LOVE THROUGH A PRISM
#04/HIS ROUGH SKETCH
Dear Mother and Father,
I hope you are both well.
I know I said I would write as soon as I arrived,
but I've been so very busy.
I'm sorry to have taken so long.
"It's already been a month since I arrived safely off the boat here in England."
"I really am doing very well."
"London is so much more wonderful than I could have imagined."
"Everyone here is making me feel very much at home."
Lili, hurry up and finish your meal
so I can clear it away.
My landlady's cooking has been such a highlight too.
Her dishes are... interesting!
My art lessons have been challenging but extremely rewarding.
The teachers are always praising me for my work.
Very good.
But as always, Lili,
that is all it is.
To be good is not enough when you dream of being great.
I am working extremely hard to be top of the class.
...next time.
Mother, Father, please take good care of yourselves.
"I will write again soon. With love, Lili."
We were given some beautiful fabric from Niigata,
and this one will be perfect for kimonos in warmer weather.
We'll need to have these finished before summer starts.
It sounds like she's doing well. I'm glad.
Oh? Lili, you mean?
It seems to be going well for her over there in England.
- I knew she would settle-- - What are you talking about?
Huh?
I know what she's like.
She's exaggerating to make us think she's coping well.
- Now that is really unfair! - I know her.
She'll give up and come back home to Japan before you know it.
She's just like me. Always putting a brave face on things.
She seemed happy enough in her letter,
but it must be hard for her over there in unfamiliar surroundings.
Bless you. Do you think you might have a cold?
I-- I'm fine. Someone's probably talking about me.
That's the superstition in Japan.
Must've been the rain.
So tell me then, how's your painting coming along, Lili?
Uh, I'm almost there, I need a bit more time on it though.
But I don't really understand what's so very important about the exhibition.
What? But it's the National Gallery!
It's the finest gallery in the world!
And this is the most prestigious competition in the country,
not just for students, for all artists.
The richest aristocrats and art dealers will all be there.
Ah, oh, right.
You could sell a painting there for thousands!
I heard that a student last year found a patron.
Such a terrific achievement!
I didn't know it was so important! Why didn't anyone say?
Oh, sorry, I thought you knew.
People have been preparing for this exhibition all year.
Ah.
So are you working on something exciting?
Oh, yes, a still life.
- But I'm changing the style a little-- - I say, hello there, ladies.
Is it all right if I join you?
Of course, Joffrey.
- Talking about the gallery? - Yes.
The sculpture department's coming too, right?
Oh, but of course, and I've just dropped off my masterpiece.
Another bronze statue?
What do you mean "another" one?
- Hey! - Hm?
Calm down, Peter. What the blazes is wrong with you?
Where the hell is Kit?
- Oh, Kit? - Um, Kit is...
Hmm?
I swear I'm going to kill him.
I think he fell asleep eating a crumpet. Probably painting all night again.
RAGE
I say, calm down.
What's wrong, Peter? He only fell asleep.
He has only gone and done it again!
- Again? - Again?
Again?
He has dismantled Professor Brant's gold pocket watch!
What? Again?
Bravo, Kit!
It's not funny!
That cost the professor three months' worth of salary!
Oh dear!
He blamed me, demanded I fix it,
and said I couldn't enter the exhibition until it was done!
That's absolutely outrageous.
Oh, it's quite typical. Kit's done this three times already.
Ah well, you've mended the headmaster's watch before,
so fix the professor's.
Besides, Peter, Kit's in no fit state to look at it now.
The headmaster's watch only has three hands,
but the professor's is a repeater chronograph.
It's incredibly intricate! It's impossible!
- I hate him! I hate him! - Calm down, Peter.
Try not to fret over it quite so much.
You always tell us how clever you are. Now you have a chance to prove it.
You lot are the worst.
Hm. Maybe it's just his own unique way of expressing himself.
Never a dull day with scruff-bag over there.
My word, look at the state of those shoes.
Well, maybe he just can't afford to buy new ones.
Or perhaps he just can't be bothered
to keep the wretched things clean for longer than a day.
