LOVE THROUGH A PRISM
I am your worst nightmare, the number one student!
- I'm the King of Saint Thomas Art Academy! - Please go! Go away!
You came all the way from Japan. How unfortunate for you.
Up against my work, you'll be going straight home.
Wh-- What is that?
That precise shading.
That unrivalled composition.
The silhouette!
What incredible talent!
Do you want to know how you can become number one?
Huh?
Yes! Tell me!
Very well then.
Careful what you wish for.
Eat black bread!
#02/FEELING BLUE
It... was a dream?
Oh.
Ugh! That was so creepy.
What is Kit doing appearing in my dreams? Ugh!
No! You can't let this boy get the better of you.
Get it together!
My first day in London and I'm already going out of my mind!
Hm! Hm!
Good morning, Lili!
Oh! Good morning, Dorothy.
I say.
Are those the clothes you bought yesterday?
Yes, they are. Am I wearing them properly?
Yes, splendid! They suit you perfectly.
You look like a proper student, but so much more stylish.
You think? Thank you so much!
- Breakfast is ready. Shall we? - Yes.
As you were tired yesterday and you went to bed early,
there's still pie left over from last night.
Pie? I've never had that before!
Well, it's technically pie,
but it might not be quite what you're expecting.
How so?
She doesn't know how to follow a recipe.
Let us just say that Diana's home cooking is somewhat unique.
Diana? You mean our landlady?
What do you mean, "unique"?
Well, you'll understand when you see it.
Hmm...
Good morning, Lili Ichijoin. Eat up then!
Uh...
Wh-- What is this?
I made you stargazy pie.
I made it especially when I heard you were coming.
Don't be shy. Go ahead! Eat it up!
A meal like that will set you up nice for your first day at the academy.
Thank you very much!
- Mm. - Delicious, isn't it?
- Yes, it's so... unique. - The truth is...
Lili, we're going to have to leave soon, else we'll be late.
Oh. You girls are in a rush!
We need to arrive early today.
I nearly forgot.
You'll both be able to cycle to school today.
Oh, really?
Sam's outside fixing the bike up now. But she can't ride it wearing that skirt.
Oh, of course. Now, Lili, you'll have to change your skirt.
Huh?
Look at these!
I've never worn boyish clothes before!
These are called "knickerbockers."
Knickerbockers?
Hop! Hop! Hop! Hop! Hop! Hop! Hop!
They're perfect! They're so easy to move around in.
I could never wear this sort of thing in Japan.
It's so English!
Ah! She's all ready for you.
Look at that. Is it really for me?
Yes. She's a little old but rides just fine.
I even put on some new brakes.
Is this your first time riding a bicycle?
Yes. It's considered improper for women to ride in Japan.
Plus, bicycles are very expensive, so only rich people have them.
Really?
It might be difficult for you at first, but you'll pick it up soon enough with--
I can do it! I'll take it to school today!
I'm super athletic!
Uh, it's not going to be that easy, Lili. I mean, you've never ridden before.
I know! But I am really fit, you know?
So I'll be fine! I can do it!
CURIOUS
Righty-ho. Be careful now.
Lili, are you all right?
This is great. I think I know how to do it now.
You Japanese people are very adventurous.
Go on, you can tell me. Are you a samurai?
Samurai do not ride bicycles.
Oh, right. Sorry. I misunderstood.
- You're not a samurai. You're a ninja. - I'm not a ninja either, Dorothy!
I swear I'm not keeping any secrets. I'm really not, Dorothy.
- Oh. - What is it? Are you listening?
- Hey! Kit! Hey, Peter! - Hmm?
Morning!
Hm?
Ugh!
Hello, Dorothy.
Now what are you two chaps doing here so early today?
- We're always here at this time. - Well...
In that case, that means we must be late.
We had a few setbacks setting off this morning, didn't we, Lili?
Mm.
- Hmm. - Is there something wrong, Kit?
It's quite remarkable.
You remind me so much of...
Hmm?
...Aphrodite.
Huh?
What? Aphrodite? The statue?
Hmm.
- Are you absolutely sure about that? - D-- Dorothy, I'm sure it's the right one.
- No. - Hm?
Aphrodite is...
my horse.
Horse?
What's the matter with him?
- Just ignore him! - He's so rude!
