Crystal^

"A lot has been said, and be said about art. That its goal is to make an emotional impact. That pure aesthetics matter much more than shallowness."

Our Art Studies teacher, wearing a rather classy white blouse that pleasantly contrasts with her sleek, black pants, likes to speak.

"All those people were once impressed by art, and dedicated their lives to it, whether they be right or wrong, according to the common sense of the times."

As Bigaku-sensei talks, a purple necktie trails the long of her chest. It hypnotically moves, in rhythm to her breath.

We are gathered by isles in front of easels, with canvases made out of cotton or linen. The granular paper I placed atop of my canvas serves as a basis to draw sketches, and try out material experiments.

I gave one to Kanadera-san, right by my side. Silent glances also flick by...

"Oh, by the way I notice a new head over there! How are you called?"

"My name is Tenshi Kanadera, Bigaku-sensei," answers she meekly as a model student may.

"Are you perhaps from overseas?"

"I lived in France for a time."

Bigaku-sensei nods with a beaming smile.

"Great artists hailing from France, this might be a sign of fate. Anyhow, today we will be painting according to limits. In architecture, minimalism can be said to do something similar."

"A simple shape, the triangle, will serve as the basis for drafting a more elaborated composition. Then, we will use wide arrays of colors. If you find yourselves at a loss at anytime, I will be there for you."

... Triangles again, this has to be a conspiracy. I'm gonna have to deal with the cards of fate at some point, I guess. And so I decisively and self-importantly grab the pencil.

For the next half-hour, I sketch away line upon line, trying to remember that vivid scene. Perhaps, just perhaps, my fate was just to draw the angel of death.

At the background, the back and its folds. And then, at the foreground, jumping metallic wings... Once I lose my focus, I take my eyes off the canvas.

I need relief, to refresh my perspective.

Kanadera-san seems to glance my way, and a few others might as well... I'd be curious to see what they're sketching, but the placement of isles makes it so I'm blinded.

Kanadera-san appears to be the closest canvas, so if I subtly wait for Bigaku-sensei to help a classmate...

"Taoru-kun?"

"Yes, Kanadera-san?"

"You seem oddly inspired, right now."

"It might be so. By the way, mind if we exchange looks at our canvases?"

"If you desire. But please don't expect too much from my art."

As I sit up and walks a few steps, passing by Kanadera-san, I notice something. From her perspective, it's almost like I can see a few other canvases.

The one in plain sight... looks oddly similar to mine. But well, maybe distance makes it so there are visual artifacts hampering my vision.

As for Kanadera-san, she seems to have gone the Eiffel Tower way. Perhaps she's missing France.

As the half-hour has gone by, Bigaku-sensei tells me to sit down and to conserve my own individuality, not meddling with other artworks for now. She also asks everybody to listen.

"Having seen a bit the various works of you all, some inspirations seem to pop up a bit more frequently. Art is a crossroad with many unique ways, and there aren't infinite trajectories. Hence I can understand why, given the same limitations, the same results might appear."

"I wonder, why is an angel so popular amongst you? There are at least four people that took this theme. I know it's rather spiritual, metaphysical and symbolic, but still. Is it a manga or a show that popularized it?"

... Four?! Four people including me, did an angel out of triangles. The coincidence seems a little huge. I glance at Kanadera-san, perhaps out of an instinct to share emotions with my peers.

And then, I notice an expression I've never seen on her face. It's not neutral, nor surprised. But rather, it seems... focused? Determined, even?!