Kayama Esumi: Portraits and Faces

"You want me to hold an art seminar for the Justice Task Force... are you serious?"

 

One day, while Esumi was enjoying a leisurely time creating art in the private club room, Honme Kio, the Art Club Vice President, arrived with a message from the Tea Party.

 

The request was for Esumi, a professional artist, to teach the task force members how to draw "portraits" that could assist in identifying criminals. Kio, tasked with delivering this message, nodded with a sigh, clearly finding the whole thing a hassle.

 

"Indeed. It seems the Tea Party's intelligence division caught wind that you and I have been holding regular art lectures for Seia-san. As you know, the Justice Task Force is a direct subsidiary of the Tea Party. The current host sounded quite pleased when she said, 'If you are holding lectures for Seia-san, a member of the Tea Party, there should be no issue holding them for a subordinate organization.'"

 

"I see. Speaking of which, the current host is... ah, the one from the Filius branch, right? That sounds like something she would say."

 

"My, are you acquainted with her, Esumi-san?"

 

"She's my classmate. An acquaintance who is quite persistent, trying to recruit me into the Tea Party every year without fail."

 

Compared to Nagisa, who would suddenly try to sign a patron contract, she was still manageable. Esumi stretched her back with a bitter smile and asked Kio a sudden question.

 

"We don't have any events or plans scheduled for the Art Club this week, right?"

 

"...Well, since the piece requested by the Sisterhood is finished, there is just the delivery, but otherwise nothing in particular... wait a moment. Do you intend to accept this, Esumi-san?"

 

Kio asked with a pained expression, and Esumi nodded slightly.

 

"I'm fortunate to have some free time right now. I figured I could spare a half-day to hold a seminar for the Justice Task Force. Besides, they are an important organization that maintains the public order here in Trinity. I would like to be of help."

 

"Sigh... you say that, but even if it were just Seia-san, this will involve a considerable number of students. I wonder if a seminar can really be wrapped up in a half-day."

 

"I don't intend to hold a lecture for complete beginners. I plan to gather members who have some artistic sense and focus on improving their skills. As far as I know, they aren't looking for photorealistic techniques when they say portraits. The number of participants should be limited."

 

"...I see. If you, the leader of the Art Club, are this enthusiastic, then as the Vice President, I have nothing to say. I will look after the club while you are away."

 

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

 

"In return, could you make time for Seia-san at a later date? She seems to be troubled about something regarding you lately."

 

"Yurizono is troubled because of me?"

 

Kio made a difficult expression, as if wondering how to put it, but she only shrugged her shoulders and did not reveal the details.

 

"I cannot say anything about the specifics as of now. This is merely a sense of unease I felt as Seia-san's close friend... or perhaps just my own unfounded anxiety. Even if I asked her, I doubt she would tell me the truth... but looking at her, nine times out of ten, the cause of her worry is Esumi-san."

 

"I see. Understood. I will deal with that matter later."

 

"Yes. Then I will handle the communication to the Tea Party. Esumi-san, please handle the other procedures. And... I would be happy if you could keep the matter of Seia-san in the corner of your mind."

 

"...Right. I'll think about it once this is settled."

 

Esumi toyed with the brush in her hand and smiled faintly.

 

1-2

 

"Esumi-san. Thank you very much for accepting such an unreasonable request. The task force chair was also very happy that you agreed so readily."

 

The second-year student from the Justice Task Force who bowed deeply and spoke with clear, articulate gratitude was Hanekawa Hasumi.

 

Since Esumi had officially accepted the request from the Tea Party, Hasumi, who was reasonably close to her, had been selected by the upper management to serve as the mediator.

 

Therefore, Hasumi would not be joining the seminar directly, but rather working behind the scenes to provide support.

 

Setting aside the details, Esumi, who had already brought her own art supplies from the club room, smiled and spoke to Hasumi.

