In case I don't have a chance on the weekend, I think I'll update now. That's a good enough reason, right?
3 – alone
The night came bearing many things, laden with many promises. Ayaka delighted in them all, in the opportunity to explore them to her heart's desire. Her sense of adventure wasn't lost in age, and neither was her disregard for manners.
When Rin had texted her that night, he had asked her the strangest thing – if anyone intended on visiting his old swimming club. It was easily inferable that anyone meant Haruka.
From there, after reading that single text, Ayaka had proceeded to draw a series of conclusions and her reply ended up more alike to a self-invitation. If Rin was going to trespass in search of childhood memories, than Ayaka would more than willingly come along. She had never been one to pass up opportunities, nor a chance to annoy Rin.
It was her optimistic determination that was most accountable as to how they ended up in this situation, sneaking through the abandoned halls of the old swimming club building.
Ayaka wore her hair down, secured under a woollen beanie, while her clothing consisted of a hoodie and jeans. Black seemed to be the colour of the night, for Rin was also dressed similarly.
"I think it's sad." She admitted softly, her voice echoing into the vast distance of the darkness.
Rin, who walked a little ways ahead, glanced back. "Why?"
"That this place is going to be torn down," Ayaka murmured, her fingers grazing the peeling paint on a wall, "I mean, it's got so many memories. It means something."
She thought about adding his name to that sentiment, reattaching him to his own past. She could see, however, the change that had accompanied his move back to Japan. Given this was their first meeting since the previous New Year's, and that they had never been particularly close, she refrained from creating an argument.
Rin shrugged, turning to face ahead once more. "I never would have picked you to be sentimental, Shibata."
"Unsurprising, seeing as we never talk about me, Matsuoka."
"It didn't interest me."
"I resent that. You're probably just lying to play it cool just how much you actually do like me." joked Ayaka, tossing her hair back.
"You're not my type." Rin dismissed casually.
Ayaka paused, studying the child-like painting on the wall, before returning to the walk. Given Rin's lack of consideration for her loitering pace, she ended up skipping to catch up.
"The idea of anyone having a 'type' is stupid." She declared resolutely, eyes narrowing. Rin turned just in time to catch the light reflecting off her, the golden glow of her irises. His look was of an obscure meaning, though Ayaka took it whatever way she willed.
As far as an interest in the conversation went, it would suffice. "I mean," she continued, "You like who you like. There aren't set stereotypes for who is compatible with who – it's just like how sometimes I might like a guy, other times I might like a girl."
At her conclusion, she drew only silence. Upon looking ahead, struggling to peer through the gloom, Ayaka pinpointed the still flash of red that was his hair. Rin hesitated, looking sideways into a doorway. His expression was distant and she knew she was right – these walls held his memories as well.
A soft tilt slid across her lips, a fond smile that passed unseen. Ayaka could easily grasp the atmosphere, and it left her wordless. She might have stood there with him, but she was entirely non-existent to Rin. In this, he was alone.
Quickly, before she intruded any longer, Ayaka turned towards the wall once more. Rin entered the room, and she was spared a few minutes alone. The dark didn't scare her, and instead her skin tingled with excitement.
The promise of mystery was something she delighted in. Her fingers moved against the wall, gliding over the cracking paint. A furled corner was soothed out under her fingertips, rough with age on her skin. This had never been a place she had known, and as with any mystery, she indulged herself in imagining what it would have been like in its glory days.
Lively, she presumed. A few minutes later, and Ayaka and spun around to face the doorway. She caught Rin still standing inside, and waited against the doorframe. Her eyes drifted to the photos still on the wall – more doomed memories.
Their smiles were dim-lit, but happy. Ayaka also imagined Rin would have been lively as well.
"I hope I get to see you happy like that one day."
She blurted the words before she could think. Rin's reply was a swift, "Why?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it's just because you seem sad now."
He turned to her, head lowered so that his cap obscured his face in shadow. "I mean why would that matter to you?"
"No one should be sad, Matsuoka. Sadness breeds sadness."
He scoffed, obvious in the furling of his lip. Attractive though it was, she overlooked it just this once.
