Chapter Text
The sound of photographs shuffling filled the room, each one finding its place on the wooden table Yasu stood across from. He wasn't doing anything special, just going through his usual routine in the photography room. Sorting through digital and physical pictures, uploading some to the computer while placing others in envelopes, and documenting them in the files as the club president had asked him to.
Yasu was well known around his school, or at least among his grade for taking some pretty good shots. In fact he was mainly known for his pictures ending up in the school newspaper, every single time. So yeah, he was pretty good.
Made sense why the president of the newspaper club took a liking to Yasu so much. Which, unfortunately for Yasu, meant she always had another assignment ready.
“Oh Yasu!” A voice came out of the door, one that Yasu could recognize.
He turned his head and was met with a usual sight in front of him. “Lottie.”
She stepped in casually, slightly pushing past him to look over at the table. Which was full of photographs. “Taking pictures again?”
“I mean, that’s literally what I’m supposed to do.”
Lottie laughed, bumping into his shoulder playfully, “Come on, I have another task for you.”
Yasu tilted his head, “Another project already? I just finished up with the sports game a couple days ago.”
She shrugged, “What can I say? You’re the best photographer in the whole school, ya know? I just want the best of the best.”
Yasu sighed, but his face didn’t look too displeased, more smug even. “Right, what am I doing next?”
"You're covering the theater production!"
…
“I’m.. what..?”
Lottie raised an eyebrow as she leaned back on the table, “You don’t sound so pleased.”
“Just..” hesitation filled Yasu’s throat, “Tell me what I have to do..”
“Great!” She clasped her hands together, “Rehearsals start everyday after school and last until the evening. I already told them you’ll be doing it-”
“Of course you did.” Yasu interjected.
“I want pictures of the actual performance and a mix of some rehearsal shots too! But most importantly.. I want the kiss!”
“Huh..?”
“You know, when Cinderella and the prince kiss? In the actual performance, I especially want the part photographed.”
“Oh, right.” Yasu muttered, scratching the back of his head. He could feel his face heating up the more she talked.
“Why do you look so embarrassed?” Lottie asked.
“I don't.”
“You do.”
“Just give me the assignment.”
…
“I’ll leave it to you Yasu! Text me if you need anything!” Lottie exclaimed, throwing up a thumbs up before she left the photography room.
Yasu sighed, leaning his back against the table, “I better start heading over.”
Yasu made his way toward the auditorium, camera hanging from his neck as he walked. He made up his mind almost instantly after Lottie left. He'd come twice a week, take a few shots, document the process, and repeat until the actual production started.
He walked through the already open doors.
The noise hit him immediately.
Is this what theater kids go through? Willingly?
The sound of poster boards hitting the floor erupted through the room, voices overlapping from every direction, accompanied by the scraping of furniture against the floor. Oh, how Yasu wished he could go home and be done for the day already.
Scratch that. The week.
Yasu stood in the doorway for a moment, taking in the mess before him. Pieces of cardboard were scattered across the floor, rolls of fabric were piled against the walls, and several students rushed around carrying things Yasu couldn't even identify.
This is going to take a while.
…
The first thing he noticed was the stage.
It was only partially decorated, with what looked like the beginnings of a ballroom taking shape across it. A few students were painting sections of the backdrop while others worked on props nearby.
Yasu raised his camera.
Click.
He checked the photo, before moving a little to the left.
Click.
So that's how Yasu spent his time. Wandering around, introducing himself to the cast and backstage crew, some of them actually lighting up in recognition, and taking pictures whenever he found something worth capturing. However, there was someone in particular who caught his eye.
A boy Yasu recognized.
Isamu..?
Maybe.
Yasu could recall some shots that were taken in a basketball game he attended a couple days ago, and a picture of Isamu landing on one the front pages selected by yours truly, Lottie.
Right. He took that picture of that boy.
…
In fact, on that topic... he'd taken multiple photos of that boy.
Yasu scrolled back through the photos, noticing how a familiar figure kept appearing in multiple shots.
Yasu scrolled back through the photos, noticing how a familiar figure kept popping up in multiple shots. Some where only his clothes were recognizable, while in others, Isamu was practically impossible to miss. As Yasu continued to scroll back, Isamu basically made his way through in a decent amount of photographs. Even when he wasn’t even intended to be the main focus he was-
‘Isamu!’
Yasu’s head popped up.
‘Come help us with the carriage!’
His eyes shifted toward the boy happily walking over to help with whatever.
‘Will you come help us with the house after?’
“Of course I will!”
‘Isamu I need you on ballroom duty!’
“Alright!”
Well, no wonder he ended up in so many of his photos.
This guy was getting assigned to basically everything. Yasu was glad he wasn't this guy. He'd hate being ordered around to do almost every job that needed help in the production.
Or at all, really.
…
“So you go around taking photos huh?”
Yasu instinctively took some steps back, staring wide eyed at the boy who had suddenly appeared beside him. He hadn't expected anyone to approach him so suddenly, and for a moment, he had no idea what to say.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.” The boy smiled, “For the newspaper?”
“Uh-” Yasu suddenly snapped outta thought, “Yeah, Lottie- I mean! The newspaper club president has got me assigned on Cinderella duty.”
“Thats cool.”
“Not really,” Yasu mumbled, only realizing afterward that he'd said it loud enough to hear.
“Oh? You don’t-”
“Thats not it!” Yasu interjected, “I mean uh-”
The boy chuckled, “Alright, show me what shots you got so far then.”
…
“Woah, I’m in a lot of them.”
Yasu’s ears flushed, “Well! You have basically been running all around the place so-!” His voice trailed off, “It’s not my fault you got in so many of my shots, Isamu.”
“Oh! You know my name!” Isamu’s eyes lit up, pointing to himself.
“Who doesn’t-?”
‘Isamu! Stop standing around and come help us with this!’
“On it!” He shouted over his shoulder, but his eyes made his way to Yasu’s. “Take some more shots of me, Yasu.”
He knows my name..?
Yasu watched as Isamu made his way to help out a group of girls, nothing special, they were just chatting. But Yasu slowly cupped his camera in his hands, lifting it above his face.
…
Click.
...Huh.
He lowered the camera.
That one's good.
── .✦
Yasu looked back at the rest of the room, then at the time on his camera. He'd been there longer than he thought. He continued taking pictures, moving from one side of the room to the other as the rehearsal went on. By the time he finally stopped to check through his shots, Isamu had wandered back over to him.
“Ha! I’m starving! What about you, Yasu?”
Yasu glanced beside him but mainly trying to keep his focus on taking photos, “Suppose I’m pretty hungry as well.”
“Awesome! Wanna head out with me to eat..?”
“No..”
“Don’t be like that! You have taken plenty of photos! Mr. Stelkins said I can go rest!”
“Then go rest.”
