The next day at school, you had been walking towards the art room when you heard the voices. It wasn't a surprise or anything like that because the art club consisted of more than one person but you were already beginning to feel bothered. The painting that you had grabbed yesterday from the wall was situated in your home, wrapped in a thin cotton blanket as it lay under your bed undisturbed. You just hoped that your little sister didn't go snooping in your room because just bringing the painting home was a risk.

Nonetheless, you had your hand on the door to slide it open when it was already being pulled right before you. You flinched, to frightened in that moment to even take a step back and then you were face-to-face with the club president, Hamasaki Atsushi. His mouth fell open before he quickly recovered and greeted you, his smile strained and his eyes crinkled. Nervousness was written all over him and you couldn't help glaring as you stormed passed without saying a word.

Two more people were inside, one of them had been digging through the tray of brushes to look for a suitable size for their tastes and the other was sitting in a desk that had three empty ones near it, all of them situated in a circle for the so-called, 'club meetings.' You never took part in them, they were silly and a waste of time and you didn't come to the club so partake in them. All they actually did in the 'club meetings' was gossip about certain rumours that may be flowing around and sometimes they'd all bring in a certain food each to swap and have a little picnic.

Minami Hiro was the person who was sitting at a desk and he had his feet resting atop the chair across from him with his arms held together on the back of his head. He was almost asleep, peeping a single eye open to see who had just come in and he smiled, watching the glare on your face almost subside as you placed your school bag down on the floor randomly so that you could walk to the counter and look through the bottles of paint, oil and to the trays where the pencils, crayons and art textas were located.

"A-ano.. [Name]-senpai?" First year Tachibana Ai peered up at you, her wide hazel eyes weren't as pretty behind the large spectacles she wore but she still appeared incredibly cute. Her bangs ended at her eyebrows, her deep black hair ended past her shoulders and she had a really timid nature, she was cute, she was adorable and all the adjectives you'd use to describe a really precious puppy. She was your kouhai and she seemed to be close to you, you didn't understand why exactly but she made sure that she didn't annoy you, you weren't sure why she did that either, or how she knew when or what to talk to you about.

It was as if she knew your boundaries after only a glance and the look in her eyes when she looked at your artwork was astonishing, it made you nervous and it made you feel uneasy because you didn't know what she was seeing compared to what anyone else was seeing. You never knew if she was seeing what you really wanted to be portrayed or if it was only the surface that she stared at so intently. Could she deeper than what anyone else see?

You didn't answer her, you actually nodded and she continued once she knew you were listening, "U-Uh I was just wondering about yo-your work.." She paused to see if she had managed to get a reaction out of you, something of curiosity or concern but you remained dull, "I saw that uh- you didn't have any new ones so I was wondering if you're alright, did you n-not get any ideas?"

"Ideas.. I don't want to sound vain but I don't consider them ideas, Tachibana-san." She nodded violently and almost seemed fearful, instantly regretting her own words, "Ri-right! My apologies!..."

Ideas made it sound as if they were only portraits and images that you did without a care, it made the work you did sound like a mere hobby but it was so much much more than that. To have an idea and put it on a canvas sounded preposterous to you because it wasn't a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action. You never considered the wonders you did with your own hands to be a mental impression. They were neither an opinion or belief, an aim or purpose. They were you. Your work was the very essence of your being and they were the internal you that was brought out through an arm, a hand, fingers and a brush or a pencil, to a canvas and displayed in the purest form you could muster.

You didn't grab a bottle of paint, or multiple of them like she expected and at this Minami had straightened in his seat, putting two feet on the floor so he could watch you as Hamasaki neared him, standing behind him as he whispered quietly, "I told you not to do that to her work!"

Minami snickered to himself but then he stopped, turning slowly to face the club president and glare, "You? You're the one who suggested it!" He flailed and his glasses almost fell off of his face as he scrambled to defend himself when his eyes never left your back, "I didn't think you'd actually do it, you didn't even ask her!"

They didn't realise that both Tachibana and yourself could hear them, they thought they were whispering but the concept over talking quietly so they weren't heard couldn't be understood by them - in other words, they had no idea how to whisper. Neither Tachibana or yourself commented, the first year girl was startled by the new information but she was worried about your reaction once again and just like before, your face hadn't even changed.

Nothing was grabbed from the tray you stood before and instead, you moved your hand into the tray of pencils. You had grabbed three and you got an eraser and a sharper as well. Then while holding all of these in one hand, you walked to the club president who was startled by your neutral face, though it was seen everyday and he almost started praying for his life.

He was biting his lip, his dark brown bangs were wild as they circled his face messily, his hair was short but attractive and his glasses were sitting on his nose, black with two clear lens, "Li-listen, [Name]-san- I-I-"

"Hamasaki-senpai, Minami-kun.. I'd appreciate if you didn't display my work without my permission. If this happens again then I'll be forced to leave the club.