"Seriously," Ayaka insisted, "I mean, like, Kou?"
"Gou?"
"Kou. You care about her, right? So if she was sad, wouldn't you be?" she half-intended for the question to be rhetorical.
"I'd be pissed," Rin objected, "Pissed at whoever made her sad."
"What if you made her sad?"
For that, he had no reply. Perhaps he sensed Ayaka's double meaning, as he knew and she had no problem telling him how rude he was to ignore his family.
"Whatever, let's go." He sighed.
"What? But I didn't get to explore everywhere!"
"Then stay longer. I don't care."
"But I'll be alone!"
Ayaka pushed herself off the doorway as Rin walked past her. His were narrower than Gou's, despite how they reflected light with the same sense of vibrancy. Even as his shoulder brushed against her, he spared her no glance. Familiar with it already, Ayaka ignored the offence.
"You invited yourself along, Shibata. You're not my responsibility." He concluded.
Ayaka couldn't argue against a valid point, so settled for something pettier. "Spoil sport."
"Brat."
"Coward."
"Parasite."
"If I was a bug, then Satsuki wouldn't like me so much." Ayaka retorted.
Rin quirked a brow, glancing at her. "Who's Satsuki?"
"Satsuki Moriyama; she frowns, a lot like you really, and she's my best friend. Gou's friend as well," the blonde added, enjoying the attention, "I'm ninety percent sure she's dating Haruka Nanase, but neither of them have actually called each other-"
"Dating?" Rin echoed, stunned, "Haruka?"
"That's what I said, pretty boy." Ayaka muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"Ninety percent. You do have ears, don't you?"
"I didn't think anyone would be able to compete with his love of water." Rin offered, staring at Ayaka.
She flashed a grin, one not entirely innocent. "You haven't met Satsuki, though. She's amazing," she paused briefly, curiously, before adding, "Also, she brings Haruka free food from her family's bakery…"
"Hmph."
"I love her."
"Love?" Rin, for somewhat who acted to haughty, sure did ask a lot of questions. Perhaps that was just the effect Ayaka had on people – often her mind ran faster than her tongue.
"Like, platonically. If I loved someone in a romantic way, they'd know. Everyone would know," abruptly, Ayaka spun around and stood still in front of Rin. She smirked devilishly, "I'd lean in like this, you know, and I'd say something like-"
Rin stared her down, in something akin to horror. Ayaka was well aware that his body was lined with tension, as she had so carefully orchestrated it so. It was an act that she adopted effortlessly. She pulled a face, a fake pout and doe-eyed expression. He pretended that his heartstrings remained firmly untouched.
She continued softly, unheedingly, "Rin, I…" It was then that she broke out into laughter.
"You're an idiot, Shibata." Hastily, he pushed past her and continued on his way out.
"Oh, you looked so scared, Matsuoka! Don't be afraid- Hey, wait up!"
As she crossed the distance he thought to put between them, Rin growled back, "Don't be so noisy."
"We're the only ones here."
"That we know of."
Ayaka took to the quiet, welcoming it as her ears strained to catch any other noise. She hated to admit it, but Rin's teasing comment put her on edge – though not nearly as much as that sudden crashing sound did.
In a heartbeat, Ayaka had latched herself on to Rin's arm. "Holy shit!"
"H-hey!"
Rin glared down as best he could, perplexed at the sudden change in her character. Logically, he knew, and so did she, that it was probably something they had disturbed earlier on in their exploration. Understanding that then broadened his sights to a number of more reasonable possibilities.
Ayaka's eyes were wide, startlingly so, and now again looked more golden than brown. Her hair had also adopted the ethereal glow of the moonlight, and Rin found himself cursing it – even had he wanted to, he could no longer deny how pretty she was.
"Who's scared now?" Rin teased smugly.
It was the highest road he could afford to take, and her smile was more than enough of a fitting reply.
Hey, a whole chapter with the two of them together! Good, yeah? You can tell me if, how, why and all that other stuff in a review (no pressure guys, but it really means a lot when you take time out of your day for little old me).
Thanks for reading and to all the followers and favourites so far!