"Haru!" Makoto called out from the shower. "Can you grab me a towel?" It was early in the morning and Makoto had been getting ready to leave for his second year of university.

"Haru! Get up! You are going to make me late!"

Makoto had taken a year off from University to stay at home with Haruka after he quit university half way through their freshman year. Makoto took up work at the nearby Jupiter Eels Swimclub in Jupiter, Florida where the two men grew up together. The swimclub was home to the Jupiter Dolphins swim teams, which Haruka and Makoto were members of in high school and won the regional championships in addition to the nationals. Now Makoto was spending his time teaching young swimmers basic swimming techniques after completing his first year at university.

He planned to return sooner, but Makoto knew Haruka needed him even if the black-haired, blue-eyed, mackerel loving man wasn't always so appreciative. He couldn't stay home any longer though. His best friend spent day after day lying in a tub of water from sun up until sun down only getting out to cook, go to the pool, or sleep. He barely uttered a word anymore even to Makoto and it was getting too much for the tall, kind-hearted, brunette to handle.

It hurt Haruka for Makoto to leave, but maybe if he did, things would change. Maybe, just maybe Haruka would find what he was looking for. After all, it's been right in front of him since he was just a boy.

Haruka threw a towel over the shower curtain and left the bathroom. He went into the kitchen and made breakfast, which of course was mackerel. Haruka always cooked in his swim trunks, which were black with a purple stripe down both sides, and his white apron.

As the fish cooked he slipped into a daze. Makoto strode in minutes later in blue jeans and a navy blue-cotton tee. He saw the fish begin to burn and looked up at his friend who looked spacy-eyed. "Haru!" Haruka awoke from his daze and turn off the flame. "Breakfast is ready." The daydreamer announced. The two of them smiled and sat down for breakfast. As they ate Haruka couldn't help, but think this might be their last breakfast together.

"Haruka?" The brunette looked up from his plate with his bright green eyes and caught the man's glance. "Will you be okay?" Haruka hesitated for a moment. He nodded. "Yes."

Makoto gave a small half-hearted smile. "Okay then I guess I should head off." He stood from his seat, took his plate to the sink to wash and grabbed his backpack off the floor by the door. He turned and looked at Haruka one last time. "See you when I get back?" He asked with little emotion. Haruka nodded.

The brunette said goodbye and headed out to his moss green Nissan Altima. He threw his bag in the passenger seat and drove off looking back at his best friend from his rearview mirror until the mackerel loving man was out of sight.

Makoto was attending Iwatobi University to study Sports Management. His plan was to become a Swim Coach and open his own swim club. Haruka once had the same dream until he dropped out of school.

Five hours later, he arrived at the university. The University was quite large with a city-like atmosphere. The seven residence halls were built along the border of the campus. Across the road were the academic buildings where classes are held. This university was also home to Florida's favorite college football and Soccer team, the Iwatobi Dolphins.

Every year the soccer team would host a game against our rivals, the Samezuka Sharks to start off the year. Makoto always found the first game of the year most exciting.

After unpacking his car into his suite on the second floor of Orca hall, Makoto headed out with a book to read under his favorite tree in the center of the academic quad.

Meanwhile, Haruka was back in Jupiter where he had filled the bathtub with water and was sulking in the emptiness of his home. I never told Makoto why I dropped out of University. I only said it wasn't where I wanted to be. Haruka had spent a lot of time with his thoughts in the mere hours his friend had been gone. "I only swim free" He gritted his teeth and slid down the back of the tub under the water.

The day I came back from University, I called Makoto and told him that school wasn't for me anymore. He told me if that's what I wanted to do, then he'd support me, but I had to figure out what to do with my life. He said he wouldn't let me waste me life. I told him to give me time to figure it out and he's given me that. The next day he showed up at my door and was by my side ever since that day, but I never told him why I decided to quit.

"I only swim free." He repeated to himself as he continued to think to himself.

It was the day of Swim team tryouts. The coach wanted us each to show him our butterfly technique. I told him I only swim free. He told me if I wasn't going to swim to get out. I dove in the water and swam free. It felt right when I was in the water. I felt like I was home, but when I got out and stood in front of the coach he told me to leave. I wanted to swim and if I couldn't swim, I didn't want to be there. It was nothing like before. I miss the Jupiter swim team. I miss Nagisa, Rei and Rin. I miss swimming for the team. That is what you taught me. And most of all, I miss you.

Haruka was shot out of his daze by a small tapping sound. The muscular swimmer stepped out of the tub and followed the sound, which lead to his bedroom window. He pulled up his blinds and saw a small orange tabby in the window. It was the same kitten Makoto had been taking care of for the last three months. He smiled and opened the window. The small kitten jumped in the window and took a seat upon Haruka's bed.

He looked at the cat and sighed. "You know Makoto left, cat." The kitten hopped off the bed and rubbed his head against Haruka's still damp leg. "Ugh. Okay, Okay"

Haruka led the small mammal into the kitchen and fed it the leftover fish from breakfast he had stashed in the fridge. "Are you happy now, cat?"

The kitten purred softly and rubbed his fur against Haruka's leg. The man gave an annoying look at the cat before letting out a big sigh. He kneeled down and picked up the small creature holding him close to his smooth, bare chest.

I suppose we both miss Makoto…don't we? Haruka thought as he smiled down at the kitten thinking of his friend.

"Don't worry little kitten. You can stay here if you want to"