"I'm... Going to a university in Tokyo."

The torturous words seeped into Haru's head over and over. Even though it had been about a month since Makoto and Haru had their first fight, the memory still haunted him. After Haru's excursion to Australia, he finally decided on a dream. It just so happened that Makoto's college was known for its swimming team, so Haru decided to go there. Everything was settled now. Well, kind of.

Since that fight, a horrible sinking feeling was left in Haru's chest. He couldn't help but feel like he was a nuisance to Makoto.

'That's probably why he wanted to leave,' He thought bitterly. 'To get away from me.'

But a life without Makoto would be unbearable. It would be unnatural, like living everyday with a dark sky, or not being able to breathe. Haru felt nauseous at the thought of not having the only person who truly understands him by his side anymore. As a result, Haru gave in to his selfish desire to follow Makoto to college and continue being a burden.

Makoto had also noticed that something was different now. It was in Haru's nature to be distant, but this... was something more. Anyone else would have said he was just his usual self, but Makoto knew him too well to believe that. Only Makoto noticed the hurt in his dull blue eyes and how he refused to meet Makoto's gaze and he would not sleep facing him. Each time it happened it felt like being pierced through the heart with a dull blade. Makoto wanted desperately to take his pain away but he's always been painfully shy and not one to confront so bluntly. But something more than timidity restrained the green eyed boy from addressing Haru's sudden emotional detachment; the fear of rejection. The possibility of being pushed farther away from the one he loved most tormented him. He felt completely useless; like Haru had only come to Tokyo because he felt obligated to take care of him like a weak, injured, kitten.

"Haru?" Makoto's gentle voice asked, snapping Haru out of his thoughts. "Is everything okay?"

'No!' He wanted to say and let Makoto hold him in his strong arms and whisper soothing things to him and to just take away all his worries, but he knew that just being in his presence was a gift that was almost taken away from him, and he was not going to risk losing it.

So instead he gave a weak nod, still not meeting the taller boy's worried emerald eyes.

Makoto gave a tiny smile, but Haru didn't like it one bit. It was Makoto's default smile; It was fake. His mouth curved but he could see pain dimming his usually bright green eyes.

'Does he hate me that much?' Haru thought.

Makoto was desperate at this point. He wanted the old Haru back. But in order for that to happen, he needed to do something; and fast. Him and the blue eyed boy were growing farther apart by the day. The olive haired boy sighed defeatedly.

"Um... Haru... We... We need to talk."

This finally broke his trance. Haru flinched visibly. He knew that tone. Makoto used the same one before that fight. "About what?"

"You've been... different lately."

"So have you."

"I-I'm worried, Haru... You say you're fine but..." He paused to look Haru in the eyes. "I know you're not." He said softly.

The raven haired boy felt his heart jump into his throat. No, he needed to get out of here. He was not going to have another fight. He got up swiftly and started for the door and mumbled a quick, "I'm going out."

"W-wait! Haru!" He called out and tried to grab him, but tripped over his Calculus textbook, leaving the olive haired boy helplessly staring at the slammed door.