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Rain befalls in the quiet town that is Miyagi and drowns the afternoon into a sea of blues and gray, the air carrying the smell of soil that is refreshing to the soul, taking you into a place you are safe and free. the world shifts into a space created fit for comfort, in the form of four confined walls as the cold glow of dark hues filters in the room, with Kunimi Akira embracing your figure close to his warm chest, gentle and sweet.
Time smooths out a long stretch for you to feel as though the clock displayed on your wall barely ticks, you don't hear it, or at least you don't want to. Your window already provides a tune to your ears, the soft pitter patter of the rain, along with his relaxed breathing, and the low hum of the AC. Perhaps you only listen to the things that only matter, and time doesn't seem to be on the list here.
Photos hung and displayed on your table reflects off from the filtered light through your window, photos that hold treasure of blinks, a glimpse back to moments written and memorised with your mind and with you heart and well kept in your soul.
The camera is the instrument to capturing these blinks, a piece that is put into what words, feelings, and recordings of the mind wishes to print out in physical form. These can never go back, and therefore the form should come as close to the feelings your heart felt in that moment, to relive it once you look back at it.
It's not much, though you would be lying if you told yourself it never fails to draw out giggles and supressed grins in unwanted hours of nightfall as you stare at the photos before bedtime, hoping that it will all play itself in your dreams.
It's not much, one picture was taken back in the days middle school started. Kunimi was the one who held the camera so you were the only one present in the frame, you were eager with your dilated eyes mesmerizing the beetle you have caught. Oblivious to it, your partner in crime took the moment, it was the first caught after all, kunimi said you looked like an idiot in your own world.
It's not much, there was a day at school where kindaichi became constant and in close reach within the both of your space, due to the bond formed from mutual interests in volleyball, and perhaps the casual hangouts during recess or after classes. It kind of sealed the deal when your mouth started running so freely as to suggest that all three of you should play uno at your place, and oh heavens was it chaos. Kunimi hadn't forgiven him for years until now. You thought supposedly taking a selfie before kindaichi shyly excuses himself and leave should be able to calm down kunimi. His annoyance was an entertainment worth witnessing.
It's not much, but, he used to fixate on the sunset as you both walk back towards home in serene silence after a long and painful day of school. You noticed this quite often, though didn't paid any heed to it until things started to become a bit…disoriented. He used to, but now kindaichi's in the gang, and kunimi's a part of the seijoh's volleyball team, you have your things to take care of, you don't see it as much anymore.
It's highschool now. Kunimi has his hands full, and that goes the same for you.
Funny how you got into photography club for the sole reason you want to create more and more memories, but it's not in the way as it used to be. It's not the stupid little mundane moments like catching bugs with kunimi or having an eating contest on who can eat the takoyaki faster or even just by playing uno until it's a fight for tooth and luck. It's not the candid photos of the other person when one's not paying attention, as questionable as it may sound, you admit that there exists a healthy amount of kunimi and his beautiful face in hidden alleys of your storage.
It's the not the same, really.
So when the chance of spending a moment together offers itself right in front of you, you don't need to ask yourself twice, nor regret choosing it above other priorities.
It's not much you say, but it's so refreshing, to be able to surprise kunimi as he stands there outside their gym after practice, standing tall and more fit in the place alongside his teammates, kindaichi was there, too. Every one of them we're individuals tied together strongly by one thing that kept them going, the underlying passion that flickers into light so contagious and bright. Your chest swells in admiration for them, for him, the most.
Kunimi briefly bid them goodbye and rushed to you, seemingly at a loss for words at the sudden show-up. You remember the way you send him a smile, followed by "let's walk home together" like old times, although it would've been nice if kindaichi was here too, he didn't join in as you thought he would, but you suppose he got the notion you wanted to spend time with kunimi alone, for now.
You should've been more enthusiastic at that moment, but what overtook instead was profound relief, kunimi was quiet, and it's so familiar to you because that indicates things didn't change between this space you both constructed, a space of just you and him, and this little world that's shared throughout the years.
A silent chuckle, instead of enthusiastic, you were also just happy he's there. you took a glance of him only to be left stunned by the sight of kunimi already looking at you, a pause, staring right back with a silent question hanging between your wide eyes, but his lack of response made you bubble in laughter instead.
"Is my face that funny to you?" He comically sighed.
"Don't get me wrong, while you're one of the hotshots out there in campus, if I were to imagine your face in my head while being in a serious situation, I'd wheeze furiously."
Kunimi proved it difficult to hide his happiness with his lips quivering slightly, a tiny tilt upwards, the shape of his eyes takes a crescent of the moon, and the crack in his voice as he says "I think you'd laugh at any situation [name], even on funerals if your neighbor's dog died."
"…That actually happened though?"
You both laugh at the memory.
"You're mean for that"
"I know, I know! I already apologized!"
"I can't even begin when we watched a scary movie together and you laughed the entire time, you practically couldn't breathe."
