Like Kiyo and Sunny, Ryota goes to school in the morning and rests at home in the afternoon.

Besides helping his family, his only job is study.

His mouth said that he could play with other friends, but that was not the case. Ryota barely thought about making friends.

He is like a leftover in the class, almost no one talks to him, just like he doesn't talk to anyone. If so, it's probably just about homework.

This school year, the curriculum has changed again, that is, Music and Fine Arts will be reduced to elective subjects like IT in middle and high school.

So those two subjects have become two separate classes? That's cool, I can't sing or play any musical instruments, and I'm not as good at technology as Kiyo, but drawing... let's see.

Ryota isn't sure if he can draw well either, but what else does he have to do...?

When it was time for Art, he got up and walked to the classroom.

It was a room the size of a normal classroom, but it looked more open. Instead of a table and two chairs, here, each table and chair is all wood.

On the walls hung drawings that had won all kinds of awards from previous school years, making Ryota also a bit jealous and admire.

The podium is still the same as the regular class. In the corners are easels.

At the end of the class is a green cabinet, containing white paper, colored paper, paintbrushes, and colored boxes (all materials such as pencils, powder, water, ...)

He sighed and sat down. At least the seats are much more comfortable.

One by one, everyone went in and chatted to each other.

Ryota didn't want to talk to anyone. Because no one wants to talk to me.

The lesson that day was a free topic, they can draw whatever they like, but at least they shouldn't touch politics.

What should I draw now? Ryota put his hand on his hand, spinning the pencil.

He turned around to see if there was anything.

Is it okay if I draw relatives?

Thinking like that, he immediately put down his pencil to draw, if he remembered any details from the person he wanted to sketch, he drew it.

Almost thirty minutes.

"Fifteen minutes to go, whoever's done can submit first." - The teacher spoke up.

Finally done. Ryota picked it and held it up a bit. The sketch wasn't bad, he'd only been practicing drawing for two years anyway, but that's fine.

After checking the error, after writing the name, he stood up and submitted the paper.

She picked Ryota's art, looked at it for a moment, then smiled slightly, placing it on the teacher's desk.

Soon the time was up, and Ryota just quietly went out.

I don't know if that was good enough? I tried to draw Kiyo, but I'm not very confident...

As he neared the door of the classroom, someone bumped to him and fell down.

Ryota panicked and said:

"Oh no! Are you okay?"

"Ouch..."

It was a female student, perhaps Ryota had seen her in the art room. She is only as tall as Ryota, with brown hair, cut to her shoulders.

He tried to help her up, but was stopped:

"It's okay, I can get up. I'm just too busy thinking about a new topic that I don't pay attention to the way."

There are a few books lying on the ground. Ryota was about to pick it up for her, but the girl stopped and picked it up herself.

"Your name is..." - Ryota mumbled.

"Karin. My name is Karin."

"So.. what do you intend to draw?"

"Hmm, maybe something that isn't real, as you imagine it, a universe of my own."

Ryota was a bit surprised, because he himself didn't dare to think of such a thing. And he couldn't think of anything fanciful.

He was about to ask another question, but the bell rang again, and Karin suddenly changed her mood and said:

"Oh, it's time. Come on, let's go to class."

***

At this time, Kiyo and Sunny went to the library to get some books.

It's just that they will have to write a thesis related to their field of study, and both are not very good at writing so they need some information to refer to.

Sunny found the one he was looking for, but it was so high that he would have to climb a ladder with a top base.

"The book I'm looking for is at the top of the seventh shelf, and I have to climb this ladder to get it. Can you hold it for me?" - He turned to Kiyo.

"Ah, alright..."

Kiyo gripped the iron thing tightly, letting Sunny climb up.

He slowly pulled out the book, then carefully climbed down. After Sunny came down, Kiyo put down the ladder.

It was a rather thick book, with a sturdy blue cover.

"It looks heavy. Can you hold it?" - Kiyo glanced at it.

"It's okay, I just took this book today."

Kiyo nodded and glanced over at the bookshelf again. Suddenly he pulled out a rather thin storybook.

The cover features a blonde princess with her hair tied in a rolling style, wearing a pink dress, and picking flowers in the forest. The title reads: "The Legend of Kyoshin: Princess Remi."

"Which country's story is this?" - Kiyo asked strangely.

"Where? Well, this story is collected from the West, but who knows what country it is from? I haven't read it but... I heard that the ending of the story is not happy either."

"Ah, are you guys talking about that legend?"

It was Junko's voice. Coincidentally, she was also writing a thesis on some epic.

"Junko!" - Sunny spoke up.

"I've read it too, but I don't want to spoil what's in it. Try reading it Kiyo." - Junko put her arms behind her, swinging her legs.

Kiyo opened it. Of course, fairy tales always have pictures and words.

He read it out loud because Sunny hadn't read it either.

"Once upon a time, in a rich land on the planet Kyoshin, there was a small kingdom ruled by a queen and a king. Both of them have been married for many years, but they have never had children. So they are very sad."

"Are they infertile?" - Sunny said strangely.

"Until one day, the queen became pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful, blonde baby girl. Both the queen and the king were very happy, everyone blessed the small family. They named their little princess Remi.

The more Remi grew up, the more beautiful and intelligent she became. She owns long hair, tied into a spiral, and a long pink dress, creating a feminine and luxurious beauty.

Remi absorbed knowledge very quickly, and she was well-versed in theories ranging from politics to literature. "

"That's a good hairstyle, maybe I should try it on?" - Junko joked.