He tries to feed me charcoal bread, rummages through my luggage.
Worst of all, he compares me to a horse!
Don't worry. That's what Kit's like.
Whatever comes into his mind comes straight out of his mouth.
The fact that he said it out loud is even worse!
I cannot believe he is the top student.
I refuse to let him beat me!
I know. Why don't you ambush him with your fukiya?
I'm not a ninja!
Did you hear? She's Japanese.
Good morning, students.
Well then, as I've already informed you, you'll be receiving an assignment today.
But first, let me introduce a new student joining the oil department.
She has travelled here all the way from Japan
to study with us at the academy.
- And her name is... - Lili Ichijoin.
It is such a great pleasure to meet you all.
I have so much to learn at the academy, but I look forward to studying with you.
Thank you, Miss Ichijoin.
Please be seated. Next to Miss Brown, if you would.
Sir!
Bobby, what was that she just did?
I think she just bowed to us.
Japanese eat raw fish and eels, don't they?
Probably rotten beans too.
I hear they eat parasites.
Don't let that lot bother you, all right?
They've clearly never met anyone from Japan before.
And those triple-S sisters,
they really don't do anything other than make fun of people.
Uh, Lili?
Oh, sorry. I'm fine. And I won't let them bother me, Dorothy.
I'm glad to hear it.
What's with the "triple-S," though?
Oh, that's because...
Makes sense.
Sara's after George from the sculpture department.
Shirley's got her eye on Arthur over there,
and Stacy likes Thomas from the stained glass department.
Oh.
Some girls would rather chase boys than learn about works of art.
You'll find that many of the students here are from aristocratic families.
Ah...
And so, this week's task will be to paint an expression of the sky as it appears.
That's a bit simple, isn't it?
No, it'll be some sort of trick.
Maybe, or he's gone properly mad this time.
He always sets homework with riddles.
What on earth is he going on about?
I'm no good at things like this.
Now then, Miss Ichijoin.
Sir?
I'd like you to start on your first assignment.
A test, if you like, of your artistic capabilities.
Please take this seriously and apply yourself.
Sir.
As the great Shakespeare once said,
the force of his own merit makes his way a gift that Heaven gives for him.
What does Shakespeare have to do with painting the sky?
Nothing.
Much ado about nothing.
There's something about Shakespeare that really excites him.
This test will be three hours.
The only rule is that you paint with oils.
I'll review all your submissions this weekend with some art dealers.
Then we will display the top three pieces here at the academy.
If there are no questions, you may start.
Goodbye, Lili. I will see you later.
Yes. Good luck, Dorothy.
Expression of the sky?
What could that mean?
I doubt he meant to paint the sky as it appears.
A clear sky after the rain with moving clouds.
But how do I paint this?
I say. Hello! How do you do?
Argh! You made me jump!
I'm Arthur from Eton. Do you know the Carteret family?
No, I don't. I don't know them.
Hm. Understandable, since you're new.
- Never mind though. More importantly... - Ugh!
...where will you paint?
I'm not quite sure yet.
Then why don't we paint together?
Um, thanks, but I'd rather not.
Come on, don't be like that.
I know a good place.
Oh, a good place? You mean somewhere with a good view?
Somewhere we won't be disturbed.
Huh?
No! No, thank you!
What on earth is she up to?
Helping herself to all the boys already.
Oh, I know. And I saw her ogling at Kit Church this morning too.
Well then, we should help her out. Right, girls?
No respect for personal space. I'm not used to this.
I must concentrate now.
I'm running out of time, and it'll be dark soon.
Oh.
Mm...
Oh dear. Do pardon me. I accidentally slipped.
Oh, Stacy, you should be more careful!
Yes, Stacy, you are so clumsy.
- Here, let's give you a hand. - Ow.
You are just so accident-prone!
I'm so sorry. My bottom is just too big.
Oh, look, your paints have spilled all over the place.
Come on then, girls, let's help her pick them all up.
Here you go.
Thank you so much, and sorry.
Ugh, she's such a goody-two-shoes.
She'll show her true colours soon enough.
Oh!
Right. There we go. That'll do.
Oh.
How is it possible to paint the sky from that angle?
And without using an easel?
Where is he looking? What is he painting?
Mm.
Concentrate.
Huh?
Where... Huh?
