"I thought I left it here. Where is it?!"

"Makoto sweetie come on, you're going to be late."

"But mama I can't find it!"

Six year old Makoto was running around the house in a panic. Today was his first day of elementary school, which he had been looking forward to for several months now. Since he was an only child, he didn't tend to have much company his own age, so when his parents told him he would be meeting lots of kids his age today, to say he was delighted would be an understatement. But there was just one problem.

"Find what?" his mother asked while she watched him crawl almost completely under his bed tiny legs wiggling up and down as he tried to get himself further under the bed. She had to step over various toys and clothes that had been scattered all over the floor during his search. She inwardly sighed to herself, she knew exactly who would end up having to clean this mess up, and it wasn't Makoto. "What is it you're looking for?"

"My hat! I can't go to school without it and I don't know where it is!" The hat was part of the uniform which Makoto was required to wear for elementary school, only he loved it so much that as soon as his parents bought it he wore it almost everyday. Although it clashed with the rest of his uniform (which consisted of the tangerine coloured hat, a pale blue shirt and brown shorts) Makoto absolutely adored it. So it was typical that the day he needed to wear it, he couldn't find it anywhere. Just when Makoto looked like he was about to give up, he heard the sound of his mother giggling quietly.

"Ah, mama what's funny?" he asked, shuffling out from under his bed, but her laughter had taken over to the point she couldn't speak. Instead, she lowered her hand to his head and pulled off the orange material that had been on his head the whole time.

Makoto's face ended up a bright shade of pink. "I..I knew that. I was just pretending I lost it."

"Of course you were," and she smiled that sweet smile she always had. It was infectious and Makoto found himself smiling back, forgetting his little embarrassing moment as he wrapped his little arms around her in a hug. Completely unaware that he had even arrived upstairs, Makoto's father wraps his larger arms around the pair of them.

"So this is where you two have been hiding. I was wondering what was going on up here. One minute you were flying around the house, the next minute, nothing. Are you ready for your big day now Makoto?"

"Yes! Come on come on! Mama! Papa! Let's go!" And with that, Makoto dashed downstairs. The sooner we leave the sooner we get there. The sooner I can meet the other kids, he thought to himself. His parents were left hugging in their son's room and they couldn't help but smile.

"Well, we best not keep him waiting much longer." Mr Tachibana chimed whilst helping his wife to her feet.

"He's certainly full of energy isn't he?"

"Yeah. He's growing up so fast too. And to think we'll be having another one soon." he spoke gently whilst rubbing his wife's stomach fondly. They had found out a few months ago that Mrs Tachibana was pregnant again, much to the delight of both of them. It would be a lie to say they weren't nervous, after all, no matter how many children someone can have, they can never be fully prepared. "Do you think we'll be okay with another child? Another ball of energy in the house?"

"Of course we will, don't worry." Their conversation was short lived when they heard a familiar voice wondering why they hadn't come downstairs yet, they needed to leave now. Looking at her watch, Mrs Tachibana noticed that her son was right, arriving to school to late on the first day never looked good.


Not too far away from the Tachibana household, another child was getting ready for his first day at Iwatobi Elementary. Although he appeared relaxed about the situation, this child was exceedingly more nervous about meeting the other children. Haruka had just found his pencil case and stuffed it into his school bag, there wasn't anything in particular that they needed to take to school, since lunch and stationary was provided for them, but Haruka decided he wanted to take his sketchbook and pencils, since they would have some free time. He wasn't particularly attached of the idea of being in a room with so many other kids, but perhaps there was somewhere he could sit by himself and draw for a while.

The Nanase family was always an independent one as they never socialised that much. It's not that they were were rude and refused to talk to others, they just had a quiet nature, only speaking when they were spoken to. Haruka had inherited this quiet nature and the idea of seeing so many other kids, that would want to talk and most likely ask loads of random questions about him, made Haruka want to crawl back into bed 'sick'. His mother's steps could be heard getting closer and closer until she reached his bedroom door.

"Are you ready Haruka? Aww, you look so cute in your little uniform."

"..."

I look ridiculous, Haruka thought to himself. Why do we have to wear this anyway? This is stupid. And dad better not get the camera out, with a bit of luck maybe he lost it.

"Honey, why don't you get the camera? We should get a photo of Haruka on his first day of school."

"Already got it. I made sure I had it ready for today."

Wishful thinking.

