"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
"There is no surer way to escape the world than through art, and there is no surer way to bind oneself to it than through art." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe— ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ˏˋ°•*⁀ Paris, 1987. An era when letters were the norm and phone calls were a luxury. It was a time of emotional stability and outward peace. But people have a way of extracting power even from stability. Businessmen, noblewomen, and poor artists. Yes, artists. No matter how dissatisfied society became, art never died. Rather than saying it didn't die—it was taxidermied. Preserved as a commercial product, stuffed as an investment vehicle. And if any art dared to reject this 'taxidermy' and remain truly alive, it was destined to starve.
"I don't have a clue what art is, but isn't it just cool!" A twenty-six-year-old young man. He dabbles in art out of a typical youth's desire to show off. Because he seeks works that make him look sophisticated, he'll buy anything as long as it doesn't look blatantly weird to the average eye. He has black hair and is of average height. He wears his trench coat constantly except in summer, seemingly determined to get his money's worth. He's a bit of a fool but kind-hearted, and he acts quite the gentleman thanks to manners he picked up from listening to the radio.
"Art... it has been the lifelong regret of my existence." A forty-seven-year-old bank clerk. In his youth, he had a passion for art, but he became a banker to earn a living. Thanks to that, he has only recently begun to collect artworks little by little in his later years. He has a better eye for beauty than one might expect and pays a bit more than the average price for a painting. He has golden-brown hair streaked with gray. His hair, perfectly fixed with wax, gives him a dandy appearance. Since he only comes out to the streets after work, he is always seen in a suit. He is principled and moral; while he is kind, he is reluctant to cross boundaries.
"I don't care to know what art is, but I know for sure it makes money!" A thirty-three-year-old businessman. He only deals in commercial art, keeping a sharp eye out for talented artists before abruptly handing them his business card. He occasionally purchases paintings himself, but he is the type to pay exactly the fair market value—neither less nor more. He is shorter than average. Perhaps due to a complex, he always wears 10cm lifts in his shoes. It's an open secret. He has brown hair, always slicked back with wax. He is in a suit every moment he is out of his house.
"Art is just another item on my collection list." A forty-three-year-old noblewoman. She only deals in flamboyant classical styles, and if an artist catches her eye, they can make a fortune. She pays very high prices for paintings. She lacks a true passion for art but likes it simply because it is pretty. With her parasol and dress, she is a noblewoman through and through. She has a slender figure thanks to her corset. Her self-esteem is so high that she feels no jealousy, but she is indifferent to others and difficult to get close to.
"Art is the sanctuary of my soul!!! It's not just a way to make a buck!" A twenty-one-year-old free spirit. During the day, he hides in his room listening to band music, and at night, he comes out to hang with bikers. He loves the unrestrained style of Fauvism, but due to his light pockets, he can't pay much. If there are no colorful paintings on the display stand, he won't even look, so you'll rarely have business with him. He sports a unique mohawk and a leather jacket. The scent of cigarettes is his default. He is more emotionally fragile than he looks.
Buildings constructed haphazardly with red bricks stood close together. Tucked between them was the artists' alley.
Merchants painted under spread-out tents, and people busily opened their shops. Everyone maintained a certain distance from one another, an unwritten rule of this alley.
The dawn air was cold. The alley was preparing to welcome new guests again today.
Release Date 2026.11.08 / Last Updated 2026.11.08