I am the Entertainment Tycoon

Chapter 686: A Canvas of Memories

 n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

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."

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.

Ayia, on the other hand, let her brush glide across the canvas with fluidity and grace. She loved the way the colors mixed and mingled, and she was particularly fond of creating scenes from nature. Her strokes were softer, more whimsical, yet they carried an undercurrent of precision - a reflection of her upbringing in a family that appreciated both the beauty and the discipline of art.

As the minutes ticked by, the canvases began to take shape. Theo's initial sketch on his canvas turned into an arched wooden bridge spanning a crystal-clear river, with sakura trees lining the banks, their pink petals fluttering down like snow. Behind the trees, he added the outlines of distant mountains, their peaks capped with lush forests.

Ayia, meanwhile, was creating a vibrant underwater scene. She painted the blues and greens of the ocean, filling the scene with playful sea creatures-dolphins, turtles, schools of colorful fish, and even a few mythical creatures that could only exist in the imagination. In the center, she depicted a group of friends swimming together, their expressions full of joy and wonder.

Before they knew it, the club member called out that it was time to switch canvases. Theo and Ayia exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and nervousness flashing in their eyes. They stepped over to each other's easels, taking in the progress made so far.

"Wow, this is incredible," Theo said, admiring the lively underwater scene Ayia had painted.

"I love what you've done with the bridge and the mountains," Ayia replied, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

They picked up their brushes again, this time adding their own touches to the other's work. Theo began adding more details to the underwater scene, painting delicate coral reefs and seaweed swaying gently in the current. He added a subtle glow to the sea creatures, giving them an ethereal, almost magical quality.

Ayia, on the other hand, added more elements to the landscape Theo had started. She painted vibrant patches of wildflowers along the riverbank, their colors popping against the soft greens of the grass. Then, in the distance on one of the mountains, she added a tiny house, almost hidden among the trees. It was a personal touch-a reminder of Theo's own home nestled in the mountains, a place that had become special to both of them.

The process of switching and adding to each other's work continued, the canvases evolving with each exchange. Theo and Ayia found themselves completely absorbed in the experience, their usual reserved nature giving way to a shared sense of playfulness and collaboration. The more they painted, the more their individual styles seemed to harmonize, as if they were creating a visual dialogue that spoke of their memories and experiences together. Eventually, as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the lake, they both stepped back from the canvases, their brushes finally still. The paintings were

complete.

On one canvas, the arched wooden bridge now stood proudly over the river, its wooden planks worn but sturdy. The sakura trees were in full bloom, their branches heavy with blossoms, some of which floated gently on the water's surface. In the distance, the mountains loomed majestically, with the tiny house nestled among the trees-a peaceful, secluded retreat from the world.

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.