And...BANG! They where off, swimmers leaped off their blocks in their lanes, and the races started. With each stroke they took, your finger hit shutter button on your camera. Capturing each movement, beginning and end. There was not one single moment that flew passed you. Each one, each imagine seem better than the last. Well, that depended on where you stood. Your focus though was on point, so that was good. You kept your distance when the swimmers came out dripping with water, a few waved and others asked what you were doing. You told them and some asked to see their picture, which you didn't mind and once you did automatically the words on what they should improve flew out.
Which you quickly sucked backed in, but most didn't seem to mind and appreciated it. When they'd walk away, you pulled out a much smaller camera, your phone and took some...off the books pictures quickly and secretively as you could send them to a certain...maroon haired female.
Sighing, rubbing your temple, muttering Gou's name. This was not what you wanted to do, but, this was what you got for informing her what it was you where going to be doing. And of course she wanted pictures.
Of muscles.
Slipping your phone back in your pocket, nearly yelp when it vibrates. Taking it out see it's a text. From Gou.
Of course.
Opening read what she sent...though it wasn't a much a surprise really. It was hard not to chuckle a bit.
Gou: Thx! Love them! Those biceps are gorgeous! I'm so jealous! Send me more ;)
"Honestly, Gou you're going to get me into trouble." You mutter to yourself. To recivce another text from her asking for more. Ignoring it put your phone away.
Not this time, you weren't. Who knows who's watching. That didn't stop her from sending a bombardment of textsThe sound of the starting horn focused your attention back to your actual task, taking a few moments to clean the leans and adjust the focus go the side corner, crouch down and wait. Up, in the seats Kisumi and Makoto sit and watch. Up next was Haru and Asahi. Who the latter messed with you a bit, earning a playfully flick in the forehead. Once they climbed on their blocks the shot was fired and they dove in. They watch their two friends give it their all, while dividing their attention to May. Her finger clicked the shutter button as quickly as the swimmers swam. One moment she was in the center on the side then on the side. Trying to get every best angle. That she could and the smile she had matching the gleam in her eyes that just grew with each picture taken.
Put a smile on Kisumi and Mako.
"She really enjoys capturing those moments." Kisumi said. "Hayato still loves looking at the album she made. Expressing every time how awesome he looks. It's good she can bring that out with others. Making them feel well."
Mako nods agreeing. "Yeah. She has a way of doing that, I still sometimes catch myself looking at the pictures both old and new she did."
"No kidding, yeah, she did take some back in middle school." Kisumi laughs a bit. "Remember how the journalism club wanted her? They practically showed up at her class asking and then hunted her down. To the point she had to hide in the boy's locker room."
Mako shares the memory and laugh. "Yeah, she had hard time telling them no. And went along with them, till it became too much. She got a bit over her head, until I believe it was Haru who stepped in and ended it."
Kisumi sighs still on the memory. "Yeah, I think it was Haru who did. Despite it all, he was there for May. Even if it came to them butting heads." Mako chuckles looking to Haru then May. Who stuck her tongue out at Haru down below. He had to have said something that upset her.
"You know-" Kisume voice brings Mako's attention back. Finds the young man attention on May. With a warm look. A warm memory that rose in behind those purple eyes, Mako saw it. It seem like a treasured one. That he hoped Kisume would share, because for some reason Mako had his ready too.
Feeling eyes on you look up from your camera meeting Kisume's and Mako. You wave to them and Kisume responds, Mako does a few seconds after. You wondered what it was they where talking about. Whatever it was, it seem to be interesting. Because they shared a laugh.
Noticing the memory in your camera was starting to become full, go through the photos you took to see which you should get rid of. Finding it difficult and just changed out the memory card. Quickly you get it out just as the new swimmers came, one of them bumped into you knocking the card out.
"Excuse-"you try to get it, to be pushed and moved back by multiple feet stepping over it. Huffing, you hoped they wouldn't step on it.
One of them walking bend down and picked it up. They wipe it off and place it in your hand, the brush of their finger tips in your hand...it seemed...familiar. Unable to have a chance to see them, only catch a glance, of their headphones worn around their neck. Switching out the chip get ready, this time you go the other side of the pool. Adjusting the focus again, kneel down and peer through the eye-hole at the swimmers across. The focus still wasn't good, doing a few adjustments, finally get it right.