With the camera lens pointing towards him, Haruka made sure to put considerably more effort into his glare. He didn't think the photo taking process would take so long, but his parents insisted on getting several shots of their son, explaining that they wanted to give some to his grandmother since they knew she would love to have some. At the mention of his grandmother, his facial expression has softened slightly. That's right, she's coming home tomorrow. After having a fall in the house she had been taken to hospital to make sure she was okay. To the family's relief she was fine, just a sprained ankle, but because she struggled to walk after the fall, they wanted her to be checked just in case. She was due to come home tomorrow and Haruka couldn't wait.

Once the eternal process was over, Haruka's father handed the camera to his wife and grabbed his briefcase before quickly ruffling his son's hair. He looked to his son sadly, the younger boy expecting him to walk him to school as well.

"I'm sorry but I can't take you to school today Haruka. I would have liked to see you off on your first day but daddy's buy with work. I'm hoping to take some time off soon, it's been a long time since we have been able to spend time as a family." His eyes eventually lock on to his wife's. She gives him a small smile. "I should hopefully be home before you get back so you can tell me all about it. Have a good day son."

"You too Dad." Haruka muttered and cast his eyes downwards, a little disappointed at his father having to work, but realised it couldn't be helped and nodded. Mr Nanase gave his son a small smile before planting a kiss on both his and his wife's cheeks, making his way to the train station. Shortly after checking Haruka had everything that he was going to need, which wasn't a lot, Mrs Nanase took her son's hand in hers and began the walk to Iwatobi Elementary.


The walk to Iwatobi Elementary takes roughly 10-15 minutes, but much longer when a smaller pair of feet were walking too. Haruka was still holding his mother's hand and he held his hat in the other. As soon as he left the house the hat came straight off, he was not going to wear it any longer than he needed to. He'll just put it back on when he gets there. His mother didn't object, in fact she appeared to have her head in the clouds.

Haruka glanced up towards her, noticing she was spacing out. He figured it was because his father wasn't coming as well; they hadn't seen very much of him recently since he was constantly busy with work, for the majority of the day it was just Haruka, his mother and his grandmother. And with his grandmother in hospital for a few days, the Nanase house was very quiet. Squeezing his mothers hand slightly, Haruka inspects his surroundings. He was looking at everything curiously, as this area was completely new to him. Usually his mother would walk him into town to go grocery shopping, or to the little park just outside their house, but they had never gone this route before. As far as Haruka could remember, this was the first time he had been by the beach.

And he definitely had not seen so much water in one place before.

The sky had taken on a bright but peaceful blue which matched the colour of the ocean nearby, the sand they walked past was also a soft golden colour. He hadn't even realised that his feet came to a halt as he gazed out at the water. Noticing the sudden lack of movement from her son, Mrs Nanase turned around to see Haruka watching the ocean waves gently washing onto the shore. She couldn't help but smile at him, his eyes widening at the sound of the waves, mouth slightly open in awe. You really like the water don't you Haruka?

Recently Mrs Nanase had started to notice her son had a fascination with anything relating to water. When Haruka was just a toddler, he never objected to a bath, like many children often did. In fact, he was always reminding her about them, at least three times a day he pulled her to the bathroom, pointing at the large tub in front of them. And he could sit in the bath for hours (which had concerned her many times when it was unusually quiet in the bathroom). It didn't appear that Haruka was going to move from his spot and after looking at her watch, Mrs Nanase needed to remind him why they were here in the first place. She couldn't help but think if she didn't do anything, he would stare at the ocean forever. This was supposed to be the quicker path to the school but if it meant Haruka was going to stare at the water every morning, then it was definitely not going to be.

"Not today Haruka, maybe another time okay? You have school remember?" She gently tugged his hand and continued walking, Haruka did the same but kept his eyes on the ocean. He continued admiring the waves way until he heard voice a few metres away.

"Makoto dear we aren't near the water so there's no need to worry."

"But I can still see it, it looks dangerous."

"It's all the way over there so it's okay. I know, why don't you walk this side of me? That way you will be further away from the water."

"Okay.."

Ahead of him Haruka could see a boy who must have been about his age, walking round to the other side of a lady who he guessed was his mother. She was much taller than Haruka's own mother and he always thought she was pretty tall. The other boy was wearing the same silly clothes as he was, so that must mean that boy's going to the same school as him. The boy had brown hair but Haruka couldn't see much because of the hat. Does he like wearing that? How can anyone like this...thing, Haruka thought, looking back at his own in disgust, still hanging limply in his hand. And why doesn't he like the water? It looks pretty.

