Chapter 686: A Canvas of Memories

Chapter 686: A Canvas of Memories



The day shone with a somewhat cold sun typical of the winter season, but the sun still gave signs of warmth as it showered the school grounds with its shining light. The second day of the festival was already proving to be as vibrant and lively as the first, with students and visitors alike enjoying the myriad of attractions scattered throughout the school grounds. Among these attractions, the Art 101 Club had set up a serene, picturesque area on the shore of the campus lake-a place where creativity flowed as freely as the water itself.

The Art 101 Club's setup was a feast for the senses. The soft rustling of leaves from nearby trees combined with the gentle lapping of the lake's water created a calming atmosphere, perfect for artistic inspiration. The club had transformed the area into an outdoor gallery and studio, with various stations offering different experiences: an art gallery displaying student works, live sketches by talented artists, and the most popular of them all, the shared painting experience.

It wasn't a surprise that this club was figuring among the top 10 clubs in day one rankings. After talking with each other, the group of friends decided to divide themselves and go to different attractions, the couple had decided to spend some time alone, so that's why Theo and Ayia arrived at the lakeside attraction hand in hand, their eyes gleaming with curiosity and excitement. They had heard about the shared painting experience from some friends and decided it would be a fun and unique way to spend part of their day together. Theo had never considered his artistic skills as anything more than tools for his work in manga creation, while Ayia, who had grown up in a family that appreciated the arts, had a deep-seated love for creativity. Although they had different perspectives on art, they were both eager to see how their styles would blend on a canvas.

"Welcome! Are you two here for the shared painting experience?" a cheerful member of the Art 101 Club asked as they approached.

"Yeah, we'd love to give it a try," Ayia replied with a smile.

"Great! Follow me, and I'll get you set up."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The club member led them to a pair of easels set up on a small platform overlooking the lake. Each easel held a blank canvas, waiting to be transformed by their imaginations. A variety of paints, brushes, and other tools were neatly arranged on a table beside them.

"The rules are simple," the club member explained. "You'll both start painting on your canvases for a set amount of time. When the time's up, you'll switch canvases and continue painting on the other's work. You'll keep switching until the time is up or until you both feel your paintings are complete. There's no pressure-just have fun and let your creativity flow!" Theo and Ayia exchanged excited glances as they took their places in front of the canvases. Theo felt a slight twinge of uncertainty-he had never painted purely for enjoyment before. But seeing Ayia's bright expression, he pushed aside his doubts. This was an opportunity to create something together, to merge their individual styles into a shared masterpiece. "Ready?" Ayia asked, holding her brush up like a sword at the start of a duel.

Theo grinned, picking up his own brush. "Ready."

With that, they dipped their brushes into the paint and began. For the first few minutes, there was no sound between them except the gentle swish of brushes against the canvas and the occasional chirping of birds nearby. Theo started by sketching out the framework of a scene, his strokes confident and precise. Despite being new to painting, his experience with drawing manga gave him a steady hand and a clear vision.

On the other canvas, the underwater scene was a burst of color and life. The friends at the center of the painting were surrounded by a vibrant array of sea creatures, from the smallest fish to the most fantastical beings. The water seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light, casting a magical glow over the entire scene. It was a place of wonder, a hidden world beneath the waves where anything was possible.

Theo and Ayia stood side by side, gazing at their finished work. There was a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that they had created something together-something that represented not just their artistic abilities, but also the bond they shared.

"These are... amazing," Theo said softly, his voice filled with awe. "I never thought I'd enjoy painting this much."

"Me neither," Ayia replied with a smile, her eyes shining with happiness. "But it was fun. And I think these paintings... they really capture us."

Theo nodded, his gaze lingering on the tiny house in the distance of the landscape painting. "Yeah... they do."

As they stood there, taking in the beauty of their work, the club member who had introduced them to the activity approached, a smile on their face.

"Those are some of the most beautiful paintings I've seen all day," they said warmly. "You

two make a great team."

"Thank you," Ayia replied, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Theo just smiled, his heart swelling with a quiet pride. He reached out and took Ayia's hand, squeezing it gently. It was a simple gesture, but at that moment, it spoke volumes.

Together, they had created something beautiful-a reflection of their shared memories, their individual talents, and the deep connection that bound them. And as they walked away from the easels, leaving the paintings to be displayed among the others in the gallery, they knew that this experience was one they would cherish for a long time to come.