 

"Long time no see, Hanekawa. Because of this request from the Tea Party, I, the Art Club President, will have the honor of holding a lecture for everyone."

 

"Please, no need for such formalities... Esumi-san is already a famous artist known to everyone. I have heard that in Trinity, you are one of the most capable in your field. Since someone of your caliber is holding a seminar in person, I am sure it will be a great experience for them."

 

Hasumi glanced toward the back.

 

Esumi followed her gaze and saw a group of several dozen students gathered in the courtyard, chatting and laughing.

 

They were all students belonging to the Justice Task Force, and each of them had a certain degree of artistic sense. While they were not as deeply in love with art as Esumi, as their passion lay in maintaining order in the autonomous district and the school, everyone present understood the joy of drawing and how to use that skill to help the committee and the district.

 

That is why they had volunteered to participate in this seminar.

 

"There are more people than I thought?"

 

"Most of them are very curious about learning from you... or rather, they volunteered because they wanted to see you up close, Esumi-san. But most of the participants are first-years."

 

"I see. Well, please warn them later to focus on acquiring techniques rather than just looking at me. I cannot guarantee I will hold a seminar for them next time."

 

"Yes, I am aware. Since you are giving us your valuable time, please leave the supervision to me. This experience might be a turning point for their future growth. I will see to it that they listen with focus, not treating this as just a simple lecture."

 

Reliable.

 

As expected of the student who serves as the Vice Chair in the original story. She is serious, yet possesses a kind heart that cares for the members of the Justice Task Force.

 

Thinking that she would undoubtedly be the next Vice Chair in this timeline as well, Esumi picked up her art supplies and started walking.

 

Her destination was, of course, the place where the committee members were gathered.

 

"Ah, look! Is that... could it be!"

 

"It's undoubtedly Esumi-sama! You really came!"

 

"Kayama-senpai, greetings!"

 

"Esumi-sama! Ah, um. Could I get an autograph later!? I am a huge fan of yours!"

 

"Would it be possible to shake your hand, if you don't mind!?"

 

"I heard you were holding a seminar and signed up! I look forward to your guidance!"

 

"I have always felt I had an eye for art, so please guide me so I can hone my skills further!"

 

"Um, excuse me, but do you consider yourself a top or a bottom, Esumi-senpai!?"

 

"I think you are a bottom!"

 

"I think so too!"

 

"I heard you have a lover in this school. Is that true!?"

 

"Wait, it's not a lover, it's a cohabitant, right!?"

 

"What are your measurements?"

 

And then, what happened?

 

As soon as Esumi came into view, the task force members who had been chatting happily rushed forward at once, their eyes sparkling as they threw various questions and comments at her.

 

Rather... as it went on, questions that made no sense at all started flying around.

 

The last question was practically harassment, wasn't it?

 

I honestly doubt whether sexual harassment is acceptable when directed at the same sex, especially in a student-to-student exchange...

 

Regardless, Esumi was at a loss for how to react.

 

She had received similar questions from fans or students who seemed to be genuinely infatuated several times before, but she honestly had not expected to receive the same questions from the members of the Justice Task Force she often saw in the original game.

 

Just as she started to think this might be a kind of character collapse, Hasumi, who was accompanying her, clapped her hands.

 

"Everyone! Rushing forward and throwing questions like that is very rude to Esumi-san, who has taken the time out of her valuable schedule to come here! Please save questions like that for after the lecture!"

 

Her dignified voice rang throughout the courtyard, and because she was an upperclassman, the committee members immediately straightened their backs, feeling a sudden tension.

 

"It is only natural for you to be curious about Esumi-san. That cannot be helped. In normal circumstances, she is someone you wouldn't be able to speak with so easily... however, first of all, Esumi-san does not have a lover or a partner. Please do not be easily deceived by rumors with little credibility! You are all students belonging to the Justice Task Force!"

 

"Hanekawa... thank you—"

 

"By the way, I think Esumi-san is a 'top'."

