In the laboratory, Carlo diligently mops the colorful mess off the floor, determined to fulfill his task and prove his sincerity to Professor Arthur. Nearby, Max and Arthur find respite on a nearby bench, engaged in a conversation that seems to capture Carlo's attention. Edward, true to his eccentric nature, amuses himself by striking weird poses. Arthur began to share some insights about Honey, capturing their attention.
"You know," Arthur started, leaning back comfortably, "Honey has been drawing since she was little and she's never associated with people that much. She's always had a natural talent for it."
Max, always curious, couldn't help but ask, "Why do you think she didn't interact much with people in France? Is she just shy?"
Arthur nodded, a knowing expression on his face. "It's not just shyness," he explained. "In France, she didn't have many experiences beyond her art. So, out of consideration for her future, I wanted her to come here, to Crescendo Art University, where she can be exposed to various things and grow."
Carlo, who had been diligently mopping the floor, couldn't help but be intrigued by the conversation. He paused for a moment, leaning on the mop handle, as his thoughts started to wander. There was something about Honey's story that resonated with him, sparking a strange feeling deep within.
Observing the school poster nearby, Arthur redirected the conversation. "Speaking of art, have any of you thought about participating in the school exhibition?"
Carlo, his mind still lingering on Honey, chimed in, "I didn't enter this year."
Max shrugged casually. "Not really interested in the prize. Besides, we all know the winner will be Edward anyway."
Carlo chimed in, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Yeah, if Edward wins this year, it'll be 7 years in a row. Quite the streak, isn't it?"
Edward, always one to exude confidence, struck a pose and declared, "Indeed! The prize from the school exhibition shall be mine!"
Carlo couldn't resist a playful jab. "I still can't believe a sack of rice is the grand prize."
Max chuckled, joining in the banter. "Well, we do survive on that rice, after all."
Arthur, ever the guiding presence, reminded Edward, "Don't let your confidence turn into arrogance, Edward."
Just then, Arthur's gaze fell upon Edward, who was standing there, covered in splattered paint with his clothes abandoned on the floor, striking yet another of his signature bizarre poses. A bemused smile tugged at Arthur's lips.
"What are you doing?"
Edward, unfazed by his eccentric appearance, responded to Arthur's bemusement, "Oh, just getting in touch with my artistic side, Professor!"
☘
Outside the lab, Evie takes Honey under her wing, guiding her to a nearby area where she can find some fresh clothes. Evie's nurturing nature shines through as she ensures Honey is comfortable and provided for. Honey, still with traces of paint on her face, displays a sense of quiet gratitude and curiosity as she follows Evie's lead.
As Honey slipped into the cozy sweater, Evie couldn't help but giggle and flash a warm smile. "You look amazing in black! It suits you perfectly," Evie complimented, her eyes sparkling with delight. Honey returned the smile and graciously said, "Thank you."
Evie, brimming with excitement, reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. She presented Honey with a hand-drawn map of the city, complete with various landmarks and important locations.
"Here you go, Honey! This map will be your guide to the city. It has all the best spots, like the nearest convenience store and affordable stationery shops," Evie explained, pointing out the key places. She giggled and added, "And look, this little star right here is my house! Feel free to drop by anytime!"
Honey's eyes sparkled with appreciation as she examined the intricately sketched map. "Thank you so much, Evie. I really appreciate it," she expressed her gratitude.
Just as their conversation concluded, a voice boomed from behind them, calling out, "Madison!" It was none other than Professor Baldy, Evie's pottery professor, marching toward them in his vibrant green tracksuit. In his hands, he held the ceramic bowl that had fallen victim to the curry mishap earlier.
"Madison! Madison! Madison!" Professor Baldy repeated, his voice laced with frustration. Evie's heart skipped a beat as she prepared herself for the imminent scolding. "It's not my fault the bowl turned out that way," she defended herself, her voice tinged with nervousness.
However, to Evie's surprise, Professor Baldy's expression softened as he examined the stained ceramic bowl. Holding it up, he exclaimed, "Ah, finally, you've got it! Fresh patterns with bold colors, this playfulness is what's missing from your works!"
Evie stared at him in confusion, unsure of how to respond. Baldy continued, "Did you spend a lot of time coming up with such a rich color? It complements the design perfectly!"
