Brothers Conflict- Ema's Kindness

Chapter 17

Days passed quickly before everyone could realize. Ever since the first school day, Ema and Lydia somehow had been discriminated by the others in the Department of Art. Not only the student but also the teachers seemed dislike them, too. For example, the first group project, there was no doubt Ema's group was the most successful among everyone but Mrs Hamilton somehow gave the highest score to another group's work that obviously nothing to compare to Ema's group. Student usually would ignore them and pretend not notice them. Worse would be their belonging being thrown into the bin or being hid.

None of them knew the reason why sometimes people would send them glares full of hatred or unknown emotion, or any negative action toward them. With the time flew by, two of them began to accept it or just tired to think about the reason behind. Although the situation had never changed, the two girls' friendship had improved a lot. Now the two almost shared everything with each other but still they would respect each other's privacy about some special topic, such as Ema's family or Lydia's odd behavior everyday after school.

It was almost December and the first examination was coming soon. This day Mrs Hamilton announced the examination topic to the class. She entered the classroom with a bunch of books in her hands as usual and put them on the desk in front of her.

Soon she went straight to the point and not wasting the time.

"This year's examination individual work, unlike the last previous years. And this year's topic is landscape painting and you will have 2 weeks to complete your work. You must hand in your work with hardcopy before the deadline to my office."

"Ema, what do you think you will draw? " Lydia asked on their way to the gate. Today their lesson finished early so they decided to have an early lunch.

"I don't know. There are so many things I can draw." Ema sighed. Lydia nodded and stayed in her own thought. When both of them were in their thoughts, someone waved his hand and yelled their names.

"Akizuki? What are you doing here?" Ema raised her brow to the boy. The latter smiled and took the heavy bag from Ema.

"Just finish my class. Want to have lunch together?" Takao asked and turned his head to the shy girl behind Ema.

"How about you Lydia? Want to join?" Takao gave her a gentle smile. The latter hesitated a second and then released a timid smile.

"I would love to. Thank you."

"I thought you will run away like the last few times?" Ema asked curiously. The last few times, Takao and her tried to invite Lydia to dine with them or just had a chat but each time the shy girl would run away without a reason. Both of them were so confused at the beginning but soon they just accepted Lydia's strange behavior.

Lydia lowered her head with embarrassment, blushing.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I just, um, have something emergent." Lydia stuttered nervously. Ema smiled and shook her head.

"It's fine. I'm glad you finally have time to dine with us today." She said. Takao nodded to Ema's words. Lydia gave them a thankful smile.

They went to the café at the corner of the street near the school. Thy ordered some food and coffees and went to find their seats. At the following time, they discussed their daily or any interesting things. Ema and Lydia both didn't mention the bully and discrimination from their classmates and teachers to Takao, probably they didn't want to worry this gentle and kind young boy.

Ever since that day, once Ema returned home, she would locked herself in her room and began to think of any idea for her examination topic. However, it had already been a week but she still couldn't think of any inspiration for her work. This day, she was so focus on her thought again that she didn't realized it was time for dinner, not even Takao's calling outside her room until he knocked her door loudly.