Chapter Text
Mayumi stood by the doorway, and watched the line of students file in. A dozen or so haniwa idols entered, and took their places by the rows of tables that had been set up around the room.
Mayumi was a bit surprised by the lack of human spirits. Keiki had planned this lesson for them.
For the past two weeks, Keiki had planned out a class on clay sculpting. She wanted to spread her creative skills around the spirit garden, and maybe even further. Of course, nobody would get anywhere close to the goddess' abilities, but they could try.
The haniwa all stared at Mayumi with their hollow eyes. She was completely unbothered by it. “Is that everyone?” Mayumi asked.
A voice came from outside the room. “No, not everyone.”
Mayumi recognized the voice, and let out a groan.
Chiyari walked into the doorway and stopped there. She peaked her head into the room, and stared at the rows of haniwa. The youkai was quaking.
Oh right, she's afraid of them, Mayumi thought. “Are you here for the class?”
Chiyari nodded.
“Then go wait by the tables.” Mayumi pointed to the closest table.
Chiyari gulped. After a moment of hesitation, she walked over to the table with the fewest haniwa by it. The youkai stood by a table with a pair of haniwa by it.
For whatever reason, one of the haniwa moved to another table, leaving Chiyari alone with a single clay idol. The idol was easily as tall as the youkai herself, and silently stared at their new neighbor with two empty holes.
Chiyari gave the haniwa a forced smile.
Why does she want to take a clay modeling class? Mayumi felt a bit uneasy, but she'd run into Chiyari enough times to know the youkai was largely harmless.
Without any further delay, Keiki walked into the room. “Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the class!”
The haniwa did a sort of wiggling motion in response. They waved their arms around for a moment. Chiyari watched the haniwa with wide eyes.
“Now Mayumi, would you please give them their art supplies?” Keiki asked.
Mayumi nodded. “Of course, Lady Keiki.”
Mayumi retrieved a box filled with clay and sculpting tools. She walked from table to table, giving every student a lump of clay and a set of tools.
Mayumi gave Chiyari her supplies. “Don't cut yourself.”
Chiyari inspected the items in front of her. She clearly had no idea what she was doing. She picked up a little chisel and held it with the blade pointed downwards.
“It's easier the other way around,” Mayumi said.
Chiyari flipped the chisel so that it pointed upwards.
Once Mayumi had finished, she returned to Keiki.
“Isn't it nice to see Chiyari again?” Keiki whispered.
“I didn't know she had a creative side,” Mayumi replied.
“It's never too late to develop one.”
“The humans could stand to learn that.”
“At least the haniwa are interested.”
Mayumi didn't want to ponder the implications of haniwa learning to sculpt clay. She buried any thoughts she had on the subject.
Keiki stepped forward. “Before we begin, does anyone have any questions?”
The haniwa all remained silent and motionless. Chiyari raised her hand.
“Yes, Chiyari?” Keiki asked.
“There's going to be food, right?” Chiyari asked.
Mayumi frowned. There it is.
“Sorry, but I decided not to put out any snacks after we only had haniwa sign up,” Keiki answered.
Chiyari lowered her hand. “Oh.”
“Is that all?”
The room remained silent.
Keiki pulled out her own set of sculpting tools. “Then let's begin.”