The sky was blue, empty with only the cloud trail of a passing airplane. Small birds tweet their little songs on the tall metal chain link fence that fenced around the roof of the Fukurōdani Academy. There was a soft spring breeze but it is strong enough to make Hiyori's hair swirl slightly.
Hiyori laid on her stomach nibbling on her lunch as she went through her pictures on the camera, a pen in hand and notebook out. She pushed the rest of a sausage with her tongue that she was chewing on while writing notes down. Writing down the f-stop, the white balance, the angle, even drawing down the RGB and brightness histograms, to perfect detail.
'Don't bother…'
Hiyori's hand stops in her drawing of the graph, the memories of moments ago started to come back. Hiyori shook her head to rid of the memories, going back to the graph.
'See what I mean? She's such a stuck up…'
Hiyori moved her head to the side, her face twisting in pain from the comment she overheard after she left the classroom. Hiyori slowly laid her head on her arm, staring at her notebook, her lunch getting colder. Hiyori twiddle her pen in her fingers, it wasn't like she wanted to be this way, she wanted to make friends but to her it wasn't easy, whether it was her being shy or she just wasn't approachable.
Hiyori sighed as she went into a sitting position, she knew worrying about it wasn't going to help. The sunlight made her dyed hair strip more blue green than actual green as she twirled it around with her fingers. Than something came to mind as she sat there, Kotaro Bokuto talked to her, not just after his practice but in class as well, twice! Hiyori smiled softly when he sat in front of her to get her to introduce herself and he seemed more patient that he usually does during his practice but of course during that time Hiyori thought time stopped so what seemed like hours may have only been a millisecond for the multicolored hair boy. But a horrible wave of dread came across the girl.
Did Bokuto join in their teasing of her after she left? Or did he get tired of trying to get her to talk. Hiyori sighed as she tried to eat more of her lunch except she couldn't taste any of it as the previous thought continued to cycle in her teenage mind. Hiyori couldn't even pay attention to the images on her camera screen as she scrolled through the pictures.
BAM!
The sound of the roof door slamming open made Hiyori's soul jump out of her shell of a body as she quickly hid behind a large vent. Blue-gray eyes peeked from behind the exhaust, trying to get glimpse at whoever or whatever came up to the roof top. Hiyori heard herself gasp as she watched Bokuto Kotaro trying to catch his breath, his hair disheveled and sweat running down his face, he even was missing his jacket. And through the whole thing Hiyori didn't utter a peep as she continued to stare at him, mouth agape.
Bokuto looked around the roof in a hurry, somehow missing Hiyori just off to the side, staring wide eye at him. Bokuto turned his attention back to the open door, his vice captain, Keiji Akaashi was right behind.
"Akaashi! You said you saw her come up to the roof!" Bokuto complained.
Akaashi didn't look amused as he scratched the back of his head, he sighed. "You asked where I thought I saw her run to and I told you."
Hiyori watched the two somewhat argue back and forth before Hiyori's blue-gray eyes met with Bokuto's golden eyes, his unimpressed frown turned into a broad grin, he turned on his heel to make a beeline towards her. Hiyori wondered if there was an earthquake because she was shaking like a leaf she was so nervous. Not once, not twice but now THREE times Bokuto has made an attempt to say hi to her, to have an actual conversation.
Even so, Hiyori still couldn't shake off her nervousness, and it was especially hard that she is around her crush no less! Bokuto finally reached Hiyori and sat down on her left side, taking out his own bento box and a tight sealed bag that held a large bit of bread. Bokuto looked over to Akaashi and waved at him.
"Akaashi! Hurry up get over here!" Bokuto laughed as he took a large bite out of his bread. The Great Owl as Hiyori liked to dub him looked at her and smiled. He leaned forward a bit. "So, forgetting what happened in class, you finally gonna tell me your name?"
Hiyori blushed madly as she began to fidget all over again, she looked down in her lap, her fingers twiddling, she made an attempt but all that came out was a small grunt! Hiyori at this point hated herself, how could she not just say her damn name!
