I wish I owned Free!, but I don't. Enjoy and bless.

- Makoto's POV -

I'll always be second-best.

Since we were young, I've been trying so hard to be closer to Haru.

Haru loved swimming? Then I will love it... Even though I was so afraid of the water.

Haru loved mackerel? Then I will eat it... Even though I've never really liked seafood.

Haru loved Rin? Then... I will...

Be okay with it.

Even though I'm not.

I'm just second-best.

- Haruka's POV -

That day was the most confusing day of my life.

It had started the previous night with a couple of drinks at the bar. Rin had come to visit me and Makoto in Tokyo. And with Rin around, we (obviously) got very very drunk.

I couldn't remember anything until the next morning, when I woke up in my bed with a terrible headache.

I decided to go straight to my usual morning bath, but the door to my bathroom was locked. I waited outside for a while, kneading my fingers across my aching head. Then, I heard the toilet flush and the door unlock. Rin stepped out, drying his red hair on my favourite towel. His chest was bare and beads of water lined his firm abs. Hung loosely on his hips was a pair of my old shorts.

"Rin, what are you doing in my apartment?"

He looked up at the sound of my voice. Then he smirked slightly, exposing his shark-like teeth.

"Don't act like you don't know what happened last night."

He leaned in closer, whispering in my ear.

"You were damn good though, never thought you'd be so wild in bed."

With that, he walked past me into the kitchen.

Last night? What happened last night?

- Makoto's POV -

Rin had asked me to meet him earlier that night, before Haru arrived. When I reached, he was already there, sipping on a drink.

"Rin! What's up!"

"Eh, Makoto."

I smiled at him, before noticing the nervous expression on his face. Taking a seat and dropping my bag on the chair next to me, I looked over at him quietly. Knowing Rin, he'd soon tell me what he was concerned about.

He swirled his drink and cleared his throat.

"What do you feel towards Haru?"

Immediately, my face flushed with heat.

"Nothing! I don't feel anything towards Haru! I mean, he's just my friend, my very good friend, but that's all! Wait, am I understanding this right? What am I saying? Ah..."

I fumbled with my thoughts and tried to calm my heart that pounded like a freight train. What was that about? Did he figure out that I lik-

Rin interrupted with a bitter laugh.

"Everyone thinks that you two are madly in love with each other. It's like you're an old married couple, they always say."

He looks at me, smiling sadly.

"But Makoto... I'm the one who loves Haru."

I was stunned.

"Rin..."

"You know Haru so well. Surely he has talked to you about his love life before?"

I looked away, unwilling to answer.

"Makoto!"

I spotted Haru entering the bar.

"Ah, Haru's here!"

I jumped up from my seat to wave him over to our table. As I sat back down, I smiled at Rin.

"Rin... I think he likes you too."