Goodness you where tired, your feet wouldn't stop throbbing or your legs either. Pulsating with pain, good pain though. It was to be expected from such a rigorous dance class, from Mr. Suzuki. That eccentric man, one wouldn't believe his age by looking at him and his personality. So...colorful it was nearly blinding. But, he did have passion for what he did. A passion he delivered in each class session, it just radiated off him like the sun itself. Coming in filled with rhythm of his own kind, his swept back chestnut primed and smooth, like his dance moves. His feet moved so fluidly, naturally. It just happened.

Even when he walked it was 'as simple a breath of air' he would say. Anything one did should be as simple as a breath of air. Feel as free as a floating feather, not a block of lead. Which was nearly beat out of everyone the few weeks. Besides his teaching way and classes it was still enjoyable. No wonder your heart raced every time with excitement when you stepped through the doors. One of the few places you could just...unwind.

Release everything.

And allow your mind to be...rubbing your sore calf that just felt like it was lite on fire. No matter how much you tried to message it out. It just felt so...

"See ya May."

"Yeah."

A few of your classmates bid you bye walking out, you instantly smile (stop rubbing your calf)and send the same back. Waving lightly. "Yeah, you too. See you Ryu and Keada."

"Flawless as always, May." Another class mate said patting you lightly on the back, you held in the winch you wanted to do from the soreness of the mild extra weight. "You're such a natural. Totally jealous." They joke, continuing their light pat.

You nearly wanted to scream from the rising pain, smile it down. "T-Thanks, Jun." Shift your weight to the other side. Tempted to move from under their hand, didn't.

After a few more good-byes by others and their measurable comments finally you where able to change. Still rubbing your sore calves, head to the showers, change out of your dance clothes. Simple black, black fingerless gloves, grey sneakers and red leggings with a red sports bra a small cartoon shark on. Your hair was always thrown back into a messy ponytail. Turning on the shower to a mild hot step in, allow the water to hit ever inch of you. In seconds your hair became heavy and wet. Making sure the water hit your calves and shoulders. Along with your slight trembling hands, close your eyes for a moment. Mooning over the compliments others from class gave you.

For some reason their words pitted in your stomach. You didn't hate their words...you just...well..opening your eyes slightly, those words you've heard before. Since, well, day one. Those admiring words of admiration from those looking on. Always filled you with glee, the amazement of others reaction was always welcoming. Now, for some reason it felt crushing...why was that? Why did your calves hurt? Why was...

Sighing turn off the shower, allow the water droplets to roll smoothly down your skin and drop to the tile floor. Stepping out the shower, done with thinking, despite its pestering buzzing in your mind, find a towel and wrap it around yourself. It was rather silent in the locker room, hollow even. Cold was more like it, despite your normal body temperature.

Reaching your locker, open it and take out your change of clothes. Though not before reaching for your phone, seeing what you might have missed during your time away.

Of course a message from...them. Scuffing make a distant mental reminder to respond. Eventually...soon. On to the next one, it was from Kon. He wanted to meet up. He was going to be on campus. Reading it, your heart knotted and sunk. Another one was informing you of a email from Professor Yama. Your heart squeezed. Scrolling through, find one from Mako. It was more a of a missed call. Moving to the next one, stop surprised. Not at who it was, but their request.

To meet.

Today, if not soon. Despite your vibes towards them, felt something from their message that seem to sync with you. Reply back that you would.

Done with catch up, take your clothes out for the day and dry off. Slipping a black jean skirt, button it, move onto putting on scoop neck dark blue with yellow poka-dot shirt. Almost done, slip on black flats. Throw your hair back and make a mild messy braid. Just for now. Not in the mood to do anything fancy. Done, grab your back, shut your locker, and walk out.

"May!" Mr. Suzuki abruptly appears in your face.

You nearly jumped out your skin and stumbled back. "..."You groan a bit. Sigh. "Professor Suzuki, it's not good to just pop up in front of someone. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

He fans that away with a wave his hand. "You where sluggish today," he scowled. Silver eyes and all. "it was like a pot-hole street! You missed nearly every important step. Gathering pain from it as well! You staggered behind the music, I thought I was hearing toenails clawing on the a chalkboard, the way you stepped. You weren't like a feather at all, you were like..."

Lead?

"Tar Pits!"

Not what you where expecting. "Excuse me?" you slightly sneer in confusion.

His eyes refused to look at you, as if repulsed. "I'm not sure, what has been going one with you, you're become worse and worse in class now." He strikes a wooing pose.