Isamu pouted, trailing behind Yasu as he continued to take more photos, not even glancing at Isamu.
“You can take a break too!”
“I need to finish some shots and go home, that’s when my break starts-”
“Thats not a break then!”
“I just wanna go home..”
“Take a picture of me then.”
“Huh..?”
“You need to finish some shots? Take some pictures of me so you can finish quicker!”
Yasu scoffed, “I have plenty of you already.”
“Yasuuu!”
“What?”
“Just one.”
Yasu finally looked over at him. Isamu was standing there with an annoyingly hopeful smile.
“Fine, one.”
Isamu immediately straightened up, “How should I pose?”
“I don't care.”
“You don't care?”
“Just stand normally.”
“That's boring.”
Yasu sighed, adjusting the camera in his hands. “Then don't ask me to take your picture.”
“Okay, okay!” Isamu laughed and quickly turned toward the camera.
Yasu raised it, adjusting the focus.
Isamu stood there for a second before shifting his weight. “Like this?”
“You're literally just standing.”
“Yeah, but I wanna look good.”
“You're making this harder than it needs to be.”
Isamu grinned.
Click.
...
It was actually pretty good.
“See?” Isamu leaned over to look. “That's not bad!”
“I told you I could take pictures.”
“I never said you couldn't.”
“You were literally bothering me.”
“And now you have another picture.”
Yasu rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth lifted. “Go on.”
Isamu didn't move.
Instead, he made an exaggerated face at the camera.
Yasu lowered it slightly. “What are you doing?”
“You said go on.”
“I meant go away.”
“Oh.”
Isamu made an even worse face.
…
“Don't make that face!” Yasu laughed, hiding his laughter behind his camera. “Gosh! Another one- I have a really good idea-”
Yasu was still laughing when a voice suddenly cut through them.
“Boys.”
Yasu and Isamu slowly turned their heads, acting like criminals caught in the act.
“Isamu I specifically gave you a fifteen minute break so you could rest after being ordered around all hour.” Mr. Stelkins scoffed. “And Yasu? I was told you would be taking pictures of rehearsal, or is Isamu here more important?”
“No sir..”
“Isamu, be back in five.”
“Yes sir!”
Isamu turned his head, meeting Yasu’s eyes again. “You're coming back tomorrow, right?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m only coming twice a week.”
“Oh.” Isamu's expression dropped for a second.“That's too bad.”
Yasu paused. “...Why?”
“Because I was gonna show you the carriage when it's finished.”
Yasu looked at him. “I'll be here Thursday.”
Isamu smiled again, “Got it!”
A couple of days later, Yasu found himself back in the photography room after school.
Yasu sat in one of the chairs, with nothing else to do, he pulled out his camera and started scrolling through the photos he'd taken on Monday. The first few were exactly what he'd expected to see, pictures of Cinderella's unfinished set, the cast rehearsing their lines, and various members of the backstage crew working on props and decorations.
He continued scrolling, occasionally stopping to look at a picture for a little longer before moving on. Most of them were decent enough to use for the newspaper, though some were clearly better than others. Yasu had gotten used to sorting through hundreds of pictures just to find a handful worth keeping.
Then he came across a familiar face.
Isamu.
Yasu paused, staring at the screen before scrolling to the next picture. Isamu was there again, this time carrying part of the set. Another picture showed him talking to someone backstage, and another had caught him walking past the stage while Yasu had been trying to photograph the actors.
Yasu leaned back in his chair, staring at the collection of pictures. Some of them were completely accidental, while others were from when Isamu had practically begged him to take his picture. There were even a few where Isamu wasn't anywhere near the main focus, yet Yasu had somehow managed to capture him in the background anyway.
"I have way too many pictures of this guy," Yasu muttered, resting his chin against his hand.
He continued scrolling until he reached one of the pictures. It was one of the pictures he'd taken near the end of rehearsal. Isamu was talking to someone off to the side, his attention completely elsewhere, with a small smile on his face that Yasu hadn't noticed at the time.
Yasu stared at the picture for a moment longer than he had the others. There was something about it that made the photo feel different from the rest, even though he couldn't quite explain why. Maybe it was just the lighting, or the way Isamu happened to be standing in the frame. Whatever the reason, Yasu thought it was one of the better pictures he'd taken that day.
He saved it before continuing through the rest of his photos.
“Surprisingly, most of these are Isamu.” Lottie stated, peaking over Yasu’s shoulder.
“Yeah,” Yasu replied, completely unfazed with Lottie’s sudden appearance. ”He was running around all over the place. Seems like everyone wanted his help.”
“You sound jealous.”
“What?!” Yasu’s voice came out a little louder than expected, “Sorry Lottie-”
She laughed before pulling up a seat next to him, “I’m just teasing you, don’t worry.”
Lottie leaned closer to the camera, scrolling through the pictures with Yasu. “You got some pretty good ones, though. I especially like these. They feel less staged than your usual pictures.”
Yasu glanced at the screen. “They're supposed to be rehearsal pictures. Nobody's really posing for them.”
“Exactly. That's why I like them.” Lottie paused when another picture of Isamu appeared on the screen. “You got a lot of him smiling.”
“He's always smiling.”
“You've been paying attention.”
Yasu looked over at her. “I have eyes, Lottie.”
“Uh-huh.”
She continued scrolling, clearly amused by something Yasu couldn't figure out. “It's not an excuse, Lottie.”
“Mhm.”
Yasu returned to the theater on Thursday, as promised. He hadn't caught sight of Isamu yet, so he spent some time walking around, talking to the backstage crew and trying his best to avoid a conversation with Mr. Stelkins.
He was halfway through taking a picture of the stage when he heard his name.
“Yasu!”
He turned.
Isamu's eyes instantly lit up when he spotted him.
“Oh.” Yasu mumbled, “You were in here.” He said taking some steps forward, glancing at the floor the whole time.
“Yup! I’m just painting the carriage!”
Yasu chuckled, taking in the sight of Isamu as he crouched down beside him. “You’ve paint all over you.”
Isamu rolled his eyes playfully, “It’s hard painting this by myself alright?”
Yasu paused for a moment, staring at the carriage instead of Isamu, “I thought you and a group of boys were working on this?I mean-! They asked you to help on Monday..”
“Yeah.. I don’t know where they went.” Isamu explained, picking up his paint brush once again.
Yasu nodded, picking up a nearby paintbrush. Without being asked, he started painting. Isamu had to pause as the harsh and fast sound of his paintbrush was overcome from soft strokes being painted on the carriage.
“What are you doing..?” Isamu chuckled.
“Helping you.”
Isamu tilted his head, “Why..?”
Yasu's ears flushed red, and he was sure Isamu knew of it too but didn’t comment on it thankfully. “I’m not sure.”
Isamu stared at him for another second before a small smile appeared on his face. “Well, I'm not complaining.”
