"May, I have an assignment for you."

Mr. Yama hummed leaning back in his chair behind his desk, a light smile on his lips to you, a smile that made your brows draw together curiously. If that wasn't enough the brief laugh that broke from his smile tensed ever muscle in your body.

The words on your tongue nervous to speak, force them out. Though come out rather stuttering. "W-What kind of," you swallow the forming lump. "assignment?"

He continued with his breezy humming, his eyes flickered a bit for reasons unknown to you. Why couldn't he just answer you? It would be easy for you and your rising nerves and forming sweat. But, he didn't. Preferring to look around skipping over you. Tapping a pen on his desk. A deep look roosted in his eyes for a moment.

Was that good?

You weren't sure. If it was about the pictures, you knew already. You've been taking many others since, that where good. Right? Maybe? You didn't know. You hated withering like this inside. It was...annoying.

Clicking his teeth now, rose your limitation with this patience. Shoot up about to slam your hands down, he turned and faced you. Locking eyes with your directly, your flame poofed away and eyes fall to the paper he had held out for you. It had name and address on it.

Your brow rose. "What's this?" Taking it read it. It was to another school. University.

Mr. Yama sits up in his chair, casually. "It's your assignment. I have a colleague over there who took up my offer I sent him. You're to go there and meet with Hiyori. To take pictures."

"Pictures of what?"

He said nothing...again. "Of essence. Of course. You've got that keen eye for it. That eye helps you find what brings the picture together." You where about to say something, he kept going. "I gave assignments to the others. So you three can build and form your art piece of course. The deadline is approaching. You must piece together the most perfect puzzle for each of you."

"Puzzle? But, photography isn't a puzzle."

His eyes lower for a moment the side as if disappointed or something. Takes a breath and brings them back to you. Something felt different about the way his eyes looked into yours. You couldn't really place it.

"You're puzzle is still so spread out." He said in a slighter serious tone. It reflected in his eyes. "Why is that?"

You didn't know. "Look,"you sigh a bit. "puzzles were my thing..years ago. Not anymore. My pictures are or have been pretty bad, but, that's okay. I'll make sure they'll be better."

His eyes burrow further, holding you where you stood. The only movement you did was your eyes falling to the paper. "I think," Mr. Yama speaks, lightly tapping a finger on the paper. "this would help you. Connect those pieces of your puzzle. To bring that essence and allow you to see."

Hearing his words, though not listening nod. "Okay. What would you like me to take? How many?" You asked

The man sighs to himself, leaning back in his chair. Messaging his temples. With a slight shrug. "Whatever Hiyori says, I suppose."

"Okay." Tucking the paper in your bag, thank your professor and leave. With his eyes dragging after you. Shaking his head lightly.

Programming the directions in your GPS listen to them, the school seem across town. Great, money. You really needed a car. Walk to the train station. Reaching it pay your fair and board. Finding a seat by the window, take it. There was a lady with her five year daughter on it sitting a few seats away. Taking out your camera take a few snap shots of them, smiling with a soft chuckle. After a few clicks, look them over. They where cute. One was the little girl and her mother playing a hand game, you used to play with Nagisa.

Moving your eyes around trying to spot anything else, find nothing really. That was fine, leaning back in your seat, set your camera on the top of your slim brown pants, fix your white off shoulder blouse and enjoy the ride.

It took around 45-minutes to arrive, but you did, you had to walk a few blocks from the station to reach... read your destination outloud.

"Shimogami University." you continue to stare at the name on the overhead. For a few more minutes, it was nice you had to give it that. Better looking than yours, though the structure seem a bit boxy, the campus once you entered was amazing. It was hard not to take pictures here and there, even at the simplest butterfly that landed on flower.

To the squirrel that scurried across, you crouch down and take it fast. Look at the display screen, it was good. Smile. Stand up and walk around becoming lost in the world around you. You didn't notice olive eyes had spotted you or the figure that followed after you keeping their distance, nor three people you knew that just arrived at the front of the school. There was just so much to take in here. Officially a tourist now, there was not one place you didn't run to, to get a lovely view of. Wow, so much acers and so much green. Maybe you should transfer here, it was so lovely. Even if the buildings where a bit boxed. Causally walking and taking in everything you lost track of time, crouch down, take out your camera adjust its focus on the single flower delicately sticking out. Realizing you where too close scoot back a bit, finger on the shutter barely press stop when a shadow cast over you.

"Hello."

