Today was the prefecturals, everyone was ready. The team loaded the bus pumped up, you load too. Taking a seat in the back by the window, coming in nearly unnoticed. You had your camera and dressed in your Samezuka attire. With a jacket given to you, your hair was put in a braid. While the others where ready to go, you quite the opposite. Though you smiled if someone greeted you, your eyes remained absent. You had not yet recovered from the lost of your pictures, but there was something else. With that mixed together left you in a state of tired and turmoil. Your eyes watch each member load on. With each of their laughs and high fives, bitterness seem to settle. This bitterness you couldn't really pinpoint the reasoning. Inside you knew that was what it was, though for those looking outward, those who had different reasoning why you looked and acted the way you did. Could only feel nothing but guilt, after what they caused to happen. Aiichiro notices you sitting in the back, normally you would be either in middle or two rows to the front. Well last year anyway.
He would take his seat by you. This time he didn't take his it. Feeling horrible for what happened. Even after the weeks it went by, hearing you cry with Momo and Sosuke, made him realize it was worst thing he did in his life right now. Taking something something very precious from you. The pictures of your sister and other precious ones. Blaming himself for it, he should have watched those people closer or better never allowed them to get access either. No. He should have gotten Rin. Who would have put a stop to it, instead Aiichiro chose his choice. One he clearly couldn't fix. He had tired to say sorry but the words didn't come out. When Rin came back from dropping you off at the station he was wanted to know how you where. Rin told him he wasn't sure really, but you where still hurting. Right then, he should have gone to text you. But he didn't do that either. You came back the next day in high spirits like nothing happened. Laughing and taking pictures of the team. It seem like the norm, but it clearly wasn't. He stayed away from you out of his own guilt.
Which he felt bad about that too. It was hard to get in focus when he was concerned about you. Looking at you, he didn't realize he was holding up the others until someone bumped into him. Turning finding Momo, who was about to say something when he saw who Aiichiro was looking at. He quickly adverts his eyes down and takes the first he saw. Aiichiro follows right after. Everyone on, the last two Sosuke and Rin. Who noticed the front seat meant for captain and manager was empty. He looks around the bus finding you in the corner. Sitting by yourself. His mind divided between tending to you and addressing his team. Seeing the struggle in his friend eyes, Sosuke rest his hand upon Rin's shoulder.
"Don't worry."he tells him. Looking at Rin, who gives him a grateful look.
"Thanks..."Rin response. Watching Sosuke take his place next to you. Getting your attention and sits down with you.
Seeing how your eyes lite up a bit either by Sosuke's presence or what he was saying to you, was good. Rin thought, smiling outside but inside was a different story. Double checking everyone was on he takes his seat and tells the driver to go.
It was time for art in class, each group had six desks together. It was free drawing this time, Mako, Haru, Rin and you sat together. With two others in class, drawing whatever came to mind. You sat by Mako with Haru and Rin sitting across from you both. You where using a certain color which you have recently come to love and enjoy. So much the others took notice.
"You really like, teal don't you?"Mako says. You stop your drawing and look at him staring at you picture."It is a nice color."
A powder blush came to your cheeks."Why do you so much anyway?"Haru bluntly ask. Looking right at you, causing your cheeks to get darker. His eyes digging for an answer.
Lowering your eyes to avoid his, looking to the side to hide you fluster thinking about the reason. So embarrassed and infatuated at the same time. You started to tremble."Hey, are you okay May?"Mako ask worried.
He touches you making you yelp just a bit, all their eyes look at you rather confused except for Rin's. Who rolls his eyes at your behavior."I-I don't always use it."you stammer."J-Just sometimes."
"You're lying."Haru calls you out."You've been using that color the last few weeks. It's really annoying. So why are you using so much?"
Gushing now, trying to figure out what to say. Your cheeks nearly red, Mako noticed and places his hand upon your forehead."Are you okay? May? Are you sick?"
You violently shake your head."I-I'm fine!"you tell him."I-It's just hot in here...yeah. It's hot."
"It's winter."Haru tells you."So, again, why do you use teal so much? What's so important about it? You give it a dreamy look every time. Like you love it."Those last words turned your whole face red, you begin to sweat and that dreamy look began to surface. With a smile to match.
