A/N: Just a litte prologue. Reviews are much appreciated :)


The boy was never one to flaunt his gift, if he even considers his freestyle swimming a gift. From a very young age, those around him quickly caught on to the peculiar relationship Nanase Haruka has with water. The two combined only complimented each other beautifully as if he was meant for the water, his most cherished home. Back then, Haruka may have been considered a passionate swimmer, but he was never obsessed with water. Haruka has never once been deprived of his craving for water, but he regrets not spending enough time at "home" back when everything was simple.


"Haru-chan!"

No answer. With a sigh, Makoto enters the house his friend resides in. Another day, another bath. Makoto was sure Haru has spent so many hours underwater that his body would put prunes to shame. And after that bath, he'd have fish for breakfast. And once he finishes, they'd walk to school. By then, Haru would already start staring longingly at the river and not listen to a word Makoto says. But it's all right, because that's just the Haru-chan Makoto adores. His love for swimming is like no other; it was a bond greater than any bond he's ever seen. And although many people find Haru's "obsession" strange, Makoto finds it inspirational. It is Haru's love for swimming that makes Makoto respects him in the highest regard and that's why he only smiles whenever his blue-eyed friend pine for the deep blue freedom.

"I'm coming in," announces Makoto once he spotted a pile of clothes on top of the laundry. Opening the door, Makoto was greeted by the sight of a full bathtub. He paused at the doorframe to see if Haru would come out as per usual, but he didn't. Confused, Makoto slowly saunters over the bathtub only to be met by the still water that held nothing underneath.

The sight only brought worry and more confusion for Makoto. He knows Haru enough to know that he wouldn't leave any body of water he sees untouched, especially if the freestyle swimmer's taken off his clothes. Turning on his heels, the green-eyed boy went for Haru's bedroom. When he couldn't find him there, he rushed to the kitchen, the living room, and every other inch of the house. Makoto still couldn't find him and he was growing anxious, so he decided to call Haru. What he didn't expect was to hear a ringtone set off from upstairs. Hurriedly, he followed the sound back to Haru's room. Haru's phone was on the floor next to the window. It was only after Makoto approached it that he noticed the window was slightly ajar.

Meow

Makoto's eyes grew wide. That mewl sounded like the cat he regularly visits every morning. He opens the window and looked around, searching for Haru and the cat.

"Haru-chan!" he shouted.

"I told you to drop the –chan."

Makoto whipped his head upwards and saw a pair of feet dangling over the edge of the rooftop. Haru was sitting there with the white cat Makoto knows on his lap. None of them bothered by the height they were at.

"Haru!"

"That's more like it," Haru replied flatly.

"Get down from there! It's not safe!"

Meow

This time, Haru didn't reply. He continued to stare into the distance and stroking the cat softly.

"Haru!"

"Catch it."

"Wha– Whoa!" Before he knew it, Makoto's view of Haru's feet was replaced by a brief image of claws. Instinctively, the brunet caught the now frantic cat and got the claws away from his face. He set the cat inside Haru's room and peeked back outside, face flushed exasperation.

"She's safe! Now come down!"

Makoto didn't have to wait long for Haru to respond. The boy on the roof stood on his two feet and jumped, facing his house, as he attempted to swing inside. Makoto's heart skipped a beat when he thought Haru was going to fall, so he quickly grabbed Haru's waist and pulled the swimmer in. The momentum was enough to send both swimmers to the opposite end of the bedroom. Although Makoto tried to break Haru's fall, he still couldn't prevent the minor collisions. Groaning, the brunet opened his eyes and spotted Haru in his arms.

"Haru-chan, are you okay?"

Dull blue orbs met worried green orbs. Haru pushed himself up and extended an arm towards Makoto.

"I'm fine," he said as Makoto took Haru's hand and stood, "I could've done that myself."

After inspecting his uninjured friend who's clad in swimming trunks, Makoto smiles, amused.

"Come on, your bath is getting cold."

Unlike any other day, Haru only had a few minutes to bath as Makoto prepares his food. But as usual, after that bath, Haru had fish for breakfast. And once he finishes, he walked to school with his friend. On the way there, Haru face turned towards the river and he didn't listen to a word Makoto said. Makoto was curious as to how he and the cat got on the roof, but he decided it didn't matter. Everybody's fine. They continued walking, Haru's face hidden from Makoto's sight as he stares into the water. Silence fills the air. But it's all right, because that's just the Haru-chan Makoto adores. And Makoto passed this off as just another normal day.


He was supposed to get ready. Makoto was coming to get him in a few hours. If he didn't get in the water now, he wouldn't have enough time with it. He was already in his trunks and the bathtub was already full, but Haruka didn't budge. So the swimmer stood in front of the tub and blankly stared as time melts away.