A/N: Hello again for the fourth day in a row! For those of you in America, just wanna wish y'all a Happy 4th of July as a fellow Canadian! Have fun, stay safe and eat plenty of bbq or whatever y'all do down in the south.
New chapter - meaning new steps for Ren and Ann's relationship! The prompt for the 4th day of Shuann week focuses on the traditional beach episode! So get your swim trunks and sunscreen out for some beach fun. And thanks to all who have been silently reading and reviewing - it means a lot! Hope y'all have another blessed day!
"CAPTURED MEMORIES"
[a Shuann Week series]
PART 4: In Light of Our Feelings
PROMPT OF THE DAY: Beach / Ocean
- Chapter Summary -
"Ann invites Ren over to the beach for Shiho's birthday.
The two share an intimate moment together as their feelings progress."
Ann Takamaki
[ Surprise! You're invited! ]
Ren Amamiya
[ What ]
Ann Takamaki
[ To Shiho's birthday! Bring your swim trunks.. And your camera! ]
Ann Takamaki
[ Ooooh and bring your weird roommate too! ]
Ren laid upon his bed late at night, with the dim light of his phone being the only source of brightness in his room. It had been an hour after he left from Cafe Leblanc. Ren was just about to call it a day and go to sleep before he was messaged by Ann.
Ren Amamiya
[ Uhm.. I'll think about it..]
Ann Takamaki
[ Oh come on! My friends have been wanting to meet you.. ]
Ren Amamiya
[ Really? ]
Ren Amamiya
[ Wouldn't it be kinda weird? I barely know anyone.. ]
Ann Takamaki
[ Please come? I really want you there.. ]
Ren sighed. It was barely a couple hours since Ann made it clear of her intentions with him back at Cafe Leblanc. And yet she was still being clingy and sweet with her words. Ren couldn't blame her, as he learned to understand that Ann's behavior was how she naturally acted. Initially, Ren wanted to decline, but deep down, his heart still wanted to maintain the friendship they had.
Ren Amamiya
[Fine.. I'll go. ]
Ren Amamiya
[ I can't promise that Yusuke will come tho.. ]
Ann Takamaki
[ Yaaay! See u then ;) ]
Turning off his notifications, Ren threw his phone over by his feet and groaned at his predicament. Why was being just friends so hard for Ren? He had to accept the fact it was his mistake for truly falling hard for Ann in such a short span of time. But could he fully blame himself?
That kiss.. It was all because of that damn kiss in the rain..
Ren took a pillow and smushed it against his face. He continued reflecting the moment in his mind – the day he had saved Ann from drowning in Inokashira Park and leading all the way up to their kiss outside her apartment complex. Ren had felt a spark between them - and he definitely believed Ann felt something as well.
Yet – her heart was still mending from the break-up with her ex. The only details Ren knew came from what Sojiro disclosed to him at Cafe Leblanc. Yet, Ren couldn't be selfish. Ann truly expressed her joy in spending time with him. And he wanted to continue being with Ann as well. Ren wanted to show her how dependable and trustworthy he could be – something that her ex-boyfriend couldn't offer her at the time.
Even if it still meant he would be stuck in the friend-zone.
Maybe a nice day at the beach will help me move on..
…
"Sure, I will join you on your escapade to the beach." Yusuke declared, much to Ren's surprise.
"Uhh.. But you don't even know who Ann is.. Let alone any of her friends." Ren reminded his roommate.
"Truly.. But as an artist, I must be open to new experiences. Otherwise, I will run out of ideas that will inspire me to paint." Yusuke explained. He immediately began compiling a list in his head on what art supplies he should bring to the beach. "Surely there'll be water at the environment we'll commute to. Which means I must bring all my water-proof paints. And all my sketchbooks!"
"Okay.. But we gotta leave soon. The train ride is a couple hours long and I don't want us to be late to Ann's friend's birthday." Ren stated. He began to leave Yusuke's paint room with a dumbfounded look. He hadn't expected Yusuke to be so willing to join an outing with people he barely even knew. His thoughts were quickly interrupted when Yusuke called out to him from his paint room.
