji and Ara afterwards. Now, I'm inside the elevator with Sai. There were workers who entered the elevator, not minding our presence.
"I think the Iseul project should be cancelled."
"There's no point in continuing it at all."
"It's just glitching. What a waste."
Sai's eyes met mine when people at the back started talking about something.
Iseul project? What is it this time?