You where about to say something, his finger instantly silenced your lips. He kept going, still remaining in that pose. Gazing up longingly. "The Muses even cry at your atrocious performance. Rhythm's soul cried in agony." Your lips trembled with words ready to defend yourself. But, he kept his finger pressed on it. "Yes, your class mates might have been easily fooled, but, I was not. Most of them are rather blind as bats when it comes to such an art. But," he simply shrugs. "what can a man do. Most of them are just novices at best. Of course Aiko is far from that."

Great, he was talking about that one student...grumbling. His eyes slide back hushing you. What was his point? This was wasting your time. "The moment you came into this class, I was filled with joy, knowing someone had skills and heart. Of course it is not what you are pursing, which is alright, it's just the fact of knowing. When you use to dance wonderfully, it was freeing. Now, it's just painful. Your focus is lacking. Like a million scattered puzzle pieces. Three thousand at best, I would say."

You try to get in a word, but his finger still would not allow it. "You know what I see-" his voice lowered. He closes his eyes for a moment. Opens them turning around to you. For some reason under his eyes, you slightly...sunk. Wanting to look away. His eyes search yours. Shaking his head. Takes his finger back, turns back around begins walking away. "have a good day. May."

What did he not want to tell you? You wanted to know, a part of you did, the other part left it alone. Putting it away and hurried out. Stopping at the door for a moment slightly glance back.

Kon checked the time on his phone, it was a bit pass the time May was suppose to meet him. He didn't mind, that girl, she was interesting. From what he read from her columns and articles she's written for class. He was impressed with a couple of them, the rest...not so much. There was a difference he noticed in them. Their was something lacking from the most recent ones. Only seem to become worse, he noticed pointing it out to her. Though she tentatively listen to what he said and his tips, there was extra decrees in her least one. It seem like a vast difference from what he was told from Akane and Asahi. Who's mouth lite up on the topic.

May was well known in school, at least junior high with remarkable grades in school. Her writing was so good those from journalism club wanted her. But, she declined or better a friend stepped in tell them to back off. They wanted her for the way she delivered essence to her writing. Just the same with her pictures. They wanted her for that too. Though Asahi told it was mainly about him and guys. Her friends or family. People she cared for, that made it come to life. Even upon other topics.

It was drive, she had. One Kon wondered why that luster was not presented in what he saw. Her keen eye, as Asahi said was pretty good. A good thing for journalism. Taking out one of May's writings his eyes quickly read over it, disheartened.

"Mr. Kon!"

He hears you call him. He puts your writing away quickly before you saw it. Turns around greeting you. "May, hey."

You smile back, respectfully. "I apologize if I kept you waiting. I was..."you give it a thought. "held up from my last class."

"That's fine. I expected much. I'm glad we're able to meet. Can we sit and talk?" He points behind him at the cafeteria.

You nod and follow him. On the way there present him with a new piece of work. "I listen to what you said, I hope this is good."

He takes it stepping in the building. Your attention intensely on him, you didn't failed to pay attention to anything else, briefly bump into someone. Knocking you back a bit. They quickly grab your arm and pull you back on your feet. Then walk away, you only saw long beige trench coat and the back of messy black hair. Wrinkling your nose at them, how rude. Collect your things and hurry after, Mr. Kon.

Look over your shoulder again in the direction of that person, finding them gone already. "Mr. Kon," you spoke, turning your head back,"where did you want to seat-"

"May."

You stare for a moment startled for second seeing Asahi and Haru. Here, it seem they both where having lunch. And either just came from swimming or was heading to it. Which ever, your eyebrows drew together into a deep frown. Like hot steel. Turn your chin from them.

"Hi." you said coldly. Arms across tightly over your chest.

Haru's eyes look to you, Asahi's drop for a moment. Kon looked between the thick fog the best he could. Raises a hand and rest it on your shoulder. "If your wondering, I'm kind of mentoring May. Akane finally was able to get us to meet."

"Really?" Haru said with small smile. "That's good. Do you like it?"

He directs to you, you fume a bit. "Yeah. It's good. Like it matters," you mumble the last part. Lower enough to the side for you to hear. Asahi heard it. "Mr. Kon," your voice returns to its normal level. Still strained and tight. "is allowing me to get a better understanding of profession. You know, how journalism is, piecing things together. Gathering information about things," you subtly sneer at them. "about things that have happened. Make it into the truth, even if it doesn't want to be shown or told."

Another comment shot at them. Turn a shoulder to them. Shrugging your shoulders. "Even though my area is in sports, at least along the lines, one does interviews," your eyes slide back to them sharply, to drop heavily to the ground. Cringing. "on their players to know everything." your voice shook slightly, you had to swallow the flaring lump in your throat. "From beginning to end. Tell what happened, even if...things changed. Because...the journalist would like to..just like to..." It just slightly cracked, almost cracked if not for your phone ringing. Instantly you answer it, turning your back to the guys. "Hello?"

