He came across her shoulder and then frowned, and she felt her own lips fall in pensive contemplation. How strange. He didn't like it? Had she not drawn it right? Getting the petals in their shape and number was ... difficult. No excuse. She puzzled over the page before he cleared his throat to speak, straightening out his shoulders with a gentle sigh. His words teased her. "Not quite, Shinrya-hime. It's a lovely flower, yes, but the instruction is to sketch what you see when you look around. Do you understand?" Mmm. "Mmm. I see the flower. I promise." His eyes squinted as if he couldn't decide between his curiosity or humor. "W-well, yes, Shinrya-hime, I don't doubt that you see it." He guffawed, a hand on his chest and the other tousling back his own hair. "But is that really the only thing to see?"
She pursed her lips in thought, trying not to narrow her eyes in growing concern as they swept the garden space around them. A tree. The students. A building. More flowers? Had she inadequately filled the page? That wouldn't do. "I understand, Sensei." She did not. "I'll try again."
He looked at her for a quiet second and the dull look the gears turning in her eyes returned, and sighed again, laughter an undercurrent. "Hm ... hmmm ... Kazanari-kun. Come here a moment," he called out, motioning to a boy that rivaled her in red shade. "Would you partner with Shinrya-hime for this assignment? I think the perspective would assist her." She blinked, drawing her eyes between the teacher and her peer like the turn of a page, and blinked again. It was reminiscent of recycling film. "If that's what you think, Sensei. Hello, Kazanari-kun. It's nice to meet you. My name is Shinrya Sachiko. What's yours, Kazanari-kun?"
One hand fell on her lap while the other held out, still dangling a pencil forgotten between her knuckles. "Are you good at 'art'?"