Artist

With a little splutter of disbelief, Rei started after her again, this time in silence. He knew she knew he was following her, he could see the way that she glanced quickly over her shoulder before exiting the classroom building. Where is she going? He glanced over his shoulder uncertainly. Surely the bell was about to ring. Rei Ryugazaki had never been tardy for a class in his life. Did he risk following her further and breaking that record or retreating and returning to his classroom.

Sachi didn’t seem particularly willing to speak to him - she was already halfway to the flower gardens when he looked back over at her. Taking a hesitant step forward, the door swinging shut behind him, Rei made up his mind. He tightened his grip on the strap of his bag, striding after her with quick long steps in an attempt to catch up to her before she escaped him again. No sooner had he reached where she now stood, her body turned towards him, when the shrill ringing of the bell sounded, signalling the beginning of next period. So much for making it to class on time.

Ruffling her hair, Sachi looked down at her bag. She could have said she'd changed her route because she'd forgotten something. It would probably be a bad choice to lie to him now considering that her little stunt had made him late to class. There were two options here: she could explain her situation and tell him that she'd talk to him after class so that he could attend it. Yes, that was certainly an option. But after careful consideration, Sachi found an option that suited her much better. Not only that, but it proved to be better the moment she heard him utter a certain collection of words.

"I want to speak to you." She knew what that subtle movement of his eyes meant. Glancing from Rei to the windows of the school briefly, Sachi sighed to herself. If they were seen by a teacher, it could end up with Rei in trouble. She could handle the mark against her, but Rei would panic. And so, Sachi reached out and took hold of Rei's hand tightly. "Just not here." Taking a few steps backwards while facing him, Sachi turned on her heel quickly and began walking. Pre-empting the protest that she knew was coming her way, the artist took a deep breath. "You're already late. Might as well make an afternoon of it."

Rei Ryugazaki was most definitely not a people person.

He never had been, always preferring solitude over the company of others. Whether this was born out of a desire to hide his own social awkwardness or simply because he really did not value human company was a mystery, one he would never admit to aloud. Those friends he did have were all members of his club, the only extracurricular activity he bothered himself with. Grades came first to Rei and school was for learning only. He did not see why he should waste his time making nice with his classmates when he wouldn’t even remember all of their names in ten years. Why do that when he could occupy his time with more productive pastimes like learning, something that would benefit him for the rest of his life and put him in good standing for university.

That was a worthwhile use of his time.

Rei had not expected to encounter anyone he knew at this school. Iwatobi was a very small place and the number of high school students who looked for education out of town was very small. So to see the back of a very familiar head of long dark hair in the hallway so soon after he’d arrived came as quite the shock. He had been leaving his chemistry classroom, head bowed in an attempt to avoid conversation with others, when he had glanced up and caught sight of her. Rei recognized her almost immediately, so familiar was her face. They had not seen each other in a long time and Rei would never have expected in a million years that he would find her here of all places. What a strange but happy coincidence.

Ha, yeah right.

The entirety of Sachi's time when she should have been in class was spent exploring the various areas of the academy. With her sketchbook tucked safely under her arm, Sachi had done her best to try to find somewhere to settle down and sketch. Unfortunately, between dodging teachers and other students, she'd barely had any time to relax. Sachi was under the impression that, eventually, she'd find a good place to hide away during the times where she was meant to be attending class. The garden outside seemed like a perfect place to settle in and sketch. If she was honest with herself, she could use the practice.

Sachi had barely noticed that the bell had rung until the hall was swarmed with students. Over the din of her compatriots, she did hear one voice she recognized. A voice that made her heart leap into her throat as she glanced down at her messenger bag. She'd packed it with art supplies but hadn't bothered to bring a textbook just in case of this very incident happening. Perhaps she could sneak away before being caught. However, all hopes of that option melted away the moment she heard Rei call out her name. Shit. Turning on her heel, she quickly walked in the other direction and headed for the door.

He was still behind her by the time she reached the flower gardens. Distantly, she could hear the bell ring for the next class. Great. Turning around, Sachi lifted a hand in a wave and plastered a shocked look on her face. "O-Oh, Rei. Hey there. I didn't hear you! When did you get here?" I'm dead. I'm so dead.