Yasu nodded, keeping his attention on the carriage as he continued painting.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
Yasu focused on filling in the section in front of him, listening to the distant noise of rehearsal around them. Every now and then, someone shouted across the theater, followed by the sound of furniture being dragged across the floor.
Beside him, Isamu continued painting.
“You know,” Isamu eventually said, glancing at Yasu's work, “you're pretty good at that.”
“It's painting.”
“Still.”
Yasu shrugged, dipping his brush into the paint again. “I guess.”
“Do you ever do anything besides photography?”
Yasu looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“I don't know. You always have that camera with you.”
“It's kind of my thing.”
“So you really like photography?”
Yasu paused before nodding. “Yeah. I like being able to keep things,I guess.”
Isamu smiled slightly. “That's actually pretty cool.”
“What about you?”
“Me?”
“You seem to be doing everything around here.”
Isamu laughed. “I'm just helping.”
“You've been painting a carriage by yourself.”
“Okay, maybe I'm helping a little too much.” He smiled, “But I like to, it’s fun!”
‘ISAMU! We need you over here!’
Isamu sighed, setting his brush down. “Coming!” He looked back at Yasu. “Don't finish it without me.”
“I won't.”
“Promise?”
Yasu smiled slightly. “Promise.”
Yasu watched as Isamu hurried across the backstage area, immediately getting pulled into another task. He shook his head, turning his attention back to the carriage. There really was no shortage of things for that boy to do.
He dipped his brush back into the paint and continued where he'd left off, carefully filling in one of the sections Isamu had been working on. It was surprisingly relaxing compared to the noise coming from the rest of the theater, and Yasu found himself losing track of time as he worked.
Every so often, he glanced up to see where Isamu had gone. Each time, he seemed to be doing something different. One minute he was helping move a piece of scenery, the next he was fixing a prop, and then someone else was calling his name from across the room.
How does he keep up with all of this?
Yasu eventually set his brush down and looked over the carriage. It wasn't perfect, but it was coming together. He wondered what Isamu would say when he came back and saw how much they'd gotten done.
He reached for his camera, which had been sitting beside him the entire time, and lifted it toward the carriage. The half finished set piece filled the frame, with the theater's lights reflecting slightly off the fresh paint.
Click.
Yasu lowered the camera and looked over the picture. It wasn't something he would probably use for the newspaper, but he liked how it turned out. He glanced toward the theater again.
He scrolled through the picture once before turning his attention back toward the theater.
A few minutes later, Isamu finally returned. He looked exhausted, his hair slightly messier than before and a few new streaks of paint somehow having appeared on his clothes.
“You're still here?” Isamu asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
Yasu looked up from his camera. “I said I'd help.”
Isamu stared at him for a moment before smiling. “You didn't have to.”
“I know.”
Isamu's smile grew a little wider as he glanced toward the carriage. “You actually did a lot.”
“You would've been here forever if I didn't.”
“Probably.” Isamu laughed, walking over to inspect the paint. “It looks way better now.”
Yasu let his shoulders fall, watching him look over their work. “So, are you finally going to take your break?”
Isamu looked at him, then at the carriage, before letting out a tired sigh. “Yeah. Probably.”
“Good.”
“You coming?”
Yasu hesitated for a moment, glancing down at his camera before looking back at Isamu.
“Sure.”
── .✦
The two of them ended up outside, sitting somewhere away from the noise of the theater. Yasu had barely gotten comfortable before something cold pressed against the back of his neck.
He flinched and immediately turned around, only to find Isamu holding out a cold drink with an amused smile.
“Here.”
“You could've just handed it to me.”
“Where's the fun in that?”
Yasu rolled his eyes, taking the drink from him before opening it.
For a moment, neither of them said anything, simply enjoying the quiet outside.
…
Yasu took a sip before glancing over at him. “Why did you join stage crew?”
Isamu shrugged, taking a sip of his own drink. “I don't really have a reason. Basketball's over, so I don't have much to do after school anymore. I guess that's probably why.” He waved his hand dismissively. “I didn't feel like auditioning for any of the roles either.”
“Why not?” Yasu asked. “You could've made a pretty good prince.”
Isamu blinked. “You think so?”
“Yeah.” Yasu took another sip, barely giving the question any thought. “I mean, you're pretty handsome and all.”
...
They froze.
The words finally registered in his head and Yasu immediately spit out his drink.
“WHAT?!”
“I should be saying that idiot!” Isamu laughed, pulling out a handkerchief and holding it out for him.
Yasu took it with embarrassment, “It just slipped out.”
Isamu grinned and leaned a little closer, “Sooo, you think I’m handsome?”
“I didn't say-”
“You literally just did.”
“I meant for the role!”
“So you think I'm handsome enough to play the prince?”
“That's not what I-”
“Yasu.”
“Don’t say my name like that!”
Isamu laughed harder.
“Can we please talk about something else?”
Isamu kept giggling for another second before taking another sip of his drink. “Fine. So what about you?”
Yasu frowned. “What about me?”
“Tell me why you joined photography.”
Yasu paused, thinking about it. “I guess I just liked taking pictures. My father gave me a camera when I was younger, and I kind of stuck with it.”
“So you've always been into it?”
“Pretty much.”
Isamu nodded, glancing down at Yasu's camera sitting beside him. “I think that's cool.”
“You say that about everything.”
“Not everything.”
Yasu looked at him, and Isamu just smiled before taking another sip of his drink.
── .✦
Their break didn't last very long. By the time they returned inside, the theater had already fallen back into its usual chaos. Yasu finished up the last few pictures he needed while Isamu helped put away the remaining supplies. Before long, rehearsal was wrapping up and students began clearing out.
Once everything was put away, Yasu slung his camera over his shoulder and made his way toward the exit. Isamu followed behind him, still carrying a few leftover supplies that needed to be put away before he could leave.
“See you on Monday, Yasu!”
Yasu stopped at the doorway and glanced back at him. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, unsure why the goodbye suddenly felt more serious than it should have. “Yeah, see you.”
Isamu gave him one last smile before turning back toward the theater. While Yasu stepped outside, the doors closing behind him as the noise of rehearsal faded into the background. He adjusted the strap of his camera and started walking home, thinking about the photos he'd taken that day.
There were plenty he could use for the newspaper, and even more that he'd probably never show anyone.
For some reason, he found himself looking forward to Monday.
By Monday, Yasu had gotten used to the noise of the theater.
He sat near the edge of the stage with his camera resting in his lap, watching the cast rehearse the same scene for what felt like the tenth time. The first rehearsal had been overwhelming, but after a few visits, the constant shouting and movement had started to become strangely familiar.
He'd even learned where most things were kept. The props were usually stacked near the left side of the stage, the costumes were kept backstage, and the unfinished sets were always pushed against the walls whenever the cast needed more room.
Yasu glanced toward the backstage area, mostly out of habit.