"Ann? You mean.. Takamaki-san?" Yusuke raised an eyebrow with an intrigued look. "I hadn't known that you've be on a first-name basis with her. You only met with her just a couple weeks, am I correct?"
"Yeah.. Why are you acting all surprised?" Ren asked, noting Yusuke's interest.
"To be honest, Amamiya-san, I hadn't expected much on your pursuit with Takamaki-san." Yusuke expressed. "But I've noticed the immediate interest you've had for her since you first went out on your photoshoot at Inokashira Park. You've even put a lot of focus on ensuring her pictures stand out on your website. In my opinion, they're probably the most popular ones people look at."
"Huh.. You look at my website?"
"Yes.. I'm on it right now." Yusuke took out his phone and showed Ren's photography website on his screen. It was stylized as a simple grid-like format, with some pictures varying in different sizes. Most of Ann's photos – consisting of the park and their day of baking sweets - were formatted to appear larger compared to the rest and contained the highest views. One could have easily mistaken the website to be fully focused on Ann Takamaki. "I must say, Amamiya-san, Ann definitely has great features as a model. And you somehow are able to exemplify her beauty through your lenses. Great work, indeed."
"Thanks.. But to be honest – Ann is already beautiful by herself. I barely had to touch up on those photos." Ren admitted
"I see.. Do you mind if I ask her to model for a nude painting I have in mind?"
"WHAT- Yusuke!? No-I mean, yes I would mind... That's… just weird." Ren found himself turning red at just the thought of imagining Ann naked. "Please.. Just get your stuff and let's get out of here before I change my mind.."
"As you insist." Yusuke complied. He began to shuffle around his room and collected the appropriate painting equipment. "Amamiya-san.. I only ask because I am curious with your intentions towards Takamaki-san.. Do you possibly have a romantic expectation towards her?"
"Uggh… N-Not anymore…" Ren stuttered. He leaned against Yusuke's doorway and sighed, whilst scratching the back of his head as he remembered his conversation with her back at Cafe Leblanc. "Her heart is still figuring out a couple things.. And Ann made it very clear that she was still moving on from her previous boyfriend. I gotta respect that, you know?"
"I understand.. But just by the given photos you posted, you've already spent a significant time with Takamaki-san already. Without context – I easily would have mistaken you two to be a couple already." Yusuke commented.
"As much as I'd love that.. It's complicated right now." Ren replied. "Not to mention how deep I've dug myself into the friend-zone."
"No worries – Amamiya-san.. The heart will always find a way." Yusuke encouraged.
"Heheh, thanks Yusuke. Come on.. We're gonna be late if we don't get moving." Ren smiled back to his roommate, feeling a little better by Yusuke's comment. It was nice for Ren to let out his feelings to someone he was beginning to grow close with beyond their roommate situation. Who would have thought that a simple conversation about Ann Takamaki led to both men bonding for a moment.
Regardless.. It doesn't change the fact that I'm stuck in the friend-zone.. Oh well..
…
Ren and Yusuke took a couple hours to commute all the way from Tokyo to a popular beach site outside of the city. The duo arrived around lunchtime as the beach began to blossom with activity. Ren guided them over to a large, white canopy where Ann and her friends had set up near the beach volleyball court. Ann's group hung around the area with a large table organized with various foods, snacks and the sweets she and Ren made. Different-coloured balloons were decorated around to signify Shiho's birthday.
"There you are, shutter boy! Glad you could make it!" Ann called out to Ren as she waved them over. "Hurry up! I want you to meet everyone."
"My goodness.. Her beauty is more extravagant in person." Yusuke whispered. "I know I praised your efforts earlier, Amamiya-san, but your pictures just don't do justice to capture her alluring appearance in real life."
"Uhm.. Thanks, Yusuke." Ren replied. He kept his eyes focused forward on Ann as she conversed with her friends. What made her stand out was her current bikini attire, giving Ren a complete glimpse of Ann's body. "Dang… I know she's a model and all. But she looks.. really good."
"Amamiya-san, is something wrong?" Yusuke asked. "I know it's hot out here on the beach, but you're already sweating profusely."