"I think you broke her."Mako looks to Haru.
"Geez!"Rin finally speaks up."It's her favorite color. Like it matters."he said rather irritated."So she likes it, no big deal. Leave it alone."
Mako picked up on the frustration in his voice he tired to hide."Why are you getting upset about it?"Haru notices too and calls him out on.
"I'm not!"Rin defends himself."It's just you're making such a big deal out of a color. So she like it. Leav-leave her alone about it."Crossing his arms over his chest. Looking away rather bothered.
"Are you okay Rin?"Mako turns his attention to his friend.
"Yeah. I'm fine."Rin sighs and sits back up to continue his work. Stopping when felt eyes on him."What?"he looks at his friends."What? What is it?"
You, Mako and Haru look at one another then back at Rin."Does my color bother you?"you ask feeling bad."Rin?"
He lets out a deep sigh, before putting his grin on."Naw. It's doesn't. Sorry, guess I was taken things overboard. You're picture is coming out really well though."He leans over looking what you had. Giving you a big smile."You know teal goes really well with pink. Actually any color really."He looks around at the other two then back to you."But if teal is the color you want. Than that cool."
Looking back at your paper then him, confused at first but the smile he had on made you smile."Yeah. It is."you agree."I mean...I hope it does."Casting your eyes back at your picture hoping.
Mako looks at Haru noticing his focus either on your picture or the way Rin was smiling at you.
The team arrived with good timing for the prefecturals, being tired you had fallen asleep on the way there. Not realizing it until you Sosuke woke you up and finding you had fallen asleep on him. Which he didn't seem to mind. As everyone begin to load off, you stayed behind to collect your things and yourself. Making you last off. Double checking you had everything and that no one forgot anything, you leave. Stepping off someone quickly grabs you and throws you up. Catching you back in their arms, squeezing you tightly. Your legs dangled above the ground swinging back and forth. With that tight embrace came boisterous deep laugh. One you hadn't heard in months. One you thought you wouldn't hear for a very long time. One your heart missed so much and warmed you inside.
Seijuro.
"May!"he greets you, still squeezing you in his arms. Laughing. You look up at him surprised to see him. He gives you his famous smile a big one. Your eyes nearly popped out of their sockets seeing him. Here. In the flesh."How ya been?"
Speechless, you where just speechless. Filled with joy and happiness seeing him. Overcome with it, you didn't know what to do or say. His eyes look down at you with warm pride. He sets you down and places an affectionate hand on your head, like he use to do. Ruffling it. How you missed this gesture terribly, you did you best to hold back your tears and reaction. Remaining strong. Sure you where able to text him every now and then, but it wasn't the same as seeing him in person. Your heart begin to ache on how much you missed him. A part of you wanted to run into his arms and hug him forever. The last remaining memory of your sister was here. It would have been a touching moment, but he ruined it.
Putting you in a sort of headlock hug with Momo on his other side. Nearly crushing your throat."Look at my two younger siblings. Both of you on the same team. One competing. The other taking memorable pictures. I hope the two of you are getting along."You froze along with Momo, start sweating. The way he said there was a threatening undertone. His grip became tighter. You try to struggle to get out. Clawing for air."Right?"
You and Momo manage to look at the other scared. Expecting the other one to respond. Since neither of you could, Seijuro took it the wrong way."You knuckles heads!"Gagging for air and trying to speak, it didn't work. Such unfair treatment."The two of you are suppose to be loving to one another? What the HELL is wrong with you both? May don't you make that look!"He yells at you, stopping you from making a face.
The rest of the team watches their old captain reprimand the two, in a rather loving and slightly abusive way. No one dared to step into help, eventually Seijuro stopped. As it was time to get started. You and Momo took in air like it was your last. Gasping. You mumble under your breath of him being crazy and how much you hated that. Which of course he heard and as punishment he does what you dreaded the most from him. Hoist you over his shoulders and carries you in kicking and crying. Eventually you gave up accepting your punishment. It always amazed the others how he was able to handle you. Well your other side at least. It was like he didn't even pay it any mind. Your bratty self as he called it. After check-in, you still carried over Seijuro's shoulders takes you to the bleachers. You felt many eyes on you. Even Gou and the others saw you. Nagisa couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
Eventually he sets you down, he didn't throw you but actually sets you down nicely. About to say something, he quiets you putting his head on your head. It worked.