Hiyori squeezed the hem of her skirt, her knuckles turning ghost white as she shifted her gaze away from Bokuto's ever piercing gold eyes. The dark hair girl opened her mouth but all that came out was a puff of air. Bokuto still watching her as Akaashi finally joined the two. Hiyori once again opened her mouth but she stated her name so low she could barely hear her, herself!
"Hi…" Finally, she got a syllable out, Hiyori frowned gently, she was just waiting for Bokuto to get fed up and leave however the two just sat there eating their lunch, waiting for her patiently, which surprised Hiyori but she tried again. "Hi…yo…"
As Hiyori progressed Bokuto continued to stare and ogle her, making her more nervous by the second it got to the point that she started to sweat, her body body trembling. Akaashi seemed to have noticed because he smacked Bokuto's face to make him look at anything else but Hiyori.
"You're doing more harm than good, Bokuto…"
Bokuto broke away from Akaashi's hold on his face to gripe at his friend, "You didn't have to hit me Akaashi!" Bokuto grumbled as he rubbed his sore cheek as the two continued to bicker, or at least Bokuto continued to bicker while Akaashi stayed silent; eating his meal.
Hiyori smiled lightly as she wonders at the two. The dark hair girl knew the two were close but they acted more like brothers than friends. Hiyori felt a twinge of jealously as she smiled gently at the two, she couldn't help but think how wonderful it must be, to find someone so unique that you can treat them like a sibling. Hiyori felt eyes on her, she looked up and saw golden eyes looking into her own blue-gray orbs. Hiyori shifts her gaze away from his own.
~!~
Through out lunch Bokuto kept a close eye on the girl next to him, she kept all to herself, looking up every so often to listen to himself and Akaashi talk about random things but even though she was silent she was very expressive. Her face would twist in shock, annoyance in a funny yet cute way and when she smiles her face brightens up but that light would soon disappear as fast as it appeared when she would catch Bokuto or Akaashi looking at her.
Akaashi attempted to get the girl to tell her name but she's tight lipped. Bokuto never met anyone as timid as she. It almost annoyed him but it intrigued him, most of the girls he met were really outspoken to the point they were down right annoying, or he met girls like his volleyball managers, more down to earth and easy to talk to. With this girl…
There was a sudden ache on his cheek made the late teen yelp in pain, his hand smacking over his now sore spot, he looked at Akaashi with teary eyes. "Akaashi! That hurt!"
"You looked weird with that unusual look on your face." Akaashi had a bored like expression as he stared at his volleyball partner.
"What? Weird?" Bokuto started a one sided arguing match with Akaashi. When Bokuto stood up he felt something fall out of his pocket, he quickly looked down to see what has tried to escape his jacket pocket only to jump at a new sound.
"Ah… my photo…"
Not only was Bokuto surprised at the soft feminine voice but so was Akaashi. The two looked at the girl just as she picked up the small photograph that not too long ago fell out of Bokuto's pocket. The golden eye boy stood in shock almost not believing his own two ears. Not only did she speak but he also found out she is in fact the owner of that snapshot and in turn figured out she was the mysterious Phantom that everyone can't help but talk about whenever a new spots letter comes out.
Bokuto's mouth widen in surprise, he was visibly shaking. Akaashi arched an eyebrow. The girl started to shake herself as she realized what she did. Bokuto pointed at the girl just as she looked like she was about to retreat.
"Quick! Just say your name!" Bokuto's voice made the girl jump as she opened her mouth.
"H…ori…Mi…shi…" The girl whispered, her name was barely audible.
Bokuto gasped and gave her the thumbs up. "Hori Mishi is your name, huh?" Bokuto laughed lightly, "That is a weird name!"
The girl gasped and shook her head in protest.
"You're being rude, Bokuto." Akaashi chided the owl boy.
