Snippet because I might not release the Yuri fic.. heh
Ichi sat cross-legged on her futon, hunched forward as her eyes remained glued to the computer screen. The faint hum of the fan in the corner of her room filled the silence, punctuated only by the soft tap-tap of her fingers scrolling. She wasn’t searching for anything specific—just something to fill the void of a lazy afternoon. The mug of tea she had brewed earlier sat beside her, forgotten and lukewarm, its floral aroma barely lingering in the air.
That’s when a bold headline caught her eye:
"Show Us Your Muse: Seasoning City Photography Competition."
The words were accompanied by a stunning image—a twilight cityscape awash in purples and golds, with a lone woman perched on a bench, her long black hair flowing in the breeze. Ichi leaned in, the glow of the screen casting a soft light on her face. She clicked the link, curiosity blossoming into something sharper.
The details unfolded like a dream: a chance to display her work, an esteemed judging panel, and a tantalizing prize of cutting-edge equipment. Her chest tightened, excitement and apprehension creeping in as her eyes devoured each word. This was perfect. Almost too perfect.
Her hand hovered over the “Entry” button, but doubts crept in. Did she even have a muse?
She frowned as memories surfaced unbidden. Middle school. A sunny afternoon. Ichi stood on the edge of a group of friends, clutching her pink camera. The plastic was warm under her fingers, but her grip was shaky, uncertain. When she finally snapped the picture, it turned out crooked and lifeless, nothing like her vibrant shots of flowers or birds.
Photography was supposed to be her refuge. Why venture into something so personal, so daunting?
The promise of recognition and new equipment tugged at her, refusing to let go. Ichi leaned back against the cool wall, tilting her head up to stare into the dim ceiling. Names and faces of classmates flickered through her mind—people she knew, people she barely spoke to. But none of them seemed right. Who could be a muse?
She ran through the options. Someone from the News Club? Too busy. Shigeo? No, obviously not. He was fine—nice, even—but he didn’t spark anything. He lacked the energy and pull that a muse should have. Yet, Shigeo had something she didn’t: connections. He knew people and had plenty of friends.
The thought lingered, teasing her, but she pushed it aside. Ichi shut the laptop with a soft click, plunging the room into darkness. For a moment, she sat there, the faint hum of her phone the only light in the void. She grabbed it, her fingers hovering over Shigeo’s contact. The hesitation was almost painful; her thumb hovered like a precarious pendulum.
Would he even agree? Would he understand what she was asking?
The screen dimmed, and with a sigh, she set the phone aside. It was too daunting—she decided it wasn’t worth the risk—not yet.