Isamu wasn't there.
He checked the time on his camera.
He'll probably show up eventually.
Yasu frowned.
Why was he even looking for him?
He turned his attention back toward the stage and raised his camera as the actors began the scene again.
…
“Boo!”
Yasu jumped back, turning his head rapidly at the voice that came out from behind him. He frowned, immediately recognizing the boy responsible for it. “Stop doing that.”
“I can't help it!” Isamu exclaimed, plopping down next to him. “Your reactions are funny.”
“You scared me the first time too.”
“Exactly, and it was funny then.”
“That doesn't make it better.”
Isamu laughed as he looked toward the stage. The rehearsal was already underway, with the actors practicing a scene from the ball while several members of the crew worked quietly around them. Yasu raised his camera again, trying to focus on the stage, but it was hard to concentrate when Isamu kept glancing over at him.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're staring.”
“I'm wondering if you missed me.”
Yasu lowered his camera and gave him a skeptical look. “I saw you four days ago.”
“So?”
“So I don't think four days is long enough to miss someone.”
Isamu thought about it for a moment before shrugging. “I still wanted to see you.”
Yasu's fingers paused around his camera.
He wasn't expecting that.
“You’re.. weird,” he muttered, turning back toward the stage.
Isamu only smiled, settling more comfortably right beside him.
── .✦
Isamu eventually stood from his seat and stretched, glancing toward the backstage area before looking back at Yasu. He motioned for him to follow, and Yasu reluctantly got up, adjusting the camera around his neck. Isamu didn’t say much besides he had to show Yasu something he was working on.
They wandered through the theater together, occasionally separating whenever Isamu was needed or Yasu stopped to take a picture. Isamu seemed to know almost everyone they passed, exchanging quick greetings and helping whenever someone needed him.
Yasu mostly followed behind, occasionally raising his camera to capture something that caught his attention.
He noticed himself taking fewer pictures of the stage and more of everything happening around it, the people painting the scenery, the actors practicing their lines, the crew fixing props, and, more often than he cared to admit, Isamu.
At one point, Isamu disappeared around a corner while Yasu stopped to photograph one of the unfinished backdrops.
When Yasu lowered his camera, Isamu was already waiting a few feet away.
“You coming?”
Yasu nodded, following him again.
It was strange how quickly he'd gotten used to having someone beside him.
They wandered around for a bit more, sometimes separating when Isamu was needed or Yasu had to take a couple shots. They would do their thing, and meet up with each other again, then, they reached a spot where Yasu hadn’t seen yet.
“This is the ballroom set! It’s coming together really good, we’ll probably finish it in a couple days.” Isamu said.
Click.
“Guess I’ll document the progress.” Yasu replied, slightly smiling
Yasu lowered his camera, taking in the unfinished ballroom. The backdrop stretched across most of the stage, with painted columns and unfinished decorations beginning to take shape. There were still several empty spaces where more details needed to be added, but even incomplete, it looked nice.
Isamu wandered closer to the set, pointing out different parts as he explained what still needed to be done. Some of the decorations had been made by the cast themselves, while others had been painted and assembled by the stage crew. Yasu listened quietly, occasionally taking another picture whenever he noticed something worth capturing.
“You guys have done a lot already,” Yasu said, looking through the pictures he'd just taken.
Isamu smiled. “We've been working on it for a while.”
Yasu glanced at him before turning back to the camera. “You say we, but I swear I've only ever seen you working.”
Isamu laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Maybe I just have bad timing.”
Yasu shook his head, but he was smiling again. He lifted the camera and took another picture of the ballroom, this time catching Isamu standing in front of it.
“Hey, I wasn't ready!”
“That's the point.”
Isamu laughed, and Yasu lowered the camera with a small smile.
── .✦
The two eventually settled down near the edge of the stage, sitting where they could still see the ballroom set without getting in anyone's way. Yasu rested his camera in his lap and started going through the pictures he'd taken, deleting a few that were blurry before stopping on one of the better shots.
Isamu leaned closer, watching the screen. “How do you know which ones are good?”
Yasu glanced at him. “There's a lot that goes into it.”
“Like what?”
Yasu turned the camera slightly so Isamu could see. “Focus, exposure, composition. Stuff like that.”
Isamu nodded along despite clearly having no idea what half of those words meant. “Okay, what's exposure?”
Yasu couldn't help but smile. “Basically how much light gets into the picture. Too much and everything looks washed out. Too little and you can't see anything.”
“Oh.”
“And shutter speed controls how long the camera captures the image. It's important when you're photographing something moving.”
Isamu looked genuinely interested now. “So that's why some pictures look blurry?”
“Sometimes. If the shutter speed is too slow, movement can show up as blur.”
Isamu looked down at Yasu's camera again. “You actually know a lot about this.”
“I've been doing it for years.”
“I can tell.”
Yasu looked at him for a moment before turning back to the camera, suddenly finding the screen much more interesting. Hopefully Isamu didn’t notice his ears burning red.
── .✦
“Alright, hold it like this.”
Isamu adjusted his grip, looking down at the camera. “Like this?”
Yasu sighed, leaning closer to inspect his hands. “Take your index finger and place it on top of the shutter.”
Isamu frowned at the camera. “Which one is the shutter?”
Yasu stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. “How do you not know what the shutter is?”
“I've never used one of these before!”
“Right.” Yasu turned the camera slightly so he could point at the different controls. “This is the shutter. This changes the focus, and this one controls the zoom. Don't press anything unless I tell you to.”
Isamu nodded seriously, even though Yasu wasn't convinced he was actually paying attention.
After explaining the controls again, Yasu reached over and gently adjusted Isamu's hands on the camera, moving his fingers into the right positions. He placed Isamu's index finger over the shutter and made sure he had a comfortable grip before letting go.
“There. Now you can actually take the picture.”
Isamu looked through the viewfinder, carefully lining up the ballroom set. “Like this?”
Yasu glanced over his shoulder. “A little to the left.”
Isamu shifted the camera.
“Now?”
“Yeah. That's good.”
Isamu pressed the shutter.
He immediately lowered the camera to look at the picture, his expression brightening when he saw it. “I did it!”
Yasu laughed. “You took one picture.”
“And it looks good!”
“Beginner's luck.”
“You're just jealous.”
“Of what?”
“My photography skills.”
Yasu rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hide his smile.
Click.
Yasu turned his head fast, catching Isamu in the act. He lowered the camera, still smiling as he looked down at the picture he'd just taken.
“Now I got a photo of you.”
Yasu stared at him for a moment, suddenly unsure what to say. “Shut... up.”
Isamu laughed, looking back at the picture. “It's actually pretty good.”
“You barely know how to use the camera.”
“And I still got a good picture of you.”
Yasu reached for the camera, but Isamu pulled it away, holding it against his chest.
“Nope. I'm keeping it.”
