The Falling of Makoto Tachibana

by thamexicannbear

Makoto Tachibana has always been overlooked. The sweet and generous teenage swimmer had always had certain problems of his own. They told him to never change and to keep going, but sometimes, you just have to stop and start over.

1. Fallen

The Falling Of Makoto Tachibana

You never know where some people will go
Yeah some people been hurting me
You can tell by the look, by the slightest crick in the neck or the blink of an eye
Well they'll say what they say
And they'll do what they do
But it doesn't mean a god damn thing

-Constant Conversations by Passion Pit

"Makoto! Makoto!"

I try to tune out their voices, but it's no use. Their cries over-shine my sweaty palms pressed hastily against my ears.

I'm getting tired of Japan.

It's only been a year, but one year can change a lot. My tender age of eighteen means that I'm getting close to adulthood. I'll have my independence. Maybe go to college. I'll do whatever I choose. Now I understand Haru's point of view. I'll be free.

In one year, I beat Haru.

When I was seventeen, Haru was the star. Even Nagisa adored him. I mean, what's not to love? He was perfection. His electrifying blue eyes, the way they sparkled whenever someone mentioned water. The tousled jet-black hair that flopped just the right way. He was mysterious, just the way most of the girls wanted. And last, he was a champion athlete, outshining the others. I didn't hate him, I mean, he's my best friend. To tell you the truth, I was scared.

Scared of always living in his shadow. Everybody adored him. I just wanted the same chances and admiration. He got the friends, the deals, the scholarships, the praise. I just, I couldn't.

That's when I decided to try.

I trained more hours than anyone else that year, ate healthier, focused on nothing but swimming. I tried to feel the water just like Haru, I tried everything. Even my 5 year old brother noticed I was acting differently. I was obsessed.

And it worked.

Just 5 months later, at the Midsummer Tournament at Tokyo, I beat him by ½ a second. He was happy for me, clapping me on the back, saying that he didn't care at all about his time, and that I did a spectacular job. I was happy, but it didn't feel right.

This wasn't what I wanted.

I wanted to feel something, to tell myself that I had accomplished my goal. I

didn't. I earned the publicity I didn't want. Now, reporters and paparazzi crowd around my house and my school each and every day, asking me personal questions. It's awful.

It doesn't matter what happened in the past now. I'm going to start over, and it will be the best thing that ever happened to me.

AUTHOR"S NOTE

Hey! Thanks for reading the first chapter. Yeah, I know it wasn't very long, but it's just the intro. So yeah, stay tuned, and check out Constant Conversations by the band Passion Pit!