You couldn't shake it, no matter how you tried to distance your mind or focus it. It remained imbedded, replaying over and over again like some sort of film, and every time it kept replaying your stomach just...your heart just...everything just...Haru...the way he looked after his race. He looked...he didn't look at all like...the shredded look of defeat and anger pinned itself in his eyes. Hard. Leaving you at a lost of confusion, for a moment. Your hand clenched for reasons unknown to you..

"You know," Yuna voice interrupts your thoughts, while playing with the straw of his ice tea. Sitting across your coffee table from you. "it would be easy if you just called or something. I mean is it that hard?"

Your fingers flinch and curl on your keyboard from his words. Instantly look away from him. "I don't really need to call..."you answer downward. "I'm sure..I'm sure he's fine."

Yuna kept playing with his straw, stirring his ice. "I don't know," he sighs a bit. "after something like that from what you told, a lost like that can be and sounds rather devastating. Especially on the mind. You said it yourself, he seem...torn. Or was it shredded? I'm just happy that you went!" He smiles finding the bright side. "I mean honestly, I thought you were going straight home or something. I mean you always do anyway. But, the fact you went to cheer on your friend was pretty good."

That was it though...your face sunk, you didn't get there in time to do it. Exhale. Over Yuna's merry humming. He looks to you and your downcast expression. He knew where you mind was at right now, it made perfect sense it would be there. Seeing you unable to shake the event from your mind, it still shocked you if not wound you. From the way you talked about it, even if you tried not to sound like you weren't affected by it. It was clear you where, cause the tucking of your upper lip and quivering chin (subtly) was a give away. He just wish you say it, it was adorable to watch, if he was clenching his own teeth behind his smile.

Lifting a finger he pokes your nose. "Boop!" He laughs. You swat it away. That didn't stop his merry time. "Honestly, so serious. Just call him up or something."

"And say what?" you raise a brow. He shrugs his shoulders. "Knowing Haru, he just...needs to well cool off or something. I'm sure he'll get it back together. Besides," your focus your attention back to your laptop screen. "I've got things to worry about. And well..."

Yuna casually lays a hand on the back and shuts the lid. Giving you a rather stern look. That shot through you. "Just call and see." His hand spreads completely on over the top. Daring you to try and warning you at the same time. "Cause clearly your mind isn't clear at all. Your barely able to type a singlet thing the last hour or focus on in your dance class, which," he holds up a finger. "your professor kicked you out early."

Your eyes fall flat and hard. He matched it. The battle began...his eyes pressured you and yours pressured back. Who would win...in the battle of stubbornness? Who would win?

You?

Yuna?

"Alright!" Yuna said excitedly. Smiling from ear to ear. Watching you calling on the phone in the kitchen. He won after all, great.

Your back to him, grumbling, wait as the ring after ring happens on the end. After the last one, get nothing but the voice mail. "Haru-"you mouth clams shut. The words wouldn't come out. Using your thumb press END. Hand up. Guess he wasn't going to...dropping your shoulders with a sigh. You needed to focus right now...the event was coming up and this wasn't what you needed.

Massaging and pinching your temples, your mind was already crowded right now. You still needed to type up the thing for Mr. Kon and then you had something other things to do. On top of that...while you remained in submerged state, Yuna took this time to gaze around. He enjoyed looking around even if nothing really has or had changed.

Your place was clearly smaller than his own. At least five or six of your 600 sq ft apartment could fit in his. It was always so quaint and cozy here. It had to the limit space and close walls. That made it so, he couldn't stop himself from squealing inside. That and the yummy iced tea you had and goodies in your fridge he enjoyed eating every time he came here unannounced. Like today. This morning. After finding out you where kicked out of dance class today. The professor told him, when he went to wait for you, to go get something to eat. Riku was busy, so it was you. And when he found out, he knew right away where you went.

Here.

To your home. Or apartment. He must have come a few minutes after you, because you were still in your dance attire. And eyes where tighten and nostril flaring. He joked he could fry an egg on your head. A joke you didn't find amusing. He didn't care and made his way in. And at home. Still moving his eyes around, stop on the picture of you and April. It was so tender and sweet. The love he saw between the two always flushed him with warmth. Your sister was bright and lively. But also, warm and kind. Nodding his head respectfully to it.

Taking a sip of his tea. "This picture would be so great for the event." He said to himself. "Just like her other ones. I wonder..." he begins to look around for it. It was here somewhere, he remembered seeing it.

