It was during a practice that Makoto noticed a red mark on Haru's shoulder. They were stretching out, so he had to wait until they were finished to approach to him.
"What's this, Haru?" he asked, innocently.
"What?" Haru returned, not knowing what Makoto was talking about.
"You... have a mark on your shoulder." For a moment he thought that it was a bug bite, but on a second look he noticed that it was more like a shark bite, a love bite.
Haru avoided his gaze as usual, but not quite usual cause his cheeks flushed a little bit. "It's nothing" mumbled just before walking to the platform to dive in the pool.
Makoto smiled, amused with that reaction of him, but also in his chest a faint pain started to grow. This means you chose Rin, doesn't?
But what was he supposed to choose? He never had options because Makoto was nothing but a constant friend always by his side and Rin was... he was something else. He knew that Rin always moved something in Haru's guts, and even if Haruka himself didn't get what was it, Makoto did. Since they were little, Haru was dazzled by Rin and now...
He was thinking about all that while he prepared at the edge of the pool to his backstroke practice. He had a beautiful start and a good time in the first lap. But he couldn't let go all the thoughts about Haru and Rin and started to lose focus in his breath and movements. It took one bad stroke and the next thing he knew was that Haru was lifting him outside the water.
"Makoto? Are you okay?"
The concern on Haru's eyes was painfully reassuring. Haru and he had a special connection but just as friends, at least in Haru's eyes that was what they were. But Makoto wished different and he didn't made a move because their friendship was precious to him. Haru would always be by his side... as a precious friend and it was hurting him.
"I-I'm o..." He couldn't finish his sentence. Everything turned a turmoil, he just wanted to get out there as soon as he could. "I-I'm not feeling well... is better if I go home, I'm sorry"
He left as fast as his legs allowed him. He never felt so sad, so hurt and scared. He didn't wanted to grow apart from Haru just because he couldn't manage his feelings, and he was truly glad that Haru finally accepted his own feelings even if he couldn't accept Makoto's.