 

"Hanekawa?"

 

As expected of the next Vice Chair, she is reliable!

 

Just as she felt deeply impressed, Hasumi suddenly said something shocking with a relatively serious face.

 

Esumi's movements froze.

 

"First of all, Esumi-san is usually kind, but she is thoroughly strict when necessary. Previously, she severely scolded me along with Aomori Mine-san from the Remedial Knights when we troubled her. I will never forget Esumi-san's cold smile that allowed for no rebuttal that day. For her to be a 'bottom'... frankly, that is a massive character mismatch!"

 

"...Hanekawa?"

 

"Also, this is something I heard specially from Mine: Esumi-san seems to be the type who hides her figure well under her clothes, and in fact, her measurements are, from the top down, 8—"

 

"Hanekawa!?"

 

Perhaps influenced by the storm of passionate questions, her usually calm head had finally broken.

 

Right here in the courtyard where even regular students were walking, Esumi hurriedly covered Hasumi's mouth with her own hand before the future Vice Chair could launch any further bombshells.

 

On the other hand, the committee members who were watching from nearby were each freely thinking things like, "Come to think of it, she could be a top..." or "No, if she's actually a bottom, that's a gap-moe, right?", and eventually, even "Eh, is she hiding something incredible under that uniform!?" as they cast looks of envy and curiosity. Before she knew it, Esumi was blushing, something she rarely showed in public.

 

As a result, several people who saw that sight accidentally opened a new door... but that is a secret between us.

 

1-3

 

"I, I am terribly sorry for what happened earlier..."

 

"To think you would run wild like that... if you do it again, even I will get angry, you know?"

 

"Yes... I will take it to heart."

 

Well, some time had passed since then.

 

Following the instructions of Hasumi, who had returned to her senses, the art lecture was held without incident, and they were now spending time drawing portraits of each other in pairs.

 

However, Esumi, who had come as the instructor, and Hasumi, who was supporting her, were standing and chatting a little apart from the others, watching the committee students desperately moving their pencils.

 

"...Um, Esumi-san. May I ask a question?"

 

Suddenly, Hasumi, who had recovered from her reflection, raised a small hand. Esumi glanced at her and nodded, though she tilted her head.

 

"I don't mind, what is it?"

 

"Esumi-san... what kind of relationship do you have with the people in the Tea Party?"

 

"..."

 

For a fleeting second, Esumi's eyes narrowed, but she immediately offered a bitter smile and shook her head.

 

"Nothing special. It's just the relationship between a politician and an artist."

 

"...I heard that you are very close with Seia-san and Nagisa-san who belong to the Tea Party. Ah, and Mika-san too. Especially regarding Seia-san, the task force members on patrol often witness you visiting her room yourself."

 

"I can't tell you the details, but regarding Yurizono, I was asked directly by the former head of the Sanctus branch, and I am simply obeying that... even if I explain that, I doubt you would believe me."

 

"I see... Yes. I heard from a junior that you are as close as sisters. I have heard rumors before that you were entrusted with the care of Seia-san, who is in poor health... but I feel that you are too close for that. I heard from the committee chair that this art lecture was also originally held by you for Seia-san individually, and the Tea Party heard about it and forced it upon the Justice Task Force."

 

"Oh. As a committee directly under the Tea Party, it seems information is shared properly."

 

Rather, the fact that she was told such information directly by the task force chair while only being a second-year student shows how much the upper management of the task force trusts Hasumi.

 

Since they could have sent a third-year student of the same grade as Esumi, the fact that they selected Hasumi means the Justice Task Force must have its own thoughts on the matter.

 

Esumi sighed in annoyance and crossed her arms, looking up at the sky. A clear, cloudless blue sky spread out before her.

 

"Did the task force chair assign you to 'monitor' me?"

 

"...No comment, please."

 

That was practically an admission, but Esumi did not dare to press the issue.