Evie, still perplexed, could only manage a nod and an agreement, "Uh, yes, I suppose so."
With a proud gleam in his eyes, Professor Baldy declared, " I must say, this curry mishap has unintentionally added a whole new dimension to your work! I can't wait to see your progress during the judging day."
☘
Evie sat in the bustling canteen, happily savoring her lunch - a steaming bowl of ramen noodles adorned with five plump dumplings. The aroma of the rich broth filled the air, tempting the nearby students with its delicious scent. Beside her bowl, a cup of tea provided a refreshing balance to the savory meal.
As Evie heartily enjoyed her lunch, oblivious to her surroundings, Edward and Carlo couldn't help but gaze longingly at her feast.
"I'm hungry!" Edward and Carlo blurted out, unable to resist any longer.
Their empty stomachs growled in protest, their hunger amplified by the tantalizing aroma of the food before them. With mischievous intent, they reached out towards the dumplings, their hands inching closer to the coveted prize.
But just as their fingertips grazed the dumplings, Evie's reflexes kicked in. With lightning speed, she slapped their hands away, her expression a mix of amusement and protectiveness over her precious meal. Edward and Carlo recoiled in surprise, their faces contorting with exaggerated disappointment at being thwarted.
Edward, pouting playfully, exclaimed, "Evie, you're so mean! How can you torment us like this?" Evie, still munching on a dumpling, retorted with a smirk, "Consider it payback for your little curry incident. Besides, it's not polite to steal food from others!"
Just then, Max approached their table, tray in hand, and chimed in, "I think Evie's got a point, guys. Let's settle for some tea for now." He placed three cups of steaming hot green tea in front of them and took a seat beside Edward. Evie couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness whenever Max was around. She glanced at him, her cheeks faintly flushing, but quickly averted her gaze, focusing on her bowl of ramen.
Edward, even the observant one, noticed Evie's reaction and couldn't resist teasing her. With a mischievous grin, he nudged Carlo and whispered, loud enough for Evie to hear, "Looks like someone's got a secret admirer."
Carlo stifled a laugh, casting a knowing glance at Evie. "Could it be true, Evie? Is there a secret crush hiding beneath that tough exterior?"
Evie's face turned several shades redder as she tried to hide her embarrassment. "Don't be ridiculous, Edward. It's just the noodles being too spicy!" she protested, her voice filled with a mixture of annoyance and shyness.
Max, unaware of the exchange happening around him, took a sip of his tea and joined the conversation. "What's going on, guys? Are we sharing secrets now?"
Edward and Carlo exchanged knowing glances, but decided to keep Evie's secret safe for now. With playful smiles, they shrugged and said in unison, "Just some harmless teasing. Nothing to worry about."
Evie took a sip of her tea and then turned her attention to Max, who was sitting beside Edward. With genuine curiosity, she asked, "Max, won't you be participating in the school exhibition?"
Max looked up from his cup, a perplexed expression on his face. "Huh?" he replied, momentarily caught off guard by the question.
Edward interjected, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Oh, Evie, forget about Max joining the exhibition. He's too focused on entering a prestigious architecture firm."
Max chuckled softly and took a sip of his tea. "Actually, I'm busy working on my thesis report," he explained, his tone calm and composed.
Intrigued, Evie inquired further, "Why are you writing a report now? What's it for?"
Max leaned back in his chair, setting his cup down gently. "There's a vacancy in Professor Sullivan's research class," he replied. "I have an interview coming up this weekend, and the report is due at the end of the month."
Evie nodded understandingly, her chopsticks picking at the noodles in her bowl. She silently contemplated Max's commitment to his studies.
Carlo, always eager to engage in the conversation, leaned forward and asked, "Do you want to be in Professor Sullivan's research class, Max? Is he famous or something?"
Max smiled, his eyes glinting with a hint of ambition. "Professor Sullivan is renowned in the field of architecture," he replied. "As for whether I want to be in his research class, well, I see it as an opportunity for growth."
Edward, ever the provocateur, lowered his cup and playfully remarked, "In the end, Max, it's all about a great career and chasing after women, isn't it?"
Evie's expression suddenly shifted, a mixture of annoyance and nervousness crossing her features. She silently scolded Edward for his comment, feeling a peculiar sensation flutter in her chest.
