"Go, go, Haruka! Go, go, Haruka!"
Nanase Haruka gasped as took in a much-needed gulp of air, before submerging his head underwater again. His body moved fluidly in the cold chlorinated water, and looking very much like a dolphin, as Nagisa always quipped with a sparkle in his eye. Haruka relentlessly continued his swift strokes, carving an opening in the water and sliding his body through that opening—even Haruka agreed that his younger self was a bit overzealous, but he kept the idea in his mind nonetheless. He continued his uniform body movements, carving effortlessly through what seemed to be a barrier for his competitors. Soon, Haruka slammed his hand against the side of the pool and tossed his head up, removing his goggles and swim cap before shaking his hair free of any excess water. The spectators were going wild in their stands, the whole hall vibrating with their voices.
As he was climbing out of the pool and on his way to dry and dress himself, Haruka was almost sure he felt some things being tossed at him from the mad crowd because gross, was that a tissue sticking to his back? Haruka didn't care, though. He was too used to the attention he got from winning swimming competitions since he had won so many, he lost count. Haruka was more than just a little glad that the overwhelming screams and yells and endless cheering was short-lived. Being an attention-seeker wasn't in Haruka's nature, anyway.
And after such a wonderful time of intense swimming, all Haruka wanted to do was go home and take a good long bath with his little floating dolphin. Just the two of them, in a silent house, listening to the cicadas outside.
This time, though, a good long bath wasn't the one distracting him from the deafening yells of affection (good lord no, please, I'm only freaking seventeen) from the crowd. Haruka's eyes and mind were focused on one sole thing. Object. Person.
Wait. What? Haruka was actually acknowledging the existence of another human being; aside from Nagisa, Rei and Kou? Was the world going to end? Is this what that weird tingly feeling in his chest was; him sensing impending doom? Or did he forget to keep his natto in the fridge again? A million thoughts rushed through Haruka's head, but aside from a single twitch of his eyelid, his facial expression remained stoic as usual. Unluckily for him, his eyes followed suit and remained in an unchanging position. That is, he was continually staring at that person; staring so intensely he might have burned a hole in the poor guy.
That person shifted, feeling a little uncomfortable, but he smiled warmly at Haruka despite his discomfort, hoping he could ease the tension between them. Haruka, dumbstruck at the dazzling smile that human being was humbly flashing at him, felt the foreign warmth crawl up his heart and coil tighter around his chest. He immediately frowned a little, confused and not quite knowing how to react. However, the other guy caught sight of the frown and, not quite knowing how to react to the action of dispute he had received from a stranger, immediately rushed into the lounge to change, get a drink, talk to his team mates and also to hide from someone he had just met five minutes ago. Haruka, snapping out of his trance at the sound of the judge's whistle blowing, went into the lounge as well. His eyes met with the that person's eyes—beautiful green eyes, Haruka noted (for what reason, he didn't know)—and he felt the initial dissipating warmth shooting back up, hot as ever, to grapple at his heart. That person held his breath in; unafraid, but lost for actions as he looked back into stunning sapphire blue eyes, meeting his gaze. They stayed like that for a couple minutes, simply staring at each other.
Why do I feel like this? What is this foreign feeling? Why am I even paying you any attention? Give me answers. I'm not sure why I want to bother about your answers, but I feel like I must know.
Why exactly are you taking a sudden interest in me? Did I do something to offend you? I'm sorry if I did and I apologize profusely; so bear me no grudges!
Their silent unreceived exchange of questions was interrupted when a certain blond grabbed Haruka's shoulder and shook it quite roughly. Haruka refused to turn around, no matter how shrill Hazuki Nagisa whined and how roughly he tugged, until the younger lost his patience and started yelling in his ear.
"Haru-chan! HARU-CHAN! EARTH TO HARUKA-CHAN!"
That was when Haruka spun around on his heels to shoot a slight glare at the chirpy—not to mention loud, since everyone in the lounge shot dirty looks at the two of them like they were talking animals—blond who was yelling in his sensitive ears. Haruka made a disapproving noise in his throat, eye lids drooping lower to intensify his glare. Nagisa wasn't fazed by the look at all. After all, he had been shot the same look over and over again, so frequently 'till the gaze itself held no meaning to him anymore. From behind them, Rei curled one side of his lips up; either to show his annoyance or to show that he was glad Haruka turned around, Haruka didn't know. He didn't really care, either.
When Hazuki Nagisa ("That's our Haru-chan!"), Ryugazaki Rei ("That was so inspiring, Haruka-senpai!") and Matsuoka Gou ("You've worked hard, Haruka-senpai! Here, have a towel.") had started to talk to him ("...thanks."), Haruka barely paid attention. His ears might have been situated to catch sounds in front of him, but he strained his senses to focus behind him, where that mysterious being was. Yes, mysterious he was, but not look-wise because holy mother of monkey milk; that person was top-grade eye candy.
Straining his ears, Haruka could hear the conversation between that person and his swim team.
"It was a shame, Makoto. Too bad you were in the same heat as that Nanase, otherwise you would've made it to regionals."
Haruka's eye twitched. It was a small little movement on his part, but it was certainly something for someone like him, who usually never cared about anything and wouldn't budge for a dead dog.