"Just shut up, Yusuke!" Ren silently barked at him as they arrived under the canopy. He turned over to Ann and greeted her with a smile. "Hey, Ann. Thanks for the invite again."
"No problem!" Ann smiled back at him, holding a cake pop in each of her hands. She handed one to Ren, who happily took it. "I mean.. you did help me out with these amazing sweets, so I figured it'd be courteous enough to invite you and your roommate."
"Ohhh, so you're the pretty photographer boy she keeps bringing up." a blonde boy peeked from behind Ann's back. "Heheh.. Never thought you were into the shaggy-haired type."
"Shut it, Ryuji! We're just friends, okay?" Ann hollered back at him.
"Geez! I was kidding! Chill out!" Ryuji stepped around Ann cautiously as she growled at him. He made his way over to Ren and shook his hands. "Hey dude! I'm Ryuji Sakamoto! You're Ren Amamiya, right? I've been a friend of Takamaki-san since we were in middle school. Surprised that you've managed to endure her temper tantrums the times you've hung out with her."
"I swear Ryuji, I'm gonna stuff your mouth with cake pops until you suffocate." Ann said annoyingly.
"Anyway.. I've seen your website! You take some pretty good shots dude!" Ryuji complimented. "Although, I don't know much about photography, so maybe my critique doesn't really matter much, eheh."
"It actually means a lot to me, Sakamoto-san. Thank you." Ren assured.
"Oooooh! You're the photo wizard I've been hearing about!" a girl with a bubbly-toned voice joined their conversation, accompanied with her brown-haired friend. "Hi! My name us Haru Okumaru. And this is Makoto Niijima."
"Pleasure to meet you, Amamiya-san." Makoto greeted him. "Must I say, I've seen your works online and they are one of the finest ones I've seen regarding your field. You must be a natural expert in establishing such magnificent shots."
"Heheh, thanks.. How do you all know about my photography website anyway?" Ren asked with a curious look.
"Takamaki-san told us about it! She always brings you up whenever us girls hang out!" Haru exclaimed. "Ooooh, Amamiya-san, knowing how such a good photographer you are, I was wondering if I could commission you for some photos that I could hang around my branch of coffee shops?"
"A commission? Uhm… S-Sure!" Ren replied with disbelief. It had been the first time that someone had approached him for a project.
"I was wondering if you could also take some photographs for an event I am helping to organize as well, Amamiya-san?" Makoto jumped in on the opportunity. "I recently started working at the police station with my older sister in Tokyo and our department is holding a family barbeque for everyone. It'd be nice for you to take a couple pictures of the event for memorabilia?"
"Y-Yeah! That'd be cool to do." Ren responded excitedly once more. As if he obtained not one, but two big projects to work on. This was the best luck Ren had gotten since he started his career as a freelance photographer. These opportunities meant more work for himself and exposure for his independent website.
"Awww… Seems like your boyfriend has easily integrated himself into our group already, Takamaki-san." Shiho gently elbowed Ann as they both observed their friends from the table of food.
"S-Shiho! Shut it! He's not my boyfriend.." Ann defended herself.
"Really, Ann? You've known the guy for only a short while and yet you've hung out with him so much already. You can't lie about that, I've seen the pictures on his website!" Shiho teased. "Besides, why would you invite him over to my birthday just to meet our friends?"
"Well.. I knew that Haru and Makoto were looking for photographers, so I thought it'd benefit everyone if he came and met our friends." Ann explained.
"Ohh.. so you must really like him to help out his business then!" Shiho giggled, much to Ann's annoyance as she rolled her eyes. "Well, I should say hi! If it wasn't for Amamiya-san anyway, you probably would have burned all these delicious sweets by yourself."
"Huh? I-I mean.. yeah, you're probably right about that.." Ann said in a defeated manner.
Shiho joined with their other friends as she introduced herself to Ren, who greeted her happy birthday. As Ann observed from the sweets table, she smiled at the view of Ren easily connecting with her friends as he also introduced Yusuke to them as well. Throughout the entire day, the group bonded as they celebrated Shiho's birthday on the beach, sharing their stories about their life and family, playing a couple exhilarating games of beach volleyball and devouring on the food and sweets. All throughout the events, Ann kept her eyes on Ren as he happily conversed with her friends.