Max, unfazed by Edward's teasing, took another sip of tea and leaned forward. "I was confident about the report initially," he admitted. "But the topic I've chosen is proving to be quite challenging. I need a specific book called 'Jason McCurry's English Modern Architecture.' The trouble is, the final edition from 20 years ago is hard to find. It's frustrating, isn't it?"
As Max spoke, Evie's thoughts began to race. She saw an opportunity to impress Max, to prove her dedication and resourcefulness. Her mind raced with possibilities as she considered how she could track down the elusive book he needed for his thesis report.
☘
Honey stood on the rooftop, basking in the warm afternoon sun, as she observed the bustling activity of the students below. From her vantage point, she could see the colorful chaos that unfolded before her eyes. Amongst the crowd, her attention was drawn to Carlo, Edward, and Max, who seemed to be engaged in their own whimsical antics, captivating the attention of their fellow students. Carlo was pulling a wagon, Max was perched on top of it, and Edward, with his usual flair, spun around shirtless, his shirt creating a mesmerizing blur of hues.
Edward called out while spinning his colored-spilled shirt, "Come on, Carlo! Show us what you're made of! You can do it! Run all you want and forget about your hunger!"
Carlo, panting heavily, replied between breaths, "Running like this only makes me hungrier, you know!"
Edward, grinning mischievously, retorted, "Well, then keep running, my friend! Forget your hunger, let the wheels of progress turn!"
Max, sitting atop the wagon and enjoying the ride, chimed in, "Yeah, Carlo, keep it up! You're doing great!"
Carlo shot a playful glare at Max, his exhaustion mingling with amusement. "Easy for you to say, sitting there like a king on your throne!"
The onlookers were a mix of amusement and bewilderment, and Honey couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Amidst the commotion, Professor Arthur joined Honey on the rooftop, his presence bringing a sense of calm. With a warm smile, he remarked, "Those three guys certainly know how to create a spectacle, don't they?" Honey turned to face Arthur, her eyes sparkling with agreement. His words resonated with her, and she felt a gentle reassurance wash over her.
Arthur leaned in, offering his advice in a soft tone, "Don't rush yourself, Honey. Painting should come from the heart, at your own pace. Take your time, not just with your art, but with college and life in general. Take everything slowly." His words carried a wisdom that struck a chord within Honey. It was as if he understood something about her, something she couldn't quite put into words.
As their conversation subsided, Honey and Arthur turned their gazes skyward. They watched as fluffy white clouds painted delicate strokes across the vast canvas of blue, their imaginations taking flight. In the silence of the rooftop, a sense of tranquility enveloped them, and Honey couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of inspiration and possibility, as if the sky held secrets waiting to be discovered.
☘
As the evening descended upon the city, Evie found herself inside a dimly lit bookstore brimming with shelves stacked high with used books. Determined to find the elusive "Jason McCurry's English Modern Architecture," she meticulously scanned each section, her fingers gently gliding over the spines of countless books.
With unwavering determination, Evie moved from aisle to aisle, her eyes darting across the titles, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sought-after book. The soft glow of the bookstore's overhead lamps cast a warm ambiance, casting long shadows along the rows of shelves.
Time seemed to stretch as Evie's search persisted, minutes turning into hours. Yet, despite her persistent efforts, the book eluded her grasp. Her footsteps echoed through the quiet bookstore as she retraced her steps, her heart growing heavy with a mix of exhaustion and disappointment.
Stepping out into the cool night air, Evie reached into her bag and retrieved her trusty notebook. With a heavy sigh, she marked a cross next to the name of the bookstore she had just left, a silent acknowledgment of her fruitless search. The weight of the task at hand was starting to take its toll, but Evie refused to be discouraged.
Mounting her bike, Evie set off into the night, her determination unwavering. The street lights flickered on as she pedaled forward, her mind set on finding the book that would help Max with his thesis. Fatigue washed over her, but she pushed it aside, knowing that her mission was far from over.
With each pedal stroke, Evie's resolve grew stronger, fueled by the hope that the next bookstore she visited would hold the key to her success. The city buzzed with life around her as she embarked in the night on an adventure as she continued her search for the elusive book that would bring a smile to Max's face.