Splash of Color

3: After Club Meetings

The door to the club closes shut as you finish up for the day. Turning around, you're startled by a presence that appeared in front of you so suddenly.

"Ah! What are you doing, Oikawa-san?" Trying to calm your nerves, you raise your head to face him, waiting expectantly for a reason.

"I was going to sneak up on you but you suddenly turned around!" He points at you, believing that you are the blame for his foiled plans.

Your eye twitches slightly. "Better luck next time I guess." Sighing, you start walking away from him.

"Where are you going?" He quickly runs over, falling into step with you.

You quirk your brow. "To the train station. You know, like usual?" You didn't know how you felt about that broad smile he gave you after your response.

"Hmm~ So I was thinking, since we finish around the same time anyway, we can just walk there together?"

"Didn't we already do that?"

He pouts again. "You know what I mean!"

Letting out a little laugh, you nod at his suggestion. Considering that it got darker earlier in the day, it definitely would be better to have someone around just in case. "That's fine by me. But we can just wait at the entrance you know?"

"Where's the fun in that? Don't you want to see me practice more?" He lets out a teasing voice to which you quickly rebut.

"I don't know...I'm not the one who was caught more than once peeking into someone's club room..."

It was silent for a while since you knew the implication behind those words and he did too. You give yourself a mental high five for managing to settle the chatty volleyball star for the moment.

"Then--!"

Ah, well, it was nice while it lasted.

"I mean we both pass by the entrance before we make it to the gym or your club room. So, if the other person isn't there, why not wait by their respective club?"

Your brows furrowed at his idea, wondering why he would go to such lengths. I mean, it's just a lot more work to do what he suggested you figure. In the end, you let out a resigned sigh and nod to another of his suggestions. Whether he knew it or not, having him around would reassure you as you went home late so it was the least you could do.

"Really?" His voice couldn't mask his surprise.

"I nodded, didn't I?" You retorted. You pause at your tone before speaking again. "I mean, thanks for walking with me. I feel more assured knowing I'll get home in one piece..." You trail off. "...Mostly."

"Eh~ What does that mean?"

"Little bits of my pride are stripped away every time you speak of that awful nickname."

You couldn't help but notice a smidge of a smirk hidden in that broad smile of his. Was he enjoying this torment? Pondering the thought for a moment, you dismiss it.

Nah, it can't be.

You guys make it to the train and sit in your respectable seats. Well, your respectable seat. Oikawa seemed to have shifted over so he now sits right beside you.

"So...Rudolph-chan?" He stresses out the nickname and looks to you in a smug manner.

Your eyes narrow slightly but you refuse to let him rile you up. One day I'll get you back. You reassure yourself. For now, you settle for a short reply. "What?"

"When are you going to watch my practice? I mean since you did say I've visited you more than once already~"

"But that requires me to miss my club time." You point out. "Considering I stick around after club time, you should know I value it quite a bit."

You waited for a whine from beside you but was taken aback by his scrunched up face that was actually trying to figure a way around it. You figure you shouldn't be all that surprised since he knew how much people value their club, being that he sticks around to practice as well.

After another few moments of contemplative thinking on his end, he finally speaks again. "Are there any days where you take time off from your club?"

You pause to think about your weekly schedule. You really didn't want to take a break even for a day, if you were to be completely honest. However, you knew another solution for getting out of an art slump was to take time off of it. You felt yourself cringe at the thought.

Time away from painting? Ridiculous.

"Uh, I'll get back to you on that okay Oikawa?" The option of taking a break still unnerved you. You worked so hard to practice those techniques, what happens when you jump back into it and realize all that effort you spent just dissolved?

Surprisingly, he didn't press any further. Instead he plants another one of his broad smiles on his face. "Well, I happen to take Mondays off so I can come see you then!" He ends it off with a wink that you didn't have time to process as to why he's going so out of his way. "Aren't you lucky?"

You scoff. "Aren't you getting a little full of yourself?"

"Ah, ah, it is just the right amount!" His smile stretches even wider. "Maybe even too little."

Shaking your head at his antics, you just give up. This guy had a lot of confidence and you actually didn't mind it anyway. It was pretty entertaining.

"Whatever you say."

"Hmm~ So you agree with me!"

"Don't put words in my mouth!"

"No need to lie my dear Rudolph-chan~"

"...."

Well you could go without the name.

Your stop is announced in the train and you ready yourself to stand up. "See you later Oikawa-san."

He raises his hand and waves as you stand. "Oh, don't forget to let me know when you decide to come visit practice!"

You give a hum of acknowledgement and a small nod at his comment before getting off the train. You turn around curiously back at the train to see Oikawa staring at you. When he noticed you looking back at him, he gave a little wink before the train started moving again. You let out a huff of amusement at this boy you managed to befriend.

Unbelievable. This guy was more than a little strange.

Turning back around, you begin to make your way home. Pondering to yourself, you wonder how in the world your routine was slowly crumbling before your very eyes in such a short amount of time. ​​​

But did you even mind?

You think a little more before finding an answer.

Not at all.