Ink matters

"Well then, let us start once more."

It was with her usual calm tone that Reika announced this. She was still smiling at Miyuki, sitting by her side. Today, the girl in pink was not only her companion, but also her pupil… And said pupil wished she could look as relaxed as Reika did in that exact moment.

The daughter of the Aoki household had not been quite surprised when her friend asked her to teach her calligraphy. There was something fascinating in thinking that something as ordinary as a kanji could make such an impact on people when you put time and effort into writing it. And it had only taken a prolonged time around the one Reika had hanged in the Mysterious Library for Miyuki to be interested in the topic as well!

The first dozen of attempts, however, had resulted in quite the series of catastrophe. Uneven lines, unreadable result, ripped canvas, brush losing its hair, stains all over the final result, stains all over herself… Miyuki was starting to get desperate.

But whenever such an accident happened, Reika kept her composure and helped her friend get ready for another attempt.

"Try once again. Take your time! Calligraphy is also an exercice of patience."

"I'll do my best!" Miyuki gulped. She dipped the brush into the bottle of ink again, and was almost ready to start drawing, when Reika stopped her.

"Wait…" She placed herself right behind her. "You have to hold the brush like this." A hand was put over the other's, and Reika guided Miyuki's gesture as the brush slid onto the canvas. In only a few strokes, the kanji was done, readable, and surprisingly clean.

"Ah! We did it! We did it Reika! It really looks pretty, too!" Miyuki said, excitation radiating out of her voice. She couldn't believe she had just done something that pretty! Well, it was with Reika's help… But it was already something!

"Yes, it's only a question of method. Once you get a correct grasp on the brush, it is very simple. Now, try by yourself!" Reika responded, taking the finished canvas away and giving a new blank one to her friend.

And just as Miyuki was going to get started, she accidentaly pushed the ink bottle with the brush… and its content ended up being spilled in its entirety on the tatami.

Cue to a long silence.

"… Or maybe we could call it a day! You've already made great progresses."