You look up to voice, find upbeat warming olive eyes behind thin framed glasses belonging to a young smiling at you. He was rather tall and sleek, with short brown hair dressed in casual clothing. His towering presence shrunk you, your throat clenched and heart flipped flopped. You try to find the right words, but your lips pursed together the words wouldn't come out.

He seem to notice and offers you a hand. "Please." He said so kindly, it was hard not to take it. So you did. He held it so lightly and helped you up just the same, suddenly began dusting you off. Your skirt at least. "There, so," his eyes rise and meet yours. His smile still on. Leans a bit close. "You wouldn't happen to be May? O'Neil?"

How did he know your name..."Yes."

His smile seem to lift. And voice. "Wonderful, I've been waiting for you." Your brow arched a bit confused and suspicious. He further explained. "You came here to take pictures right? As an assignment, your professor Yama's student. His's close friends here with Professor Mori. Who so happen to advertise you and I was the one who asked about you. I've heard you're really good. Also," he adjust his glasses, there was this look that flashed in his eyes, but you didn't think much of it. "I hope I'm not prying or been too forward but you once were the manger of a swim club back in high school and your skills in photography helped many. So, I wanted to use your keen eye and sharp beauty that you capture to help assist."

The words where so cool and kind, your heart fluttered with flattery. Smile with a tint on your cheeks. "Y-Yes, umm, well thank you." Your eyes fidget all around for a bit, before coming back and meet his. His smile he kept. "Oh, if you know my name, I wasn't able to get yours. What is it?"

"How rude, my name is Hiyori Tono." he extends his hand to you, so this was Hiyori, you take it and shake it. Didn't notice his grip lightly tighten. Or his eyes briefly leave you and slide back to approaching voices in the distance, they come back when the shaking ended. "I'm sure you're wondering where you need to go and would enjoy a tour of the campus, well I can provide one of the two right now. Please, if you could follow me this way."

He leads you.

Just as three bodies enter the area, a pair of eyes nearly caught a glimpse of you. "May?"

Hiyori leads you to a schools aquatic area better known as the pool. On the way there small talk was exchanged, to your surprise he knew information about you. Like you being from America, he told he lived too years ago, around a month after you went into foster care. Which he seem to know about as well. Almost like he researched you or something. Even about your dancing. "Right in here." You both arrive and he opens the door for you. The scent of chlorine and water rushed you, brought memories flooding your mind. Making you smile fondly. How long ago was that? You could still hear and see your time years ago at the swim club, with Nagasi, Mako, and the rest. This place wasn't as loud as ITSC, it was more like the noise of Samezuka Academy. Nitori...Momo...Rin, all of them. Even Sosuke and Seijuro. So many memories, all of them wonderful and good. If not wonderful.

How could you have forgotten the feeling this brought, the warmth joy flushed through you. Made your heart flutter the smile on you surprised Hiyori for a moment. "Over here." He guides you with a light hand the back. A few in the pool and around turned to him and this newcomer with Hiyori. More surprised he was actually with someone other than his friend. Assumption swapped between the on lookers.

"Right here." Hiyori stops you. "I just have to go change and I'll be right back, please fill free to start taking any pictures. I'm sure you'll capture many wonderful memories." With that he leaves your side.

A little nervous you give a small wave to the eyes that still looked on, taking a breath hold up your camera and smile. "Can I take your picture?"

At campus cafeteria Haru, Asahi, and Mako sat. Asahi wasn't the least bit happy especially because of a certain glasses wearing guy. Who was more of a thorn in the side that was more than an irritation. Blocking him and the others from reuniting with their friend. While he remained infuriated, nearly failed to notice the puzzled look on someone else at the table. But one of them did. Knowing that look.

Ask them. "What is it Mako?" Haru asked.

"I thought I saw May here." He said unsure. Giving it a bit more thought. "It was brief, but she was walking away with that Hiyori guy."

Asahi explodes. "What!?" Slamming his hands on the table, causing a few to look their way. He ignored them. Even Haru telling him to quiet it down. "What do you mean you saw her? Here!? What's she doing here? Are you sure it was her?"

Mako smiles nervously from his friends pressing questions. "I-Im not sure if it was her or not. I'm just saying it looked like her. I only got to see a bit of her. I mean the possibility of her being here is rather slim." He looks to Haru who had his phone out on May. Pressing it sends a text.

"Do you think she knows about Ikuya?" Asahi thought. Haru and Mako look at him then each other. "I mean..."He bites his lip.

"If she did, do you think she'd remember him?" Mako adds.