 

In reality, it was common knowledge that Esumi was on good terms with Nagisa and others in the Tea Party, and most students knew that she had been friends with Nagisa and Mika since junior high.

 

In addition, the current Art Club Vice President was Cheri, who belonged to the Filius branch and served as Nagisa's attendant, and Kio, a sculptor belonging to the Sanctus branch who was close friends with Seia.

 

As an aside, the student currently serving as the task force’s chair was the same age as Esumi.

 

In other words, because she was a person who knew Esumi well from her "lone wolf" era—when Esumi avoided belonging to factions or organizations and lived in solitude, painting—it was only natural to have doubts or concerns about Esumi's recent maneuvers as her involvement with the Tea Party gradually increased.

 

(I don't harbor any such ambition, though...)

 

For Esumi, she had simply come into strong contact with *Blue Archive* characters like Nagisa and Seia by force of circumstance while pursuing the art she deeply loved. The reason she served as the Art Club President was that she could not overlook the miserable situation where the club members could no longer engage in activities freely due to the influence of past incidents.

 

However, she did not need to explain those reasons to Hasumi.

 

In any case, Esumi would graduate from this school in less than a year, and since she could exit this world before the original *Blue Archive* plot began, it was best to observe without making any conspicuous moves.

 

"...Hm? It's about time for the sketching to finish."

 

When she checked the time, some time had passed since the committee students started drawing portraits over there.

 

She didn't feel like that much time had passed, but perhaps that was thanks to having this conversation with Hasumi.

 

Esumi stretched her body to loosen up and smiled broadly at Hasumi, who was much taller than her 160-centimeter frame.

 

"Well then, shall we go back to them? I am looking forward to seeing what kind of pictures they drew, and your role today is to support me. I don't mind you monitoring me, but there is still time left for the lecture, so I will have you work a little more."

 

"...Yes. If it's me, please rely on me as much as you like."

 

For just a fleeting moment, Hasumi looked dark, feeling genuinely apologetic toward Esumi. However, seeing Esumi's benevolent smile, knowing she understood, she immediately made a bright smile herself.

 

Highly satisfied with that appearance, Esumi turned her back to her and began to move.

 

Hasumi watched her back, recalling the conversation she had with the committee chair the other day.

 

"Hasumi. At the art lecture that Art Club President Kayama Esumi will hold for the committee, I want you to be in charge of supporting her. I'm sure she'll ask you to prepare art supplies, carry luggage, and various other things, so please take care of it."

 

"Am I... to support Esumi-san?"

 

"Yes. And there is one more thing. Aside from the position of supporting the art lecture, I am assigning you to 'monitor' Kayama Esumi."

 

"...Committee chair. That means..."

 

"Well, don't be so tense. It's just 'in case.' Organizations that monitor her daily, other than the Justice Task Force, are everywhere in this school, including the Tea Party and the Sisterhood, so it's nothing unusual. Even so, I have never heard any stories of wrongdoing from her, and as someone in the same grade, I understand well that she is not the type of person who would do such things by choice. You can even openly tell her you are monitoring her, if you like."

 

"That is... I wonder about that. Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of monitoring...?"

 

"Even if you hide it, she will realize it sooner or later. Famous for being an eccentric who has poured all her love into art since entering this school, she has been looked at with eyes other than admiration and respect every day. She must be more sensitive than anyone to such gazes and atmospheres."

 

"Then, wouldn't it be better to just support her normally, without doing something as shameful as monitoring..."

 

"It's about appearances, appearances. The Art Club President, who has been getting along very well with the Tea Party lately, is coming to the committee to hold a seminar at the request of the Tea Party? And this is Kayama Esumi, who used to be famous for hating politics and factions. An appeal of some sort is necessary to check the surroundings, if only to prevent them from speculating."

 

"..."

 

"Oh, are you still anxious, Hasumi?"