"Hey, look alive. You're the manager. Better keep those open and capture some awesome moments. Of your team."he looks down at you, flashing you a smile."I know you got this. We both do."
You give him a soft smile. Nodding your head, standing up read to go. You notice Aiichiro's event up first. He seem focused but something was bothering him. Looking closer you took notice. Gasping realizing, you filled up with deep remorse.
"Aiichiro.."you cry to yourself. The sound of the starter firing off brought you back.
Swimmers jumped off the block, both Nagisa and Aiichiro gave it their all. Wanting to cheer for both. Or at least one. One a best friend since kids, the other a teammate and dear friend. Hearing the rest of the team cheer Aiichiro on, while hearing Iwatobi cheer for Nagisa. Both teams full of unyielding and passionate spirit. Snapping pictures, you realized there was nothing with these ones. It was affecting you, again. Your eyes look around at everyone, their presence warming and filled you with comfort and peace. Like a warm blanket. Looking over at Iwatobi you felt the same thing.
Yet your pictures didn't have that. Shaking your head this wasn't the time to loose focus. Aiichiro and Nagisa reach the turn. Nagisa having the lead, while Aiichiro was trying desperately in the water. Putting his all in each stroke. Lite something in you, taking a couple of more pictures, you stop."Aiichiro! Push it! Push it, push it!"Cheering with the rest of the team, it felt so exhilarating.
In the water, Aiichiro heard you. It surprised him, hearing your cheer and encouragement. His heart skipped a beat, shocked. After all that happened, you still cheered for him. Something went of in him, that fueled him. This new burst of power was what he needed. Drove him forward, pushing harder. You watch him pick up his speed, to be beaten by Nagisa. Who took first in their segment. Though you where happy for Nagisa, you felt bad for Aiichiro was disappointed by his performance.
The next one segment was backstroke, Mako event. He, Momo and Uozumi from Samezuka. All competed in this one. Though Momo seem to be more interested in Gou, so Seijuro used it to fuel him. You on the other hand found it ridiculous and irritating, if not annoying. A part of you wanted throw something at him, but afraid of what Seijuro might do, you restrained yourself. But his behavior was just pushing your limit. You barked at him.
"Pay attention!"you scream at him.
He looks at you surprised you screamed at him. It was actually a relief for him. Hearing you do that. Which he course response back. Flashing you a grin. Mocking you."Make sure you don't mess up this time. Geez."
"At least I don't hit the wall during practice!"
"Well at least I wasn't dressed up as a dolphin!"
You gasp in horror from what he said. Bringing up that day."Shut up!"you hiss back."You bug boy!"
He gasp too from what you said."You monster! You-"
"Enough!"Seijuro shushes you both. Covering your mouth.
The shot went off and they launch into the water. Their stokes powerful, especially Mako's. Just like when he was younger. Momo though had impressive speed. It was amazing, Uozumi on the other hand seem to be messing up. Which wasn't good. Though Seijuro had you, you still managed to take pictures. The winner, Mako. Momo came in second. Uozmui, well it was best not to say. Except he didn't qualify. Despite you and Momo's earlier insult shout out, you where happy for him. Literally smiling with joy and pride. If you weren't upset at him and afraid of what Seijuro might do, you would have thrown something at him, when he got out.
Up next was the butterfly, Rei was in it. Though no one from Samezuka. Sosuke didn't do this event, which Rei was upset at, he took first and would move on to the prelims. Rin also made it too. Up next was freestyle 200m. Haru's event and Mako was doing it also. This was a surprise, freestyle wasn't something Mako would do. It baffled you, paying close attention trying to figure out the reason why. There seem to be some reasoning, the way both Haru and Mako looked. So focus and serious. Did something happen? Beginning to panic and manage to get out of Seijuro's hold, just as your two friends step onto the block. Taking off your camera, leaving it as it would slow you down. Just a second after you placed it down, the shot goes off and your heart skips. Racing down the stairs, you hurry to reach the pool. The hall seem so long for some reason, even when you extended your arm, it still felt longer. Smelling the chlorine became stronger and stronger as the light outside became closer and closer. Putting more energy in, you come bursting out just as the event ends.