"But we got to hear your voice… a little." Bokuto ignored his underclassman as he stared at the girl with a wide smile but it vanished when the girl looked at back at the both of them with a wistful look in her eyes.
She quickly gathered her belongings and headed off towards the exist, her sudden movements made Bokuto scramble to his feet to follow after her. "Wait Mishi! Did I say something…"
The dark hair girl turned and shook her head vigorously. "My name is… Hiyori Miyoshi…" Even though it came out a whisper, Bokuto was able to hear her this time… clearly. Hiyori looked at Bokuto in the eyes. "I'm not… not good around people… excuse me…" Hiyori's eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she opened the door to leave, only to have a hand stop the door midway just as she could go under the threshold.
Bokuto ignored the terrified look on Hiyori's face when he stopped the door, she even started to tremble under his gaze, like she was waiting for him to yell at her for being rude but the opposite happened.
Bokuto smiled gently as he stared down at Hiyori.
"Finally got to hear your voice." Bokuto had a nice toothy grin slapped on his face, his reaction was completely different from what Hiyori imagined that her eyes darted away from his own.
"Excuse me." Hiyori said gently as she slipped in between the door and its frame, finally making her escape.
Bokuto blinked as he watched the girl make her getaway, then he spun his top body and gave Akaashi the thumbs up.
"Why are you investing so much into her Bokuto?" Akaashi has all his belongings picked up and his trash in a small plastic bag as he made his way over towards Bokuto.
Bokuto's mind flashed back to the classroom, Hiyori sitting in front of him with drooped, shaken shoulders, he noticed she was clenching her fists so hard her knuckles turned white. Bokuto didn't want to imagine what kind of expression she had on her face but it certainly was one he was going to make sure she would never have again. The multi-colored hair boy looked towards his teammate, his voice clear.
"She looked like she needed a friend…"
Akaashi looked surprise at Bokuto's honest answer soon that shock turned into a gentle smile, "Come on… class will be starting up again." The dark hair boy smacked the back of Bokuto's head, causing the teen to hiss in anger before gathering his possessions.
~!~
The final bell toll for the end of the day, several students stayed behind to clean up the classrooms while other left to head to their respective clubs. Sport club members all rushed to the lockers to change into their sweat clothes, while their managers rushed to get their regiment ready for the evening. Different kinds of Art Club students also went to their respective rooms or club houses.
And Hiyori, being part of the photography club, went towards a medium size shed near the green house. She gently took hold of the knob however before she could open there was a loud crash in side the building.
Hiyori gasped as she whipped the door open to see a middle age man with a small scruff of a beard on the ground with a bunch of over his body, along with several camera equipment and a bunch of camera negative containers.
"Mr. Yamazaki?!" Hiyori ran over to her photography club advisor, she started to help him up and than clean up.
"Hello Miyoshi, sorry about that, I was pulling some books from the shelf to look at some photos and didn't realize there was stuff on top of them." Mr. Yamazaki chuckled as he straightens out his polo shirt.
Hiyori smiles gently, "How was your day today?" Hiyori sounded quite but she was speaking clearly, much more than she did with Bokuto but that was because Mr. Yamazaki first introduced Hiyori into photography as a way to express herself and through out the three short years she was able to open more up to the man.
"It was decent, got that photobook you wanted to see from my time in America." Mr. Yamazaki passed a scrapbook towards Hiyori's eager hands.
"Thank you." She smiles gently as she starts looking through the book. The photos varied from sporting events to beautiful sceneries, Hiyori giggled, "This is a cute picture of a puppy."
Mr. Yamazaki chuckled when he looked over Hiyori's shoulder. "Yeah, a couple was walking their pup and I asked if I could snap a picture." Suddenly the teacher gasped he turned his back on Hiyori and went to his messy desk. "By the way…" Yamazaki started to flip paper after paper, searching for something in his unorganized desk, until he found it. "Ah ha!"
