Chapter one

"I will never swim with you again…Ever!" Those were the words that were etched into Harus mind. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get them out of his mind. They hunted him down, repeating over and over again. Since that time those words had been uttered, Haru had barely spoken at all. Always having a distant look on his face. The glimmer and shine that used to be in his eyes had faded. Not even on the mention of water or mackerel could that glint in his eyes been seen. Makoto had become very worried about Haru. Whenever he came to pick him up in the morning, Haru just soaked in his bathtub, not even being in the process of making breakfast. Once he had told Haru he must eat breakfast before going to school, but Haru had just stared at him with empty eyes. Whenever Makoto made mackerel for him in the mornings, he just shoved it into the freezer. In school, it was obvious that Haru didn't pay any attention. With seat by the window, he just looked outside.

At lunch one day, Makoto said "Lets eat lunch, Haru. I've made mackerel." Haru just stared blankly at Makoto, but ate the food offered to him silently. "We have a joint practice with Samezuka today" Makoto smiled and said. Haru flinched. "I will never swim with you again. Ever." Haru tilted his head away, though Makoto couldn't miss the hurt look that passed on Harus face. Suddenly Haru stood up, leaving his half eaten food. "I'm not going" he whispered. Slamming the door to the roof shut, Haru walked down the stairs briskly. It was only about a week since those words had been said and Haru did not want to see Rin. He wasn't ready, if he ever would be. Deciding to skip the rest of the day of school, Haru went to his classroom, grabbed his bag and went straight home. Not even the thought of being alone in the Iwatobi outdoor pool could make him stay in school. Not even when he got home was the bathtub tempting. Not feeling like eating anything, or doing anything at all for that matter, Haru just went to his room an dropped down on his bed. Lying on his side, he stared at the wall. The feeling of being empty didn't want leave him. Did he have any purpose in life anymore? Nothing could bring him joy anymore. Not mackerel and not even water, which had until recently been his only joy in life. Slowly Harus eyes fluttered close. It didn't take long for his thoughts to fade out into nothing.

When Haru woke up, the clock beside his bed was 5am. Pushing himself up on his elbows, he yawned. Feeling sluggish after having slept for so long, he slowly swung his legs out of the bed. While getting his dressed, he put on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. For the first time, he didn't have his pair of swimwear underneath his jeans. Suddenly he stopped in his actions and looked at his door. His school uniform hung there. Looking at it for a few seconds, he frowned and just left his room. Going down the stairs into the kitchen, he stopped and stared at the stove for a few seconds. Instead of going to the refrigerator and make breakfast, he walked to the door and grabbed a sweater.

It was still quite dark outside. Strolling slowly around the neighbourhood, it was completely empty. No sounds could be heard. Not even the sound of a bird chirping or the sound of a car driving past. Not caring where he was going, Haru just walked aimlessly. After a while there were fewer and fewer houses around him. Soon he found himself on a trail. Huge trees surrounded him. The sun was starting to rise and shone through the leaves. Haru shielded his eyes. It was becoming bright. As Haru continued to walk on the path, the wind grew harsher and harsher. The sound of rustling leaves surrounded Haru.

When Haru had reached the end of the path, he was standing on a grassy patch on a cliff by the ocean. The sun beginning to rise in the horizon, the ocean shone with a thousand small lights on it. The wind was harsh and blew his hair. Waves crashed against the cliff, water foaming and spraying. Shocked by the sight before him, Haru just stood there. Even though it was his beloved water and such a beautiful sight, Haru felt his heart clench painfully. It felt as if he couldn't breath properly, choking him. Clutching his t–shirt, Haru tried to even his breathing that came out in small puffs. That didn't really help, as Harus field of vision blurred and he fell to the ground, hitting his head on a small rock.

Makoto entered Harus house. Makoto had done that ever since they were children and Haru never bothered to lock his door. When Makoto entered the house though, he felt like something was terribly wrong. "Haru?" he called out. No answer. He then went into the kitchen, then the living and then his bedroom. Haru wasn't in of these rooms. Then, Makoto thought, he's probably soaking in the bathtub. Makoto opened the door to the bathroom expecting Haru to be there. Turns out Haru wasn't. It was empty. Now Makoto became really worried. Where could he have gone? He had noticed Haru had been acting a bit weird ever since Rin had said those words to Haru. Though he never expected Haru to become like he had. Taking a chance, Makoto flipped open his cell phone and dialled Haru. He heard a ringing sound coming from Harus bedroom. There, on the desk, was Harus phone. Makoto had failed to notice it before when he checked if Haru was there. Sighing heavily, Makoto went down the stairs and out of the front door. "Maybe he had already gone to school…?" though he highly doubted that, the way Haru had acted the past week. Outside the house, Makoto glanced back one last time, as if Haru would magically walk out of door. Sighing heavily, Makoto began walking towards school.

Worried and absentminded, he didn't notice Gou that suddenly appeared at his side suddenly, saying "Good morning!" with a smile on her face. Startled, Makoto replied back with a faint smile. Gou, who thought it was strange for Makoto to go to school without Haru at his side, saying "Where is Haru?". Makoto hesitated before answering. Should he tell her that he didn't know where he actually was…? Gou who noticed that Makoto hesitated, said "You can tell me, you know. We're friends right?" Looking at Gou with a surprised look on his face, smiled softly and said "Of course, I actually don't know where Haru is. I went to his house this morning, but he was nowhere to be found. He had left his cell phone on his desk, too…" Gou just stared in shock at him. Then abruptly she shouted "WHAT!?". The people around them started to cast glances at them. Makoto noticed this and told Gou "Maybe we should go somewhere to talk about this?" "Right." Gou replied back. Then, she suddenly thought of this. Flipping up her cell phone, she quickly texted her brother. All that she wrote was "Haru is missing." Not even waiting for a reply, she just flipped it close again and walked away with Makoto.