Haru had an answer for that. "She will. It's been a few years, but, knowing May she does. She doesn't though know what happened, she left before it."

Asahi and Mako eyes lower. She left before it all happened. It was both good and bad. Scratching the back of his neck Asahi eyes remained in the past for a moment. "Those two..."he tries to smile, it falls just as quickly as it came.

"I'm pretty sure it wasn't May." Mako tries to assure them. Though Haru heard his hidden doubt. "Even if it was, I highly doubt Ikuya would say anything. He'll be happy to see her again, if it was her."

The mood fell a bit from his words. Even as he smiled.

Another click, another good picture. You captured the moment well (hopefully). It was lovely. Smiling a bit show the swimmer who came to see. "Whoa." He said amazed. "That's really good."

"You're welcome, though I hope you don't take this wrong way, but..."you proceed to tell him how to better improve himself and strokes, he was amazed again and took what you said to heart.

As you explained further another person entered the pool area, they didn't notice you at first but once their brown eyes saw a glimpse of familiar pink hair and ears picked familiar warm and cheerful voice that hadn't been heard in years. It was the same voice from middle school...the day of that stupid project they both where assigned as partners. That voice came over and extended friendship right away, but it was well received, for a couple of days that is until they brought them a sweet gift that gave birth to something. Sparked something that came to quick end, but it was rewarding none the less. They remembered that voice tagged along even if they weren't a swimmer, they where there always taking...pictures. Trying to get smiles from everyone especially...from himself.

Turning fully in the direction of voice see with their own widen eyes, pink hair (longer than before) and all. Those golden-yellow still held a cheer and beaming warmth, and sharp intelligence but warm all the same. The smile was still the same, though it seem just a bit different. Their voice again sounded the same just a bit older but not too old. It still retain its youth, it always did. And they themselves hadn't change, well physically they had. Grown a taller since the last time they saw them, no longer a pre-teen body but that of a young woman fitted well. For a moment they transported back to middle school, a memory of such...

They turned around to them with the biggest smile on and took his hands in theirs. Giving a light squeeze, squeeze a pink tint on their cheeks. Earning a small laugh when they said their name. "Ikuya!"

The way it was said was always the best way, it was caring and nurturing. He wondered if they still said his name that way? After so long, May. Feeling eyes on you turn and meet those brown eyes from before. Across on the other side, your mouth nearly fell open, clench a hand over your leaping heart. That produced a smile, one that seem to break the stone, crack it at least. Further cracking it when your lips spoke his name.

"Ikuya?"

Eyes fall to him, surprised he knew you. And you knew him. But it was clear that you did, seeing how you walked over to him like old times, he remained rooted where he was only to flinch and draw back when you just lightly touched him.

"Ikuya?" you said softly with a bit of confusion. It knotted on your brows, from a slight distance olive eyes watch the two. You call Ikuya's name once again, the third time he seem to shutter slightly and when you reached out to touch him, he grabs your wrist stopping you. His touch was...was indifferent. Yet the same.

He saw the burrowing question fill your eyes, he couldn't meet them and breaks away. Lets you go. That was Hiyori's cue he comes out and walks over. Resting a hand on your shoulder. You nearly jumped from the odd vibe rushing down your spine. "Ikuya, I see you've meet May. She's going to be taking some pictures of us during training and practice. I heard she's really good. I thought having her here would be good for you." He rest his other hand on your shoulder standing behind you. Smiles down at you. "Right?"

Your mind told you to move, but your body stiffen. With a slight tremble and nod. Ikuya gazes down at you for a moment, meeting your eyes. That spoke. "Fine." He simply said turning his back and walks away.

Your hand extended to go after him, stop from mild pressure from Hiyori's hold. "Ikuya is happy to have you here," he said still smiling, you look at him unsure just a bit. "shall we take some pictures?" About to say something your phone vibrates, just as your head reaches to your pocket to get it, his eyes fall sharply. Looking at the screen reading the name. Furrows.

A text from Haru and a few missed calls from..."Rin?" Hiyori inquired. "A friend?"

You quickly turn off your screen. "Oh, umm, well..."you stammer. Twisted with words. Tuck your phone away. That sharpness in his eyes went away instantly.

"Now,"He begins to lead you down to where Ikuya, his hand remained lightly on your back. He sets you in an area that he felt was best to take the picture and leaves, though not before saying one more thing. "please, make sure to get Ikuya's good side."

Rising a shaking finger swallow again, masking it with a smile, kneel down and press the shutter. Taking the first picture.

