The "Lovable" Type| OHSHC x OC

But In Time, It Grows

Amei wasn't hosting today; instead, she was putting the final touches on the Ouran painting.

She looked so at peace sitting at Kyoya's empty table, her movements calm and deliberate. A few curious guests found themselves glancing her way more than once.

"Hinode-senpai looks so serene when she paints," one whispered. "It's like there's a soft light around her."

And it was true—she seemed lighter somehow, quietly humming under her breath as she worked.

Kyoya returned from greeting guests at the door and guiding them to their chosen hosts. He paused, curiosity tugging at him as he approached her table, his gaze flicking over her work.

"How's it coming along?" he asked, settling into his seat and sparing her a glance before turning to his laptop.

Amei bit her lip, her focus narrowing as she carefully finished an intricate spot. Only then did she respond, "I'm just about done... just applying the matte varnish."

Without looking up, Kyoya resumed typing. "And for those of us who aren't painters, what exactly does that mean?"

She tapped the end of her paintbrush gently against the jar, a faint tink filling the space. "Well, you at least know that when you make a painting, there's a final layer over the paint, right?"

Kyoya's gaze flickered from his laptop back to her, watching as Amei leaned slightly forward, her brows furrowed in concentration. The light from the nearby window caught the faint sheen of the painting's surface, though her current strokes seemed to dull the shine.

"Correct," he affirmed, his curiosity evident as he prompted her to continue.

Amei nodded, setting the brush down carefully before looking at him with a small, proud smile. "Think of varnish as a sealant—it protects the paint underneath from dust, sunlight, and time itself. But there are different types, depending on what kind of finish you want. Gloss, semi-gloss, matte...Which is what I'm using."

Kyoya tilted his head, his expression skeptical yet intrigued. "And you're applying matte because...?"

"Because," Amei began, tapping a finger lightly against the jar she held, "matte varnish removes the glare you get with gloss finishes. It softens everything and gives the painting a calm, even look—which works better for this piece." She gestured subtly toward the artwork in front of her.

Kyoya glanced at it—a detailed composition of soft, muted colors. He hummed in understanding. "And semi-gloss or gloss wouldn't achieve that effect?"

"Not exactly." Amei reached for the brush again, dipping it into the matte varnish with a practiced motion. "Gloss varnish has its benefits, like making colors appear more vibrant and rich. It's perfect for certain styles, like modern abstracts or very bold, bright pieces. Semi-gloss falls somewhere in between—not too shiny, not too flat." She glanced at him briefly, eyes alight as she continued, "But matte... it lets the details speak without distraction. It suits this painting's mood."

"Practical and aesthetic," Kyoya observed, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "It sounds as though you've planned every layer of this carefully."

"I have to," she replied simply, sweeping a light stroke of the varnish across the canvas. "Matte varnish, for example, doesn't go on quite like gloss. You have to apply it in thin, even layers—no heavy-handed brushing—or it can turn cloudy."

"Cloudy?"

"Mm-hm. Too much varnish in one spot creates a foggy effect when it dries. It ruins the finish." Amei tilted her head slightly to inspect her work, then nodded in satisfaction before looking back at Kyoya. "So you work patiently, one section at a time. Slow, steady, and clean."