Ambient Light
The overall feeling of seclusion at entering empty classroom that housed the photography club was rather perplexing. Having only been here yesterday after classes, I personally had witnessed the hustle and bustle that had occurred. However, right now it was just the two of us.
Kawana was already clearly focused on her work at the computer when I come in. Having to procure some bread from the cafeteria. She has an unopened purple lunch box parked beside the keyboard. A pair of black lacquered chopsticks sitting on top.
Unable to resist watching I make my way behind her watching her screen intently. She has Photoshop open and was rapidly moving the mouse about the screen touching up one of the photos of myself on the track. It takes me a moment but I realise something a little unusual. She is using the mouse to select parts of the images, but not opening any of the menus at the top of the screen. My eyes look down to the keyboard, one hand alternating fingers between the 'Ctrl' and 'Alt' keys, the other pressing other individual keys. In rapid succession. I can't help but whistle in amazement.
"I never took you to be so good with computers. I'm absolutely hopeless."
"I'm only like this in Photoshop. Anything else and I am a train wreck. I have often had to phone or text Ms. Komaki for help. That usually results in me enduring an hour of gossip and small talk so I try to avoid it whenever I can."
She finishes saving the file and logging off the desktop. Picking up her lunch box she takes it over where I have placed my bread. Sitting at the table across from me she present her meal in front of herself and opens it up.
Kawana places her hands together in front of her.
"Thanks for the food."
She bows her head slightly and picks up her chopsticks. I smile at her sometimes stringent adherence to traditional ritual and repeat the same gesture. We begin eating in a rather comfortable silence. One I can't help but break with a question that's been stewing in my head.
"Kawana. Why do you only take candid photos of people?"
She places her chopsticks on top of her lunch box as she pauses contemplating a reply.
"Because the results are more genuine. If I took a picture of you eating, if you knew I was holding a camera you would be compelled to look towards it, probably striking a pose. You have a naturally expressive face Nakai. If you dropped your food I would love to have a picture of your expression as you desperately tried fishing it up."
"Why Kawana, are you thinking of orchestrating such a situation?"
"Nakai you wound me."
We both stifle a laugh and return to eating in the same comfortable silence. Eating lunch like this reminds me of Lilly's tearoom, where I stumbled into on my second day at Yamaku. The same serene distance from the noise outside.
The bell chimes signalling the end of lunch. As I pack my things away and began the walk back to class with Kawana I remember something. Didn't we come here so she could show me the photos we took this morning? I pondered on this question as I entered our classroom.