You weren't sure how long you where here for, but it was enough to get a good amount of pictures. That is until Ikuya's nearly drowned it was over. He was fine but something seem anchored in him. You wanted to know what it was, Hiyori though insisted it was nothing to worry about and hoped you didn't take those last pictures. To make sure he ask to see your camera and before you could say anything he takes it 'kindly' and flips through them. Deleting ones he felt weren't Ikuya. When he was done he gives it back to you. And asks for you to wait, a part of you wanted to just leave, but the look Hiyori gave was kind, it what was behind that kind look that swallowed your stomach.

So you waited, outside for them. To shake your mind from Hiyori, thought of Ikuya. Those brown eyes of his, how could you not piece it together. Eyes like those, you remembered from middle school. They always looked at corner, lonely and sad. If not sometimes moody. Even when you would just put your face before his, to look fully at him. Even if some of his teal hair tired to cover him up or he tired to use to hide himself. A few times you'd have to go...'hunting' for him. Behind his hair. Brushing it back to see those eyes that pierced back rather annoyed, which you just smiled over looking it. Calling out his name to come out from shell. A small joke you would use with him, calling him 'turtle' to his carnage.

But, it seem to work cause he'd come out. To get you to stop. Or especially when you made him goodies of his favorite flavor. That seem to work a lot. Smiling thinking of the times you use to jestingly tease him during lunchtime, when you could join him and the others. He was rather irritated with you, but dealt with it. Every day after class ended you'd help him pack up or wait for him then pull him to go and meet with the others. Yeah, that was middle school with him, till it all stopped, and you didn't seem him again like the others.

Now though, you could. You wondered though if Haru and the others knew about Ikuya. Asahi did want to see your pictures at the end of the last meet, it clicked. It all made sense why he did, Ikuya was there! No wonder that touch felt familiar from that swimmer, it was him! You wondered...why the guys hadn't said anything. You did bring up those brown eyes to Haru and the others before, but, they said nothing really about it.

Why?

It was Ikuya, after so many years of not seeing him. You'd think they'd share something like with you. But, nothing was said.

After all this time...your phone vibrates again, you nearly jumped from where you sat. Calm down and take it out. Reading the name a frown creases on your forehead. Cheeks puffed out filled with hot air.

A shadow covers you and finger poked against your left cheek. "You look like chipmunk," Ikuya said. "who are you mad at now?"

Looking up find Ikuya. "Ikuya!" you breathed stand quickly, nearly tripped over your own feet, but drop your phone. Luckily he caught you by the arm keeping you at bay, bends down getting your phone, reading the name that was calling. "Thank you. H-How are you Ikuya?"

He said nothing, except look away and turn a shoulder to you. While handing you back your phone. "Fine. Who's Rin?"

You turn head saying nothing, locking your lips, he watched your cheeks grow color. "No one apparently..."you grudgingly say. Tossing a sharp shoulder. Your cheeks puffed again.

Ignoring that mood on you, his eyes narrow with a deep question. "What are you doing here?" he asked rather harsh.

That surprised you, not what you were expecting. But answer it anyway. "I came to take pictures, like your friend Hiyori said." Hold up your camera. "I honestly wasn't expecting to see you here, but, I'm glad." Smile with each word. "How have you been?"

His eyes seem to study your words as if making sure they where true. "Fine. So, I see you came back. Well, that's a surprise." His words rather bitter, if not bothered. There was some other underlining, you couldn't really put your finger on it, with your phone still vibrating. Ignoring it, look at Ikuya trying to see where all this...was coming from.

"What are you talking about?" you asked rather hard. "Why are you saying it like that?"

He said nothing. Except dig into his bag and take out his headphones and slip them on. "Nothing."

Nothing wasn't an answer, you try to grab his wrist but he turns it away from you and walks away. Throwing a flat good-bye wave. "Bye. See you next time." Tucks his hands into his jacket and walks away.

That was odd if not different, you thought walking off campus back to station. What was with Ikuya? He wasn't like this years ago, did something happen? What did you do?

From what you could recall, the two of you where pretty good. And...holding a hand to the cheek he poked, he poked your cheek like he use to do. To deflate you. That hadn't changed. But, it seem he had...reaching the station board. Take your seat, your mind still on Ikuya...why hadn't anyone told you something. That he was...well...grip your camera try to figure this all out. Ignoring your vibrating phone.

Ikuya..you thought, staring long out the window. You forgot to stop by the beach. Missing it. That something else, grip your camera.