Over the last month, the three of them, Izumi, Lloyd and Miyuki, would always go deep into the adjacent forest to the town for some training, and most of the time Ayako and Hyogo would follow.
This time, though, it felt different. To Ayako, it seemed like they were just going through the motions without any real intent, as if their attention was elsewhere, and often times they would sneak glances at her, which only sharpened the unease she felt.
Despite knowing this, she didn't question it. It was a rough time for them with the coming festival and all, so she just brushed it off as unease on their part.
But as the session came to an end and she got up ready to leave, the four of them huddled together, whispering something.
Her confusion only intensified when they all simultaneously started walking toward her. She started sweating as they suddenly surrounded her.
Miyuki stepped forward toward her, her hands behind her back. Ayako couldn't help but shuffle back.
Then their eyes locked, and Miyuki's stern stare suddenly softened into a wide smile as the four of them simultaneously yelled, "Happy Birthday!"
"What the hell!" Ayako burst out with a sigh as she struggled to stay on her feet. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"I'm sorry," Miyuki apologised. "This was all Izumi's idea."
"It was worth it to see that look on your face," he smirked.
She clenched her fist furiously before saying in a daze, "Wait, what did you say?"
"We said happy birthday," Lloyd replied.
"It's my birthday already?" she said, confused.
"How do you not know when you were the one who told me?" Izumi asked.
"I don't really keep track of it much, so it slipped my mind," she said, still dazed. "It's not like it's anything special."
"It is now that we're here," Miyuki said before handing her the gift, wrapped in a torn piece of fabric from a robe.
"We all chipped in and got you a gift," Hyogo said in a low tone.
"Thanks a lot," she replied. "But you didn't have to."
"It's the least we could do," Miyuki said. "After all, you guys have done so much for us. You let us into your home despite our circumstances and have even helped us with our crazy ideas."
"We couldn't dream of paying you back for all that you've done," Lloyd added, "but we hope this could be a start."
"It's not that big of a deal, you guys," Ayako said. "In fact, we're in your debt for your help around the house and with Kanami, so I couldn't do something as selfish as guilt out a gift from you guys."
"Just open it already," Izumi cut in. "It's too late to send it back, so you might as well."
Though hesitant, she loosened the knot on the fabric and opened it slowly. Inside, she found a batch of high-quality paper and an assortment of brushes and charcoal pens.
She grasped them in her hands and looked up at them with an expression that even she couldn't understand.
"Why this?" she found herself blurting.
"For a while, we were stumped on what to get you, so we went to Kanami for help," Miyuki replied. "She said that back when you were a kid, you were an incredible artist.
"Apparently, it was the only thing you knew perfectly straight off the bat without any help, and you were good at it too," she continued. "But all of a sudden, you stopped."
"We don't know why you did, and we won't ask, but we will tell you that you shouldn't waste your talent," Lloyd said. "Do what it is that only you can do because it's what makes you you."
"With this, maybe you can find that vision that you were looking for," Izumi added.
She tugged at the paper tight and looked up with a smile, saying, "You got it."
"Hey, I know what you should draw first," Izumi said. "What about a dazzling portrait of me? It's no consolation for a statue, but you have to start somewhere."
"Sure," she replied. "Why not?"
"Really?" Izumi asked, confused that she would actually agree.
"Really. In fact, why don't I draw one of all of you right here?" she said.
"Won't that take long?" Hyogo asked.
"It won't, trust me," she replied, crouching over to sit on the boulder. "All I need is one good look at you all, and I can take it from there."
"No hours of posing or anything?" Lloyd asked.
"Maybe once in a while I can have you come back, but for the most part, no," she replied.
"This really is something that only you can do," he joked.
"Are you going to draw it now?" Miyuki asked.
"The scenery here is pretty good, so why not?" she replied. "All I need is for you guys to stand in front of me for me to build an image in my head."
They all shuffled forward and formed a line in front of a log. Ayako then took the charcoal and started sizing them while she unknowingly stuck her tongue out.
"Should we come in front of the log?" Hyogo asked.
She stared at them for a bit longer before saying, "It's fine. Just stand there. I can make it work."
She then scribbled some outlines on the paper and immediately started drawing. The four of them found themselves just standing there.
Every time they tried to move, she would look up and stare at them again.
"So much for one good look," Izumi whispered.
"What was that?" Ayako asked.
"Nothing," they all replied.
"By the way, why are you guys still standing there?" she asked. "You were free to go after the first stare."
"But you—" Lloyd said, confused, but she cut him off, saying, "If you want to stay there while I finish up, I won't stop you."
"No, wait—" Izumi blurted before she cut him off too.
"In fact, just stand right there."
She watched them stammer, trying to say something, before she said, "Not so fun when someone messes with you, is it?"
The glares at her that followed couldn't help but make her laugh. As they walked, she looked at them with a smile, her grip on the charcoal pen loosening, revealing the smudges on her fingers.