Joffrey. He's wearing John Lobb's.
They're the shoes typically worn by royalty.
- Huh? - What?
How the blazes do you know that?
I happened to see the box when I went into his room the other day.
I suppose we don't really know anything about him.
Oh, by the way,
I heard there's an overseas student coming to join the sculpture department.
But we've had a new student. How strange.
I wonder where they will be from. How thrilling! Excited, Lili?
Oh. Yes. I really am.
I say, once you've finished working on your piece for the exhibition,
- why don't you and I go shopping... - They are so filthy.
Ah, what a lovely morning!
I've got such a good feeling about today.
Sakura, everything's unpacked.
Hm? Are they Japanese?
I'll take care of it all. You go and have your breakfast.
I think the new student is from Japan.
- Hello, excuse me? - Hm?
Are you from Japan?
Hello up there.
Uh... And hello down there. Oh.
Oh.
Well, the chain looks like it might be a little bit loose,
and the frame is bent.
As long as it doesn't fall over, Lili,
you'll have no problems at all, I guarantee.
Right, thanks. I'll be careful.
All right. See you later.
See you later.
Oh, see you for dinner. It's sardine pie.
Ugh! Seriously, not sardine pie again.
Oh well, let's go.
- Excuse me? - Oh.
Oh.
Nice to meet you earlier.
You too.
I'm so pleased there's another Japanese person
living across the street.
I should've introduced myself sooner, but we've been so busy with moving.
I'm Kobayakawa Shinnosuke.
This is my younger sister, Sakura. We're from Kamakura.
Really? You're from Kamakura?
For goodness' sake! I told you not to let it fall over.
Sorry!
I'm from Yokohama.
Oh, really?
From near the harbour. What a coincidence.
My father works in Motomachi. Are you familiar with it?
Yes. Motomachi's so close to me.
It is funny, though.
There's so few Japanese people here,
and we're across the street from each other.
And we're both going to Saint Thomas's.
Exactly! It really is such a strange coincidence.
Makes me feel much better about being in London, it really does.
Which school is your sister going to enrol in here?
Sakura isn't actually going to go to school.
Oh... Oh, really? I see.
So when did you arrive here in the city then?
I arrived in London almost a month ago now.
I did find it very difficult at first.
Because I learned English from a Japanese tutor,
I found that my pronunciation was a little bit off.
Even though I've been here a while, I learn something new every day.
And I'm confident I speak to people more naturally now.
Ah, I was fortunate. My tutor was English.
In his lessons, I learned English history and customs.
Well, I'd be happy to help you out with anything, if you're ever in need.
Thanks, that's kind of you,
and you know, it might be nice to have such an old hand with me.
"Old?" Don't you dare call me that!
Oh.
Huh?
I'm so sorry, Sam!
Oh, so you've already met the new transfer student?
Yes, he lives right opposite me.
Oh really?
It's funny it's another Japanese person, don't you think?
Yes, it was a surprise to me too!
- Look! Speak of the devil. - Oh!
I say, how is it that you are from Japan but speak English so fluently?
Who was it who taught you?
An Englishman who lived in my hometown.
Our families were very good friends.
Oh, really? Was the family from Yorkshire, by any chance?
That's right!
Look, Shinnosuke's a real mouthful.
- Can we call you "Shin?" - Oh yes, of course.
Very nice to meet you, Shin!
Now, why weren't they ever that friendly with me?
Well, he already knows how to speak English better than you,
so they like him more.
You can be very honest sometimes, can't you, Dorothy?
Mmm?
Samurai!
I say, Peter, have you heard?
The other new student joining the sculpture department
is also from Japan.
He is Shin Kobayakawa. Joffrey told me his name.
He also said his school fees and expenses are being paid for by the government.
Is that the same for you, Lili?
Uh... No. Uh, just my school fees are paid for.
This Shin really must be quite the elite then, don't you think?
I heard his family are renowned sculptors in Asia.
Oh my, that is impressive.
After all, Japanese woodwork is among the best in the world.
He will also be entering a sculpture for the competition.
