Beneath the Surface

Part 7

The late afternoon sun bathed the university campus in a golden glow, casting long shadows over the walkways and buildings. The sprawling green lawn, dotted with students lounging or rushing to their next destination, stretched out in front of Longtai. Towering trees lined the pathways, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The air carried the faint scent of freshly cut grass and the distant aroma of coffee from the campus café.

Longtai adjusted the strap of his camera bag and brought his camera up to his eye. Through the lens, the world seemed quieter, more focused. He panned slowly, capturing the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating patterns on the ground. A group of students laughing under a tree caught his attention, their joy frozen in a single frame. He moved further along, focusing on the symmetry of the architecture, the contrast between the aged brick buildings and the modern glass ones.

For Longtai, the campus was a living canvas, each corner offering a new story to capture. Behind the lens, he felt at ease, as though the outside world faded and left only him and the moment he was trying to preserve.

He crouched near the edge of the lawn, adjusting the focus to capture the intricate details of a flower bed near the library steps. Lost in his own world, he barely noticed the faint echo of approaching footsteps. It wasn't until his camera shifted to frame the pathway that a familiar figure appeared in his viewfinder.

Yok.

He was walking casually, dressed in his usual black sleeveless shirt, a slight sheen of sweat on his arms from the warmth of the afternoon. His bright smile practically glowed, standing out even more against his dark attire. He waved cheerfully to someone in the distance-only to realize it was Longtai behind the camera.

Without thinking, Longtai snapped the shutter. The click startled him, and he quickly lowered the camera, his heart racing as Yok started heading toward him.

"Longtai!" Yok called, weaving through the few students scattered around.

Longtai stood awkwardly, gripping his camera tightly. He wasn't used to people interrupting his photography-let alone someone like Yok, whose energy was both unsettling and strangely comforting.

"What are you doing out here?" Yok asked as he reached him, his smile never fading.

"I, uh..." Longtai glanced at his camera, shifting on his feet. "I was just... taking pictures. For class."

"For class, huh?" Yok leaned closer, peering at the camera in Longtai's hands. "Let me guess. One of those 'capture the essence of life' assignments?"

Longtai let out a soft, awkward laugh, unsure how to respond. "Something like that."

"Well," Yok said, straightening up, "did you get any good shots?"

"I... think so," Longtai mumbled, brushing his fingers over the camera's buttons.

Yok tilted his head, studying Longtai for a moment. "You really don't talk much, do you?"

Longtai felt his cheeks warm. "Not really."

"That's okay," Yok said with a grin. "You don't have to. Your camera does all the talking, right?"

Longtai blinked, caught off guard by the comment. "I guess you could say that."

Yok laughed, the sound light and easy. "So, did you get my good side just now, or do I have to pose for you?"

Longtai's eyes widened slightly. "I... I didn't mean to-"

"I'm kidding!" Yok said, waving a hand. "But seriously, if you're gonna take pictures of me, at least let me know so I can strike a pose. Maybe flex a little. Show off the arms, you know?"