"I've always been a quick study," she murmured, neither modest nor boasting. She stayed exactingly still as he fussed over her ribbon, allowing him to do what he wished and relishing in the casualness of the motion. Friends did things like this, she was sure. It made something go soft and warm in the pit of her stomach. "No. But I need to send periodic messages on my scroll. Sensei insisted." Because of you hung between them, unspoken but without blame.