Hiyori looked over as Mr. Yamazaki held out the piece of parchment which made Hiyori gasp. "This is…"
"Your permission slip to attend any sporting event to take photos, all the coaches signed them, you should be able to get to each one on your bike or by train." Mr. Yamazaki had a gentle smile on his face as Hiyori clutched the piece of paper to her chest.
"Thank you…" A big gentle smile graced her lips as she stared down at the sheet of paper.
"No reason to thank me… you have talent Miyoshi; I am gonna help you develop this gift as best I can." Mr. Yamazaki smiles gently.
Suddenly there was a small knock on the door, the two turned and another middle age man walked in with a smile. "Ready to go Sena?"
"Ah, one moment, I will meet you out front." Mr. Yamazaki seemed to beam when the gentleman appeared. "I have to leave early today, so make sure to lock up when you are finished."
Hiyori nodded as she waved goodbye to her teacher and to his friend. Once the twosome left Hiyori went back to the book and continued to rummage through, eyeing every photo, taking in all the details but it didn't last long as her attention went back to the sheet of paper on the table. Hiyori picked up the parchment and scanned the black font.
'03/24/2016
Ms. Hiyori Miyoshi
I am pleased to inform, 3rd year Class 1 Hiyori Miyoshi, she has permission from Principle Seiji Saki and Vice Principle Mimori Kannon including signatures from the coaches of the Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball…'
Hiyori skimmed through the list of the sports Fukurōdani had to offer, she had her choice of which sporting events she could go to take pictures and she couldn't be more excited. She pulled another piece of paper that was behind the notice. It was a schedule of the sporting events, including practices and training weeks. Hiyori couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips.
After her little excitement fit Hiyori looked at the schedule with a more careful eye, judging which games she would be able to go. The dark hair girl picked up a highlighter and began to circle dates.
"Exams…" Hiyori than took a blue pen and began to make star shapes on certain dates. "Baseball… Basketball…" With each sport Hiyori did a different kind of shape to help distinguish between each activity. The ones that were doubled booked she would just decide which one to go to.
Once she was done organizing the file, Hiyori looked it over once again to make sure she didn't miss anything. With a nod of approval Hiyori looked at the first even she was going to participate in taking pictures.
"Fukurōdani Academy vs Aobajōsai High, basketball game." Hiyori almost couldn't wait to see what kind of photo she would be able to take. Thankfully for Hiyori it was a home game but for the away games she would have to figure out how to get to the ones she wanted to go to but right now, she was more excited to just be able to have this opport...
WHAM!
Hiyori nearly jumped out of her skin when something slammed against the door to the small shed. She gingerly walked over and opened the door slowly, once she was able to peek out she looked down to see a volleyball rolling slightly away. She blinked slowly before looking up.
"Oya?!" To her surprise and horror, the silver and black hair of Bokuto Kotaro was heading straight towards her, it was than she realized that the photography building (shed) was in close proximity of the gym where the volleyball team practiced.
Hiyori squeaked before trying to slam the door shut, however…
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Hiyori wasn't fast enough as Bokuto caught the door handle easily and swung it open, nearly causing the teenage girl to fall into his chest.
"I always wondered what this building was, so this is the photography club?" Bokuto stared down at the girl with a knowing smile. "So you're The Phantom, huh?"
All Hiyori at that moment could do was stare into those intense golden eyes and in her mind she wanted to run but in her heart of heart… she really wanted to take a photo of his powerful gaze.
~!~
Yay, finally came out with Chapter two!
Thank you for being so patient with me! I am trying to figure out exactly where I want this story to go and thankfully it's slowly coming together, already have a few things in mind during some of the games Hiyori has permission to go to, so now the question is… with this help Hiyori break out of her shyness? Hopefully! Haha!
Thank you again for reading "Worth a Thousand Words" and I will see you ya'll next time! :D
And for those who are reading my Kuroko's Basketball "That's the way the Cookie Crumbles." Fear not! The new chapter will be coming up soon, just re-reading and adding a few more things! Just wait a little longer! :3