Running After You

#8: Scenery

Auditorium

Students entered with glitters in their eyes as they roam around looking at the artworks created by the arts club and also a collation of all the works of the students as well. "Hey, isn't this what you madein the middle high?", Ai pointed at the autumn painting. "I see. It was Saotome's work. She never told me", a brown haired male student went near the four. "You don't have to know", Mio's voice suddenly went high pitched. Erina hid her smile and waited for the Art Club President to leave. "Horito-senpai is really persistent, isn't he?", Erina whispered to Mio. The girl just pinched her nose and proceeded inside. There are also some odd looking paintings and drawing. 

Hana was staring at a canvass just splattered with random inks of different shades. "Isn't that wonderful?", they heard Rei's voice. "How come that your work is also here?", Ai crossed her arms. "It doesn't even have any balance and aesthetic value", Hana joined in critiquing. "It was a third year female student who chose this to be their class' presentation. I guess it was that black haired one with really long eyelashes. She's pretty", Mio informed. "I see", Rei said with a sudden depletion of his energy. He excused himself since he also have some training with the basketball club. 

"Do you think he's here?", Ai looked around frantically. "Who are you looking for?", Erina panicked. "Spotted", Ai smirked and drag Erina all around the place. The two followed as well. "Oh, Erina. You have taste in calligraphy right? I remember you making one before", Ai made her voice louder. It caught the spiky head's attention. He is also reading some calligraphy works. The colorful section doesn't suit his taste. He might have changed outside but some things still remain. Erina saw him looking at one calligraphy work. 

Alive. 

"There's just few of those who can actually appreciate this art", Fushimi looked around and there was just few of them. Erina nodded. Ai sighed and intentionally pushed her closer to Fushimi. "Senpai, you're not with some of your classmates?", Erina noticed. "I ran away from them. I just hope they leave me alone for a while", Fushimi clicked his tongue. Erina's heart tighten. She kind off missed that sound. "What's your name again? We often cross each other's path", Fushimi looked at her. Erina's heart is beating like crazy. "Aisa..wa Erina", she answered nervously. "Fushimi Saruhiko", he introduced. "I'll be checking the other shelves", Ai winked and left. She met the two and dragged them away from Fushimi and Erina. 

"Do you know how to read this?", Fushimi asked. "Firefly", Erina answered right away. "You're good at reading letters. A lot would misread them", Fushimi sounded surprised. "I studied...a little more", Erina stuttered. She kept stuttering whenever she's talking to him. 

"Would you like to write as well", one of the club members offered a brush and a canvass to write on. "Go on. Your friend told me that you did one before, right?", Fushimi gently pushed her back. She panicked and looked at the blank piece of paper. "What am I going to write?", she asked Fushimi. "Hmmm? You're the one who's making it that's why you choose", Fushimi shrugged. Erina looked at bare blue eyes without any frame. That word kept circulating in her brain. "It could be anything", the club member smiled. She was pressured to write as soon as possible. 

Eyeglasses. 

She hid it from Fushimi but the guy was agile enough to steal it from her. His face shown confusion as he read it. "Did I read it wrong?", he said under his breath. Erina held to the canvass dearly. 

Gymnasium

"Okay, the basketball club is already here. Let's go vacate this area", Nami announced while the others are still doing some stretching. "Can they stay for a little while, Captain?", the basketball team begged. Rei just sighed and sat on the bench. "Just 30 minutes more", he nodded. 

His eyes are focused on the tall raven haired laughing along with the girls. "You can do that", she tried to help the other member reach her toes. "Heh~ Are you also interested with her? Captain?", one of the basketball player teased. Rei slapped the back of his head. "If you have time to watch girls stretch, then maybe you have time to run 20 laps after the training", Rei emitted dark aura. 

"Captain, someone's here for you", Rio said. Rei's eyes traveled to the entrance and saw a spiky head guy. "Ohh. So bad that someone already stole the popularity pole", the basketball team teased Rei. "Shut up", he bursted out and started  adding to their training menu. 

"Fushimi-kun. What brought you here?", Nami asked. He handed a calligraphy and also her towel. "You forgot it in the classroom", Fushimi informed. "I see. Sorry. I really forget a lot of things", Nami scratched her nape. She stared at the piece of canvass and her eyes twirled. "It means victory", Fushimi explained. Nami felt ashamed. "For your preliminary tomorrow, good luck", he said then started to walk away. "Thank you, Fushimi-kun", Nami waved her hands. 

Summer Break
Riverbank

"This should go here", Hana played with a puzzle that she bought from the convenient store. "Wow. You're one bored individual with so many free time", she heard Ai's voice and turn around. The whole crew is present. "We went to watch Ai's preliminary and she was able to pass for the next round", Erina was proud to say that. Ai just pretended to be shy and stuck her tongue to Mio."She's got long legs. Of course she will win", Hana sighed. Ai shook her violently. "That's not the point", Ai tried to prove that it was because she did her best. "Yeah yeah. Whatever", Hana pushed her away.

"Are you busy? You can come with us", Erina invited. "Where?", Hana asked. "At my place. Grandmother sent a lot of watermelon. It's sweeter if I share it with someone else", Erina smiled.

Erina's Backyard

Hana was amazed that it was well taken care of. There are some leeks and cabbage planted. She turned and also saw some other flower. "You're the one who's got so much free time", Hana sweatdropped. Ai wore a blindfold and is carrying a baseball bat. "Where did you get that?!", Hana was startled. "So, I'll be going ahead", Ai went berserk and try to smash the watermelon. "Thank goodness. She wasn't able to hit that. It'll be a murderous image", Hana imagined. Mio's the next one. She wasn't even able to lift the baseball bat and gave up. "You can try hardee", Hana sighed. Erina's turn. She was about to hit a passing cat. "You're all so hopeless!", Hana commented. She massaged her temple. She feels like having a headache watching the three. "Your turn", Erina passed the blindfold and baseball bat. She was able to hit it and the watermelon wrack open. The three clapped.

Erina cut it nicely. "Why don't we cut it right away? It's such a waste of time", Hana asked. "Eh? We always do this. Like every year in summer... When we go to the beach", Ai flinched hearing Hana's statement. "I just did it recently as well. I understand you", Erina laughed and passed a slice to Hana.

Hana watch the three make fun of what happened a while ago. She stood up. "Thanks for the watermelon. I just remembered that I have something to do", Hama excused. "Is that so? I was hoping you could stay more. You can always come here if you like, Hana", Erina smiled. Hana just nodded then left.

"She looks gloomy", Ai commented. "Hana doesn't talk too much with our classmate. It's like she had been placing walls around her. That's why I was glad when she approached me and talked to me", Erina informed. "She's sharp tongued. I bet some of your classmate isn't too fond of that", Ai spat out the seeds like bullets. "That's amazing! Well, Hana also have so much inside her. That's what I feel", Erina defended.

Mio looked at Erina and remembered the scenario at the stationary shop few weeks ago. She was about to open her mouth when Ai stuffed watermelon in her mouth.

They finally have to go home.

Ai and Mio walked on the street. "You were actually trying to tell her, right? I think that's not a good decision", Ai stretched her long limbs. "That girl is Erina's friend. She cares for her", Mio said with a bothered tone.

Chapter end.