Repay Me

Chapter 5 - Suna Lake

"Ohiogazaimas," Akaashi smiled to all of us. "Hopefully none of you forgot your notebook today, we will be taking notes for about 3 days and towards the weekend we will start to experiment with our collected information. In other words, we'll paint, so don't forget to bring your materials."

I smiled in relief.

I was getting impatient to start the physical process. While Akaashi presented his well-organized presentation through the huge projector screen, lots of us took notes whenever we saw any important points. If there was one thing anybody should know about me, it was the fact I will not be able to focus until things around me are organized and clean so noticing the way Akaashi's slides were clear brought me satisfaction.

I put down my pencil and gazed at the slight light that peeked through the blinds. I was lost then and kept staring for a while.

"That's it for today, mini pop quiz to see if you small brains were listening, Ece," he said my name as I flinched.

"Yes sir?" I uncrossed my legs.

"Would you like to name 3 of Hokusai's famous paintings?"

"The Great Ocean off Kanagawa, Oceans of Waves, K-"

But before I continued I froze and realized I mixed up a bunch of things. The other students started chuckling as I gave Akaashi an apologetic look. He lightly blinked and smiled at me which was unexpected. I felt butterflies in my stomach.

"Oceans of Waves..." he repeated, chuckling. "Right. Let's hope you find someone to help you later on. Focus alright?"

I nodded, nervously smiling, when a voice called out.

"I'll help the pretty girl," the guy who sat in the bottom row winked. I rolled my eyes.

"I got it, thanks though," I responded and packed my things.

"Ece where's your mind at?" Mei giggled as she stood up. "Oceans of Waves..."

"Stop it already," I giggled. The two of us made our way out of the classrooms, meeting up with our friends. We sat at our usual spot outside when Mei brought something up.

"You guys heard about the party later this month?"

We all shook our heads when Ichika questioned her. "No, whose party?"

"Kuroo. He's graduating this year and it's his last birthday here so he's inviting anybody who wants to come. That's why he announced it so early."

"Wow, it must be a huge party then," I commented, taking a sip of my juice.

"You guys should come, it'll be a blast!" Mei exclaimed.

"Who's Kuroo anyways?" I asked. Everybody, including Ichika, stared at me.

"You idiot, he's the hottie that every woman falls head over heels for! You've got to see him. I saw him earlier and nearly spit my coffee out," Ichika shook me.

"Oh, wow um, he sounds cool," I responded sarcastically.

"Fine, you'll see when time comes. Of course we'll go," Ichika smiled at Mei.

Kuroo huh.

Later that week I informed Ichika that I'll be working on a few projects that were due for Japanese Art class which wasn't a total lie. The only lie was that they weren't due so soon but I wanted alone time since Ichika was going to drag me to a club with some of her friends. I disliked too much attention and felt more comfortable around people I would choose to be seated with. I took what I needed from my house and drove to the one place I always go to clear my mind and paint.

Suna Lake.

Not only was it quiet there but the scenery was impressive and calmed my mind when I looked at it. There was a forest you would have to go through to reach there which I loved. I overall adored nature.

Once I reached my usual spot I slightly tilt my head at the person who sat on my bench. His hair was familiar and just as I stepped closer I recognized the hands.

"Akaashi-san?" I said as he turned his head to me.

"Oh, Ece-chan? How'd you know?" he smiled at me in surprise.

"Well your hands looked familiar."

"Hands? Do you look at my hands that often?"

I shut my mouth as he chuckled. "Don't be bothered by me, have a seat."

I breathed in and accepted the offer as I sat next to him. The lake was great and the sun shone on the water making it a perfect view to paint. I glanced over to Akaashi's canvas and it seemed like he just started as well.

"You actually paint?" I questioend stupidly.

"Of course. I teach art, remember?"

"You seem so young though...I can't believe you're a professor."

"Guess my age then."

"Like, 21? You look no older than me."

He chuckled as he shook his head. "Thanks. I'm 25."

"Twenty-five?! That's still young for a professor!"

"It's what happens when you take multiple extra courses. I have a passion for art."

"Clearly," I replied as I set up my own canvas and paint. "Are you painting the view or just anything?"

"The view, ancient style. You?"

"...I'll go with realism."

"Oh, how cool, I assume you've taken oil painting courses then?"

And as we had our conversation about classes we took, I'd already begun to paint. I learnt that Akaashi was done with his studies and had begun to settle down properly. He doesn't have a sibling and his parents live in Tokyo, far from the location though, so he technically lives alone.

"Do you have any siblings?" he asked, dipping the brush in the water cup.

"Nope, I'm an only child!" I smiled proudly.

"I see."

After some silence he began speaking again.
"Did Fei bother you ever since?"

"No, he didn't. I forgot to thank you properly, you literally saved my life, sir."

"Drop the sir. Akaashi is fine, we're only 4 years apart."

"But you're my professor?"

"The one you made out with."

I pushed him gently with my shoulder. "Leave that already!"

He snickered and shrugged. "Just the facts."

"But seriously, thank you," I lowered my tone, my smile fading. "I would've been in big trouble if it weren't for you."

Akaashi gazed at me for a moment before returning to the canvas. "You know what's interesting?"

"Hm?" I looked over at him.

"See for yourself," he turned his body to me so now I was staring into his eyes. I was confused at first until I noticed it.

"Oh!" I gasped. "Your eyes! They have a hint of dark blue!"

"Mhm," he turned back and continued.

"That's so cool, I've never noticed that in anybody else before," I said in shock.

"It's really rare, says my mom."

"It's pretty," I sweetly smiled as I noticed his cheeks go slightly red. I picked up my water cup and stood. "I'll quickly refill this."

He nodded as I threw out the pigmented water on the grass and made my way near the lake.

He brightened the mood before I'd even realized it.

I crouched on the shore and filled the cup halfway before standing up. Just then, I don't know what happened but I slipped on a large pebble as I fell back into the lake.