(I became a little worried after I'd heard about what I'll be doing during my shadowing... But I'm so glad that Shinonome agreed to help me...)

(I'm sure I'll do just fine as long as learn to draw something...or anything that's recognizable...)

Also, we haven't decided on where to meet... Where's a good place for someone to teach me how to draw...?

Good morning, everyone.

Huh...?

Oc-Oc-Octopus with squishy, little feet♪

A great, big sun having lots of fun☆

What are you drawing, Emu?

You seem to be having quite a bit of fun.

Oh, Honami!

I'm drawing Mr. Octopus☆

Mr. Octopus...?

Wow, Emu, you draw so well!

Your drawing's so adorable too! I'm sure children would love it...!

(*Sigh*

If only I could draw something like this...)

Remember how we're supposed to teach those kindergartners how to paint?

I was actually a little worried about that since it's gonna be my first time teaching someone.

So, I decided that I want to get better while I can by practicing☆

Emu...

(She's worried even though she can already draw something so adorable.)

Oh, I know!

Honami, let's practice drawing together!

One of us can play the teacher and the other can be a kindergartner! That should make it easier for us to practice teaching someone else how to draw, right?

O-Oh, um... Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea... Except...

(That would involve me showing Emu my drawing. If she sees that...)

Honami?

I-I'm sorry.

The truth is...

What?! I didn't know that you weren't very good at drawing, Honami!

Yes, so... No matter how hard I try, I struggle to draw what I actually want... I've even been laughed at a few times as a result.

Which is why I became worried after we were told that we'd be teaching kindergartners how to paint.

I had no idea...

That explains why you seemed a little down lately.

I'm so sorry, Emu. It's not that I don't want to show you what my art entails, but I'm very shy about drawing when others are around...

Fortunately, someone who does have some artistic skills has agreed to teach me how to become better, so I'm going to do my best to improve.

Whoa, that's so cool!

When are you guys meeting?

This weekend... But we haven't decided where to actually meet yet. Unfortunately, we can't use my room because it's undergoing construction for the air conditioning...

And I feel bad about asking to go over to their house, so I was looking for somewhere good for us to meet.

I see...

Hmm...

Then, can I join you guys for your art lesson?!

Wait, Emu, you want to join?

Yeah! I want to practice drawing too, and I'd really like it if we could do it together!

Plus, we could meet at my house!

We'll be able to draw all we want there☆

Oh, wait! That's if you and your teacher are okay with that, Honami...!

Thank you, Emu.

I'm okay with that, so I'll ask my teacher... I'll be sure to ask Shinonome about this.

Okay!

Hmm... This can't be right...

Based on the map Mochizuki sent me, Otori lives somewhere around here... But I'm not seeing anything that resembles a house...

Hm...?

She looks familiar. Where have I seen her before...?

Oh, I saw her when...

Huh?

(Crap...! Did she hear me?!)

Oh... Do you happen to be, Shinonome...?

Huh? Wait, does that mean you're...?

Yes, I'm Mochizuki.

The one who you'll be teaching to draw today...

*Gasp*

It was you that time, Mochizuki!

Huh?

You're the one who's been standing outside the door to that art class, right? I just happened to see you the other day.

*Gasp*

Y-You saw me doing that...? Oh no...

(She had such a worried expression on her face that time, but I guess that feeling's genuine...)

(That just means I need to help her as much as I can.)

Alright, allow me to reintroduce myself. I'm Ena Shinonome. You can call me Ena.

Oh, right... My name is Honami Mochizuki. I'm hoping to learn a lot from you today...

Um... Ena.

Yeah, looking forward to it.

More importantly, where is this Otori person's house? I've been looking for ages but just can't seem to find it.

Oh, um...

I believe this is her house.

What...? This looks like the grounds of an art museum. I mean, look at this giant gate and fancy fence...

But it says “Otori” on this placard...

What...?!

Y-You're right... It says, “Otori”...

You've gotta be kidding me...!

People who live in these kinds of palaces actually exist...?!

No wonder I was so confused. I knew that there weren't any art museums around here...

Haha... Emu's, I mean, Otori is well... From a very well-off family...

Hold on. Well-off is putting it too lightly. I mean, if she lives in a house like this, she must be the heiress to a big corporation or something...

Wait, Otori...?

No, that can't be.

There's no way she's related to the people who own and operate PXL...

Um... I believe she belongs to that very family. I'm just as startled since this is also my first time actually seeing where she lives...

What?! She's actually an Otori?! As in the Otori Group?!

Yes... I apologize for not mentioning it sooner... I was just so preoccupied with trying to become better at drawing...

N-No, that's totally fine. There was no reason for you to tell me. I'm just a bit surprised too...

Anyway... Shall we...?

Y-Yes...!

You've gotta be kidding me...

How many houses have a living room with a view of a gigantic garden...? This place feels more like a five-star hotel...

Wait, that painting on the wall...

Isn't it Remidle's “Parade”?!

Don't tell me it's the original...!

S-So, this is her house...

Honami! Shinono-no-me!

Welcome☆

I'm Emu Otori! It's super nice to meet you! I'm really looking forward to today's lesson☆

Wait, huh...?

Did you happen to be at Phoenix Wonderland with Asahina the other day...?!

Huh? Oh...

Does that mean you're the junior she's been talking about? The one who performs in shows at PXL?

Yes, that's me! Emu Otori!

I didn't realize that you were her friend!

So, again, I'm really looking forward to learning from you today, Shinono-no-me!

Yeah, I'm looking forward to teaching you too.

Also, it's Shinonome.

Not Shinono-no-me.

Oh no! I'm so sorry!

Shinonono...? Wait, Shinononmeme!

Haha... Why not just call me Ena?

(She seems to have a few screws loose...

Is that specifically because she's an heiress...?)

(At the same time, I'm curious as to how Mafuyu interacts with this girl...)

Oh, hello.

You must be Emu's friends. Thank you for coming over to visit today.

H-Hello.

Pardon the intrusion...!

Hehe. It's okay. You don't need to be so formal.

Feel free to relax and enjoy yourselves. I'll bring some snacks for you all later.

Th-Thank you very much...

Hehe. Alright, let's head up to my room!