Ayame sat down at a table far away and slowly opened her sketchbook. It looked like she was focused on her drawing, her pencil gliding smoothly over the paper. But Akira could feel her attention… that same watching, judging gaze from class, always there.
Aoi tried to continue working, but the easy intimacy from before, when it was just her and Akira, was gone. She was self-conscious now and overly formal in her directions to Akira.
"The branch there needs more shadow," she said stiffly.
"Here?"
"Yes. And blend it more."
Akira worked in silence, very aware of the two women. Aoi was clearly uncomfortable; the way she avoided looking at him directly and how her hands trembled slightly as she mixed paints. Ayame drew with her pencil, but she kept looking up to watch them.
After twenty minutes that felt like hours, Aoi quietly said, "I think that's enough for today. We're making good progress."
"You sure? We could finish this section."