At your calm demeanor and your straight-forwardness, Minami sat up instantly with two wide, dark green eyes and his hair shook with his movement. His hair reached his shoulders, sometimes it was tied up but today it was down, light brown and glowing all types of the similar colour in the light. You always thought his hair was wonderful but you didn't find him appealing enough - personality wise, to paint him.

No one was good enough to paint if they had an unpleasant personality. You took pride in every single one of your works so you always wanted to know your models before painting or drawing them. It was the main reason you took part in landscapes more often.

"What do you mean 'forced to leave'?! Don't you think you're being a bit too dramatic?" You couldn't help sighing and retreated to a cupboard under the counter to grab a fresh notebook, free of lines and scribble inside and Tachibana was frozen in silence as she intently watched her senpais.

Hardly speaking, aloof and dull, or not dull but rather, neutral. That was what you were, it was how these three people would describe you as while observing your face, your moves and your actions, "Uh [Name]-san, I thought you already had a book?"

"No more space."

Three words caused Minami to gape, "You finished the book?! Didn't you get it like four days ago?!"

A mere glance had him silenced and he looked at the president in disbelief. A pair of earphones was plucked from your pocket, your phone was attached to them and then you pressed your passcode to open the mobile. The music app was open and then you pressed on your beloved playlist. You put it on repeat, just as you were about to drown everything around you out, a name stopped you. It was your own, "[Name]-san."

You looked up from the tilted table, it was higher at the further edge and near you it went lower, a fresh page was open and a pencil was near you, waiting to be picked up for some sketches, "I want to apologise for giving Minami-kun the idea of putting your work out on display. I wanted everyone to see it, your work is incredible."

No one noticed you flinch at his last sentence and then Minami spoke up as well, pink tinting his features when he looked away defiantly, "Yeah, well - I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have done it. But the prez is right, your art is cool and stuff.."

'your work is incredible.'

Ahh, why is that echoing in my mind?

Maybe because that was incorrect. You despised the compliments but they were probably something to be expected. Out of everyone in the club, you knew that you were the most enthusiastic to work and complete projects. You knew this is so important to you, it was the only thing you treasured in this life. The president saw the way you nodded, a look in your eyes that he deciphered as troubled or pained but perhaps it was for the art. He retreated back to wards Minami, slapping him upside the head making the other wince and Tachibana couldn't help giggling to herself.

The earphones were placed in your ears and they blasted at a volume that wasn't too loud but so it could still drown everything out and let you be to yourself.

The pencil was picked up, holding it delicately and you let the tip touch the paper. It moved as if on instinct, like your hand knew what to do before your mind and all you could think of was that damn sentence, 'your work is incredible.' No, no no, it wasn't incredible. They didn't see it, what was really being portrayed and it upset you. It wasn't nice, cool or incredible.

It felt like an hour that past but it was really you sketching eyes and smiles and shades of all the same dull yet alluring grey colour of the lead pencil for about twenty minutes. The music kept going, stopping for a few seconds that reminded you where you were until a new song began and it was peaceful. It was severely needed.

The side of your palm, the part that was almost always in contact with with the paper was becoming darker every time you lifted it off of the surface. It was the grey, glowing colour of the pencil and it often smudged some spots of the previously white page.

You stopped and looked at your work, mainly focusing on making both of the eyes completely equal in colour, size and shape, making it an exact mirror image but someone disturbed you. A tap on the shoulder made you flinch inwardly and you only gave them a side glance when you caught sight of Tachibana sitting behind you. There was an easel before her, diagonally behind you but you could only catch a glimpse of what she was painting. There were little blotches of wet and half-dried paint on her fingers and she waited until you pressed pause on your phone to listen, she took note of the fact that your earphones were still in your ears and grew red when thinking that she may be becoming a bother to you.

"U-Uh I'm sorry [Name]-senpai, I was j-just wondering how I can mi-mix these colours? I'm scared I'll ruin the paint and waste it, pl-please give me assistance!" She bowed rapidly in her seat and you exhaled, getting out of the seat to go around her and face the painting she had been working on.

"Is this piece of importance to you? For someone close to you?" Your voice was low, soft and almost gentle like it could put a baby to sleep. It was so relaxing and sounded so delicate as well and you didn't even notice the way the first year was staring up at you in awe from hearing something so angel-like whilst you had been analysing her work. Her work.

She grew another shade of pink, fiddling with the brush in her hold and your eyes wouldn't stop buzzing around the image, blotches of pinks and oranges to light yellow and then pastel green, the paint brought a feeling of serenity and you allowed yourself to be completely absorbed in it.

"U- No, this is more li-like a type of practice.. For now I'm just well, finding my style and trying to es-establish my approach to it... Senpai, please don't look at it so hard!" You took your gaze away, lazily watching her as she spoke aloud though Minami and Hamasaki didn't hear as they sat at the desks on their Nintendo's.

You respected her wishes and replied in that same voice that Tachibana swore you could hypnotise someone with, "Don't think about wasting it. Don't think about ruining it either. Do as you want and mix them to your hearts content. Make the colours and shades you need and take note of it. You shouldn't have to ask me such trivial questions, Tachibana-san."