Asahi and Haru look at one another. Their eyes slump, deeply. Break hearing you end your call. "I don't have time for this, I've got more important things to deal with," mumble to yourself, it was picked up. The rest you address to the Haru and Asahi. "I've got to go. See ya." Again coldly say. Though kindly speak to Kon. "Sorry, Mr. Kon. I have to leave. Please though tell me, if there is anything that I need to improve on."

The intense look in your eyes was powerful, if not smothering. He smiles. "Yeah, sure. Next time. I'll go over this and let you know."

Relieved to hear that lifted the weight in your eyes, pleased nod and turn to leave. "May," Kon reaches out resting a hand on your shoulder. Your ears ready themselves. "try to breath. Okay? It'll come together."

An odd thing to say, look as such. That was all, he lets you go. And you hurry off. Racing across campus, whip out your phone and call them. "Hey, I'm on my way."

It took some time, but you arrived. Standing outside before the door. The sun was setting, you had to stop by your place for a moment to get somethings. Finally, it felt a bit weird being here, but you were, now. You couldn't just turn around and walk away. Well actually you could. Why you were doing this? A part of you wasn't sure, the other part of you wanted answers, answers you knew weren't going to get from the others. So, this seem to be your own option.

Still, was it the right one? Biting your lip at the thought, the door opens followed by a kind and warm voice. And eyes. "May," Hiyori greets you. "I'm glad you made it, please come in."

He steps aside offering you. Your eyes took a while to look up at him and lips to smile. His eyes fall to what you held against your chest. They also read the desire in your eyes that flamed. It was like they screamed. He smiles to himself walking over to you, raises a hand a puts it kindly on your back. Pushing you in lightly.

"It's getting a bit chilly." He said with concern. "It's warmer inside," going with his light push, his hand moved to rest on your shoulder. Sent a shiver down your spine a bit. "I hope you like green tea, I have some brewing while we talk."

Still keeping your smile on go inside, he shuts the door behind him, locking it.

He had a nice place, a clean and orderly one. It wasn't that much a surprise, still it was. He leads you to the living room, where he had the tea read for two and some refreshments. He allows you to pick either left or right to sit. You chose right, he took left. Setting your things down, your eyes remained on the cup of steaming tea. Your reflection stared back.

Breaks when Hiyori coughed a bit. Instantly your eyes shoot up. "So," he starts. Getting a bit comfortable, bringing a knee up resting a hand on it with his chin on top. "what did you want to know?"

That was it huh? You thought, walking down the night street. Alone. You just left Hiyori's place, he had somewhere to go, which was fine by you. You couldn't believe that was all. Why couldn't the others tell you, was it that hard? The more you thought about it, the more...the more...your shoulders dropped.

And feet stopped walking. Ignoring the throbbing pain still in your calves. Shut your eyes tightly preventing any tears that began to surface. Push them back down, swallow them, even wipe them away the best you could. But the pressure was rising, it was hard. So you do it harder, rubbing your eyes grinding your teeth. Pressing your lips tightly.

Taking a few breaths. Calm yourself, with the help of the cool night air cooled you as well. Staring up at the minimal star lite sky, the constellations...they weren't together. So spread out...reaching up to them, see just how far. It was all wrong...all so wrong. Your mind repeated, over and over again. You failed to see something.

Bringing your hand back, drop your eyes to what you held against your chest. Feeling your phone buzz, reach down, stop...draw your hand back. Now that you had the answers, you could put that behind you and focus on what was important right now. Straitening yourself walk to the train station.

Board the train and take your seat. By the window, instead of looking out like you normal would do, close your eyes. But remain aware at the same time. Your mind submerged down...there was still so much you needed to do...there was just so much...that wasn't perfect. Your calves began to throb. You slip a hand down and rub them slightly.

Ah, you're sore? Again, what's brothering you? You're being clumsy.

Your eyes shoot open from the words of April. Look around finding no one. Those words...April would only say...they would be said by her if something was...wrong..with you.

But, nothing was.

Standing fully reaching you stop exit the train, walk a few blocks come to your place. Walk up the stairs despite the throbbing calves manage to walk up the two flights up stairs, reach the top find two things to your surprise...scratch that three things. One was a package by your door, the other was a guy with long gray hair and bangs whom your mind vaguely remembered, but those droopy and kind-looking yellowish-green now behind thin rimmed glasses (remind you of mother) was made it click, that and the third thing. What they held in the white plastic bag in their hand. Which they pull something out, that your eyes instantly lite up remembering them from what they held.

He smiles softly at your reaction. It was still the same. "Hi May. It's good to see you again."

Your lips gapped softly, spread into a smile. "...Nao.."

Nao walks over holding out what also lite your eyes. Shaking it in its box. "Miso flavor, right?"