—Good morning, please take your seats. Today we're going to talk about presentations.

The announcement had the effect of making most of the class grumble, but their art teacher didn't even bother to point out the general lack of motivation. Her legendary enthusiasm never waned. Quite the contrary, in fact. She even seemed to be amused by their bored expressions as she placed her imposing course binder and two different-colored boxes on her desk.

—Come on, come on, don't make those faces! I haven't even begun to explain to you what these group projects are all about, decreed the adult in a falsely disappointed tone, fists on hips. Put away those fried whiting eyes please, come on.

The adult grabbed a piece of chalk and began to jot down some additional information on the large blackboard, as well as the deadlines for the work ahead. Hana sighed inwardly. Usually, she liked this teacher for her constant good humor, but right now, her cheerful smile annoyed her. All she could see in this presentation was extra work added to her already busy schedule. When was she going to find time for this nonsense? Just thinking about it was enough to make her sick.

—As we're an even number, you'll all form groups of two. Then, you and your partner will each pick from one of the two boxes I've brought along. The red one contains the time period or theme you'll be working on, and the green one the medium you'll be using. This way, you'll be able to put into practice what we discussed during the first semester.

With an absent gesture, Hana mechanically scribbled some information on the page of her notebook. The good news was that they had until mid-October to come up with a more or less coherent presentation, which was almost a month and a half. The bad news was that she was still unmotivated by the endless instructions she was taking down. Just goes to show, you can't have everything.

-Is that clear to everyone? Asked the teacher, putting down the chalk and turning to her students. Any questions? Yes ?

—Can we choose the groups?

—No, retorted the adult, raising another wave of protest. Pairs are formed according to the alphabetical order of your names. The aim of this work is also to help you make new connections with your classmates. By the way, I'm going to write them down on the board too, for those of you who may have forgotten with whom you share this classroom.

This time, Hana couldn't help rolling her eyes. Making new connections? Seriously? This was the excuse for forcing students into groups with people they didn't even like? If there was one thing she didn't need, it was to fall in with someone she didn't know and who wouldn't do their share of the work. And as she hardly knew any of the names in her class, the young woman had to wait until it was her turn to find out the name of her beloved partner.

─── ∗∙⋅❀⋅∙∗ ───

—It sucks that we can't choose the groups, whined Amano as he left the classroom. I really wanted us to be together! We'd have done something sick... look what I've sorted! Can you believe it?

To back up her words, the little brunette held up before Hana's eyes the ticket she had picked out. The word "sculpture" was scribbled on it, something that didn't seem to suit her classmate at all, who hadn't stopped squealing since they left the classroom. Several curious glances were turned in their direction, but Amano didn't seem to mind the attention they were attracting.

—Do I look like I know how to make statues? Exclaimed his comrade, pointing to herself. Aran's theme is prehistory! What a lousy combo! Does the teacher want us to show her a pile of mud or what? Raaaah, that's it. And to think that Yoshino and Yamazaki had Renaissance and watercolor...

—At least you've got an idea, that's something, remarked Hana, holding back a giggle.

—Hey, that's not funny! Replied Amano, puffing out his cheeks in a childish way. But tell me, what did you get? Amano wanted to know.

—Charcoal, she retorted, showing him her ticket.

—Mmh, that's no better. You're going to get it all over yourself, it's disgusting.

—Don't remind me.

—And who are you paired with? I forgot to check the board.

—Hi, girls. Sorry to bother you, but Hoshino, it looks like we're together for the presentation.

As one, the two students turned to Ejiro Igarashi who had just joined them. He wore a shy smile, clearly embarrassed at having interrupted their conversation.

—Hi Igarashi! Exclaimed Amano, whose good mood seemed to be returning.

—Hey, greeted the pretty brunette politely. What did you get?

—Self-portrait, announced the young man, grimacing. And you charcoal, right?

She nodded, which only accentuated the boy's annoyed expression.

—I'm no good at drawing, he grumbled in annoyance.

—Same, Hana admitted in the same tone.

Despite the fact that their group project was off to a bad start, Hana still felt a certain satisfaction at being paired with Igarashi. They'd only had the chance to chat once, but the young woman could already tell that she liked him. He seemed to be a rather serious student, and his introverted personality matched hers. They were bound to get on well, that was for sure, and if they hadn't made friends at the beginning of the year, the brunette hoped things would work out during the course of this work.

Finally, it would seem that the art teacher had just risen a little in her esteem.

—Well, you're not out of the woods yet, laughed Amano, who had definitely forgotten her own misfortune.

—That's true, concluded Igarashi, absent-mindedly scratching his cheek. But my older brother's best friend is pretty knowledgeable in the field, so I think I can ask him for a few tips.

Obviously, Amano and Hana had no trouble understanding that he was referring to Akaashi. And while the former found it hard to hide the uncontrollable giggles that had gripped her, the latter simply pretended nothing had happened, flashing a slight smile at her comrade and work partner.

—Ah, that's cool, Hana retorted, superbly ignoring the little brunette who was laughing at her side. Let me know what he tells you, it might come in handy for me too.

—I will! Well, I have to go. See you soon!

—Bye.

As soon as Igarashi disappeared from their wake, Amano couldn't keep her tongue in her pocket any longer. Hana never told her about her relationship with Keisuke Akaashi, something that only piqued Amano's curiosity as time went by. After all, if there was one thing she appreciated about high school life, it was being up-to-date with the latest gossip. As it happened, with Hana, not only did she get the gist, she got it in advance.

—And why don't you ask Akaashi directly for advice? She teased, elbowing him in the ribs. It's not as if...

—Shh, keep it down! Hana hissed, rolling her eyes at her.

Amano lowered his voice but didn't stop there. The situation seemed far too amusing to pass up the opportunity to tease his comrade.

—You could seriously ask her to draw you... or not, wait, better! Just imagine...

Under Hana's jaded gaze, Amano dramatically raised the back of his hand to his forehead and struck a pose.

—Draw me like one of your French girls, she quoted in broken English.

Seeing that she hadn't elicited any particular reaction on her classmate's face, Amano frowned.

—What? Haven't you seen Titanic?

—No.

—What a shame. We'll have to remedy that as soon as possible.

The shame, as Amano so aptly put it, was that the students they passed on the way threw them sidelong glances before starting to giggle. For someone who wanted to be discreet, it was hard to go unnoticed in such conditions.

—My skating practice starts soon, Hana informed her, hoping to conclude this conversation as soon as possible. I have to go.

—One more thing! Amano exclaimed hastily. I forgot to ask before, but are you going to Yamada's party? It's this Saturday. The baseball team will be there too.

—Mmh, I don't know.

Anticipating the pretty brunette's imminent refusal, Amano didn't wait to play his trump cards.

-—You know, since I've never had the chance to meet Shirai personally, I thought you might return the favor during the evening, since you're close...

The episode of the pop quiz at the beginning of the year had not left her mind, and apparently, Amano had already planned down to the last detail how Hana was going to pay off her debt.

Hana wasn't surprised by her actions. She wasn't even annoyed by it, basically happier to be rid of this burden than anything else. Amano had saved her from a bad grade that would have jeopardized her average, so the service she was asking for on the side was indeed a sacrifice she could afford.

Besides, Amano had heavily implied that Akaashi would be there. It might be an interesting evening.

—Okay I'll come.