Author's note: I haven't posted in three months. Feel free to shoot me. Another reason to do so: this story is going on hiatus, till March. If I can, the sixth chapter might be posted around Christmas, but it's only a possibility. Apologies for this, but it is necessary. Feedback is appreciated.
There are some people who remain unfazed in any situation, their self-control never snapping.
Fuji Syuusuke considered himself to be one of those people, at least to an extent, if not accounting the extremes…
It was to an extent, as for all intents and purposes, he wasn't Tezuka.
The incident regarding the interrogation the regulars put him through as they saw him with Nishino-san that day didn't even count as something to react to.
People tend to be so presumptuous, he couldn't help thinking. Going as far to label an innocent meeting as a date…that was presuming, now wasn't it?
Even the thing about agreeing to meet at the park won't be counted as a date, no matter how much the regulars might impose on it.
…
"Come on, Fuji! I saw you! You were on a date, right?" Kikumaru Eiji jumped from behind, almost startling the prodigy. Tennis practice had just ended and most of the regulars were still there, including Momoshiro, Echizen, Kawamura, and Oishi and of course, Fuji and Kikumaru.
"A date? When did you see me on one, Eiji?" Fuji asked nonchalantly as the said person made a face.
"Come off it, Fuji-sempai! We saw you that day with someone outside the library," Momoshiro added, "Didn't we, Echizen?"
"Whatever," Echizen replied disinterestedly, choosing to walk ahead.
"Hm…and what else?" Fuji prompted.
"It was that girl from our class, right? Her name beginning from Ni or…" Kikumaru tried recalling.
"Nishino Misaki."
"…yeah, whatever. It was her, right?"
"Leave it, Eiji. If Fuji says it wasn't a date, then it wasn't," Oishi spoke, a little irritated by his doubles partner's behavior.
"As much as it is apparent, the probability of that meeting being a date is very low." Inui, with his usual habit of arriving unannounced, surprised the regulars.
Fuji was vaguely surprised. Trust Inui to support him. Really odd…
"But they addressed each other so formally," Kawamura opined even though Kikumaru didn't give up.
"No, I don't care how they addressed each other. It was their first date after all, so how does it matter? Besides -"
Kikumaru paused from his ranting, only to see that Fuji was nowhere near him.
"Apologies, but this conversation will have to be continued later," Fuji called, waving, smiling radiantly. "See you tomorrow." With that, he turned round the corner, disappearing from the regulars' sight.
Kikumaru's face fell. "That Fuji! Try as I might, he'll never allow me to tease him!" he whined.
The whole fiasco was promptly forgotten as the regulars continued with their journey back home.
It couldn't get better than this, Fuji couldn't help thinking. It was, after all, a pleasant evening, even though it was summer, but the usual breeze was there to counter the heat. Even though the park wasn't that near, he chose to walk. After all, he had time to spare; practices were called off for some reason. It was always interesting to observe others or think over something while taking in the sights that a simple walk offers.
Majority tend to be lost in thoughts while walking or rather sauntering towards their place of importance. Only few could notice the presence of nature in these concrete jungles called cities. That required a keen sense of aesthetics, not just mere inclination towards nature.
And that was what exactly he had in common with Misaki, who was an ardent nature lover herself. But the art in this case was photography.
He had especially gotten his camera. He recalled Misaki mentioning how she was an amateur photographer herself, but her interest was in landscape photography. He didn't classify himself to any genre; he usually clicked pictures of what appealed to him, however abstract it maybe. Well, he thought, this time we'll be not searching for a topic; a hobby should be enough.
After a walk, he was at the decided place. It was the beautiful Rikugien Stroll Garden (1), a picturesque landscape. No wonder Misaki frequented there often, although he had to admit it was a good place for photography.
Even though it was big enough for a person to take hours before he could find his way, Fuji already knew the way to the place they had decided to meet. Thinking that he was on time, he was surprised to find Misaki already there.
She stood by the raised area that overlooked the pond. The whole place was higher than the rest of the garden, and the pond was completely surrounded by trees save for that place. The sun was hidden behind a myriad of clouds, yet the rays were clearly evident, forming just the right kind of the background…
Fuji had to take this picture. She was right in the middle of the frame that he had imagined. She held a camera, her fingers working on it, probably changing the settings. Her dark hair, kept loose, was swaying in the mild breeze.
He posed himself, the camera ready in his hands. He took a series of shots noiselessly, each time varying the focus and light setting. To his surprise, he found Misaki to be smiling, though knowingly.
"I hope you got the right frame for this lovely setting, or should I remain like this for a while?" her voice called out, not missing a beat.
Fuji smiled. "I got what I wanted. How did you find out?"
Misaki turned to face him, smiling radiantly. "Photographer's instinct?" she asked lightly.
Both of them laughed. "There's no such thing as that," Fuji replied.
"Oh, you can associate instinct with everything. Even while playing tennis."
"Now, that's one thing I would like to know," he added, "I'll keep that in mind while playing in future."
"Don't blame me if it doesn't work. Actually, a tensai has instinctive powers inbuilt, right? It's already a part of your playing."
"You never know, Nishino-san. Even I don't know it myself," Fuji spoke, a little vaguely. He then gestured towards the camera she was holding. "Got any good pictures? Since I presume you have been here early for this."
Misaki handed over the camera to him. "Have a look. Till then, I'll see how good a photographer you are," she said, taking his camera from his hands.
"I'm not that good as you suppose me to be," he responded, sitting down by a boulder, and she followed suit.
"Trying to be modest, I see," Misaki replied later, still viewing the pictures. "You are better than I could ever get. A really good abstract reasoning, I should say, to be able to pick out these random spots. My boring landscape photography is nothing compared to this."
"You are being harsh on yourself. You are very good," Fuji answered.
"Maybe so, but let's see if we can get some other pictures. This place has a lot of scenery to offer," she spoke, getting up. "How about it, Fuji-san?"
"I don't mind," he replied, following her as she started walking towards the other end of the pond.
They spent a leisurely hour clicking pictures and talking as they walked along the huge garden. Finally, they stopped for drinks as they left the garden.
At a side-walk café, they ordered cappuccinos. Silence reigned in again; it was almost as if they didn't need to talk any longer. Such a comfort level in just four meetings, how interesting, Misaki mused; who knows it has to do with being similar in thinking…
Something happened, probably something fell, and they both looked up at the same time. Their eyes caught each other and both couldn't help chuckle. Fuji spoke, putting an end to the silence.
"I think we have endured each other enough for today," he said good-naturedly.
Misaki understood the joke, "Of course. It's high time we go back our own ways."
"Still, it was a pleasure today; this meeting."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Though, it was your suggestion, to begin with."
"But you chose the place."
"So what? Well, never mind; it was all for the good in the end."
The bills were paid, and both were ready to leave; this time not walking together, for Fuji had to go somewhere else, so they exchanged their greetings.
"I won't repeat myself here," he told.
"About meeting again? Obviously, yes, I know. 'We should do this more often," Misaki answered.
"I believe we should. Well then, goodbye."
"Farewell." Misaki greeted, knowing fully well she was to be questioned on this word.
Instead Fuji only glanced at her with raised eyebrows, as if to say, farewell?
Misaki smiled genially, answering the unspoken question. Just being formal, nothing more, nothing less.
With that, they went there own separate ways, though not knowing that another meeting was already coming their way…
(1) The Rikugien Stroll Garden, built by Yanagisawa-Yoshimasa, is located in nothern Tokyo, designed to represent 88 picturesque scenes. It has a central pond with small islands and a high point in the north of the garden which provides a viewpoint: the place where Fuji and Misaki meet. The link is: ..