 

"Y-yes. Well... yes..."

 

"Fufufu, rest assured. Unless her beloved 'art' is defiled or neglected, she rarely gets angry or runs wild. If you support her sincerely, the lecture should end without incident. Of course, if you don't feel like it, you can throw away the task of monitoring. Just being near her is effectively monitoring her, after all. You don't have to do it dutifully."

 

"Um, I have thought this for a while, but... isn't the committee chair a little too laid-back with her work?"

 

"Well, naturally, I am a militant and a realist to the core. I honestly hate roundabout politics and paperwork. I am more suited to rampaging with a gun in my hand."

 

"That is not a reason to do your assigned work carelessly. Honestly, even among the militant members like the chair, Tsurugi does her work more seriously!"

 

"Indeed. Then, she is the choice for the next chair!! Yes, that's it. Let's do that!! By the way, you are selected as the Vice Chair!!"

 

"Wait, committee chair!! Please think about the successor more seriously!!"

 

She had recalled something trivial, but in the end, Esumi's actions were attracting attention for better or for worse.

 

The fact that she was openly holding a lecture in the courtyard, where even general students were using it, might be a statement of intent that she didn't harbor political ambitions to begin with.

 

Incidentally, Hasumi could see several students hiding in the shadows far away, glaring at Esumi as if observing a subject.

 

Hasumi worried about whether she should warn them as part of the Justice Realization Committee's activities, but since Esumi, the person being observed, showed no sign of caring at all, she figured it would probably be fine to leave them be.

 

No, rather, seeing Esumi with sparkling eyes, genuinely enjoying picking up the portraits drawn by the committee members, perhaps she simply didn't notice their existence.

 

"...You really do love art, don't you."

 

She muttered, though she felt bewildered. Rather, if she showed that innocent figure to those around her, people would not speculate about her relationship with the Tea Party or the Justice Realization Committee.

 

Hasumi kept the students in the distance who were observing Esumi in her field of vision one more time, then turned her face away as if she had no further interest, and moved her feet toward Esumi, who had started to critique the students.

 

"Today, I will focus on being your support... Esumi-san."

 

1-4

 

Life sketching in the field of art and portraits of criminals drawn based on eyewitness accounts seem similar, but they are actually completely different in substance.

 

While life sketching involves observing the subject well and capturing even the fine shadows and silhouettes, drawing a person literally from "0," without even a model of the subject, can be said to be a difficult task.

 

Naturally, since one is drawing a person who actually exists in this world relying only on the words of eyewitnesses, whether the picture is good or bad does not matter much. Especially since the species living in Kivotos are not limited to humans, but include robots, dogs, and so on, it is very diverse.

 

In this case, what is important when drawing based on eyewitness accounts is the "impression."

 

Was the facial features scary?

Is it bright or dark when they smile?

Do they look healthy, or unhealthy?

 

In most cases, witnesses may be swayed by the emotions of shock and fear that occurred when the crime took place, leading to testimony that is far from the facts.

 

No matter how everyone living in Kivotos is born with a body that does not take much damage even when shot, not everyone owns firearms, and even taking one or two bullets hurts quite a bit.

 

Therefore, naturally, there is some fear or anxiety about the fact that a crime has occurred, and it is not uncommon for them to decide on the impression of the perpetrator arbitrarily by being dominated by those emotions.

 

A good example is when the main character team that robbed a bank in the Abydos chapter terrified the bank clerk in the Black Market. If they defied them clumsily, they would get seriously injured.

 

That is common sense that will never be overturned, even in the world of *Blue Archive*.

 

Therefore, rather than drawing a portrait relying only on the words of eyewitness testimony, one strategy is to draw several patterns of portraits in advance and ask, "Which one is closest to the perpetrator?" and then add improvements based on the eyewitness testimony.

 

Then, the foundation of drawing a face becomes important, and the experience and knowledge to draw and differentiate several patterns of faces also become indispensable.