Nearly drop your camera at the familiar and yet distinguishable brown eyes, that for a moment gasped and spoke your name in a questioning way, then instantly pierced with coldness that shot a chill through your body. Eyes like those...those brown eyes..that look. That stoic look harder than Haru's and colder too. Where had you see them? Before. For a moment your mind takes you back to middle school.
It was a class project that had to be done, everyone was paired in twos. Yeah, you remember...
The teacher assigned everyone to their partner, it was just a simple assignment really for the first two weeks so everyone could get a chance to know everyone. An ice breaker game. The teacher had everyone draw a folded piece of paper with a color on it, you got green, after it was drawn everyone had to go and find the one with word of the color, you went down each desk asking if they had a match. No one did. And each desk you left heard a snickers, which you didn't let bother you..much. It took you a bit longer to find your match, but you did and it was to someone who remain in the corner in the back. Sitting at their desk not the least bit interested with a deadpan look over their face. Their back was too you, until you went over to them.
"Hello, do you hav-" you pauses noticing on their desk they had your color in word form. To your delight. "Hey! You're green! Hi, that's good. I was wondering about that. I have green too." You show them, but they kept their back to you and eyes to the wall. Didn't they hear you? Clearing your throat repeat, getting the same response.
What was with them? You approached them in a friendly manner, remembering hat Nagisa told you to do. You had on a smile and everything, why didn't they...hearing whispers and low chuckles. Slide your eyes back to those pointing subtly in your direction. You do your best to ignore them, those looks still didn't go away. Sighing sit down at the desk before your partner. A heavy sigh leaves you, it was that sigh that made their eyes look to you.
Those brown eyes that..where cold and lonely, but also trying to speak. That you locked with. Felt something begin to swell up inside, or was it your cheeks. Whatever it was caused you both quickly look in opposite directions. Making you smile, just a bit.
Those brown eyes, they where...they seem so different now, compared to years ago. Yet, seem to speak to you for a moment. The sound of the shot being fired startled you, nearly caused you to drop your camera. Quickly you mind remembers your reason for being and fumbles for a bit trying to get the right picture. Missing a major chunk of moments. Springing up do your best to capture the rest, clicking away wildly. With wild focus instead of central focus.
There was this one swimmer that was like a missile in the water, he was done before you could even blink. Nearly took your breath away, that you forgot about taking pictures. Watch them climb out, their back to you seem familiar too. Just like their eyes. The horn blared as the last swimmer finished snapped you back. It was over, so fast. Lifting up your camera look at the pictures, they were horrible, blurry, racy, smudged...and...what just happened? And why where you hands...shift?
If taking pictures wasn't bad enough (that and failing grade your professor was going to give, on top of that this wouldn't be suitable for the exhibit),when the others crowded around you asking to see them. Which you at first refused to give in and apologize for such a horrible job. Which they looked over, Asahi snatched your camera away holding it went through each picture like he was looking for someone or something. Their attentions glued each picture they flipped through. While they did that, your mind wondered about that missile of a swimmer. Those eyes he had, the way his back was to you was just so...familiar to your partner back in middle school. The quiet partner who sat in the back in the corner of class, away from everyone. Didn't really talk to you, as you got more talk from Haru. They didn't talk much to you, only meeting your eyes when they answered. Maybe uttered a few words.
You thought ice was cold and hard to crack open, they were colder...and distant. A challenge that you nearly gave up, but didn't. There was something about...those eyes..him that felt...right. Every turn and time you did to get some sort of connection just something...even going out of your way to make a treat for them, wrapped in green polka-dot wrap. It was their favorite flavor to your surprise. The look they had in their eyes when it landed on their treat was amazing. You were glad. Those brown eyes widen with happiness and appreciation.
After that, things seem different. That project you were glad that it happened, because you found something kinder.
"Nothing." Asahi sighs disappointed handing you back the camera disappointed. "Here." His voice pulls you back. Taking the camera from him stand with them, the sun was starting to set.
Flipping through your pictures sighing with deeper disappointment at each one. Cringe at nearly a good chunk of them. None of these would be good enough. There was no way this would make something...spectacular or memorable. The thought your shoulders drop with each passing picture. How could you show this to your...these couldn't be entered….tempted to erase them.
