A/N: If you want to read this part with a song, I'd recommend Sukidakara by Yuika. Happy reading!

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Her earthly hues were what made Jiro remember Sora even more.

He wasn't the type to remember people's names. He often only remembers the ones close to him. Jiro's gaze remained at the lady across the room, her eyes focused on the canvas in front of her. Soft hands holding the paintbrush, slowly dragging it to paint her thoughts. 

The reason why he couldn't seem to forget her was because of her heterochromatic eyes, reminding him of the ocean and forest as the two combined. She was always too shy to stare at other people for too long, that's what he saw when he always encounter her at class. Possibly because she never wanted others to notice it.

But he did.

The soft tune of melody echoed the room as he saw her stretch her arms upward. A yawn escaped her lips. Her canvas only contained a sketch, possibly not done. It didn't even seem she had painted any colors on it yet. A sunset and a field filled with lilac flowers. The paintbrush lay still on the ground as Sora then grabbed some chips and soda from her bag, taking a slight break from all the work.

He couldn't blame her though. The classes were hectic. This was probably the only time she could freely enjoy the silence, all except the ticking of the clock in-between.

But it didn't really matter as much. It was soothing enough.

"Do you want some?" Jiro heard Sora's voice, his eyes turning towards her. She held out the chips in his direction and almost looked as if she was waiting for him to move. Though, he only waved his hands in return in dismissal but thanking her nonetheless.

Sora slightly smiled as Jiro went back to putting his headphones and continued to paint. The guy never really spoke to her as much as she wanted him to. But the solace that both of them had at the moment was enough for her. Both painting in the midst of a rainy day. Art speaks through the heart and at the moment, both were speaking loudly in their minds through the white canvas.

She then returns back to her work. As the rays of the sun filtered through the windows, Sora and Jiro finally laid down their brushes. The boy glanced at his work, an unfinished portrait of a vase while the girl stood back to admire her own vibrant artwork of lilies, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Sora studies the vase that Jiro had painted, noting the colors he used. It may not seem as vibrant as she would expect but given that he used navy blue and gold, she assumed that most of its eccentric patterns play a huge role than its hues instead. 

"I like it," Sora comments, her voice almost like a whisper. She thought that he wouldn't really hear it considering his headphones were still intact but she seems to have been proven wrong when a soft 'thank you' had left the guy's lips.

Jiro nods along before standing up, putting the canvas on top of the shelves — taking the painting apron off and putting the materials back to its places. Sora followed his lead, though she let her painting be left in the easel. She eyed the lilies one last time before she grabs her bag and put the other paint back in the shelves where she had gotten it.

"Looks like we're done for the day," she said, packing up her supplies. "See you around?"

She expected for him to had already left after taking his bag and leaving the canvas but he stood there, nodding. To be honest, he almost seemed as if he was waiting for her to be the first one to leave. 

When they had finally gotten out of the classroom, Sora swore she had heard him speak. But when she had turned around, he was already walking away. 

Later that evening, to Sora's surprise, she saw Jiro at the counter. It seems like he saw her as well, judging how he had stopped slightly before deciding to eye an item from another aisle. Sora paid no mind at his reaction, deciding to pay for her items and sat down a nearby table outside.

After a while, before she took a bite of her ice cream, she noticed a familiar figure going out the store. 

"Fancy seeing you here," she smiled. The guy only nods, sitting down to the other empty table across her. There were a lot of empty tables inside but when he had chosen the spot outside, she couldn't help but feel like he had enjoyed her company — well, assumed he did but it was best not to linger to the thought. She hesitated for a bunch of times, clearing her throat, even fidgeting as she tries to scroll on her phone, look around at the store and then back again to her food, cough, and even try to take her book only to put it back on her bag. 

She didn't know how to talk to this guy, she was already certain of it. 

Though, the recent meet up was the first thing that went to her mind. Surely it could be a starter. 

"You know," she said, pausing from eating, "I really enjoyed painting today. It's nice to have someone to share the space with."

He glanced at her, looking up from his phone and stopped drinking his coffee. "Yeah, it was nice."

Okay, a start. Keep it moving, Sora. 

"And about the groceries. Really, thank you." She couldn't really notice at first, maybe it was her imagination, but it almost looked like his lips curled into a small smile before it disappeared very quickly. Sora paid no mind to it as Jiro waves his hands. 

"It's nothing, really." Both went back into the silent treatment. Though, this time, Jiro was the one who hesitated. He wasn't the talkative type. No, to be honest, he wanted to get away as fast as he could when someone tried to talk to him.

But to her, he felt uncertain whether to stop her from talking or stop himself from walking away. Neither, perhaps. 

"So, what got you into painting?" he asked first  this time, surprising Sora. 

Sora hesitated at first, not knowing how to answer that question, then shrugged. "I guess I've always liked drawing and painting. It's like an escape, you know? From all the books."

"Plus, it's not like I haven't been seeing paintings in my course. Having Hermann Roscharch and all."

Suppose so. Jiro never questioned further about it. But even at the mention, he couldn't resist himself smiling. He then diverts to another question. "Do you have a favorite artist?"

"Probably Claude Monet," she answered. "His work has this...how do you call it? Surreal feeling like he's been there. Like, something out the movies. What about you?"

"Van Gogh. But you probably had seen most of his works," Jiro told her. "If so, Berthe Morisot." 

"So, portraits?" she asks. 

"Yes, but her style captures it life-like. Everyone has their own stories. Stuff like that," he spoke.

Both of them went silent again after a few moment. Sora swore it probably was his first time opening up that much to someone, judging how he seems distant again. 

She smiled, feeling more comfortable and hoping he'd continue. "If that's the case, her work must be pretty amazing. How about other hobbies? Do you like reading?"

He nods. "I do. Science Fiction."

"Mine's historical fiction, fantasy, non-fiction," she spoke back. 

They had a few differences here and there but Sora's lips curled into a smile when the small talk managed to last. After a few chats, they had bid farewell. Apparently, Jiro still had to visit his mother's studio that night and she was almost embarrassed that she probably had kept him longer on that spot than she should have.

But the reassurance from Jiro that she hadn't really taken up much of his time at all made her feel relieved.

"So, see you again after class?" she asks hesitantly. 

His eyes softened at her tone and nods. Jiro wasn't really a guy who knows how to express himself with words. He wasn't too social either. Yet, he nodded. 

"I'd like that." He then turns around as they both parted ways.