 

For that reason, when holding this art lecture, Esumi collected students with an artistic sense from the Justice Task Force on a volunteer basis as a condition. Well, it was a miscalculation that the number was a little higher than expected.

 

And when the lecture, which lasted for several hours, finally came to an end, Esumi told them to draw people's portraits regularly, calling it "homework."

 

"In the end, quantity and quality are important. You can draw the faces of your colleagues in the same Justice Task Force, or you can draw the faces of your friends in the class or the residents of the autonomous district. In any case, draw one or two faces a week and thoroughly remember their characteristics and impressions and input them into your head. If I hold a lecture next time, I will look forward to seeing your growth. Good luck."

 

Esumi concluded the lecture with a bright smile, fluttering one hand.

 

Immediately after, a kind of happening occurred where everyone rushed to her and each expressed their gratitude, but thanks to Hasumi dealing with it calmly this time, it ended without incident.

 

And now, Esumi is strolling through the courtyard.

 

Since the lecture ended safely, Hasumi, who had the obligation to report today's events to the committee chair, went home first. In other words, Esumi is now literally alone.

 

The committee members who had participated in the lecture until earlier also had to patrol the school or work in the departments they were in charge of, so there were very few people in this courtyard now, including general students.

 

"...That was a good time."

 

As the pleasant breeze began to shake the trees, Esumi, who had a highly satisfied expression, muttered to herself.

 

Apparently, the lecture this time ended with a result that was very satisfying for her. Rather, having met owners of talented artistic sense or having met students who showed off eccentric drawing methods, it must have been a supreme time for her, who pursued and loved art.

 

At this rate, the next event does not seem to be too far off.

 

(When I return to the club room, shall I do life sketching for the first time in a while? Ah, but since I haven't drawn at all lately, there is a possibility that my skill has dropped, so doing nude sketching to solidify the basics is also an option... though Trinity is a young lady's school, so I don't know if it's okay to call a nude model from the outside...)

 

While beginning to ponder deeply with her hand on her chin, she sat down on a bench nearby.

 

Then, one student approached her.

 

"Ah, um. Could you spare me a little of your time!?"

 

"Hm? Do you have business with me?"

 

To the student who made a somewhat apologetic voice for interrupting her deep thought, Esumi gave a smile as if she did not care at all. For her, deep thought to this extent was an everyday occurrence, and since she would resume as soon as she had time even if interrupted, there was no particular problem.

 

"Y-yes. There is something I absolutely want to ask of Esumi-sama...!!"

 

"A request for me?... Sure. Tell me."

 

The student who ran up to Esumi... was wearing the uniform of the Justice Task Force.

 

Her height was a little shorter than Esumi, but she would likely be overtaken soon. In addition, her long... black hair like Hasumi's and the wings on her back were conspicuous. Unfortunately, because her bangs were covering her eyes, the girl's eye area was unknown, but even so, one could tell she was terribly nervous in her conversation with Esumi.

 

Incidentally, since the girl had a sketchbook and a pencil in her hand, she must have been one of the students who participated in the lecture earlier.

 

Esumi stared at the girl in front of her, wondering, "Does she have any questions about the lecture?" and waited for her to speak.

 

Now, the girl she was curious about took a small, deep breath several times in front of Esumi, who was looking at her with straight eyes, and in the next moment, she lowered her head and said this.

 

"Please!! Please, let me draw a portrait of Esumi-sama!!"

 

It was such intensity that one would suspect she was confessing her love to Esumi.

 

Not only Esumi, who received the words from the girl directly, but also the general students who were walking around stopped in their tracks, frozen for a moment. Naturally, it is no exaggeration to say that the atmosphere of this place changed completely, and the girl, who returned to her senses, turned bright red when she saw the situation around her.