“That's my camera.”
“Then you can have the camera back. I'm keeping the picture.”
Yasu paused, staring at him before letting out a quiet laugh. “You're ridiculous!”
“You taught me how to take pictures, you can't complain now.”
Yasu shook his head, but he didn't try taking the camera from him again. Instead, he leaned back against the wall, watching Isamu admire the photo like he'd just accomplished something incredible.
For someone who had only learned how to use a camera five minutes ago, Isamu seemed awfully proud of himself.
── .✦
Isamu eventually handed the camera back, though he still looked far too proud of himself for taking a single picture. Yasu checked the photo one more time before saving it, making sure he wouldn't accidentally delete it later.
Before either of them could say anything else, music began playing from the stage.
They both looked up.
The cast had started rehearsing one of the ballroom scenes, and several members of the crew immediately began moving into position. Yasu stood, adjusting the strap around his neck before lifting his camera.
He found a spot near the side of the stage where he could get a clear view without getting in anyone's way.
Isamu stayed beside him for a moment, watching the actors take their places.
“This is the part where Cinderella meets the prince,” he whispered.
Yasu glanced at him. “I know.”
“Right, photographer.”
“Exactly.”
Isamu smiled before turning his attention back toward the stage.
The ballroom was still unfinished, but from behind the camera, Yasu could already see how it was starting to come together. The actors moved across the stage while the crew adjusted the lighting and scenery around them, filling in the gaps of the unfinished set.
Yasu took a few pictures, checking each one before shifting to a different angle.
He was about to take another when someone called from backstage.
“Isamu!”
Isamu turned his head.
Can you help us with the curtains?
“Yeah!”
He glanced back at Yasu. “I'll be right back.”
Yasu nodded, already raising his camera again.
“Take some good ones.”
“I always do.”
Isamu grinned before hurrying backstage.
Yasu watched him disappear behind the curtains before turning his attention back toward the stage.
Click.
He checked the picture.
Not bad.
His eyes drifted toward the backstage area again.
Isamu was already being called for something else.
── .✦
“Isamu, do you wanna-”
“Can't, Yasu! I have to bring these boxes backstage!”
Before Yasu could even finish his sentence, Isamu had already disappeared behind the curtains with a stack of boxes in his arms.
Yasu stared after him for a moment before turning back toward his camera.
A few minutes later, Isamu returned.
For approximately thirty seconds.
“Should we do some more photos?”
“I wish! I have to help some actors rehearse their lines!”
And once again, he was gone.
Yasu sighed, scrolling through the pictures on his camera while he waited. He figured he'd get another chance eventually.
He did.
Just not for very long.
“Wanna go through the photos with me?”
“Soon! I need to assemble the stage parts!”
Isamu gave him an apologetic smile before hurrying off once more.
Yasu lowered his camera.
He'd been taking pictures all afternoon. He'd watched rehearsals, documented the set, and done exactly what he'd been assigned to do.
So why did he feel so bothered?
It wasn't like Isamu was ignoring him. He was just busy. Everyone seemed to need his help, and Yasu had already seen how willing he was to give it.
Still, his eyes drifted toward the backstage area again.
I just wanted to hang out with him.
The thought came so easily that he almost didn't notice it.
Yasu frowned.
Since when did that matter so much to me?
He quickly turned back toward the stage.
Whatever.
He continued taking pictures, moving around whenever he needed a better angle. He tried to focus on the rehearsal, but his attention kept drifting toward the backstage area.
He wasn't waiting for Isamu.
At least, that's what he told himself.
A few more minutes passed before footsteps approached from behind him.
Yasu turned, expecting another member of the crew.
“Yasu.”
Isamu stood there, slightly out of breath. A few specks of paint covered his shirt, and his hair was messier than it had been earlier.
“You're finally free?”
“For now.” Isamu dropped into the empty seat beside him. “I think everyone forgot I exist for the next five minutes.”
Yasu glanced at him, trying not to look too relieved. “You look exhausted.”
Isamu laughed quietly, leaning back in his seat. “Maybe because I am.”
Yasu didn't respond. Instead, he looked down at his camera and started scrolling through the pictures he'd taken throughout the afternoon.
“I got some good ones.”
Isamu leaned closer. “Really?”
Yasu nodded, turning the screen toward him.
They went through them together, occasionally stopping whenever Isamu recognized something he'd helped build. For the first time all afternoon, Yasu wasn't thinking about how long they had before Isamu got called away again.
He was just glad he was there.
“Oh, this one!” Isamu pointed at a picture of the ballroom set. “I remember painting that.”
Isamu looked at him for a moment before smiling back. Yasu looked down at the camera, suddenly very interested in the next picture.
Yasu returned to the theater on Thursday with another assignment from Lottie, a few more shots of the cast rehearsing in the ballroom. Even though the set wasn't finished yet, she wanted some pictures to show how the production was coming together.
As expected, Isamu wasn't there.
Yasu figured he'd look for him after he finished taking a few pictures of Cinderella and the prince. He moved around the edge of the stage, adjusting his camera whenever he needed a different angle. The unfinished ballroom looked noticeably different from the last time he'd photographed it, with more decorations filling the empty spaces and several of the painted columns finally in place.
He took one last picture before lowering his camera.
Now where is he?
Unfortunately for Yasu, Isamu had other plans.
“Oh, Isamu,” a cast member called from backstage. “i saw Yasu earlier by the stage.”
Isamu's head immediately turned toward them. “Really?”
“Yeah. He was taking pictures.”
…
“Isamu...?”
Isamu didn't even bother responding before heading toward the stage.
── .✦
“Yasuuuuu!”
Yasu turned at the sound of his name, watching Isamu hurry toward him from across the theater. He stopped beside him, slightly out of breath, his hair messy and a few faint streaks of paint covering his sleeves.
Yasu took in his disheveled appearance and chuckled. “What happened to you?”
“Nothing.” Isamu looked down at himself before shrugging. “Wanna help me paint some sets?”
“No.”
“Right! On we go!”
Yasu barely had time to react before Isamu grabbed the nearest paint supplies and started walking away.
“I literally said no.”
“I heard you!”
“Then why are you still going?”
Isamu looked over his shoulder with a grin. “Because you always come with me anyway.”
Yasu stared at him for a second.
He hated that Isamu was right.
With a quiet sigh, Yasu followed.
── .✦
“This thing is super unstable, so hold it for me until I finish the paint job!”
Yasu stared at the theater flat he was supporting, gripping the frame a little tighter as it shifted beneath his hands. “So you get to do the fun part.”
“Pretty much.”
“You once said I'm a better painter than you.”
Isamu glanced over at him. “I said you were good at painting. Not better than me.”
“But I am a better painter than you.”
Isamu stuck his tongue out at him, earning an immediate eye roll from Yasu.
Despite himself, Yasu smiled.