He's so open with everyone.. And speaks with such kindness to them.. Ann pondered. It was then she began comparing Ren to her previous ex-boyfriend and noted the vast differences between the two: Her ex-boyfriend was always so full of himself and demanded lots of attention from others and expected Ann to always follow his guidelines. Whereas, Ren was naturally charming and seemed to put others above himself – always willing to listen and lend a helping hand when he wasn't busy with his photography.
It's too good to be true.. Ren can't be this perfect.. Can he?
…
Sunset began to envelope the beach as the ocean waves calmed down on the shores. Ren took a moment to step away from the group as he stood at the edge of the waters, allowing his feet to be soaked as the small tides washed up on land. This calm setting was perfect to capture with his camera as he took photos of the serene environment.
Today has been a beautiful day.. Ren reflected as he snapped away on his camera. Initially, he'd thought that Yusuke and him would feel awkward among Ann's group of friends, but they all managed to welcome them with open arms. Ren had also managed to capture the fun moments they shared during Shiho's birthday – between the hilarious moment of Ryuji getting socked in the face by a volleyball, to the group singing happy birthday to Shiho as she blew out the candles of her vanilla volleyball cake. With their permission, Ren would be adding these mementos to his website for viewing pleasure.
Ann… She has such a strong group of friends.. Which now I'm a part of.. Just as a friend..
Ren took a moment to reflect on his status with Ann. He had been enjoying himself the entire day that he completely forgot about his conflicting feelings in being stuck within the friend-zone. But Ren knew that this was for the best. Ann needed time for herself to figure out what her heart needed. And right now, this strong support given by her circle of friends was all she required at the moment. Ren needed to accept that.
Still… If only our relationship could be more than that..
"Ren-kun?" a voice spoke from behind him. Ren turned around and was surprised to find Ann standing a few feet away from him. At the moment, she was wearing a simple white button-up shirt over her bikini as the weather started to cool on the beach. The light from the sunset managed to make her glow elegantly as Ren stared back whilst his heart began to beat faster.
"Oh.. hey Ann." Ren replied as he lowered his camera. "I see you're taking a moment to get away from Ryuji's loud mouth, I'm presuming?"
"Heheh.. No.. well maybe." Ann giggled. She slowly walked over to Ren's side as she playfully twirled a finger through one of her twin tails. "I just wanted to see what you were doing out here by yourself."
"Just taking a couple pictures for my website, as usual." Ren smiled, holding up his camera.
"Mmhm, that's so you – always at work with capturing the moments life has to offer." Ann smiled back. She took a moment to look over to Ren and immediately glanced out to the waters in front of them as she felt herself blush. Ann also found her heart beating at a tremendous rate as she shared this quiet moment with Ren on the beach. She didn't know how or why, but Ren seemed to glow in radiance from the sunset's rays.
Why.. Why do I feel like this when I'm around him.. Ann pondered. She admitted to Ren that her heart needed time to heal from her previous relationship. But every time she hung out with Ren, Ann felt a natural happiness overcome her, which grew stronger and stronger each passing moment. The only time she had felt this way was from her early phases in her relationship with her ex-boyfriend – which eventually turned out into a mess of her broken heart from constant lies, humiliation and anger.
But with Ren – she sensed something different from his spirit. Especially with his genuine interest with the rest of her friends. Unlike her ex-boyfriend, which her friends despised and constantly pushed Ann to move on from throughout their days of dating, Ren managed to gain their trust within the span of a day. Ren was so likeable with his dedication in his work and belief in sharing moments with others.
Did Ann really need to continue putting up a strong front towards Ren in order to guard her heart?
"Soo… What are your plans now, Ren-kun? Got more projects along the way?" Ann broke the silence between them.
"Well, other than the photo commissions Niijima-san and Okumaru-san gave me, I don't have much going on at the moment." Ren replied. "I'll probably just be going around Tokyo as usual – capturing the every day beauty that surrounds us."