No, no, no, no, no, no!
Why isn't it here?
Oh dear, she's lost something.
I wonder what colour she'll use to paint the sky now.
This is so entertaining.
No, no, no, no!
It was just here!
Where's my blue paint?
I'm going to fail.
What do I do now? We're supposed to be painting the sky.
I'll be going straight back to Japan at this rate.
Hm?
Hm.
Huh?
Lapis lazuli ultramarine?
I've never seen such expensive paint.
Could I... use some of your paint?
Sure. Use what you need.
I... I thank you.
- And in return... - Huh?
You must eat black bread!
Huh? That dream? Again?
Look at you!
Compared to Sunday, this is a big improvement!
Thank you, Dorothy. I've been practising.
How did you sleep? You looked pretty tired this morning.
I slept badly. I was anxious about today.
I'm sure you'll do fine. I wouldn't worry too much.
So have you done many of these critiques before?
Oh yes. I've passed at least two.
I don't even get nervous about them any more.
- You! - Huh?
How on earth? What is the meaning of this?
Where did you get that blue p--
Will you please excuse us?
- Shirley! Are you really that stupid? - Hm?
I will never understand those three.
You got second place, Lili! That's wonderful!
This painting is...
- It's Kit's. He deserved to win. - Oh.
The professor was tricking us after all. Kit just thinks differently.
How on earth does he come up with ideas like this?
Well, while we were gazing up at the sky,
his eyes were on the ground.
He can't help it. He sees the world differently.
It's because, Dorothy, his eyes act as a prism.
Huh? What do you mean?
Just in the same way a prism refracts light from one direction,
Kit Church's eyes are watching the light that the rest of us just cannot see.
Very pretentious, but I know exactly what you mean, Peter.
Hey!
I wonder why he didn't use blue, painting a clear sky?
My thoughts exactly.
The foundation's violet, isn't it? That explains how quickly he finished it.
He's an oddball, but a genius.
He inhabits a world that us normal folk cannot comprehend.
Miss Ichijoin,
your skills live up to your reputation.
It was a high-quality painting that more than deserves a passing grade.
Th-- Thank you, Professor Brant.
However,
your artwork resembles
that of a fine arts instructor painting for children.
In other words, you have more work to do.
I must tell you that pure draughtsmanship is not enough in the world of art.
Why was William Shakespeare so beloved of the masses?
Think on this, young lady,
and apply it to your own artwork.
Lili, are you sure you don't want to come too?
We really want you to come along with us.
The pub's terrific, even if you don't drink.
Joffrey's kindly offered to treat us all.
I don't think I ever said that, Dorothy.
Aren't you an aristocrat? You shouldn't be such a miser.
- I can't join you. - Hm?
There's a place I wanted to visit before it gets dark.
Oh, all right then. See you back at the boarding house?
- Yes. - Come by if you change your mind.
Ah, I am ravenous.
Hang on. Didn't you say you just ate?
- I'm ignoring you! - Ha! Typical.
Pure draughtsmanship is not enough in the world of art.
You have more work to do.
I know that.
That's why I came back here.
I wanted to change that.
- Hey. - Huh?
Are you all right? What're you doing here?
Ki-- Kit?
I-- I-- I don't know. W-- What are you doing here?
This is my usual walk home. I live nearby.
Hmm? Oh, right. Oh.
Is that thing yours?
Thing?
Oh, the bicycle? Yes, it's mine.
Oh, that's good. Can I borrow it?
Uh... You can't. It's not mine.
I want to find these lilies growing in a cave.
Lilies growing in a cave?
Does a place like that even exist? Where is it?
Hm?
Wait, wait, wait, wait!
What are you doing? Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it!
What do you think you're doing?
I heard it's not far from here. A cave with white lilies.
They only grow at this time of year. Do you want to come with me?
Oh, well, I guess...
If such a place exists then I should probably...
Good. Come along then.
Huh?
Kit! Ow.
What is this? You just leave me here?
I lent you my paint, didn't I?
The least you could do in return is lend me your bicycle.
But I borrowed it! And it really helped me out, but--
Come on. Or I'll go without you.
Slow down! And don't talk to me like that!
Don't forget your bag.
Oh, I was just going to get it. Hey, stop! Don't just walk off without me!
It'll get dark if you don't hurry up.