They stayed like that for a while, Isamu focused on filling in the unfinished section of the flat while Yasu kept it steady. The work was simple enough that they didn't need to talk much, and for once, the theater around them didn't feel quite as overwhelming as it had when Yasu first arrived.
Isamu eventually stepped back to examine his work.
“Done!”
Yasu relaxed his grip, rolling his shoulders after holding the flat in place for so long. “Finally.”
Isamu laughed, turning the flat slightly to look at the other side. “Looks good, though.”
Yasu glanced over the paint job. “Yeah. It does.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I am.”
“Yasu!”
He laughed, stepping away before Isamu could complain any further. Isamu stepped back from the flat, examining the paint one last time before gripping one of its sides.
“Okay, we have to move it.”
Yasu looked at the wheels underneath it. “Where?”
“Backstage for now.”
“You want me to help again?”
“You already helped.”
“That's not an answer.”
Isamu grinned before grabbing the other side. “Come on.”
Together, they pushed the flat across the floor, carefully navigating around the other pieces of scenery scattered throughout the theater. Once they reached the backstage area, Isamu helped guide it into place before stepping back.
“Perfect.”
Yasu dusted his hands off. “I think I've done more stage crew work than photography today.”
“You're basically one of us now.”
“Don't say that.”
Isamu laughed, but before he could say anything else, the director called for everyone to get into position.
The ballroom rehearsal was starting again.
Yasu immediately reached for his camera.
He'd almost forgotten why he'd come in the first place.
── .✦
“Don’t you think it’s weird?” Yasu questioned, keeping his eye through the viewfinder.
Isamu turned his head. “What is?”
“Cinderella and the prince.”
Isamu stayed silent for a moment, clearly confused. “Go on.”
“They're gonna kiss.”
“So...?”
Yasu switched his gaze toward Isamu before turning back toward the stage. “But they aren't dating.”
Isamu shrugged. “Yeah, but they fall in love after.”
“No, I mean the actors.”
“Oh.” Isamu looked back toward the stage, watching the two actors rehearse their positions. “I guess it could be awkward, kissing a classmate on stage. But they probably don't care.”
Yasu hummed, adjusting the focus on his camera. “I don't think I could do it.”
“Kiss someone?”
“In front of everyone.”
“Yeah, I'd probably get embarrassed too.”
Yasu glanced at him again, noticing how casually he'd answered, “You'd actually do it?”
Isamu shrugged. “If I had to for the play, sure.”
Yasu looked back through the viewfinder.
“Weird.”
“What's weird about it?”
“Nothing.”
He pressed the shutter.
Click.
The actors continued rehearsing, completely unaware of the conversation happening at the back of the theater.
The rehearsal continued for another hour, the ballroom scene being repeated several times as the actors worked through their movements and lines. Yasu stayed toward the back of the theater, moving around whenever he needed a better angle and making sure he wasn't getting in anyone's way.
The unfinished ballroom looked different through the camera each time he photographed it. Some shots focused on the actors, while others captured the scenery and the work happening around them. He took pictures of Cinderella walking across the stage, the Prince turning toward her, and the two of them standing beneath the lights as they practiced their final positions.
Every so often, someone from the stage crew would cross through the background.
Usually, it was Isamu.
Yasu didn't think much of it at first. Isamu had been helping with nearly everything that afternoon, so it wasn't surprising that he kept appearing in the corner of his pictures. Still, Yasu found himself adjusting his camera slightly whenever he noticed him, making sure he wasn't accidentally cutting him out of the frame.
Click.
Isamu crossed the back of the stage carrying a prop.
Click.
A moment later, he stopped to talk to one of the actors, laughing at something they said before getting back to work.
Yasu lowered the camera.
He hadn't even realized he'd been taking pictures of him.
“Those look really good.”
Yasu turned his head, finding one of the actors standing nearby. She pointed toward the camera in his hands.
“Oh.” Yasu glanced down at it. “Thanks.”
“Are you putting them in the newspaper?”
“Some of them. Lottie's going to pick the ones she wants.”
She nodded before returning to the stage when the director called for everyone to reset. And Yasu waited until they started again before raising his camera.
He stayed focused on the rehearsal until the scene finally ended, and the room slowly began to settle as everyone started cleaning up.
Yasu sat down for a moment, scrolling through the pictures he'd taken throughout the afternoon. There were plenty of shots of the cast, the ballroom, and the scenery.
Then he reached the pictures of Isamu.
One.
Two.
Three.
Yasu kept scrolling.
There were more.
A lot more.
Some were clearly meant for the newspaper. Others weren't even particularly useful. Isamu was too far away in some, half out of frame in others.
Yasu stared at the screen.
He should probably stop taking so many pictures of that guy.
...
He saved the last one anyway.
── .✦
The rehearsal eventually came to an end, and the actors began clearing the stage. Yasu lowered his camera, giving his eyes a break after spending so long looking through the viewfinder.
Isamu appeared beside him a few minutes later, and the two made their way through the backstage area, occasionally getting separated whenever someone needed Isamu's help. Unlike earlier, though, Isamu always found his way back to Yasu a few minutes later.
Eventually, they stopped in front of the ballroom again.
Yasu stared at it for a moment.
This time, it was almost completely finished.
…
“It’s amazing..” Yasu mumbled.
“Right?” Isamu stepped forward, looking over the ballroom with a proud smile. “If we finish some details on the left–”
Click.
Isamu immediately turned toward him. “You took a photo of me!”
Yasu lowered the camera. “No. You got in my photo.”
Isamu crossed his arms. “Whatever, delete it then!”
“Don’t feel like it.”
Yasu looked back at the picture. Isamu stood in front of the nearly finished ballroom, paint still faintly visible on his sleeves. The photo wasn't perfectly posed or carefully planned, but Yasu liked it anyway.
He saved it.
Isamu leaned over to see the screen, and Yasu instinctively tilted the camera away.
“Why are you hiding it?”
“Because you told me to delete it.”
“I changed my mind.”
“Too late.”
Isamu laughed, shaking his head before turning back toward the set.
Yasu glanced at the photo one more time.
Isamu wasn't posing.
He wasn't even looking at the camera, just a simple candid.
Somehow, Yasu liked it better that way.
Was that weird to say?
── .✦
The theater was still loud behind them, but the moment they stepped outside, everything became noticeably quieter.
Yasu adjusted the strap of his camera around his shoulder. He'd gotten used to seeing Isamu surrounded by people, constantly being called over or asked to help with something.
Without everyone else around, Isamu seemed different.
Not completely different.
Just calmer.
“You walking home?”
Isamu nodded. “Yeah.”
Yasu glanced at him. “Same.”
Neither of them said anything about it. They just started walking together. For a while, neither of them spoke. The theater gradually disappeared behind them as they made their way down the sidewalk, leaving the noise of rehearsal behind.