I've heard it's wonderful.
Oh yes, the exhibition!
Lili, what are you going to wear?
- Oh, is there a dress code? - Of course there's a dress code!
Aristocrats and art dealers are coming,
so you just can't show up looking scruffy, can you?
We're students, so surely ordinary clothes are all right.
So naive!
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
And what about you, Kit?
You should make an effort this time, or we'll all look bad.
- No. - Didn't think so.
Well, you don't care, do you? You already have a patron.
At least clean the mud off your shoes though, all right?
So, Lili, shall we go shopping after class?
Oh. All right. That sounds good.
Chop chop. We're going to miss the lesson.
- Lili, come on. - Coming.
Kit, try not to be late.
I find him so inspiring.
The professor isn't a fan of my brushstroke.
Lili, it's getting late. We should go soon.
Sorry, I think I'm going to stay here for a little longer.
I should focus on my painting, even if I'm missing out on shopping.
And Dorothy, I'm making sure I do better than Kit.
Fair enough then.
I'll think of something to tell Diana.
Just make sure you're back before dark, all right?
- Mm. Absolutely. - See you later, then.
THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION
Hm?
Hm.
S-- So this is The National Gallery.
It's wonderful.
Come on then. Let's go.
Look at that. It makes ours look pretty simple.
This isn't helping my nerves.
And what do you think?
Not for me.
There's so much pressure.
There certainly is.
I feel like we are being judged more than the art itself.
I know.
But don't worry.
There's some pastries at the entrance, so I will go and get us some.
Eh? Huh? Dorothy!
Don't leave me! Oh!
It's kind of unsettling, isn't it?
Huh?
Oh, Kobayakawa.
Mm. I feel so out of place. Nice to see a familiar face.
I know what you mean. Me too.
Oh, here.
- Oh. Thank you so much. - There's no need to be so polite.
We're the same age after all. Please, call me Shin.
Of course.
There's a lot of great paintings from the oil department.
Where's yours then?
Oh, that one is mine.
You paint so beautifully, Lili.
Uh, thanks so much.
I saw sheep for the first time, and they were so cute.
- Oh... - Oh.
- Such skill for one so young! - Is this Kit's?
It's quite simply exceptional.
Abrams is buying all of his work, I heard.
- This painting has already sold. - We're too late.
Kit Church is getting a lot of attention. He's exceptional.
He's good at painting, but that's about all.
I say, are you settling in, Shin?
Hello, Joffrey. Yes, I am.
Lili, have you seen Shin's entry?
Huh? Oh, no. I haven't.
- I've just arrived. - You haven't? Come and see. It's great!
It's beautiful.
Thank you.
I carved it while I was travelling, so it's a bit rough around the edges.
Ah. I've never seen such intricate carving.
How did you get the two-tone colouring?
I see what you've done.
You used the core of the kurogaki and the outer border.
You've killed two birds with one stone.
That's right. You know your stuff.
Did you finish the crest in Japan red or in red lacquer?
Both! Who are you?
The name's Peter Anthony. An oil painter from Delhi in India.
- Ah. And my name is-- - Shinnosuke Kobayakawa.
Joffrey speaks highly of you. Do you mind if I call you Shin?
By all means.
- It's nice to meet you, Shin. - Likewise.
Would you look at that? The gang is all here.
Dorothy!
You're only meant to take one.
- Why? You want one? - I'm fine!
Nice to meet you, Dorothy. I'm--
Shin Kobayakawa, right? I heard you're pretty terrific.
If you're thinking of marrying me, you'll need to let me know very soon.
I've got a long list of suitors, but you can be third on my list.
Oh.
Ah, speaking of which...
Have you heard?
Apparently, there's a high ranking aristocrat here!
- Oh, who is it? - I say!
- Oh! - Hmm?
Who is that distinguished gentleman?
- Oh! - Huh?
Huh?
It can't be...
What a noble gentleman he is.
I never thought I'd see him! His Grace, Henry Church, Duke of Carlisle!
He has such presence, Peter. Such style and grace.