He had given a reaction not just because that voice was referring to him in a very condescending tone, but because he had just heard a name. Makoto. Wait, was it that person, or was it someone else? Haruka's instincts told him it was his name, but he wanted to confirm it, first. He would have to hear the reply. Again Haruka strained, his muscles tensing, using more effort in mere seconds than he would have bothered to use in a week.
"Yeah, but it's fine." Said a voice that was clear, calm and nicely-pitched; not too high, not too low. Haruka exhaled a breath he didn't know he had been keeping in. So his name was Makoto, huh?
"I screwed up at my turn, anyway," Makoto continued, his voice sounding like warm butter sliding down hot toast—close your eyes. Use your imagination, dear reader, because I'm sure you must have heard a voice similar to his, and have compared it similarly as well. While Makoto talked, Haruka could almost hear his pleasant smile. "So let's not blame Haruka-ku- I mean, Nanase-san."
At the slight slip of Makoto's tongue, Haruka's face flushed red without him even realizing it. Did Makoto just call him by his first name?! Even if it was a mistake, it sent sparks off in Haruka's abdomen. He finally realized that his face was heating up, and he quickly used his hands to rub at his cheeks, hoping the redness would quickly fade and praying that none of his friends would notice. However, Lady Luck was not on Haruka's side—or if she even took sides at all, he didn't know—but the aforementioned redness was painfully, starklingly obvious on Haruka's paper-white skin. Nagisa was the first to catch sight of it, and he immediately opened his mouth, questions pouring out of his mouth while his hands were moving all over Haruka's face. Try as he might, Haruka couldn't get a single syllable in and he simply gave up, looking boredly at Nagisa's face.
"Why are you so red, Haru-chan? Did you get yourself sunburned? Don't tell me you forgot to put sunblock on again. (Nope. Slathered my freaking body in it.) Oh, or are you just dehydrated? Here, cool off. (I can't believe I'm saying this, but no water for me, thank you. I'm already kind of drowning here.) No? Well, okay then. Is this place too congested for you? (Well yes, but I find everything congested, even toilet stalls.) Are you feeling okay? (Yes.) Maybe you're sick? (I'm fine, jeez.) No, your forehead feels okay.. Hey, by the way, we should go to WcDonalds to celebrate you going into regionals. (But me going into regionals..it's nothing new. And what's with the sudden topic change?) Would you prefer a chicken or fish burger? Oh wait, I'm guessing you want a mackerel burger.. I don't think they have those, though, Haru-chan. (I'd like a serving of Peace And Quiet, please. Oh, and for the sake and sanity of mankind, Nagisa, I think you should get an enormous plate of Shut Up with a side of Leave Me Alone.) Are you okay with other kinds of fish instead? Hey, Haru.."
Haruka stopped listening at that point, allowing his roaming thoughts to clog his mind up for a bit. Nagisa kept on rambling about different kinds of fish and how Haruka might like them, but Nagisa was using the dumbest reasonings to pique Haruka's interest ("I think you'll like this one, 'cause this fish has the same tail-shape as mackerel! Isn't that cool?!"), so Haruka only nodded occasionally, but his mind was far far away. Far far away as in right behind him, where Makoto was. It made Haruka feel tingly just thinking about Makoto standing so close to him. It took him all his will for him not to turn around, just to catch a little glimpse of Makoto once more. Even just a shoulder and Haruka would be satisfied, but he didn't want the others to wonder why he was turning around for. It would have been dreadful if they found out his crush on someone he met (translation: made eye contact with) fifteen minutes ago.
Wait.. crush? He meant interest. Pure, unadulterated interest. Yeah. Because there was positively nothing that was enough to spark attraction about his well-toned body and—oh sweet god—perfectly balanced six packs. Haruka melted a little inside. When Nagisa had finally stopped talking and Rei took over; telling everyone to pack up so they could go have lunch ("Rei-chaaaan. I want fast food so badly so..pleeeaase?"), Haruka shifted from his stiff position, his mind working furiously. He could easily catch a glance at Makoto if he pretended to arrange his things.
Without a second thought and thinking it was all a good plan, Haruka turned around, picking at his things and putting random objects into his bag. He allowed himself one little peek. Just a tiny, tiny look.
When Haruka's eyes met Makoto's, they both flinched slightly; since they were not expecting the other to look as well. Stunning, sea blue met gorgeous green the color of olive leaves, and each turned away simultaneously with the same glint reflected in their eyes.
Haruka continued the rest of his packing, barely realizing he had placed Nagisa's goggles and Rei's spare shirt along with his things as well, and changing into proper clothes—Makoto was watching in surprise when Haruka didn't even bother to remove his swimming pants and simply layered his clothes over it. After a good while, they walked out the door, their Iwatobi jackets tied around their waists.
As they left, Makoto watched a certain Iwatobi member very attentively, eyes glued on his slim figure and—hngh—perfect, defined jawline that curved sharply up to his ear. He could almost imagine dragging his tongue over it; but he halted his thoughts for fear of too much activity going down south. Makoto grinned to himself, and went on packing, wondering how he was going to find out that gorgeous Nanase Haruka's number.
xxx
So, that's the first chapter guys! :) I'm a pretty slow worker so I apologize, but I'm already three-quarters done with the second chapter :P I figured I should prepare a solid storyline just in case I lose inspiration halfway xD So yeah, hope you like this! :) Reviews are greatly appreciated :D
~LeiiYou