Thoughts, Attention and Brother

Why do Nanase Haruka likes water so much?

Haru let himself in the almost full tub, once in a while he would immerse himself completely in the water. He likes the sound when he is underwater. He loves the whole calming effect of the water, in fact. When he is in the water, he was away from everything. Sometimes he would think of the possibilities that one day, people will live underwater, and he wants to be there to experience it. And sometimes he thinks that his thoughts are ridiculous.

"Haru-chan!"

He peered through the water to see a familiar face. The friendly face that will always take him away from his water time. However, this time around he didn't feel that much of a drag as before. Now that he is the Vice-President of the Iwatobi High Swimming Club, and everyday after school they have training sessions.

"I thought you already dropped the 'chan'," Haru said coldly while his chin is still in the water. "Makoto, I would appreciate if you would wait outside while I change, I'm not wearing any swimsuit today."

Haru naked is not something unusual to Makoto, since they did grew up together. However Makoto knows that Haru needed some space. "I guess, the 'chan' came back after spending 2 days with Nagisa."

Speaking of the Devil.

Haru heard a distant voice that he immediately identifies as Nagisa's. And the voice became louder and closer. "Haru-chan, oh Haru-chan. I didn't know how you would like your mackerel, but I cooked it anyway. I hope you like the Hazuki's family recipe."

"That's enough. Let's go wait for Haru outside," Makoto said whilst dragging Nagisa, in an apron outside of the bathroom.

"And who would've thought that the method Mako-chan taught me last week worked!," Nagisa continued to talk in his usual perky self as they make their way to school. "I can't wait for the test. By the way, you look cool in glasses. So much like a professional. Like Rei-chan."

Makoto chuckled. "My eyes weren't that bad. I seldom wear it, because I heard that if you are so accustomed to wearing them, you can't leave without wearing them anymore. It's a drag to wear glasses all the time. Just ask Rei."

"What is it about? I heard my name being called." Rei grabbed Nagisa's shoulder from behind. "You owe me big time! Last Friday will the last of your ditching-duty-day. You left school way too early and they forced me to do it on your behalf."

Today is unusually noisy. I wish I am still in the tub.

Haru heard his thoughts out loud. He turned and saw Makoto with his upturned eyebrow smile.

"For someone who hardly expresses himself through words, your expressions sure is a giveaway, Haruka-senpai," stated Rei while adjusting his glasses in place.

"But, Rei-chan, Haru-chan's face is always in poker mood. How can you tell? Ah, wait, he's irritated. You are right, it is quite obvious." Nagisa said while examining Haruka's face in a flash.

"Well, human are social beings. Not only they are very absorbing to the surroundings, it is also one of our nature to express our feelings, if not by words, through actions and face expressions," Rei added by quoting a book that he recently read about human personalities.

"Well, that just meant that we are getting closer. One day, you will be able to read Haru like I do. Not that I'm good at it." Makoto said in his usual brotherly tone.

"Why are you all concerned with what I was thinking? It's a waste of time."

Honestly, Haru felt uncomfortable with everybody on to him, trying to guess what he was thinking. Even Makoto's words somewhat made his heart ache. Makoto was the only one who can guess what he was thinking, that is because him and Makoto have been friends since they were little.

"Huh? We just want to be closer. It's not fair that only Mako-chan knows you. And it's also not fair that only you get Mako-chan's attention, " Nagisa cooed.

Nagisa's statement startled Haruka. It felt like Nagisa had meant his words differently. Somehow it made Haru uneasy.

What's that supposed to mean?

This time Haru's thoughts seems to echo into three different voices, his, Makoto's and also Rei's.

"Haru is only my bestfriend. Just like the both of you. I think I give all of you the same amount of attention. Haru is a bit closer though, like my brother. We did grew up together," Makoto chuckled and emphasized "Yes, just like a brother."