Finger on the button ready to make it happen, hold off, hearing Haru saying he needed to go back and get his towel as he left it. You offered to go with him, but he said no. Watching him leave follow the others to the train. Trailing behind them, your eyes still flipping through such pitiful pictures. Well, the pictures on your second memory card, the first one the pictures turned out well. But, they still seem bad. Nit picking at each one, despite its clearness and quality. The more you did the more upset and frustrated you started to become. The more your finger itched to just delete them.
These weren't good at all! None of them, how horrible. Back in high school, back in middle school you took much better pictures than this. This was just..
Bumping into something hard, nearly dropped your camera. Rub your nose. Again. Grumbling at who it was. "Hey, what's the big idea stopping?"
"Sorry." Mako apologizes.
Still rubbing your nose glare slightly at him, realize what you where doing stop, and look away. "I-It's fine." Let out a heavy sigh to the side. Clearing your throat. Mako studied you for a moment.
"You okay?" He asked.
Your arms instantly cross. "Yes! I am." you slightly snap, realizing what had done. Quickly mumble an apology. "So-Sorry, Mako. I-I'm fine." Look to the side. His eyes further observer, the slight deepen wrinkle pinched on your brow, the heaviness of your eyes and shuddering breathing. That sounded like you where under pressure or wanted to cry.
Something was clearly bothering. Or worrying you. His eyes drop to your camera, then moved back to you. Then back to the camera once more. Smiles. "I'm sure you took wonderful pictures."
Your cheeks prickle with pink, if you had a hood right now, you'd use it to cover yourself. He chuckles a bit seeing the thought behind your eyes. Swallowing what you wanted to snap back, manage to utter something. Back.
"T-Thanks." Quickly tucking some hair behind your ear. Cast your eyes in the direction Haru went, a sinking feeling settled in your stomach. Mako noticed it.
It hadn't changed after all this time, that expression you held. For his friend, the way you bite the bottom of your lip lightly. The blow out your cheeks a bit, looking like a chipmunk. Nagisa would say, that huffy, puffy look. Then came...
Turning sharply, giving a flip of your hair over your shoulder walk in the opposite direction Haru went. Nose slightly up. With your famous.."Whatever." Stop a couple of feet from the guys. Hand on hip, trying to hide your worry. Calm yourself. "I've got to go, let me know that he came back."
You tell Mako.
"Okay. I will. Be safe getting home." He said with a small wave.
You return it walking to the train. Turn it into a threating fist from what Asahi yelled. "Hey! Marry me!" He chuckles at it. Mako and Kisumi give him a look. "What?" He smirks. With a shrug. "Can't I sill try?"
Seeing the silliness, Mako smiles. Shaking his head.
The train was just a few blocks away, you arrived catching it just in time. Though instead of stopping at your normal stop, get off somewhere different (It was just a few blocks from your place). There was still a bit of light. Pardoning yourself as you make your way through others, reach where you drawn too. Come to it, stop closing your eyes for a moment and listen...listen to the soft and gentle sound of the waves upon the sand. Smile softly. The smell of seawater and crisp of the setting sun, nearly brought a tear to you.
Hues of deep orange, orange-red, a dash of blue...turning into dark violet...come together and for an instant make maroon. A soft breath of wind runs through your hair, despite the slight chill it had, made you smile. That same soft breath of wind comes again, this time as a touch. Lightly brushed upon your cheek, melted you in for a moment.
Opening your eyes gaze longingly over the horizon as far as they could see. It was beautiful, scene before you. Taken by it, get your camera, holding it a still position. Eye focused and click. A few times, capture it.
The distance was so vast, yet..being here it felt so small. Setting the camera aside, take it in again with your eyes only. The chill came again, this time you shivered just a bit and wrap your arms around you. Keeping yourself warm. Lean forward on the seawall. Notice a few people out walking, taking a run...some of them couples, others just a group of friends...a lady walking her dog. A couple just a few feet away kissing.
Made you laugh softly sheepishly. Tuck some of your hair behind your ear. You could stay here all day and stare out into the water. But, you couldn't, you had work to do. Standing, push off the wall and walk home.
On the way you get a text from Mako, that Haru was back. Glad to hear it, get another one that lite a smile on you. Opening it, respond back: Yes. Just did.