 

"Ah, s, sorry!! I, I asked something like this suddenly!! Regarding the homework Esumi-sama mentioned at the end of the lecture, if possible, I wanted to draw Esumi-sama as the first person... b, being asked so suddenly, it's a nuisance, isn't it? I'm sorry!!"

 

The girl repeatedly lowered and raised her head without stopping.

 

Looking from the side, she was adorable and comical, but Esumi calmed her down while saying, "Calm down."

 

"It's okay even if you don't panic so much. You say you want to draw me, but I don't intend to refuse your request, so rest assured."

 

"I, is that true!?"

 

"Rather, it is surprising that you are the only one who came to me. Although I say it myself... I seem to be unexpectedly popular with you guys."

 

Esumi recalled the scenes before and after the lecture started and smiled wryly on purpose.

 

Led by that, the girl also smiled wryly.

 

"A, Ahahahaha... that's... oh no, that is true, isn't it. It can't be helped that Esumi-sama finds it strange. Actually, everyone intends to draw a portrait of Esumi-sama after they get better."

 

"So that's why no one came to me?"

 

"Yes."

 

"I see... but, among them, only you came to me. May I ask why?"

 

"That is... because I admire Esumi-sama."

 

"Admiration? Is that the reason for drawing my portrait first?"

 

"Ah, s, sorry, it was a lack of words... it will be a bit of a personal story, but could you listen to me for a short while?"

 

"If I can know the reason, I would definitely like to hear it."

 

"Ah, thank you... actually, I have never had a 'hobby' that I could be absorbed in since I was little, and once I grasp the practice or tips, I improve in the blink of an eye. But thanks to that, I couldn't be absorbed in anything no matter what I did..."

 

"A hobby... I see."

 

The girl was hugging the sketchbook she held in her hand tightly against her chest, shivering slightly.

 

"Drawing pictures is the same. Once I learned the techniques, I was able to draw like a normal person in the blink of an eye... but like always, no matter how much I drew, I was never absorbed in it. At such a time, I heard that Esumi-sama would hold a lecture for us, and I jumped at it first."

 

"My lecture?"

 

"Yes. I am also well aware of Esumi-sama's fame and achievements. You continued to draw pictures from childhood, and when you were in junior high, you won the top prize in all the competitions held in the autonomous district. You became a painter at the youngest age in history, and now you are a famous person known throughout Kivotos... but as a price for that, you have a disability in your dominant arm..."

 

Suddenly, the girl's face clouded, and her gaze shifted to Esumi's right arm.

 

Feeling a tickle in her gaze as if she were being pitied, Esumi rubbed her right arm with her left hand naturally and waited silently for the continuation of her words.

 

"There, I felt it. Even if you have a disability where you might not be able to draw pictures someday, Esumi-sama is still drawing pictures forever even now. It's not a story about being absorbed or being crazy. You are literally staking your life, your own life, on art... I felt that this way of life is perhaps the figure I have been looking for forever...!!"

 

"Then, the reason you took my lecture is... to know me well?"

 

"Yes. But besides that, I expected that my awareness of drawing pictures would change by receiving guidance from Esumi-sama. As of now, I haven't realized it yet, but I pray that it will become the first 'hobby' I have... That is exactly why, as the first step, let me draw a portrait of Esumi-sama!! By drawing you, whom I admire, I might be able to be reborn!!"

 

For the purpose of finding a hobby, or to grasp the trigger.

 

While the girl unconsciously closed the distance with Esumi, her bangs swayed, and the girl's eyes, which had been hidden until now, were reflected in Esumi's eyes for just a moment.

 

They were very beautiful eyes, harboring a strong resolve.

 

Esumi exhaled deeply and shrugged her shoulders helplessly.

 

"I see. Well, I'm not completely convinced, but I grasped the general circumstances. In short, you are betting on the possibility of being reborn by drawing my portrait, right?"

 

"Um... simply put, that is the case, yes... n, no, it is rude, isn't it. I am trying to take Esumi-sama's valuable time for a selfish reason."

