KNB: Strong (Himuro Tatsuya)

6 - Stumbled

Quick reminder that statements written in bold are statements spoken in English, assuming that they're speaking in Japanese. It just makes it a little more realistic IDK. Enjoy!

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SIX — Stumbled

It has been two weeks since Murasakibara and most of the Yosen High Basketball Team members have been to Tokyo. Just last night, Himuro hears that they won their quarter-finals match, and are to face Touou Academy. However, Murasakibara will not be participating in that game or in the finals game.

It has also been two weeks since Himuro solely enjoyed Ayano's company. As everyone says so, she is a great person. She's friendly and witty, and you get to have good conversations with her. He learns a lot from her — like Akita's tourist spots, some Japanese culture he's never heard of, and photography.

"Hmm... These are very good photos." Ayano lets Himuro borrow one of her spare cameras for practice, and she has been diligently teaching him. She's a proud mentor, though — as her teachings went through the raven-haired athlete, and he is learning fast. They now reside under their favorite tree on the Yosen High grounds, with the brunette sifting through the photos Himuro took since this morning.

She is very impressed, although he did just start more than a week ago. "The light is too bright in these photos. Try decreasing the aperture a bit."

She hands back the camera to the male, and adjusts its settings according to her suggestion. He holds the camera as if he is to take a picture, and places his right eye on the eyepiece. It took Ayano a moment that Himuro's lens is aimed at her. He takes a shot before she could do anything.

"What are you doing?" she asks, her hands on her waist.

"I was testing it, and it works perfectly," he pushes a button in the camera, and there reveals his latest shot — Ayano somewhat lost in her thoughts.

The photo looked much better. It captures the wistful look in her eyes and the subject pops out from a blurry background. "But why did you have to aim it on me?" she continues to ask.

Himuro sets aside the camera, and focuses on the brunette. He flashes a gentle smile. "Because you look beautiful."

Ayano is lost for words. She is well-aware of her beauty, and she has no reason of denying it. She would always hear of people complimenting on her looks, and she would always sincerely thank them for it. However, this is an entirely different story. Now that someone as attractive as him complimented her supported by that smile of his, she can't help but feel a burst of emotions inside of her.

"T-Thank you." Never has she stumbled on thanking people.

She still finds him staring at her. To prevent the somewhat awkward atmosphere, Ayano turns to her own camera, going over her own photos.

"You know what, y-you should be in the Journalism Club," she started to say, her eyes still on her camera's LCD screen. "With a little bit of training, you could make good shots consistently. You could even join the national press conferences and win an award or two."

"Thanks, but no thanks," Himuro responds, scooting towards the brunette, looking over her shoulders to see her own collection of photos. "I'm still not ready to resign from the basketball club. Besides, I think I already have too much work in my hands."

"What do you mean by that?" she turns her attention to the raven-haired male. She turns her head to face him, only to find out that their faces where inches apart. She didn't turn away, though — it was a good sight to see his pretty face up close.