She frowned a little, her tightly formed lips went down but you walked back to your stool to plant yourself comfortably atop the chair to face the sketchbook again. No words were passed throughout the room and just as you were about to press play on your music, another sound of your name stopped you.

"[Name]-senpai."

She might've been aware of your growing irritation now but it didn't stray her from her initial goal. It actuality, she really wanted to question you on another matter but she was too afraid to approach the subject. Despite earning some helpful advice, she still wanted to know why you seemed to be in a slump. It was only subtle, hardly noticeable but she knew she could catch it at times when you were off guard. The way your lips would strain on your face and when your brows twitched, hardly enough to actually catch it until the younger girl caught it more than once.

"Is everything okay? Is there something I can help you with?"

"Is it alright to confide in you?"

Three heads perked up, three pairs of eyes widening tenfold and you slowly removed the earphones to turn around and find Minami and Hamasaki with their mouths slightly agape, Minami was close to falling off of his chair when he leaned forward in shock and Tachibana could feel the heat eating up her neck, cheeks and all the way to the tips of her ears too.

Never in the three years that you had been in this club had you ever spoken a sentence like that. You were the best of the art club specifically due to the well known fact that you learned, evolved and created what could be considered masterpieces all on your own. No one knew you as well at the art club. At first it was you and Hamasaki; the club president, and there was also many other students who joined in their first years. As time passed, they; one-by-one, dropped out and joined other groups or so that they could focus on their studies.

Minami had joined near the end of his first year, especially enjoying it because of all the free time he had to play his Nintendo without anyone bothering him. He'd occasionally draw with crayons and pencils alike and they were worthy of many awards, they were rare but it did happen and so you respected him for his raw talent; he was really amazing, really.

Tachibana joined at the start of this year, her first year at Aoba Johsai and she grew to respect you deeply. It was mainly because you were the only other girl in the art club but also because of the feelings you awakened in her because of your work. She absolutely adored your work, she adored you and placed you on the highest of pedestals. Even talking to you made you feel like she was so lucky.

"Ye-YES! You can! Please do!" She felt as if she had been blessed and she nodded so rapidly that you almost smiled. Fortunately for her, she caught the smallest twitch of your lips but she knew it was most likely her imagination, she still considered it real though. She felt so happy.

"I-... The truth is, I want to do a portrait. I feel like it's something only I can do right now but I don't know who I can paint."

Tachibana reveled in the look of slight abashment and anxiousness. It was fascinating to see you appear so calm yet the look on your face still gave away what you truly felt, she had never felt so close to you before as she did in this moment.

"Woah..."

"It, it's not a process of finding someone I can paint either. Tachibana, I need to know them, really know them and find out who they're are and their personality, I need to know what they're like. To paint them.. I can't just paint a vague surface of who they are or what they are like. Or who they think they are."

No one words could form in Tachibanas mind. She watched you, void of any possible and acknowledgeable advice to help. At the moment, she was the literal imitation of a mannequin. Still, but the only difference was her deep pink cheeks, they were bright and she appeared to be so flustered yet you hadn't caught on until you moved your eyes to her after a long while of silence.

After finally noticing that your eyes were struck on hers, she almost choked on her own saliva and stumbled over herself with embarrassment, humiliation and regret. She thinks quickly about what to say but still, she was in such a daze that she couldn;t help speak of the first thing in her mind.

"Senpai, you're truly amazing."

You didn't bat an eye, wondering if conversing with her about something like this was a smart move. Maybe you shouldn't have told her of your troubles but she confused you because she often gave off the impression that she was more perceptive of her surroundings; or to you, than you thought she was.

"I-I, I really idolise you."

"That sounds really unnecessary, Tachibana-san."

"I'm sorry!" She jumped again, looking around hurriedly in thought before you caught her eyes widening again; if that was even possible, and she smiled, no, she grinned so widely that you thought of how her cheeks would feel because of it. She almost fist pumped the air before collecting herself and she looked at your sketches for a few seconds, "I know what you can do senpai, if you're up for it. I can think of something else to help you if you're not willing."

You nodded for her to continue, wrapping the thin wire of the earphones around your fingers as she eagerly continued, "I think you should go to a completely different club, the opposite of the art club and find someone you find interesting. Then, oh - you said you have to know them and what they're like, well I have a friend in the volleyball club, he's a first year, like me. He can help as well, he's really nice. I think he's quiet pre-pretty.. He is quiet and a bit lazy as well."

Your head tilted and the word softly fell from your mouth, "Volleyball?"

The look of uncertain crossed your face, Tachibana bit her lip and her brows furrowed in worry for what you may think, "That sounds... refreshing, if I'm being honest."

/ playlist /

elijah who - sad and boujee -

naruto - yamagsumi (rude remix) -

swell - im sorry (feat. shiloh) -

uppermost - beautiful light -

petit biscuit - sunset lover -

hounded - on my side (feat. savoi) -

hounded - mirage -

keshi - magnolia -

tomppabeats - don't leave me this way -

nujabes ft. minmi - shiki no uta (levox remix) -

hermitude - ukiyo -