"Ah, I didn't find it scary at all, it was just full of jumpscares and exaggerated screams, not to mention that I kind of predicted the plot already."
Kunimi turned his gaze front, his head dipped a bit under his jacket, all zipped and tucked. He mutters. "That's amazing, though."
Dismissively, you hummed. "You were there by my side, so I see no reason to feel scared."
Kunimi grew silent at that.
"But hey! If I encounter a roach, I can't say I'll remain calm under that scenario, and if you're there, please kill it for me."
An awkward chuckle ceases the silence, an attempt to regain relief, what you said was a bit…sweet? Perhaps? Glimpses of affections don't come often as successful, to say the least, but it wouldn't hurt to try?
Besides, what you said was true, so long as he's there, there's no need to fear.
"What if I wasn't there?"
"Then uhm, I'll just gladly flee and travel across the pacific ocean and never turn back."
What if…he wasn't there? What, then?
What if you've been relying too much? Finding reasons in him, or in people, rather than for yourself? If they're not there, would you toss everything away?
Would you hide yourself, push everyone out of view, and stare at your reflection with utter contempt and fear?
These things, are what haunts you, and you'd rather not indulge yourself in these spiraling thoughts, not now of all times.
Silence engulfs the plane of atmosphere once more, you took notice of the small convenience store nearby, the tired-looking employee dozing off on the counter, the bright neon sign 'OPEN' blinking in irregular patterns, and inside were empty souls excluding the employee. you wonder if you'd end up working similar like them, you find it hard to imagine. the death from boredom would feel similar to actually dying.
The rustles of leaves could be heard, followed by the wind blowing some as it falls down and rests on the ground, the soles of your feet drag you as your shoes leave a small click on the asphalt, absentmindedly kicking a few rocks that appears your way, you can see the shadows of the trees that offer its canopy from the sun, but perhaps this time you don't need the protection.
Because the sun glows gently in orange hues spreading across the borders, welcoming yet far and unreachable. light touches anyone who stands before it, especially as your eyes drift to kunimi, who was now in halt, standing and admiring the sunset before his eyes. you realized he's a bit in a distance behind you, probably due to the fact that you got lost in your head for a moment and forgot reality.
It's faint, but it's there, that awe as he takes in the sight. His figure is outlined by the glow, casting shadows aside, his eyes all drooping in tiny specks of light, his hair ever so ruffled by the wind in different directions. The pockets of his jacket are occupied by his hands, comfortably resting there as if it's where it belongs, with his bag carefully swung over his shoulder. And his posture, perfectly pointed to the beautiful scenery, the trees adorned in the background as a final piece to a puzzle art, but kunimi never moved, as if he's satisfied with only observing from miles away, as if the picture holds a promise that it will ingrain itself in his mind forever.
That reassurance that he won't forget this, from just staring and holding absolute fondness from his heart. Suddenly with a gush of courage you swiftly held your camera between your hands that was hanging from your neck this entire time, about to commit a crime worth executing. You lick your lips in eagerness.
Remember that today will only serve as history for tomorrow, and whatever happens now, will only be a short blink in the grand scheme of things, to this silly thing we call life. But these feelings, these photographs can be the best copy of the present, so that, tomorrow, and the next day, as you pick up the photo, it's as if you're thrown back to the occurence, and emotions encased with the photo is relived. It's flowing, reliving, reminiscing.
"Don't move." You said in a serious tone as you adjust your camera, setting the right angle on your eye and already envisioning yourself editing tonight.
Kunimi looked flustered as he heard your words, "wha…" he looked like how he was about to object, but he saw you, unwavered and determined, already in position. He tried as best as he can to look the way he was before as he repositioned himself, he knows you're serious about these…taking photos. Photography. Scenery. All that stuff, so he'll let you slide for today. Just for today. Maybe.
And with that, his tense figure returned to calm, composed, and unbothered.
Then, a tiny click of a camera, then another, and another.
"…You're not gonna take a hundred now do you?"
"Oh, I wish I could."
"Come on I feel stiff right now"
Kunimi hears your laugh, and he can tell despite still fixed on the sunset that you're grinning from ear to ear. "Are you done?"
Thankfully as soon as he asked, he can feel your presence near his side, already done. Crime committed successfully. His gaze peaked through your camera, but was quickly obstructed by your hand. "Nope, you're not allowed until I edit it first."
He gave you a deadpan look, almost offended. "I'm the subject of interest, therefore I have the right to see it."
"Nope." With a teasing pop on the 'p', your smile further rubs on his annoyed state. "Logic does not work on me, don't worry, I promise it won't take long."
"It better look good"
"Hey! Don't underestimate me! I'm the best photographer out of all you know!"
"More like the only photographer I know"
"Exactly! No need to know the others, if you ever need a help with photos and stuff, volleyball related or not, I'm more than happy to help!"
Kunimi smiles for the nth time, an amused smile, as if he can't let himself fully accept your words, its half-hidden and painted rare, but it's better than anything.