Sophistication. He's an incredibly gifted and powerful gentleman.
He's been in charge of diplomacy since the old Queen's reign.
He's maintained peace and prosperity in England for many years.
Goodness.
But it's strange why he'd be here at an art students' exhibition.
I am so glad to see you looking so well.
It must be three years since I last saw you.
Far too long, my dear fellow. I trust the students are behaving well?
Ah, speaking of which, Your Grace--
Call me Henry, please. "Your Grace" is far too stuffy.
Christopher, will you stop dragging your feet?
You are the reason we're all here.
- Huh? - Huh?
Huh?
Kit?
Christopher, come over here and say a proper hello, will you?
Don't be rude. I say, don't you dare ignore me like that.
Christopher! Come back here!
C-- Christopher?
Your real name's Christopher?
That is just what I am called at home.
I prefer Kit.
- Oh. - It's just... But, Kit, you're...
You're one of the Churches?
But... you can't.
Christopher, I've not seen you like this.
- Hm? - Uh, I don't mean anything by it.
I hardly recognise you, Kit. I'm stunned.
Not you too, Peter. Give it a rest.
Now listen here.
I'm not dressed this way because I like it.
I feel like these clothes are suffocating me,
and I can't stand wearing them.
They make me feel like some sort of... posh old man.
Delightful to meet everyone.
I'm glad my son has good friends.
- Oh, Your Grace, we're not-- - It's an honour, Your Grace.
I'm Joffrey, the third son of the ancient O'Brien family.
I'm delighted to meet the Duke of Carlisle.
Kit's one of my closest friends. We've been friends for a long time.
So, you're still using the nickname "Kit?"
How disgraceful.
Richard.
Did I not tell you to use your proper name, Christopher?
Why don't you grow up?
It's not something we can tolerate.
I'm free to use whatever name I care to choose.
For goodness' sake. You're always so dramatic.
That's quite enough of that, my boys.
I always knew he had so much more to him than I had thought he did.
- Kit's a nobleman. - Yes, Kit is the son of a Duke!
Christopher, I trust you'll return home for the holidays?
No, I will not. I cannot spare the time.
Enough! Don't be ridiculous!
We've invited the royal family to the gala party.
Do you think it's acceptable for the youngest son not to be there?
It is none of my concern.
Christopher!
Aphrodite is eagerly awaiting your return too.
- Hm? - Mm!
I've never heard that name. "Aphrodite?" She sounds very beautiful.
Could she be Kit's fian--
- It's a horse. - It's a horse.
It is so misleading!
Oh, what exquisite timing. It must surely be fate.
The holidays begin tomorrow.
- I invite you all to Drunnheim Hall. - Huh?
It pleases me when the house is full of guests.
- I implore you to come if it's convenient. - You didn't mention this to me.
They can't come, Father. They're all really bus--
D-- D-- D-- D-- D-- D-- Drunnheim Hall? I can't wait!
- Are you serious? - Is that all right, Kit?
W-- W-- Well, hang on. Calm down.
- Don't you have things to do? - I'm going! I'm going to go!
So let's go!
Naturally, I accept your invitation.
It's said to be the finest of English manor houses.
There is no greater honour!
I'm going, I tell you, come rain or shine!
Eh?
I have heard nothing compares to your art collection.
This is a dream come true. I gladly accept, Your Grace.
Yes. It would be an honour if I could see that too, Your Grace.
Lili, you'll come too?
No, I will not. There's something I want to do instead.
Have you lost your mind?
Not at all.
I said that I would do 20 sketches every day this holiday. Humph.
Hm?
Lili, think about it.
Drunnheim Hall is the kind of estate you see once in a lifetime.
Well, maybe I'll think about it for a little bit.
What on earth is there to think about?
Beautiful gardens in the Lake District and all the food you can eat.
Beautiful gardens... and food?
And what's more,
while you are there, you might be able to get some insight into Kit's talent.
Hm?
What is it?
Mm!
Christopher Church, if you would have me,
I would be honoured to stay at Drunnheim Hall with you.
We're going!