"Hehe.. very poetic of you to say." Ann smiled over to him. For a moment, she hesitated to ask what was lingering on his mind throughout the day. Taking a deep breath, Ann boldy asked Ren a question. "Hey.. Mind taking a couple photos of me here right now?"
"Oh.. On the beach?" Ren raised a brow. He turned over to Ann once again and realized that she was already unbuttoning her white shirt and exposing her two-piece bikini. The idea made Ren's heart skip a beat. Was Ann really that comfortable with allowing Ren to take such intimate photos of her among this relaxing – or more accurately, romantic backdrop? "S-Sure… But I don't know if I could really make you look any better than you are now, Ann."
"You've been taking pictures of me for awhile and now you're feeling shy? That's cute, Ren-kun." Ann giggled as she dropped her shirt onto the sands around her feet. She suddenly grabbed Ren's hand and gently dragged him into the waters of the ocean until they were knee-deep. Ann moved further into the waters and gave Ren a concerned look as she pointed to the sun across the ocean. "Uhm.. The sunlight in the back isn't going to disrupt the photo quality or anything, right?"
"No worries, I've got a function to balance out the light on my camera." Ren assured her.
"Great! I'll follow your lead then." Ann winked at him.
The natural rapport that Ren and Ann built overtime showed through their sunset photoshoot. Ren directed Ann to pose majestically among the waters to accentuate her body among the warm lights behind her. To Ren, Ann looked like a water goddess emerging from the ocean waters. The way that her bare skin glistened from the waters allowed Ann to shine ever so brightly against the sunset, while her natural body features popped out beautifully with the angles Ren used.
Damn… Ann looks more amazing than usual.. How is it that she always one-ups the beauty scale every time? Ren thought as they ended their photoshoot.
"All done? Heheh, that was kinda fun actually." Ann exclaimed as she walked over to Ren's side to view the photos from his camera. Ann laid a hand over Ren's shoulders as she leaned against him. "Wow! These are some of the best shots of me that I've seen! You definitely know how to make a girl look good, Ren-kun."
"You gotta give credit to yourself too, Ann. This was all possible due to your natural beauty." Ren commented. He looked over to Ann as he noticed she was in deep thought. "Hey.. What's up?"
"Nothing… It's just that, this sort of reminded me of a dream I've always wanted to pursue." Ann looked over to the ocean and stared off into its horizon. "Ren.. Out there past these waters is the rest of the world – filled with many different places and many unique people. And I know that there are those who aren't confident in themselves. And its not just from their appearances, but maybe through their lifestyles. Some feel like failures. Some are deep in uncertainty in what they want to do. Hell – even I've felt like that sometimes. But.. I want to help others find the light in them.. Just like you've done with me."
Ren was surprised by Ann's words. "Ann, what are you saying?"
"I'm not exactly sure why we were brought together Ren after such a chance encounter," Ann began. She slowly turned back to Ren and stared adoringly into his eyes as she felt a sense of warmth from his own gaze – something she'd been feeling ever since their photoshoot at Inokashira Park. "But Ren.. every time we've done our little photoshoots – I always feel like you help empower me. To bring the best of my beauty that I honestly doubt sometimes. And I appreciate your passion in your work through not only capturing amazing photographs – but establishing bonds with others to help show the light in them."
For a moment, the two stared at one another as the calming motions of the ocean surrounded them. A cool breeze swept by them as a sense of peace overcame both their hearts in this intimate moment.
"Ann.. You've helped me realize that I shouldn't simply capture moments – but to live in them as well. You've taught me that I need to see the world past my camera lenses." Ren began to confess. "Spending time with you has been one of the more magical moments I've had throughout my life thus far."
"Ren-kun..."Ann suddenly felt a teardrop slide down from her cheek, much to both of their surprise.
"Ann? Hey, are you okay?" Ren asked. He began moving closer to comfort her, but Ann raised an arm to stop him.
"Heheh… I-I'm good, really." Ann assured as she wiped away the tear. She let out a big smile. "Ren-kun.. that has to be one of the sweetest things any guy has ever said to me.. I guess I couldn't comprehend it. But I feel your genuine kindness.. so thank you."
"Any time Ann." Ren smiled back.
