“When You Sketch Me Smiling”

Bonus Episode 1: “The Sketchbook Surprise”

It had been a month since Shizuka’s return from London, and things were finally starting to feel normal again—well, as normal as it could get when two people were in love and surrounded by sketchbooks, art supplies, and music notes.

One sunny afternoon, Shizuka was at Jaiko’s house, sitting on the floor of her bedroom while Jaiko worked on a new sketch. Shizuka could see the concentration on Jaiko’s face, the way her brows furrowed as she shaded in the outline of a figure.

“What are you drawing now?” Shizuka asked, leaning over to get a better look.

Jaiko didn’t answer right away, and Shizuka’s curiosity grew. It wasn’t like Jaiko to keep her art a secret. Jaiko finally paused and looked up, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.

“It’s a surprise,” Jaiko said, her voice playful. “You’ll see soon enough.”

Shizuka raised an eyebrow. “A surprise? For me?”

Jaiko nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Yes. But you can’t peek until I’m finished.”

Shizuka pouted, but she respected Jaiko’s request. For the next half hour, she watched as Jaiko worked, the soft scratching of pencil on paper filling the quiet room.

Finally, Jaiko put down her pencil and slid the sketchbook over to Shizuka. “Okay, you can look now.”

Shizuka flipped open the page, her breath catching as she took in the drawing. It was a beautiful portrait of the two of them, sitting side by side under the cherry blossom tree. But what made this one different from all the others was the way Jaiko had drawn herself with a violin in hand, standing beside Shizuka, matching her every note.

“You’re playing with me,” Shizuka whispered, her heart swelling with emotion.

Jaiko smiled softly. “I thought it would be nice to imagine us playing together. Even if it’s just in a drawing.”

Shizuka’s eyes softened. She took Jaiko’s hand in hers, feeling the warmth of their connection. “I love it,” she said, her voice full of sincerity.

Jaiko chuckled lightly. “Good. Because I’m drawing you in everything now.”

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Bonus Episode 2: “The Rehearsal”

Shizuka was preparing for a big recital. After her trip to London, she had been invited to perform at a prestigious event in Tokyo. Jaiko had promised to come and cheer her on, but Shizuka still felt nervous.

She had practiced for hours every day, but there was always a lingering doubt—would she be able to perform perfectly? Would she mess up in front of so many people?

Jaiko noticed Shizuka’s nervousness the moment she walked into the art room. “You’re practicing too hard again, aren’t you?” Jaiko asked, leaning against the doorway.

Shizuka looked up, offering a faint smile. “Just making sure I don’t mess up.”

Jaiko walked over and sat beside her. “You’re amazing, Shizuka. You’ll do great. I’m always here to support you.”

Shizuka blinked, then laughed softly. “I know. I just get… worried.”

Jaiko reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently. “Then let me help you with your rehearsal.”

Shizuka looked at Jaiko in surprise. “What do you mean?”

Jaiko grinned and pulled her to the center of the room. “Play. Let’s rehearse, but not like it’s for a recital. Play like you’re playing for me. Just for me.”

Shizuka felt a flutter in her chest. “Okay…”

She began to play, the music filling the room as Jaiko stood beside her, watching her with the kindest, most encouraging eyes. There was no pressure. No audience. Just Jaiko and her music.

By the time Shizuka finished the piece, she was smiling. “That felt… better. Thanks, Jaiko.”

Jaiko hugged her tightly. “Anytime. You’ll do amazing tomorrow, I know it.”

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Bonus Episode 3: “The Promise”

One evening, Shizuka and Jaiko were walking home together after school, their hands casually brushing against each other as they walked. The sky was painted with the soft hues of the setting sun, and a gentle breeze rustled the trees around them.

As they neared the familiar park, Shizuka suddenly stopped, looking at Jaiko with a serious expression.

Jaiko turned to her, sensing something was on Shizuka’s mind. “What’s wrong?”

Shizuka took a deep breath, her heart racing slightly. “Jaiko… I want to make a promise.”

Jaiko raised an eyebrow. “A promise?”

Shizuka nodded. “Yeah. I know we’re both going places—your art, my music, everything. But no matter where we go, no matter what happens… I promise we’ll always find a way back to each other. No matter the distance or the time apart.”

Jaiko’s eyes softened as she stepped closer to Shizuka. “I promise the same,” she whispered. “We’ll always find each other, no matter what.”

They stood there for a moment, the promise hanging between them like an unspoken vow. Jaiko reached up and gently brushed a stray hair from Shizuka’s face.

“I love you, Shizuka,” Jaiko said, her voice soft but full of meaning.

Shizuka smiled, her heart soaring. “I love you too, Jaiko. Forever.”

As the sky darkened around them, they stood in the glow of the streetlights, the world quiet and still. Their hearts, however, were full—full of love, full of promises, and full of the future they were going to share together.

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Bonus Episode 4: “The Hidden Message”

One afternoon, Shizuka was walking along the beach with Jaiko, the sound of waves crashing in the distance. They had been spending the day together, enjoying the sunshine and the breeze.

As they walked, Shizuka spotted something strange—a bottle half-buried in the sand. Curious, she picked it up and uncorked it. Inside was a small piece of paper, folded neatly.

Jaiko peered over her shoulder, her curiosity piqued. “What is it?”

Shizuka unfolded the paper, and her eyes widened as she read the message:

“If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found my secret. A treasure lies beneath the old willow tree, where the heart first bloomed. – A Friend”

Jaiko blinked. “A treasure? In the sand?”

Shizuka laughed. “Maybe it’s just a prank. But let’s check it out!”

They made their way to the old willow tree near the edge of the beach, the one where they had first met. As they dug around the roots, their hands brushed against something hard.

Shizuka pulled out a small, ornate box. Her heart raced as she opened it. Inside was a necklace—a delicate silver pendant in the shape of a heart, with a tiny violin etched into it.

Jaiko gasped. “It’s beautiful…”

Shizuka smiled, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. “Maybe it’s a sign. A sign that our love is the real treasure.”

Jaiko laughed, hugging Shizuka close. “I think we already found the greatest treasure.”

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