To an overjoyed Mako, throwing his head back."I lost!"
It was beautiful and happy sight. Instead of what you thought, there was nothing to worry about. Sighing in relief, smiling to yourself. Nothing was broken, you thought. At the pool, they get out. Mako helping Haru out, pulling his friend out. Mako notices you standing at the end of the hall, smiling at them.
"Looks like we worried her."Mako tells Haru. Who looks over at you, surprise to see you. The swimmers make their out, Mako and Haru come over to you."Sorry, we didn't mean to make you worry."
"It's alright."you tell them, looking at them both."I'm just glad,"you go and hug them both."Nothing's broken."
Back up with Samezuka, Seijuro and the others look down at the embracing moment with you and the others. Seijuro smiling to himself, Momo standing next to him looking on rather confused.
"..."Rin watching you giving them both one last hug, which they return, well Mako does. You turn to Haru and say something to him with a smile. Take his hands in yours for a quick second squeezing them. Haru looked down at it, before you let his hands go and hurry back to the others.
"You're up."Sosuke tells Rin.
"Yeah."
Taking off his jacket, Rin leaves the team. Heading down the stairs, when he hears footsteps running up. He steps aside allowing you to go up, you stop just a few steps before the last and turn around about to say something to Rin. Finding he wasn't there.
Reaching the others, you pick up your camera again and stand by Seijuro and Momo. Rin and Haru get on the block for their 100m freestyle, their lanes adjoining lanes. With your camera ready, you focus it upon Haru before moving it back to include Rin. Finger resting lightly on the shutter button. The second the shot went off, your finger came down, snapping the picture.
It was an intense race between them, Haru came in first with Rin coming in just 0.02 seconds behind. It was a good race no matter what, the whole day was good. Everyone gave it their all. Both teams and friends. When the last event finished up, it was time to pack it up and leave. The sun was setting, everyone loaded the bus. You make sure everyone was getting on, as Rin wasn't present. You where just about to get on the bus...
"May."Seijuro calls to you. You stop and look in his direction, as he walks over to you."Yes?"
He raises his hand and sets it on your shoulder, instead of your head. It was heavy, but strong. This was a shock, looking to him wondering why this gesture. He smiles at you."I'm so proud of you. I know April would be too. You're growing up so well."His eyes soften at you with pride and joy."It's good to see that happiness in your eyes. Guess there's no reason to worry over you anymore. You won't need me anymore soon. But hey, make sure you watch out for Momo, okay? I won't always be able to come around like this to check up on you two. I leave you in charge of him."He looks over to his brother on the bus acting silly."Okay?"You didn't say anything."Well, guess I'm off."He takes his hand off your shoulder, turning around walking off.
Gripping your heart, you did your best to stay strong. His hand leaving you pained you, the only other part of your sister was leaving again. His words echoed in your mind. It hurt. Thinking of all the memories you had with him. He couldn't just up and leave. Saying you didn't need him anymore. You now grown. April was proud of you and he was. The more you thought about it, the more upset you became. Grinding your teeth. Inside Momo noticed you and Seijuro's scene. He saw the good-bye his brother gave you and the effect it had on you. Standing there lone, trembling. He wasn't sure what you would do, nor could he read your face as your bangs hide it from him. But he could sense your sadness.
You could feel your legs tighten and tremble. Tears ready to come, hearing his steps become distant and distant. He couldn't leave, not this again. Your hand shoots out, to stop midway. Bringing it back down to your side, you lift your head and raise your hand high above your head. Waving it back and forth, it started off slow at first but soon increased. A happy smile spread across your face. Your tears disappear.
"Okay!"you say, happiness in your voice."It was really great to see you again, big brother. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I promise. Things are going great."
Hearing you say all those things as Seijuro kept walking he smiles to himself. Stopping for a second."Keep watching after her, alright?"Looking up for sec. Hearing the bus roll off, along with her and Momo bickering again.