<K, Amia, I finished the illustration. Mind taking a look at it?>

<Okay. Send it on over.>

<Yes, this overall looks good. I have no issues with it.>

<I've looked at it too!

I just sent you a list of suggestions♪>

<Thanks, you two...

I'll work on making these adjustments.>

<*Sigh*>

<Enanan...? What's wrong?

Is something bothering you?>

<Oh, just something regarding my art...>

<Your art?>

<So, the thing is...>

<My teacher said that one of my pieces was “unappealing”. I can't get my head around what he meant since I thought I did a pretty good job.>

<I don't think he was talking about my technical skills either. I really don't understand what it is that I'm missing.>

<Unappealing...? I'm not sure I understand either...>

<Hmm... I personally really like your art, Enanan, and find all your works appealing... But I guess professional artists see things pretty differently...>

<Yeah...

Even when I think I've drawn something really good, he still manages to find all these faults.>

<At the same time, I'm actually really glad that I started attending again...>

<It's been a gradual process, but I'm finally getting my intuition back from when I was still studying properly. And I feel like I've been improving bit by bit.>

<I see. You certainly are doing your best.>

<Yeah, that's pretty cool!

And we'll always be rooting for you!>

<Thanks.

It may take a while, but I'm gonna become a lot better and draw illustrations that go much better with the music you all make, K. Just you wait.>

<Yes, I'll be looking forward to that.>

<Oh, speaking of art...>

<Yeah?>

<Sorry, Enanan, but would you mind doing me a favor?>

<A favor? Sure, of course... How can I help?>

<So, the housekeeper who I've been having come over is concerned about the way she draws.>

<She's supposed to do a shadowing at a kindergarten and has been asked to teach the children how to paint, but she doesn't have much confidence when it comes to art...>

<She wants to learn some tips and tricks that could help her improve, but this isn't exactly my area of expertise.>

<I see...>

<She has to teach little kids how to paint even though she can't herself? That's pretty rough. Also, kids tend to just blurt out whatever's on their minds.>

<Exactly. Which is why I was hoping to give some advice that would help prevent that from happening...>

<Enanan, what sort of advice would you give her in this case?>

<What sort of advice...?>

<Hmm... That's kinda hard to say without seeing how she draws first. Only then will I know what's actually bothering her.>

<But this must be a huge problem for her if she's asking others for help like this.>

<I've never actually seen the way she draws either, but she seemed adamant about not being able to teach children based on her current level.>

<And I want to give back to her somehow since she's been taking such good care of me...>

<...>

<Um, K...?>

<Yes?>

<I'm not sure how much I'll be able to help, but I can try lending her a hand...?>

<Wait, are you sure?>

<Yeah. You're always there to help me, K, so I want to do something to give back too.>

<Enanan...>

<Thank you. I really appreciate it.>

<However, I'm not exactly sure how we should go about doing this. Should I get a photo of her art from her and send that to you?>

<No, you're busy enough as it is composing music, so I wouldn't mind if she just sent it directly to me.>

<Oh, thank you...

I'll let her know to do just that.>

<Again, Enanan, I really appreciate it.

And I'm sure she's going to as well.>

(Hehe. Kanade sounds really happy. I'm glad...)

(I'm not sure I have the artistic skills necessary to teach someone else, but I want to do what I can to help...)

Alright, let's get to work again today right away and... Hm? I got a message...?

<Hello. My name is Honami Mochizuki. It's nice to meet you.>

<I apologize for messaging you so suddenly like this, but I decided to contact you after Ms. Yoisaki let me know how to reach you.>

<I'd also like to apologize in advance since I know this may end up taking quite a bit of your time, but this issue is weighing on me very heavily... I would really appreciate your help.>

I see. So this is the girl Kanade was talking about.

And Kanade was right. She's so polite.

<Hello. I'm Ena Shinonome. It's nice to meet you too. I'm not what you'd call an art expert, but feel free to ask me anything. I'll answer whatever questions I can.>

<Thank you very much.

I really appreciate you saying that.>

<I'm very concerned about my artistic skills...>

<My most pressing issue involves others not being able to recognize what I've drawn. No matter how hard I try.>

Others not recognizing what she's drawn...?

Hmm... So, she's struggling to draw what she really wants...?

But I'm gonna need to get a taste of what she's talking about before I give her any advice.

<Would it be possible for you to send me a picture of one of your drawings? That should make it easier for me to give you effective advice.>

...

...

Hm...? No reply...?

I guess I should give her a minute. She might be taking a picture of one of her drawings.

Still no reply after thirty minutes...

It is getting pretty late. Maybe she fell asleep. I suppose we can pick this up...

Oh, she replied!

What did she say...?

<Apologies for the late reply...

It took some time for me to draw this.>

(Wait, she drew something from scratch?

Hehe. She really likes to do things right, huh...?)

<It's supposed to be a dog... What do you think?>

(A dog? Drawing a real one isn't easy, but if she's okay with something more cartoonish, I might be able to help...)

Huh...?!

Wh-What is this...?!

This black blob... It looks like a sea cucumber!

No, actually it's a little more complex...

Kind of like something's organs...

She might have a talent for abstract art...

You could even interpret this as a metaphor for something else...

...

No, she clearly stated that she's not confident in her drawing skills. There's no way she'd be able to do something so sophisticated...

...

How do I respond to this...?

I-I'll start by saying...

<Thank you. I took a look at what you sent me.>

<It definitely left an impression on me.>

I'm not sure what else to say...

<I'm sorry...

It must've come as a big surprise...>

Yeah, it did...

<As you can see, my drawing skills leave much to be desired...>

<No matter how much I practice or try, I just can't seem to get any better...>

<So, Shinonome, please...

Can you teach me how to get better at art somehow?>

T-Teach her somehow...?

<I know I'm asking a lot...

But I want to learn to draw! I want to be able to teach those kindergartners!>

...

(She seems like the hard-working type too...)

(But you usually spend only a day or so for a shadowing. I really don't think she has to go this far...)

(Maybe she likes doing what she can for others...)

Hehe...

<How about I teach you in person?>

<Especially since taking pictures of what you draw and sending them over every time probably has its limits.>

<You'd do that...?!

But I've already taken up so much of your time...>

<Don't worry about that.

I also stand to learn a lot by teaching someone else how to draw.>

<What do you say?

That is if you're okay with it.>

<No, that'd be wonderful!

I'll gladly accept your help, Shinonome!>

<Okay, that settles that.>

<But it's getting pretty late, so let's discuss when and where to meet some other time.>

<Yes, thank you very much!!>