"..Good job, Sunomiya. This turned out well."
Two pairs of eyes were both surveying the final result of a piece done by Hana, set up on a wooden canvas. The accompanying party she was with, was none other than her esteemed third year, a boy, fellow artist, and teacher:
Naoto Hachioji.
"Thank you, Hachioji-senpai." Hana gave a very polite and slow bow, her voice radiating humility. "I was afraid of how it would turn out. I've only ever done portraits like these a handful of times."
"No no, you did excellent!" A blush filled Hachioji's cheeks, and his hands found themselves bashfully readjusting his glasses. "If anything, I should've been the one to worry. I've never really modeled for someone before."
What Hana had put on to paper was an intricately detailed and impressively crafted hand-drawing of her Senpai. A simple pose was what he'd done for her: sitting up straight on a chair, hands respectfully cupped and held in his lap.
"Sorry if I looked a little stiff," he continued, cheeks flushing more red. "I.. really couldn't help it, to be honest.."
"You were perfect, Hachioji-senpai." Hana was quick to reassure him. "The position you chose allowed for some good practice for me."
His blush remained, but his lips curved into a grin. A nervous grin, but a grin nonetheless. "I guess you're right.."
The student and pupil took some moments to quietly take in the latter's work. Their bodies shifted and maneuvered to eyeball the piece from all angles. As they did that, Hana took notice of a spot on one of the walls.
A bare spot, one lacking in creativity. Character.
And it flipped a lightbulb on in the pupil's head.
"Hachioji-senpai."
"Hm?" He turned to look at her.
"May I hang this up? This is by far one of my best works, and I would love to display it."
That made him pause, and it brought back his cherry cheeks.
"Well.. You can, but.. It's a little plain.."
"..."
"..not that it's bad or anything! It's great!" He wasted no time to correct himself, knowing full well how that might've sounded. "It's just.. I don't know how I'd feel about having my face on the wall.."
"Please don't be embarrassed about it, Hachioji-senpai." Hana didn't see how that was an issue. "I think it'd be a wonderful thing to share to everyone."
"It's simple, but it's fundamental and, most importantly, beautiful. Sana-neechan always told me to find beauty in all things, and I can see the beauty in this very clearly."
"..that is something your cousin would say," he agreed. Still, the idea of being publicly displayed, as well as being indirectly called beautiful shook him. "..."
"..."
He eyed the wall. "..we really do need some art to display.."
"..."
Then back at her drawing.
"..and it does look like you were passionate about it." He was starting to relent.
She nodded. "Sana-neechan also said to always be passionate with your work too."
"Yup.." No doubt did Sana say that to him as well.
"..."
He finally did. "..Alright. Let's hang it up."
And that did bring joy to the mini-Sana, though her lips didn't form a smile. Instead, she gave another bow.