It's so much better when he's there, you know?
As you both got near to your home, somewhere along the way—you don't know when exactly, it all happened a little too fast. The moment passes through and never stays eternally. You wish, every frame that passes through your eyes, could be created like photos too, but your camera can only hold so much—
If you remember correctly, it was when you notice the front gate of your house, that you felt your cheek being kissed by Kunimi, his hand pressing the other side of your face. If you remember correctly, his lips was soft and warm against your cold skin, and the way it happened in a flash explains his face that's splashed in pink and his ears burning vivid red, that he didn't think he'd be able to do such a thing. That he too couldn't swallow what occurred just now. And yet, at the same time as you were trying to process it all, a hearty laugh could be heard, reverberating in your ears like a song bound to replay over and over.
He laughed, so freely and so pretty, didn't he?
The close proximity ignites heat as it rises through the surface. The cloth of his jacket and his callous hand terrifyingly remaining in place making it even more warm under the pretty tangerine sky. His breath fanning your hot cheeks, and his lips travels like a ghost and so foreign against unmarked territory. You stare, stunned, speechless, dazzled, by kunimi and his concentrated eyes trained at you, with his goddamn lips quirked upwards, but with his brows crinkling that you can probably tell he's a bit embarrassed by all of this.
He kissed your cheek once more, but only difference is that it's quicker and more of a translation of parting. Because then he took a step back, examined you with one last stare, filled with adoration with his smile and you just noticed his little dimple you swore faded around childhood. He muttered something, and it if wasn't for the fact that you've both known each other for a long time, you wouldn't have come to fall for it in a heartbeat.
"I'm…I'm always here for you. And I will always be here, if you want me to."
You can tell, its a complete unfamiliar piece of words structured together, rolling of his tongue a little awkward but, it felt like it was practiced somehow, or at least, haven't had a day where he wished he had told you.
"I.." you gulped, enough to regain control from the doubt settling in. "…I want you to be here. Be here with me."
"I hear you." he said, without fault and without pretense, but reassurance alone. "I'll see you tomorrow, [name]."
Finally you smiled, its a smile that's full from your heart. "Bye, see ya tomorrow."
You blinked.
And suddenly its not high school anymore.
. ✦ .
Rain is where bodies are blanketed in warmth thats right and inexplicably entrancing in ways more than one. Rain is where your senses heighten in the absence of responsibilities, in the absence of the waking sun that is poetic enough to magically call people to start moving along the waves and actually make you finish your last portfolio you've been pushing aside till deadline straight up knocks at your doorstep.
Rain is where you can smell his favorite cologne weaving through fabric softeners, feel the pressure of his weight as his arms envelop your figure with his head snuggling against yours, his hands that faintly brush the small of your back, slow and careful and his lips planting lazy little kisses on your scalp. You can hear the rise and fall of his breathing, counting it like how you count sheeps when trying to sleep, the sighs of the curtain swaying a silent dance to the drip drop of waters.
Rain is where your mind can drown itself back to the good old times, it's fascinating how you can write a good portion of it as if it were some media's favourite novel if given the chance, but you'd rather thank yourself for turning a small hobby into a driving force, just being able to see your works are solid proof of how you've got lucky in life. It's far beyond what you have foreseen, then again, would there be any thrill in your life if everything was just set as planned?
your lips fall into his collarbone, and its an offer of sparks that you shower across the bare, known, marked skin, you give it several kisses before moving on to his jaw, until you reach further on to the corner of his lips, meticulous with how you draw near slow to the real deal, yet tender enough that he doesn't scowl with your teases. Kunimi catches yours without delay as he cradles your head and he doesn't seem to bother when you started tittering in the middle of it.
His kisses are—in every sense of the word— delicate, and fervent.
When he pulls away, he takes in your sight for a long while, you doing the same.
His dulcet voice splits the mini staring contest, "did you remembered something funny, or is it just my face again?"
Your heart leaps tenfold as you whisper, "I remembered you used to fixate on the sunset a lot."
Kunimi finds it pleasantly surprising that you can muse so suddenly, such a trivial thing. "And I still do?"
You shook your head, sighing in tones of endearment. "You haven't for years, wanna know why?"
You cupped his cheek, your thumb idly swiping his eyes, touching his lashes. And you just wonder if it's all what life have planned for you, maybe, maybe not. Either way, you shifted your angle of view from the former of which you only knew what was familiar as you thought it was enough, but this? The unknown city is where you belong, because each day there's always something that pops up from uncharted grounds that you have to start from actual scratch to adapt but that's where growth plays its part.
With a better angle, you've learned to capture the art that is needed to be seen, the story to be heard, and the growing heart to be loved.
"Because, your eyes are all set on me, don't you agree?"
You've captured Kunimi Akira, and you think he is the best art you've ever laid eyes on. It's quite impossible to tear your gaze away. And you don't. And probably never will.