"From politics to literature? That's so impressive." - Sunny still couldn't help but be surprised.

"For these reasons, Remi's parents are very protective of her, not even letting her go out of the palace without her parents and bodyguards by her side."

"Too strict, huh?"

"By the time Remi was 16 years old, the country was invaded by an outside force. They were so strong that even the royal army could not resist. Knowing there was no way out, the King and Queen let Remi escape with another bodyguard, and let themselves be killed.

Unaware of her parent's death, Remi tries to go out to find them, but is prevented by bodyguards. So, that night, while he was sleeping, she snuck out."

"I'm starting to feel something's wrong..." - Sunny said nervously.

"The enemy was looking for her, at that moment, she heard that her parents had passed away. Extremely frustrated, but determined not to fall into the enemy's hands, she tied a rope and hanged herself in the forest."

"Oh my god, hang herself?!" - Sunny was shocked.

"Someone discovered her body, then took her to the old castle.

Since then, the country has been annexed. And her story is still handed down later."

At that point, Kiyo closed the book and turned pale.

"Yeah, you're right... There's no good ending..."

Trying to regain his composure, Sunny curiously asked:

"Remi is clearly good at politics, but why can't she lead the fight against foreign invaders by herself and commit suicide?"

Junko sighed.

"Maybe it's because her parents were too overprotective, so Remi can only depend on them, not being able to fight back."

"So her academic efforts have gone to waste?" - Sunny raised his voice slightly.

"Perhaps this story is a reminder that children should not be overprotected, instead let them be more independent. Or a warning about learning but not applying anything in real life."

"Or maybe both." - said Kiyo, nodding.

"Probably. Anyway, time's almost up, hurry up guys."

***

These days Kanryo's flower garden is not very lush. Because there are no bees coming.

The fruit is becoming less, the sale is sluggish, and the economy is having trouble somewhere, making everything expensive.

If this situation continues, the Kanryo family's Stone Lotus flower store will go bankrupt.

Is my store on the verge of bankruptcy..? God, for many generations, since the second great-great-grandfather's time, there has never been a story about our family's career being in turmoil.

If it has to close, it will be difficult to find a stable job for the whole family.. And it will be very guilty for the ancestors if the flower-making profession of the whole family is lost..

No! I can't let this happen!

In order not to collapse his career, Kanryo has no choice but to ask for bees from Genjitsu or Mattia.

Genjitsu's bees are mainly for research, Mattia needs honey, he also wants to sell it, or try asking them? I'm a bit scared of Genjitsu...

He told himself so, but in the end he still went looking for Genjitsu.

Looking out the window, he was making a specimen of something.

"Genjitsu!" - Kanryo knocked on the door.

He didn't see anyone open the door. Knowing what he was doing, Kanryo patiently waited another five minutes.

Five minutes later, Genjitsu came out.

"What do you want?" - He asked coldly.

"Ah, well... my garden hasn't been very lush lately, because there aren't any bees. So..."

"In general, you want to ask for bees? All right, follow me." - Genjitsu interrupted.

Both wear gloves, wear full protective gear from head to toe, covering their faces.

Arriving in front of a beehive, Genjitsu stepped forward.

"Stay there." - He gently removed that nest. Bees flew everywhere, but Genjitsu was undaunted and brought it to Kanryo.

"Here you go."

"I'm a little scared... Will you follow me to my flower garden?" - Kanryo paled looking at the angry bees.

"Haiz.. Fine. Next time I won't bring it to you."

Returning to Kanryo's garden, Genjitsu hung it on a large tree, stabilized it, and then ran out.

Some bees see flowers and begin to collect delicious pollen on their own.

Both of them watched as the bees worked on the fresh flowers.

Kanryo took off his hat, then hugged Genjitsu by the neck:

"Wow, thank you! Without Genjitsu's beehive, I'd be out of business."

"What's so big deal about it..." - Genjitsu blushed. "But leave me, it's too embarrassing." - He tried to remove Kanryo.

"Not yet! I have a present for you." - Kanryo cooed.

"Flowers again?" - Genjitsu didn't look surprised.

"If it's not a flower, what else? Orange is fine, but it's not ripe..."

"Fine. If you like flowers, go for it."

Kanryo cheerfully took off his hands and went to a place to cut a few orchid branches, make a bunch, and then pack it.

"Here!" - He solemnly placed it in Genjitsu's hand.

"Thanks..." - He slowly took it.

Kanryo was delighted, turned around, and asked:

"Do you have anything else to do?"

"I'll be back now."

"Okay! Bye bye, see you later!" - Kanryo raised his hand and waved, watching Genjitsu leave the garden.

He held the bouquet to his chest, thinking about Kanryo's attitude in those past times. He's really enthusiastic, but makes Genjitsu a bit exhausting. There's even a childish look.

A person who is always cheerful and full of life like Kanryo, isn't there anything that makes him sad? Is it a natural feature, or is it a layer that hides something mysterious behind that energetic look?

Genjitsu doesn't always understand human psychology. And he also had trouble understanding others. He always wanted to do it, but his overly isolated lifestyle prevented him from doing so.

Maybe I should learn to understand and share with others, I only feel empathic to insects but not people, what the heck does that mean? Aren't humans closer to me?

I am also not easy to approach, and sometimes get angry with others. Who will help me? I'm inherently weak at empathy... Kaori is fine, at least less annoying than Junko and Angie. But I keep scaring her with my brusque nature...

While thinking like that, he soon returned to his office.