Some Things Stay the Same

1: When I met you

January 2nd, Monday

The school entrance was crowded, boys and girls alike having their loud conversations ring in his ears with every other syllable playing sharp notes right into his head and giving him mild headaches. He took to keeping one of the various doors open for the others, using it as a shield as he stood behind it while people filed through, some thanking him, but Akatani only hummed as his gaze went to the mob of girls starting their gossip, and guys talking about games and other nonsense he could only ever dream of understanding.

The first days of a new term were always like this, and Akatani fails to see why. It's not like they don't see each other in between, and it was barely over a week ago that winter break had started. Not to mention that this year in particular the school started earlier due to the fact the first Monday week of January began sooner than wanted, having shortened the break by a few days or so.

He fails again to see the lack of displeasure in the cramped air that surrounds him behind the door. Then again, he supposes coming to school earlier for him isn't such a bad thing... not at all.

"Mikumo." Akatani turns to the newcomer that's noticed his presence behind the door and sees Yuu standing on the other side of the glass. She wears no smile, and gives no real hint of annoyance at the people bustling by her from blocking the entrance, but gives him a small wave of greeting.

"Why do I always find you here every new term in the three years I've known you? I thought you hated being in tight spaces." Her- insistently strange- bean shaped brows furrow. "Were you lying to me?"

Akatani doesn't meet her gaze any longer, busying his line of sight with the moving bodies between the shoe lockers and the entrance gate outside. It only lasts a moment. "I'd rather be here than have people touching me. Besides, it's glass." red eyes balance onto hers, fingers growing itchy at the joints as they twitch on the door handle. "And I don't lie."

From behind the glass, her brown bobbed hair waves above her shoulders in a nod before one side of it brushes the skin on her neck when she tilts it indoors. "Either way it's making people give you looks and, despite the reputation you already have, this is your last term. Let's try and make it our best."

Akatanis lungs decide then to release a puff of air through his nose, mildly fogging the glass of the door he stood behind, before relenting to her hidden request. Yuu waited, stepping further inside as he released the door handle and stood next to him. He gave one last glance behind him to make sure that the door wouldn't slam into anyone, before he's reminded that its hinges are far too tight and slow to cause any real harm.

Akatani joins Yuu in the short walk to the shoe lockers, both his eyes looking from left to right at constant even if one was partially blocked by dark, unkempt hair. Yuu spears him a single glance as they arrive at their lockers, but waits to say anything until the student girl between them leaves with a stumble and a shout to her giggling friends. She bends sideways to slip a shoe off.

"I'm still surprised you've managed to get away with wearing those contacts." her finger slides up and around her ankle as her heel slips inside the brand new white and pink-soled uwabaki. Akatani had taken the liking of putting half of his head inside his own locker to support himself as he slid his own school shoes on.

"As long as I tell them I bought them with prescription years back and that my parents can't afford colorless ones, they won't say anything." Akatani manages a shrug.

"For three years?" he shrugs again as he trades his outdoor shoes for the other ones, dusting them off a little before bending down to put them on instead. They're the same as Yuu's, and everyone else's, but with a worn down red rubber sole at the toes.