"Oh it's Mrs Tachibana! It's been a while since I've seen her...and Haruka look! Makoto is going to the same elementary school as you."

Makoto? That must be the boy's name..Haruka thought as his mother picked up the pace slightly to catch up to the other two. After hearing sudden footsteps and somebody calling her name, Mrs Tachibana turned round to see Mrs Nanase accompanied by a little boy, all geared up for school but not looking especially happy about it. Soon enough both mothers were walking together with their sons.

"Good morning. It's lovely to see you again."

"Same to you. Wow Makoto has grown up so fast hasn't he? I remember when he was still learning to walk."

"He really has and now we can't get him to stay sat down, he's constantly running around the house. Haruka has grown up so much as well, he doesn't hide behind you anymore."

"He still does sometimes if we have guests but I think he's getting better. How is Mr Tachibana?"

"He's doing well, you just missed him actually. He was going to walk Makoto to school with me but got a call from one of the neighbours who had an accident."

"Oh dear, I hope they're okay. Haruka's father was supposed to be with us too but couldn't take the day off work."

As the two mothers chatted amongst themselves, Makoto and Haruka walked in silence. Since Haruka was holding his mother's left hand and Makoto was holding his mothers right, the two boys had ended up walking side by side, small steps synchronised unconsciously. Makoto watches Haruka the whole time they walk and when Haruka looked towards him, Makoto flashed a bright smile and waved in his direction.

"Hi!"

However, Haruka just looked away, keeping his gaze on the floor for the rest of the walk until they got to school. Makoto just smiled and kept looking ahead of him, elementary school now in sight.

To both Makoto and Haruka, the school was huge. There were three floors to the building surrounded by a silver gate, which had started to rust slightly on some of the bars. Makoto felt the grip of his mothers hand loosen, as did Haruka, his mother took the hat from his hand and placed it back on his head, erupting a small groan from the black haired boy. Mrs Tachibana beamed at the two children in front of her.

"Here we are. Makoto, Haruka, have a good first day. If you just go through those double doors over there.." she lowered down to their height and pointed at the doors located on the other side of the gates "...Just through there, there's a list with everyone's names, the class they are in and where the classroom is. There will be a couple of teachers there waiting just tell them your name and they'll help you find out what class you're in."

"Okay mama!" Makoto beamed and jumped in front of Haruka "This will be fun!" But the other boy didn't appear to think so, keeping his gaze to the floor and gripping the orange strap on his bag. Mrs Tachibana raised an eyebrow at the black haired boy in concern and muttered to the lady next to her.

"Is Haruka okay? He doesn't look too happy."

"I think so, Haruka has always been shy so I'm guessing he's just nervous."

"Well knowing how things turn out, Haruka and Makoto might be in the same class, so at least he'll know somebody."

"Yeah, maybe. I've been telling him all week it's nothing to worry about, but I don't think it's helped." Mrs Nanase gave a soft smile to her son, who looked up for a second before staring back to the ground.

"I want to go home..."

Makoto was stood next to him confused. Why does he want to go home? This is going to be fun, maybe he just doesn't know that yet. He looked up to his mother, hoping she would know what to do. If he went home then he wouldn't come to school and if he didn't come to school he wouldn't be able to see the other children and make friends, and I bet he would make lots of friends. I bet he's really nice.

Mrs Tachibana pondered for a moment, trying to find the right words to say to the nervous child in front of her. "Haruka, it's okay, once you get in there you will enjoy yourself and you will find that there's no need to be nervous. Everyone is there to look after you so you can feel safe there okay? You and Makoto will be going in together, so you won't have to go in there alone." She had reduced her height so that Haruka was now the taller one and smiled sweetly to him. He didn't fully understand how that seemed to worked. He could only guess that it was simply something that mothers knew, because he felt himself feel somewhat relaxed.

"Haru-chan, let's go in together like mama said!"

Haruka perked up and looked to the other boy who had suddenly spoken up. It's not like I have a choice anyway. And this Makoto doesn't seem that bad I guess..

"..Yeah.."

Both mothers glanced to each other, relieved at the sight, it wasn't enjoyable for either of them to see a child so upset about their first day of school. After a quick kiss to their sons, Haruka's and Makoto's mother waved goodbye to the children but stayed put until they saw the boys turn around and wave back, before two small heads disappeared through the school doors.