 

"It is certainly a very self-centered reason. And you are also creating a situation that is hard to refuse in this courtyard where general students are using it. If I refuse, I might have to spend a while as a heartless senior."

 

"Ugh..."

 

"But, the wish to change yourself and the resolve to do so reached me. Whether you will be reborn by drawing a portrait, I don't know at all, but if you believe it stubbornly, as someone who made you hold hope, I will cooperate."

 

"Ah, thank you ve—"

 

"However. There is one condition I would like you to accept from me."

 

This time, Esumi leaned her face toward the girl, gently touched her bangs with her right hand, and gently brushed them up.

 

The beautiful eyes were exposed. Esumi stared at those eyes and smiled.

 

"Beautiful eyes. It is a waste to be hidden by these bangs even though you have beautiful features and wonderful eyes."

 

"...Um... Esumi-sama. This is..."

 

"Just call me senpai. Honestly, I am not a young lady or a daughter of a wealthy family, so I am not used to being called 'sama'."

 

"Then, excuse me... Esumi-senpai. Um, what is the condition?"

 

"After you finish drawing my portrait, next, let me draw you."

 

The girl's eyes widened slightly.

 

"Is it okay for it to be someone like me...?"

 

"The 'good or bad' of looks has nothing to do with being a model for life sketching. I just draw what I feel like drawing according to my intuition, that is all. Besides, your eyes are very charming. Or should I say, were I drawn into them?"

 

While looking at the face that still had a childishness, Esumi continued her words.

 

"To tell you the truth. I like those eyes. So... I want to draw you. If I were to be greedy, I want you to entrust your body to me."

 

Perhaps because of the tension, or because of the closeness to Esumi.

 

Or perhaps because of her words that were close to a pickup line, before she knew it, the girl's face turned bright red, and before she knew it, her hand was being held by Esumi.

 

"Come on, give me your answer. You want to draw me to be reborn. I want to draw you according to my own desires. I think it is a good condition that leads to each other's purpose and benefit... Come on, what will you do?"

 

How would she do anything; the girl's answer was decided from the beginning.

 

"P, please... If you can be satisfied from the bottom of your heart with Esumi-senpai, I will lend you my body anytime!!"

 

It was an outrageous way of saying it, but Esumi, who was thoroughly dyed in art brain, did not feel any particular discomfort, and was nodding broadly while looking satisfied that she had accepted the condition. On the other hand, the girl who had made an outrageous statement with the momentum due to shame and tension was, although there was no change in her expression, feeling terribly impatient inside.

 

(I, I feel like I made an incredibly dangerous statement!! Is this okay as a statement of the Justice Task Force!? Or rather, I am saying things like dedicating my body and soul to Esumi-senpai, but why is Esumi-senpai smiling like that!? Could it be, is Esumi-senpai really a 'top'!?)

 

It is not that important whether she is a top or a bottom, but it is no wonder she is so panicked when she thinks of the girl who is being stared at at close range and whose hand is being held.

 

Thinking about it now, the girl who was still a first-year student of the Justice Task Force at that time... Nakamasa Ichika, reflects that this event became the trigger for her to become captivated by the person named Kayama Esumi, for better or for worse.

 

In the end, even after drawing Esumi's portrait, no major change visited herself, and later Ichika became quite passive about drawing pictures, but even if she reached such a result, Esumi neither got angry nor pushed her away, and the interaction increased actively, such as encouraging Ichika who had become heartbroken, or accompanying trivial everyday conversation when she had trouble... when she noticed, there was already the figure of Nakamasa Ichika, who was just chasing after the person named Kayama Esumi.

 

Yes, that is correct. The event that happened on this day, at this time, changed the future of one girl.

 

Esumi, who did not even know that such a future would visit, was interacting with Ichika, who was still in her first year at this time, with an joyful smile on her face, holding a sketchbook and a pencil innocently.