Notes on Nonsense

"He's interesting, so you should call him sometime." The man introduced to me by my friend Tonoshima was billed as an entertainer. A freelance traveling entertainer—could such a business really work? Or was it just a hobby for the rich? "At the very least, he's enough to kill some time," Tonoshima added.

The man who appeared before me gave off the scent of something foreign. I couldn't quite say what, exactly.

"Is it you, sir? The one who called for me this evening? I am truly delighted. If you don't mind, please, sit back and enjoy the solitary ramblings of this old fool."

It sounded fishy from the very start. Well, let's see what kind of spectacle he has to offer.

"Now then, why wouldn't I tell you a thing or two that's interesting? You might say that, but what can I do? I, for one, never thought of such things."

He certainly has a peculiar way of speaking.

"What I like is light, not regular. Light is best, as they say. I can't stand anything heavy. Let's avoid that. Eh? Tobacco? No, I'm talking about fonts, typefaces. There's one called Shin Go. It's not popular these days, but back when DTP was just starting, it was a staple alongside Ryumin. Ah, I suppose nobody uses Ryumin much these days either. Anyway, you ask what dialect this is? Don't worry about it, I'm just talking. Let's call it a non-regional dialect. If it bothers you, I can change my tone."

Oh, his tone changed.

"‘Is your work related to design?’ Hmm? Is that what you're asking? Yes, that's right. Though I might not look it, I've done all sorts of things. Flat design, advertisements for magazines and newspapers, pamphlets. Mostly printed media, as they call it. But occasionally, other types of design, too. Yes, I've done that as well."

I see. Among designers, there are quite a few who seem flexible but are actually quite stubborn.

"Eh? You say that sounds like I'm implying something? You say that? Well, I said it on purpose."

"After all, when it comes to my specialty in design, if I may be so bold, it's not something as simple as technique or inspiration that can be described with such light words. If I may say so, it's art. Yes, it's art."

"You ask what is art? Since you've asked that much, I suppose I have no choice but to tell you. Very well. I shall show you. Come, feast your eyes. This is the tour de force of a lifetime from Kyoen."

Kyoen pulled out a single picture with a theatrical delivery (yes, it was more of a formal announcement than a mere tone of voice) and exaggerated gestures like a stage actor.
And that picture was enough to shock me to my core.

"What is this? But this... You're not teasing me, are you? What does this mean?"

"You don't understand? Or perhaps you can't believe what's right in front of you. No, maybe you just don't want to admit it. Is that your state of mind?"

Kyoen wore a lewd smile on his lips, watching my reaction with amusement.

Drawn across the entirety of a B-size sheet—B4, to be precise, which is rare these days—was the face of a woman. And not just any woman, but one I could never forget.