Isamu was the first to break the silence. “Did you see how much the ballroom changed?”
Yasu glanced at him. “Obviously. I took pictures of it every time I came.”
“Right.” Isamu smiled. “I still can't believe it actually looks like a ballroom now.”
“You worked on most of it.”
“Not most.”
“A lot, then.”
Isamu nodded, looking back toward the theater even though they were already several blocks away. “I think it's my favorite part of the whole production.”
Yasu smiled slightly. “You sound proud.”
“I am.”
They continued walking, occasionally stepping around other people on the sidewalk. For once, Isamu wasn't being called over to help someone or being handed another task. There was nobody asking him to move a prop, paint something, or fix part of the scenery.
Yasu noticed how much quieter he seemed without all of that around him.
“You're not taking any pictures.”
Yasu looked down at the camera hanging around his neck. “I don't have to.”
“Why not?”
“Because you're not doing anything interesting.”
Isamu stared at him before laughing. “Wow.”
“I didn't mean it like that.”
“Sure.”
Yasu rolled his eyes, but he couldn't stop himself from smiling.
They walked for another few minutes before Isamu suddenly pointed toward a small shop across the street.
It was a small thing, but they ended up stopping for a few minutes, talking about which ones they liked and which ones they thought were terrible. By the time they continued walking, the conversation had moved on to music, then school, then random things neither of them had planned on talking about.
Yasu didn't notice how much time had passed until Isamu slowed down.
“This is where I turn.”
Yasu looked ahead. The sidewalk split into two directions. “Oh.”
Isamu adjusted the strap of his bag. “See you Monday?”
Yasu nodded. “Yeah. See you.”
Isamu gave him a quick wave before heading down the other street.
Yasu stood there for another moment before turning toward his own route. He'd thought the walk home would be short. Somehow, it hadn't felt like it.
By Monday, the theater looked almost completely different from the first time Yasu had stepped through its doors. Most of the unfinished scenery had been replaced by completed sets, props were organized backstage, and the ballroom was finally starting to resemble an actual ballroom instead of a collection of wooden panels and paint cans. Even the lighting around the stage had begun to come together, making the entire production feel much closer to being finished.
Yasu stood near the entrance for a moment, taking in all the changes before lifting his camera. He spent the next several minutes photographing everything Lottie had asked for, making sure to capture the completed scenery as well as the actors rehearsing their scenes. Every so often, he found himself glancing toward the backstage area without really thinking about it.
Isamu wasn't there, again.
Yasu tried not to let it bother him. Isamu was probably helping somewhere else, considering how often he seemed to get dragged into different parts of the production. There was no reason for Yasu to expect him to be standing around waiting every time he came by.
Still, after finishing a few more photographs, Yasu found himself looking toward the backstage entrance again.
A few minutes later, Isamu finally appeared, carrying a bundle of costumes in his arms. He looked slightly rushed, his hair messy from running around, but his expression immediately brightened when he noticed Yasu standing near the stage. He made his way over, setting the costumes down beside one of the tables before explaining that he'd been helping organize the costumes that afternoon.
Yasu wasn't surprised. Somehow, Isamu had managed to find another part of the production that needed his help.
They didn't get much time together that day. Isamu was repeatedly called backstage whenever someone needed another costume moved or organized, while Yasu continued photographing the rehearsal. Even so, Yasu found himself feeling strangely satisfied whenever Isamu returned, even if it was only for a few minutes before disappearing again.
During one of those short breaks between Isamu's errands, Yasu lowered his camera and looked around the theater.
He almost didn't recognize it.
The ballroom he'd watched slowly come together was nearly complete. The costumes were ready, the props had been organized, and the actors had started practicing their scenes with much more seriousness than before.
It wouldn't be long now.
Yasu raised his camera one last time when he spotted Isamu across the theater, helping someone adjust a costume before stepping back to examine their work.
Click.
He lowered the camera and looked at the picture.
Isamu wasn't posing again, and he hadn't even noticed the camera pointed in his direction. It was just another ordinary moment that Yasu happened to capture.
Even so, Yasu saved the photo before turning his attention back toward the stage..
He continued taking pictures for the rest of the afternoon, stopping only once he'd gotten everything Lottie had asked for.
By then, most of the cast had started taking a break, leaving the tables near the back of the auditorium mostly empty.
Yasu settled into one of the seats and pulled out the printed photographs he'd brought with him, spreading them across the table as he began sorting through which ones were worth submitting to the newspaper.
He didn't notice Isamu approach until someone leaned over his shoulder.
He was looking through the photographs without saying anything at first. He recognized a few of the cast members before stopping at one particular picture.
It was a photograph of himself standing beside the finished ballroom, completely unaware that Yasu had been taking his picture.
“Wait.”
Yasu glanced up. “What?”
Isamu picked up the photograph, looking at it more closely. “You kept this one?”
“Obviously.”
Isamu looked through the rest of the pictures scattered across the table before giving him an amused look. “You have, like, a hundred pictures of me.”
Yasu continued sorting through the photographs, trying not to pay too much attention to the fact that Isamu was holding one of his favorites. “You keep getting in the way.”
“I do not.”
“You do.”
Isamu laughed quietly before looking back down at the photograph. He turned it over in his hands a couple of times, studying it like he'd never seen himself from that angle before. “I like this one.”
Yasu looked at him for a moment before glancing back at the table. “You can have it.”
Isamu's expression brightened immediately. “Really?”
“Yeah. It's just a picture.”
Isamu carefully placed it beside him instead of putting it back with the others. “I'm keeping it.”
Yasu couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face.
They continued sorting through the photographs together, occasionally disagreeing over which ones were the best. Isamu had a surprisingly good eye for them, pointing out little details Yasu hadn't noticed when he'd taken the pictures.
Eventually, Yasu realized they had spent nearly twenty minutes doing nothing but looking through photographs.
He wasn't sure when he'd stopped thinking about the newspaper.
For some reason, he didn't really mind.
── .✦
Yasu couldn’t explain why walking home with Isamu had become somewhat regular to him. Isamu had gotten even busier as the production drew closer, somehow being assigned to every useful or useless job imaginable. There were days when they barely saw each other during rehearsal, but whenever they happened to finish around the same time, they would walk home together before eventually separating at the same intersection.
So naturally, they grew closer. Sometimes their walks lasted only a few minutes, while other days they took their time and ended up talking about whatever came to mind. School, the production, photography, basketball, random things they had noticed throughout the day. Nothing particularly important, but Yasu found himself remembering most of it anyway.
Their conversations had become easier, too. There was no longer a need to think of something to say whenever the silence settled between them. Sometimes they would simply walk beside each other, comfortable enough to let the quiet fill the space.
Yasu had also gotten used to seeing Isamu outside of the theater. He wasn't always covered in paint or carrying a stack of props, and he wasn't constantly being called from one side of the building to the other. Away from the production, Isamu seemed calmer, and Yasu found himself appreciating those quieter moments more than he expected.
