"That was brutal, eh Haru?" Makoto said, entering the apartment his friend lived alone in.

"yeah." Haru replied simply, stretching and trying to rub the stiff pain out of his lower back.

They were back after a long evening of strict drills and a new training regimen that Nagisa swore was Gou's way of trying to kill them slowly, the remark was rewarded with twenty extra laps in the pool, during which the blonde complained loudly.

Makoto settled on the couch and turned on the TV, Haru walked to the kitchen, made snacks, then joined him.

"You didn't have to do that!" Makoto said, staring at the large platter filled with cheese, crackers, cookies and assorted fruit.

Haru sat back and took a bite of a mackerel sandwich he made for himself. "I was hungry, I was going to make food anyways." he stated, but Makoto knew he went out of his way to make sure he would be comfortable.

Smiling and reaching for a cookie, Makoto thought of all the little things Haru did to show his friendship, and all the times Haru had been there for him. Over the years Haru had become a comforting security for Makoto, and Makoto had grown to care a great deal for him, he might even say he had fallen in love with him. But he was sure Haru didn't feel the same. He remembered explaining it to his friends when they had caught on…

"Makoto-senpai?"

"yes, Rei?" Makoto replied exiting the pool.

"Do you care for him?" he asked, glancing at Haru, still floating lazily in the pool.

Makoto gazed at Rei cautiously, "Of course I do, he's my friend, just like you and Nagisa."

Rei sighed, "No, I mean…" he paused, watching Makoto and gauging his response. "do you love him?"

Makoto flinched visibly. "Is it that obvious?" he asked, laughing nervously and feeling his ears get hot.

Rei nodded sympathetically, "Everyone notices, it seems, except for him." another glance at Haru.

Makoto looked around, noticing Gou and Nagisa whispering to each other and looking at him and Rei. He sighed.

"Do you know how he feels?" Rei asked, concerned.

"I know he doesn't feel the same." Makoto replied, a familiar sadness washing over him.

"Are you sur-"

"I'm sure." Makoto interrupted passive-aggressively.

"Have you asked?" Rei pressed.

"No…"

"then how can you be sure?"

"I can't."

"then ask him."

Makoto sighed and turned to Rei, feeling the tears pooling at the edge of his eyes. "Because what if he doesn't feel the same? How could we keep being friends? Things would just be too awkward all the time… I would rather just be the friend he needs then never be able to face him again."

the tears rolled down his cheeks, but he quickly wiped them away and smiled, " besides, as it is right now, we already spend most of our time together, and that's enough for me." he glanced at Haru, darting around underwater.

Rei however, looked at Makoto and frowned, "you're too self sacrificing." Makoto resented the pity in his eyes, but before he could reassure him. Haru appeared behind him.

"what are you two talking about?" he said, gazing at Rei curiously.

Makoto stood, "Nothing, are you ready to go home?"

Haru glanced back at the pool and sighed, "yes, I'm hungry."

Makoto nodded and they said their good-byes to their friends, walking side by side away from the poolside. Makoto turned to look back and saw Rei filling in Gou and Nagisa, who watched after him sympathetically, "Mako-chan…" was all he could make out before their voices faded.

"Makoto?" Haru's voice snapped him back to the present. "you look tired, you wanna stay here?" he asked, standing and turning off the TV, already knowing the answer.

Makoto smiled and nodded, Haru left for his bedroom and Makoto followed suit.