"Hey Ren.. I was wondering.. if you wanted to continue our photoshoots? Let's make it a weekly thing, alright? It'll give me something to look forward to throughout the week. And we'll get to hang out more too." Ann shyly asked. "Uhh.. I mean, if that's okay with you.. I hope I'm not being too clingy, heheheh..."
"Yeah.. I'd like that too, actually." Ren responded, much to Ann's delight. Immediately, her excitement diminished hearing the next few words that followed. "We'll become strong friends who will help one another grow in our talents!'
"Friends.. Right, t-that's what I did say we would only be." Ann said as her voice trailed off. She immediately reverted her tone back to one of cheerfulness. "Y-Yeah! It'll be a lot of fun working together on a weekly basis! Just you and me, working together on photoshoots, just like any other friends would do.. heheh.."
Deep down, Ann was troubled at the outcome. How did this romantic moment suddenly result into a confirmation that they would simply remain as friends? As much as she was grateful to look forward to the many more moments of modeling for Ren's photos, Ann's heart felt that their relationship was now building up into something special.
But friends was all that they could be right now.
The pair began to head their way back to join the rest of their friends as they would end off the night with a beach bonfire. As the group enjoyed a chill evening around the bonfire they set up, Ren and Ann sat beside each other as they listened intently to each of their friend's conversations, between Ryuji's outlandish stories, Makoto's various cases she worked on at the police station and Shiho's birthday speech on how grateful she was to have an amazing circle of people in her life.
"And again, I am pleased to have Ren and Yusuke join our group. May you feel welcome with us and I hope that we'll all get to captured many more moments together!" Shiho ended her speech as everyone clapped for her.
"Yeeeeah! Great of you to join us, bro!" Ryuji playfully elbowed Ren beside him.
"Uhmm.. thanks again for coming, Ren-kun. You were definitely the highlight of my day." Ann whispered over to Ren.
"Even more than your own best friend's birthday?" Ren teased.
"U-Uhh.. You know what I mean.." Ann took a moment to hide her blushing face from his view.
Ren smiled. Even if he was unable to pursue past a friendship with Ann, he was beginning to come to terms with his situation. Being able to spend time with Ann every week taking photos would be a wholesome experience. Ren was determined to continue building his bond with Ann and strengthening their hearts together through the works they'd accomplish. With Ren's photo skills and Ann's talent as a model, they' be an unstoppable duo to inspire others.
Just then, Ann felt her phone vibrate with a text message. Peering over to her screen, Ann's heart dropped at the name of the notification.
Sakurai
[ Ann? Hey.. I was wondering if we could talk again ]
Sakurai
[ I've been a fool lately… I really mean it this time ]
Sakurai
[ Could we meet up tomorrow over some coffee? ]
"S-Sakurai.." Ann mouthed in shock. The last time she had talked to her ex-boyfriend was a couple weeks ago during their last escalation at Cafe Leblanc – the day she had met Ren. Ann had a mixture of emotions well up inside of her. As she was finally moving on from Sakurai – he decided to message her once again – which was odd as most of the time she was the one who needed to initiate contact to fix things between them. What was his intentions this time?
Ann turned over to Ren and silently observed him laughing along with her friends over one of Ryuji's comedic stories. The man beside her – whom she had been falling for the entire time, mentioned that they would only be friends through their photography collaborations. Ann couldn't blame Ren though – for she was the one to have made the stance first. She understood that Ren was only respecting the decision she had laid initially.
Yeah.. It seems that he's made up his mind too.. If only I'd said otherwise earlier..
Looking back to the text messages from her ex-boyfriend, Ann took a moment to contemplate. Deciding on what she needed to do, Ann began to type away her response.
Ann Takamaki
[ Umm ]
Ann Takamaki
[ Okay ]
Ann Takamaki
[ Let's meet up again at Cafe Leblanc.. ]
.
..
…
TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 5!
Next Prompt: Late Evening / Early Morning
~ I do not own any Persona-related material. Any relation to real world events or persons are coincidental. This story is purely for entertainment usage only. The sol property of the Persona series and characters are respectively owned by Atlus Co., and SEGA ~