Before long, their walks had become something Yasu expected.
He'd finish his work, pack away his camera, and almost instinctively look around for Isamu.
If Isamu was there, they'd leave together.
If he wasn't, Yasu would head home on his own.
It had become routine before Yasu even realized it.
Thursday's rehearsal was busier than usual. With the production getting closer, everyone seemed to have twice as much to do, and Isamu had somehow ended up in the middle of all of it.
Yasu had barely finished photographing the cast before he spotted him backstage, helping move one of the larger theater flats toward the side of the stage. The piece had already been painted and detailed, making it one of the more finished parts of the set.
Isamu wasn't working alone. Another student was helping him guide it across the floor while someone else waited near the stage to direct where it needed to go.
Yasu raised his camera, planning to take a picture of the finished piece.
Then someone called Isamu from behind.
“Isamu! Can you bring those props over here when you're done?”
“Yeah!”
He turned his head for only a moment.
The flat shifted.
Isamu immediately grabbed for it, but the wheels caught against the edge of the flooring. The other student tried to steady it, but the sudden movement threw them both off balance.
Crash!
The entire theater seemed to go quiet.
Yasu lowered his camera.
The flat hadn't completely fallen, but one of its supports had cracked, leaving a noticeable split along the bottom.
Isamu stared at it.
The student beside him looked horrified. “Isamu, what the hell?!”
He froze completely.
And the student’s voice got louder. “I told you to watch the wheels! Do you know how long we spent getting that piece finished?!”
“I'm sorry,” Isamu said quickly. “I didn't mean to–”
“What happened?”
Mr. Stelkins' voice cut through the noise from across the stage.
He walked over, looking between the damaged flat and the students surrounding it. The crew member immediately began explaining what had happened, their frustration still obvious in their voice. Isamu remained beside the scenery, staring at the cracked support. His face had gone noticeably pale, and when he lowered his hands to his sides, Yasu could see the faint trembling in them.
Mr. Stelkins looked toward him. “You shouldn't try to do multiple things at once. You're on set design. Your job right now is to focus on that.”
Isamu's shoulders dropped slightly. “Someone called me for something else. I thought I could–”
“You can’t be everywhere at once.”
Mr. Stelkins sighed before looking over the damaged piece. “Alright. Nobody move it until we figure out whether we can repair the support. We'll deal with the rest afterward.” He turned toward the crew member. “I know you're frustrated, but yelling isn't going to fix it.”
The student looked away, still annoyed, but nodded.
Mr. Stelkins turned back toward Isamu. His expression twisted into something much calmer when he noticed how pale Isamu still looked.
“Isamu, do you need the nurse?”
Isamu shook his head almost immediately. “No. I'll just–”
“Just rest for a few minutes.”
Isamu hesitated before nodding.
Yasu watched as Mr. Stelkins guided him toward the backstage area. Isamu didn't say anything as they disappeared from view.
Yasu remained where he was, his camera hanging loosely around his neck.
The damaged set piece was fixable. Everyone seemed to know that.
But something about the way Isamu had reacted bothered him far more than the broken support ever could.
── .✦
Yasu remained near the stage for a while after Mr. Stelkins and Isamu disappeared backstage. The theater slowly returned to its usual noise, with people going back to their work as though nothing had happened. Someone began gathering the tools that had been left around the damaged flat, while another student started checking the cracked support to see what could be salvaged.
Yasu tried to focus on his camera again.
He took a few more pictures of the rehearsal, but his attention kept drifting toward the backstage entrance. Every time someone walked through it, he found himself looking up before remembering that he was supposed to be working.
Eventually, Mr. Stelkins returned alone.
“The flat can be repaired,” he told the nearby crew members. “It'll take some time, but it isn't ruined.”
Yasu lowered his camera slightly. He hesitated before asking, “Is Isamu okay?”
Mr. Stelkins looked toward him. “He's fine. I told him to take a few minutes to himself. He'll probably come back when he's ready.”
Yasu nodded.
He returned to his photographs, though it was difficult to concentrate after that.
By the time rehearsal had settled back into its usual rhythm, Yasu had finished everything Lottie needed. He packed his camera away and slung the strap over his shoulder, but instead of leaving immediately, he found an empty seat near the back of the auditorium.
He told himself he was only taking a break.
A few minutes later, Isamu finally came back.
He looked better than before. The color had returned to his face, and his hands weren't visibly shaking anymore, but something about him was different. His usual energy seemed muted, and he kept his attention fixed on the floor as he made his way toward the stage.
He noticed Yasu sitting there and stopped. “You're still here?”
Yasu nodded. “Yeah.”
Isamu gave him a small smile before looking toward the stage again.
“The flat's okay,” Yasu said.
“I know.”
There was a pause.
Isamu rubbed his palms against his pants, almost absentmindedly. “I should probably go help them fix it.”
“You were told to rest.”
“I know.”
Yasu stood up and adjusted the strap of his camera. “I'll walk home with you.”
Isamu looked at him, seeming almost surprised. “You don't have to.”
“I know.”
That was enough to make Isamu smile, even if only slightly.
They left the theater together.
Usually, their walks home were filled with random conversations and Isamu pointing out things along the way. Today, neither of them seemed to have much to say. Their footsteps were the loudest thing between them as they followed the familiar route.
Yasu glanced over occasionally, noticing how Isamu kept staring at the sidewalk.
After a while, he finally spoke. “You don't have to keep apologizing.”
Isamu looked over. “I know.”
“You said it like five times.”
Isamu looked away again, his fingers tightening around the strap of his bag.
“I know.”
Yasu didn't push him any further.
They continued walking, letting the silence settle between them.
Yasu didn't know what had happened to Isamu before they met. He didn't know why a raised voice had affected him so strongly, or why something as simple as being yelled at had left him looking like he'd forgotten how to respond.
But he had noticed.
And somehow, he couldn't stop thinking about it.
Yasu didn't try to bring up what had happened at rehearsal again. Isamu didn't seem interested in talking about it either, and Yasu figured that if he wanted to say something, he would eventually.
By the time they reached the intersection where they usually separated, Isamu finally slowed down.
“I guess this is me.”
Yasu nodded, adjusting the strap of his camera. “Yeah.”
Isamu stood there for a moment, almost as if he wanted to say something else. Instead, he gave Yasu a small smile. “Thanks for walking with me.”
“You don't have to thank me.”
“I know.” Isamu looked down at the sidewalk before glancing back up. “Still.”
Yasu gave him a small smile in return.
“See you next time.”
“See you.”
Isamu turned and started down his street, eventually disappearing around the corner.
Yasu stayed where he was for a few seconds before finally turning toward his own home. Somehow, Yasu had a feeling he wasn't going to stop wondering about it anytime soon.
-------------