Of Yokai and Hopeless Romantics

Chapter 5

The rest of the school day was the usual, something that Benihime actually enjoyed. As soon as the final bell rang though, Benihime met up with Mari and the two headed towards the Arts Studio. The studio was a large building that housed not only all the different visual arts facilities but also a large student gallery. The building was made of precast concrete walls with murals in the style of Ukiyo-e paintings. The roofline of the building was made up of several pitched roofs that all faced south, letting light flood into the inside of the building. When they entered the building Mari took Benihime straight to the gallery space and they waited for the various club presidents to show up. Mari took charge once everyone was there, Benihime felt like a third wheel. As soon as Mari finished with what she called official business, it was on to matchmaking as she took Benihime to the painting studio.

" Hey Shige-san, I want you to meet someone," Mari said.

A boy looked away from the painting he was working at. At first glance, he didn't leave much of an impression. He had a slightly disheveled appearance, his uniform, under his painters smock, while clean was not put on with care. The boy himself was a bit pudgy, his black hair was shortly cropped, but looked like it wasn't combed, and he had dark rings under his eyes. There was a keen look in those eyes though and their almost burnt caramel brown color was appealing. While the boy might not appear to be much, Benihime withheld any judgment until she got to know his personality.

" Hello, Mari-san," Shige said.

" Ukitake Shigeru, meet Toyama Benihime," Mari said. Benihime might not have recognized the boy at first, but upon hearing the surname she realized he was Inna's cousin. She had met him briefly before a few times but had not talked to him.

" Hello Toyama-san, it is nice to meet you in person," Shige said standing up and bowing.

" It is also nice to be formally introduced to you," Benihime said bowing slightly.

" Sheesh, this isn't a business meeting, can you two relax," Mari said. " Anyway, I brought Benihime-san here so she can see my painting."

" Ok, give me one-second Mari-chan," Shige said and his face lit up as he went to a back wall where paintings were stored. When he returned it was with a painting in hand and it was indeed of Mari. He carefully placed it on his easel and stood back to allow her and Mari to take a good look at his work. Benihime was not an art aficionado, but she did not have to be to understand that Shige had a talent, she doubted even he understood. The painting was of Mari in her gymnastics uniform, painted as if she was in the middle of one of her floor routines. The fact that he had managed to make a painting look as if was moving through the use of his expressionistic brushstrokes, showed quite a bit of talent, but what attracted Benihime was the aura that came off of the painting. Shige had managed to capture not only Mari in motion but Mari's otherworldly cat like aura. To be able to see a yokai's aura so precisely was a feat in itself for a human, but to be able to capture it in a painting, was a true talent. The boy must have had a yokai ancestor in his bloodline.

" Impressive isn't it," Mari said. " Of course he had a great subject to paint."

" The painting is quite impressive Ukitake-san, you have captured Mari-san perfectly in her most natural state," Benihime said.

" Thank you Toyama-san, I put a lot of work into that painting," Shige said once again bowing to Benihime. Benihime was surprised at how formal the boy was, she had expected him to be more relaxed in his manners.

" Did you hear about the first year auction?" Mari asked.

"First-year auction?" Shige asked.

" As part of the Cultural Festival we are having an art auction, you get twenty percent of whatever money you raise," Mari said.

" Only twenty, that sounds low," Shige said, but Mari had his full attention.

" Considering Sasayama Academy provides your art supplies, studio space, and gallery space, I think I'm being generous. Anyway, the rest goes to the school trip," Mari said her tone all business.

" No appreciation for the hard work of an artist? You really are a cutthroat," Shige said joking around.

" I was going to offer you a golden opportunity, but if you're going to call me names, I guess I'll keep it to myself," Mari said in a playful voice.

" Will you let me paint you again," Shige said and his eyes lit up as he looked Mari up and down. Benihime was not only starting to feel like a third wheel in all of this but was getting the impression Shige was quite taken with Mari. Was this Mari's plan, to pawn off one of her admirers on Benihime? She was the first to admit her romantic life as of late was less than ideal, but Benihime still had her pride, she was starting to get annoyed.

" Yes and no, I'm going to do you one better," Mari said and paused for suspense. " I'm going to have you paint the whole Student Council."

Shige seemed caught off guard by Mari's proposal, " I know you and Inna-chan don't mind sitting for paintings, but I'm sure Toyama-san and Hanzo-san are busy people."

" Yayaka-chan would love the attention and Benihime-san is here because she agrees with my plan," Mari said and nudged Benihime.

What was Mari's plan exactly, she had not mentioned sitting for paintings. None of this seemed like it was working towards Benihime having a boyfriend, it was all far too unconventional. Mari nudged her again, harder. She had made a deal, she should play her part at least, " I would not mind sitting for your painting Ukitake-san."

" Are you sure Benihime-san, I know a girl like you has plenty of better things to do than spend time in an arts studio with a guy like me," Shige said with a look in his eyes that Benihime knew too well. He was another boy who was viewing her as an idol that was only meant to be looked at from a distance, he might have been a love letter writer.

" So girls like Benihime-san have better things to do, but I don't," Mari said acting as if she was offended.

" Of course, you do nothing but play around, Toyama-san is one of the top students in our class and is always working," Shige said in a joking manner.

" Because I don't have the highest grades in our year," Mari said rolling her eyes. " Anyway, I do have things to do and places to be. Benihime-san said she'd sit for a painting, we'll be here Saturday."

Shige once again looked at Benihime, " Are you sure you have the free time?"

Benihime wanted to say no and put an end to Mari's plan. Shige was probably a nice boy, but she couldn't see herself with him. He didn't seem like he would be bold enough to confess to her, even if he liked her. While Benihime had taken the initiative and confessed to Shoji, that was because he was special to her, did Mari think Shige would be just as special? In the end, though, Benihime knew she would go along with Mari's plan despite her misgivings, it would not be fair to make a deal with the catgirl and not try her best. " I have the free time Ukitake-san, I will see you on Saturday."

The two left the Arts Studio and got ready to go their separate ways when Mari asked, " so how did you like Shige-san?"

" He seemed like a nice boy, but ...."

" Stop at that," Mari interrupted her, " just keep it as he's a nice boy, that's all you need to focus on for now."