You had it, he stumbled across it once. It was in a box...yeah. In the closet. The front one? His eyes look to it, trying to remember. Maybe...or was it in your room? Tapping his chin trying to remember, as you came over.

Noticing his look. "What is it?" you asked, about to sit back down.

"I was just wondering, something," he kept the pondering face on, looking upward. What was it this time? "Where was that box?"

"Box?"

He nods. "Yeah. You know the one that holds all those precious memories of yours!" Looking to you eyes lighting up. "The one that has everything from your younger time. When innocence was always around and essence of childhood and friendship."

It took a moment, but you knew what he was talking about. "Oh, that, it's in my room. Why?"

His eyes dart all around, with a rising nervous laugh, that burst out. Nearly scaring you. "N-No reason! Hahaha, why would you think that?"

Jerk back, nearly stumble from his outburst. "Umm, okay?" Get up, walk to your room. "Whatever, give me a minute."

He watches you, with a forced smile. That drops the minute you vanished. "Oh!" He messages his cheeks. "That hurt, honestly. My poor cheeks, not good at all for my skin."

RIINGGG! RIINGG!

"Huh?" he blinks a few times at your phone. That rang over and over again. Vibrating on the coffee table, he picks it up reading the name. "Sosuke? Who's Sosuke? What?" The phone vibrates in his hands, from the texts that followed after. He knew he shouldn't look, but it was kind of hard. "Coffee Shop? What?"

"Okay," he hears you from the room, he puts your phone down. Just as you come in carrying the box. Set it down next to him. "here you go."

He clasp his hands together. "Wonderful! Oh, look at this!" He waste no time and opens it, rummaging through. Pulling things out. You watch the way his eyes warmly lite up, every time he pulled something from years ago. Especially with the pictures from years ago. His eyes always became this...this soft tint that brought tears to his eyes, a small smile would slowly build on his lips. With the lightest touch his finger would trace the photos, you were sure you saw his heart speed up in a flutter. All this from looking at old pictures, despite how sweet it looked and understanding why he reacted like this, it still baffled you.

It was just old pictures really, nothing else. Nothing compared to what he could bring...make...what others would be bringing. You just hoped...huffing, it would be up to that level. What you chose was right...correct...right? Biting your thumb nail, give it a thought. While Yuna began spreading the pictures out and taking out other things like some child with their toy chest. All over your floor.

"This one is my favorite...oh and this one! Oh!" he said humming. Holding one, it was years ago, your wrist started to hurt...it was of your father and April. It was in the park, she jumped on his back. A lollipop in her mouth, with a silly face on.

You tried to hide your smile. Yuna takes out another, this time it was one the guys...about three months after you moved here. Nagisa jumped in the front of the shot, arms and legs spread out like a starfish. A huge smile on, the others in the back. Another was during their swimming practice, April was in this one, as a junior life guard. She was standing behind them, each of them lined before her. Her arms crossed with a smug smile and dark sunglasses on, like she was some sort of officer. The others had on nervous and scared smiles, mainly Rin and Mako who April had a hand on their shoulder, all of them smiling like that except Haru. Who was rolling his eyes.

That day, April ended up pulling Haru's cheeks because of what he did. They where sore for nearly two weeks, he made sure to stay clear of her. Calling your sister a monster. There was another one of you and Gou, your first in a sense selfie. Both of you laying on the floor arms up, you took the picture. Yuna took out another one...it was one years later...junior high...of everyone. April, Nao, Natsuya...Haru, Mako, Asahi, and Ikuya…at the pool. You wanted to just take it...it was your last one, now that you thought about it.

Bittersweet. Really.

Either way it was kind. The one thing April cherished after you left. Going through some more, saw many that made you smile inside. Stopped hearing your phone timer go off, walking to it pick it up.

"Oh, yeah." you remembered. Going to your laptop, Yuna stops and looks over his shoulder. Opening turn it back on, moving the curser open a file and print it out. Get up and go to your room for a moment come out carrying a couple pieces of paper. Going to your kitchen open a draw, move things around pull out a stapler. Staple the papers together, opening another, pull out a folder.

All the while Yuna was wondering what you were doing. His eyes still followed you, when you came back to get your phone and when you went to the door. Slipped on your shoes. "Where are you going?" he asked not bothering to rise from his spot.

Struggling a bit to put on your shoes, almost falling over. Mange to catch yourself. "I've got to drop something off to someone. I'll be back."

