The Story Of Bunny And Fox

Vol 2 - Pause (1)

However, it is still incomparably easier to live with a smile than living as a person who does not smile.

A child growing up in a family that always has to pay attention to their parents' emotions is quick to notice. Reading other people's feelings and quickly recognizing the inner thoughts of their gestures and words.

Ever since his mother died and his father remarried, Ash hasn't laughed a single day. His stepmother, bringing her children in, always made up reasons whenever Ash didn't smile. That person only wanted to find faults in every of his actions.

After making things up, his stepmother would make a big deal out of it and went to his father. Even if Ash wasn't thinking anything, she would say that Ash was angry or ignored her just because he didn't smile. Even if he explained himself, this stepmother still didn't care.

His father completely ignored him. Not strange. That man doesn't love him. That, too, has a reason.

Ever since he was a small 10 year old boy, he has realized that people don't really care much about other people's true feelings. He has never been saddened by that fact. Thanks to this, Ash has learned how to be loved. He has also quickly learned how to not get tired.

At some points, Ash has lived with the impression that he is a skilled and gentle person. And such images have been helpful in living in this world. As Ash grew older, he has learned how to draw lines and become an attractive but difficult person to approach. This seems to have aroused desires and challenges in other people.

But Ash's rule has always been simple. He does everything he can for the one he loves. To those who do not, he shows only a certain favor. Ash does a great job of keeping that boundary.

However...

"What's going on?"

There is only one person, that rule doesn't work at all.

"There's nothing."

No, there must be such a person.

Ash buries his back in the chair and rubs his chin. A smile is re-engraved in his well-curved eyes.

"As I said, we've been busy lately. Because we suddenly have a big client."

That sentence isn't meant to provoke guilt, but Mackenzie makes an apologetic face. Ruffling her own hair, Mackenzie says.

"Because of that, I had to transfer you into the existing project."

"Everyone is working hard, not only me."

The time they spend in the studio is similar. Only the intensity of work is different. Mackenzie in front of him is also stuck in the studio with hardly any time to go home. Even if she goes home by any chance, she'll end up working at home, too.

Same goes with Ash. It's been really busy lately. In other words, the reason is because his studio, which has a tendency to pursue innovative design, has taken on a project that is difficult to pick up.

Offers came at the same time from a certain department store and a channel that preferred only traditional designs. The moment he knew it, he remembered someone. He could guess who that was. There ứas only one person around him who could make connections like these.

When he was pondering whether to contact Karlyle Frost to turn them down, his beloved Mackenzie said that this would be a good challenge for the portfolio. Because of that, his hesitation was gone.

In the first place, he never intends to receive anything from the man. It is pure Ash's favor, and some sincerity towards Nick. He doesn't want to put any prices on that.