Paradox

6: The Ticket

*Image of Sonya's university on the right. Well, just a part of it. :D

6: The Ticket

Sonya didn’t give her canvas one last look before placing it on Yoshifumi-sensei’s desk. Most of her classmates did. She watched some look with satisfaction; others with disdain, not having been able to manage their time; and a few others who had their own excuses for not being able to bring their plates in. She heard several asking for deadline extensions but the begging fell on deaf ears. This was the final exam after all.

Sonya thought of her painting. There was a faceless woman in her beautiful, bright kimono of wildflowers, standing under a sakura tree in full blossom. Her long, ebony hair flowed like silk with the invisible wind, almost like water in its fluidity. Her toes peeked out from under her peculiarly long kimono. Her head was tilted to the side, her right hand anchoring her cheek. And though she had no face the woman exuded great beauty but also great sorrow. And if anyone looked closely enough, they would see that Sonya had painted a thin film of grayish-white from where eyes could have been and down to her chin. The sky seemed to emphatize with the woman. The sun was there, but it was dull. It appeared to have lost its entire glow, the ominous clouds absorbing whatever glory had been present.

“You’re sad,” said Izo when Sonya passed his seat on her way back to hers. Sonya balked and looked straight at Izo. Her eyebrows met, puzzled.

“What are you talking about?”

“All right, class,” said Yoshifumi-sensei.

Sonya glanced at the professor and then hastily returned to her seat, temporarily forgetting what Izo had said.

“Your grades will be up on Monday,” Yoshifumi-sensei informed. “I’d like to congratulate everyone in advance. This school year is over.”

The whole class burst in cheers and applause. Even Sonya couldn’t resist clapping her hands. Hell week was over!

Yoshifumi-sensei gestured with his hand to make the class settle down before he spoke again.

“The exhibit,” Yoshifumi-sensei paused to make sure the room was silent.

The whole class focused their eyes on their professor. Everyone in the Fine Arts Department were, of course, looking forward this day to show off their works of art at the Grand Exhibit. Art enthusiasts would no doubt be present and be very much willing to buy off interesting artwork from the exhibit. Not only did students earn money, they also earned much needed reputation.

“The exhibit tomorrow night will be will be set-up earlier than the announced schedule. Students are then to proceed to the theater in Ensou Gakka.”

Questions were unsaid but hung in the air. Some were curious why they had to go to a different building, but Yoshifumi-sensei dismissed the hands held up in the air.

“Gyakusetsu—”

The classroom burst into a wild cheer without even allowing their professor finish his sentence, let alone finish a phrase. He shook his head with a small smile. There was no way of silencing this mad uproar.

Sonya was silent.

“Did you even hear?” asked Hideki from behind her.

Sonya remembered to breathe. She hadn’t reacted. She watched her giggling classmates. Other girls were already talking about what to wear. Sonya shrugged. As if Kenoyo was going to notice their clothes. They were also talking about what to do with their hair. But Sonya didn’t deny it to herself. She felt a little ecstatic as well.