Grab your keys and a bag. Open your door. "Do you want me to tak-"Yuna asked seconds late, you already left. "Guess, not." He mumbles, turning back to the pictures. Looking at the two in his hands. His eyes misted with a quivering chin. "...These are such...treasures..."he swallows the sobs slowly rising. Didn't stop the few drops that fell upon the pictures. "...I can't imagine having something this special." He forces himself to smile. Despite the hardship. "It's so warm...not cold. Life...not death. E-Everyone is with you."

Shuts his eyes, before everything fell. Still, felt them...as he stood alone before the two gray and hard stones. With the names...of his parents before his young eyes. Or so he was told, he wasn't sure...they where gone before he could even really register them as such. There where pictures but...that was nothing. If they didn't have life in them. Like everything else...it was all...empty...just like recess. It was always...cold. Not a single person around. Lunch was always so cold and...lonely.

It was...he opens his eyes. Finding warmth looking at him, from the pictures. Washing it away, filling him with memory and moment he felt he was apart of. Smiled. A single tear rolled down his cheek.

"They're just so beautiful." He exclaims, hugging them. Gripping them tightly. Whispers."...What are you doing...May? Huh?" He looks around at the pictures. "Huh? What are you doing?"

That was a good question, what where you doing? At the convenience store, standing before bags of assorted chips, when you had other thing to do. Your eyes search them for the right one, where was it? Using a finger, trail them...found them! Taking them go and purchase them, the clerk looks at you oddly. Ignoring them, pay them and leave.

Lucky it wasn't too far from where you needed to go. Putting the chips in your bag, reach the place. Walk in from the hold door, over to the person at the reception desk.

"Excuse me?"

The young man no older than twenty-two it would seem, looks up from what he was doing. "Yes?"

Smiling at him. Ask. "I was wondering if you could please direct me to someone please?"

With the directions given to you by the person you make your way through the large aquatic center. Looking for the right pool, they'd be at. It was the biggest one they'd be there teaching class. Or on break, whichever. It didn't matter to you, you just needed to give them what you had. Still looking for the spot, a couple of feet away familiar droopy yellowish-green notice the rather lost pink hair female behind their glasses. As they walked in the other direction they where going.

Chuckling softly to themselves, the clueless look in those golden-yellow eyes hadn't changed. If it was someone other than themselves they'd let her wonder around and around. But, they couldn't do that and call to her.

"May!"

You stop at the sound of the familiar voice, turn a bit finding Nao walking over. A smile instantly comes. "Nao!"

He returns the smile. "Hi, you seem lost, are you looking for some place?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm trying to find the pool Mako is in, I've got," you open your bag and take out the folder with the staple papers. "something to give to him. Do you know where he is?"

"Yes. Come on," he takes you. "this way."

Following him, in just a few minutes come to the area. Rushed with a strong smell of chlorine and the sound of children's voice and splashing water filling the area. Through it all, find Mako.

"Makoto!"

You call to him going over. He turns surprised to see you, but happy none the less. Some of the kids turn and look at the female who knew their teacher. A couple of them blushed in awe.

Nao followed behind you, stopping a few feet away. Allowing the two of you talk. "May, hey." Mako greets you. "This is a surprise."

You playfully wave your hand up and down. "I know. I know. I thought I'd come and give you your paper. After all the corrections of course." Hand him the folder. "I know you have work, so I thought this would be good."

He takes it gratefully. "Thanks. I can't believe you finished it. I hope it wasn't too much."

You shrug that off. "No. Not all. I know you needed it soon, so, yeah."

"Well," he softly smiles. "thank you. For doing this. I know you've got a lot on your plate right now."

Your heart froze and breath became caught in your throat. Did he...your eyes widen a bit. Relax from his smile. "Oh, well, not that much. So," your voice drops a bit, along with your eyes. He noticed. Along with your trembling fingers you hide behind you back. "have..."

He knew what you wanted to say. His eyes drop a bit sharing with you. "No. Nothing yet."

Your heart fell, he was still..."Oh." Turn to the water. "Well, I'm sure he's doing fine." Muster a smile. "There isn't much to worry about."

Mako wasn't sure what to make of your expression or words. "...May..." There was something fighting in your eyes he noticed, reaches out a hand to your shoulder.

It was like you felt it coming, because you moved before he could rest it. Turn around to him. "Well, I should go. But, if you do happen to see or hear from Haru," you open your bag and pull out a bag of Mackerel flavor chips hand it to him. "please gives these to him for me. I hope...it makes him feel better or something. Anyway, I've got to go. See ya, Mako." Waving to him walk away before he could say anything.

