Part 1
Neighborhood
Ena
*Sigh*
Yukihira
I have a proposal for you.
Yukihira
Next weekend, let's have a special lesson outside of class.
Ena
(A special lesson, huh...?)
Ena
(I was startled when Mr. Yukihira made that offer...)
Ena
(But to think it'd be to help out at my dad's exhibit...)
Ena
I mean, why his exhibit of all things...?
Ena
Do I really have to help...?
Ena
(Come to think of it, I used to do that a lot.)
A few years earlier
Junior High School Ena
Umm... The caption for this painting goes here and...
Junior High School Ena
There.
I've finished doing everything I was asked to do.
I've finished doing everything I was asked to do.
Junior High School Ena
Hmm... But there's still some time before the exhibit opens.
Junior High School Ena
I think I'll take this chance to have a look around.
Junior High School Ena
(Dad hardly ever teaches me anything himself, so I need to learn what I can by examining his paintings...)
Junior High School Ena
(Still, I wish he'd help me a little more since I'm also trying to become a professional artist...)
Junior High School Ena
Oh, this painting...
I saw him working on it in his studio the other day...
I saw him working on it in his studio the other day...
Junior High School Ena
(Interesting... This is nothing like the sketch I saw... Did he change how he paints the surfaces of water and stuff...?)
Junior High School Ena
(The theme for this exhibit is “calmness”, so he might've changed things up to make sure it fits.)
Junior High School Ena
(But this is the only part that looks different...)
Junior High School Ena
(Oh, I get it now. He used his usual technique for the greenery but changed his approach for the water, making the water's surface stand out even more than the main subject.)
Junior High School Ena
(But I feel like there's more to this painting. Why are my eyes so drawn to it...?)
Junior High School Ena
(Is it the colors he used? The way he framed it...?)
Junior High School Ena
In any case, it's really amazing.
Junior High School Ena
(I hope I can paint like this someday.)
Junior High School Ena
(I'm going to become a famous artist just like Dad, and have my art be seen by lots of people...)
Junior High School Ena
(After all, I am his daughter, so I'm sure—)
Exhibit Staff Member
Excuse me, are you by chance Mr. Shinonome's daughter?
Junior High School Ena
Huh...?
Exhibit Staff Member
Oh, sorry for popping out of nowhere.
I heard that his daughter's in junior high and would be helping out today. You seemed to fit the bill.
I heard that his daughter's in junior high and would be helping out today. You seemed to fit the bill.
Junior High School Ena
Oh, um... Yes, I'm Ena Shinonome.
Exhibit Staff Member
Hehe. Nice to meet you.
It's so sweet of you to help with your father's exhibit.
It's so sweet of you to help with your father's exhibit.
Junior High School Ena
I'm here because I also like to paint.
So I'm here to learn as much as I can.
So I'm here to learn as much as I can.
Exhibit Staff Member
Really? That's so admirable!
You seemed so focused just now when you were looking at that painting...
You seemed so focused just now when you were looking at that painting...
Exhibit Staff Member
I'm sure you'll also become a famous artist just like your father. I'll be rooting for you.
Junior High School Ena
Yes, I promise to become one!
Junior High School Ena
(Yeah. Dad's been able to make it big like this...)
Junior High School Ena
(There's no way I'm not going to also become a famous artist in the future.)
Ena
(I was so naive...)
Ena
Also, am I gonna have to tell him about that when I go to help out with his exhibit...?
Ena
(I feel like that's gonna be so awkward since we hardly talk to each other as it is...)
Ena
(It's not like I have to tell him anyway...)
Ena
(Now I'm starting to wonder what I should and shouldn't say.)
Ena
Is there even any point to this special lesson...?
Ena
(I honestly don't know what Mr. Yukihira's thinking, but...)
Ena
For now, I should go...