His eyes follow you, bid Nao the same bye, and all the way out. He didn't notice Nao coming over. "She's quite busy isn't she?" He said. Mako looks to him. "She's tripping over her own feet."

"She has been...rather..."Mako wasn't sure how to put it. Staring down at the bag of chips. It was a kind gesture, then again...

"Where you going to ask her something?" Nao noticed in Mako's eyes.

Looking his old mentor Mako held the words in his eyes, but spoke the answer. "She most likely would have said no." Sighs to himself. "I'll make sure to give these to Haru. Whenever...I see him."

On the way back home, your feet seem to slow on their own accord. Coming to a stop. Not sure why, but they did. Was because you just gave a single bag of chips to Mako, for Haru...instead of...it was the best you could do right now. He was...well...he was dealing with something right now and so where you. There wasn't time to-

Your phone vibrated and rang. Now really wasn't the time...trying to ignore it. It did the same thing again, sighing, pull it out reading the name. Answer it.

"Rei, hey."

You could hear the smile in his voice and excitement. When he answered back. "May, I'm glad I caught you. I've got wonderful news for you. Actually me an-"

"Hey May-May!" Nagisa shouts in the back, you knew he was waving too. Smiled. Gou shouted in the back. Too.

There was also a few other voices who say hi, you didn't know who they where at all. But respond back. With that out the way Rei takes control. "Yes, well, everyone wants to hi, as I was saying, I've got wonderful news that might just fill you with joy."

"Really? What?" You ask interested. Walking again. Listen to him, with Nagisa throwing things in. Stop suddenly, amazed. "What? Really? Wow, well that's umm, well...that's really great. I'm proud of you both."

"Thank you," Rei said. "we should be out your way soon and should time permit, if you have any free time, we could meet up or something. It has been some time since we've seen you. It would be great if we could. Of course if you have the time. Those new to our club would love to meet you, they would love to meet you."

There came silence from your side. "May?" Nagisa calls a few times. "May-May are you there? Hello? Did she hang up?" He asked looking to Rei.

Who looks at his phone, there was still no disconnection. Clearing his throat he calls to you. "May, are you there?"

After a few more seconds of silence you respond. "S-Sorry, just stepped into noisy area. You were saying to meet up or something?"

"Yes."

You shrink a bit. "Oh, well..."An incoming call interrupted . Reading the name, had to end the talk without an answer. "sorry, I've got to go. I'll talk to you guys later. Okay. Bye."

You hand up before they could say anything. Leaving them rather dismay. Especially Rei, Nagisa, and Gou. The three of them look amongst themselves. "Well, that was..."Nagisa tries to think of the right words or word to say.

Gou's shoulders slump. "I didn't even get a chance to tell her that Rin's back. He's been trying to reach her since he's been back."

"If she can't join us," Nagisa said. "hopefully she can come Nationals. It'll be great to have her there, she missed the last one. Maybe this time she can make this one. She can take our pictures of everything good. Of all the great memories." He said brightly, looking to the others. "You'll love May, she's really good at that. Every time she takes a picture it's something precious."

The other members look at one another amazed. Hearing him, Rei smiles briefly, his attention remained on the phone. There was something about that call...he couldn't really quite shake. Whatever it was, he just hoped...

This time she was home, knocking on the door again. Rin calls to for you. Again, he got nothing. Sighing, scratching his hair. He was sure this time she'd be home, he was kind of expecting/hoping she'd be there at the Coffee shop earlier today. But, she wasn't. Which was fine, at that time.

Knocking again, he calls for you. But, again got nothing. About to knock for the seventh time, hears the door of that elder woman open. He stops. Turns to her.

"Excuse me, but, could I borrow a piece of paper and pen?" he asked.

A odd request, but the woman complied. She goes back in for a few minutes and comes out. Hands it to him. He thanks her, using the door writes something down and finds a spot he was able to stick it in. He was only here for a few days, until Japan-All Nationals was over. He managed to make his rounds to nearly everyone. Except one. With everyone else, after catching up with them, they dropped or let slip something that either concerned him or peaked his interest. All of it though pretty much came together, in a way.

Drawing a breath, they both agreed to make this work. And it has. Though right now, it seem otherwise. Coming to an empty place, every time. Scratching his hair again, frustrated. Turns to leave. Thanking the woman, begins walking down the stairs, when the door opens. He stops and turns around...

Finding a sleepy goth looking guy, step out. At least four years older than May. Rin's eyes widen first then narrow like hot lighting. Yawning. Looking around. Spotting Rin. Blinks a couple of times. "Umm..." he points. "Are you the pizza guy?"