Hello everyone! This is the beginning of my new Makogou (Makoto x Gou) fic that's going to be a multi-chapter one. It's basically a college AU kind of story; they don't know each other and all that jazz. So, I hope you like this and stick around for the rest of the fic :)

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Free! Iwatobi Swim Club.

"I can't believe that we're not taking Anatomy together!"

"Chill, we're taking three other classes together and we live in the same dorm room. It's just one class."

"Yeah, Gou, but why did you have to schedule a night class for yours?"

"Chigusa, I already went over this: One, the name is Kou and two, I got that work-study job at the cashier office, remember? On the days I have to work there, I have to have my classes at night."

Chigusa, with chestnut hair pulled up in a bun, whined on her twin bed across from Gou in their dorm room. It was the beginning of their freshman year at Tokyo University and the girls have been inseparable since the end of their middle school days. They made sure that they shared the same dorm room together and have the same classes as well. But Gou was able to receive a part-time job as a work-study student at the University's cashier office. Because of that, Gou has to take classes on the days she has to work, which will only be her Anatomy class.

"Please, Gou, I've known you for so long that I honestly don't care. Your name will always be Gou to me." Chigusa said, laying down and facing Gou.

Gou released a sigh and got up from her seat on her bed, putting on her jacket. "Whatever, Chigusa. Make sure you eat dinner at an appropriate time, okay? We have a 15 minute break in my class and that's how I'm gonna scarf my face with a sandwich." She pats her backpack and then placed it on her back. "Don't wait up for me either. You need sleep too."

"Ugh, okay, mom."

Gou shot a look at her, crossing her arms. "Whatever, you know I tell you this because I care about you."

Chigusa giggled. "Of course I know. My sass is a term of endearment, if you will. So, I love you!"

Gou rolled her eyes. "Oh god, love you too. I'll see you later." She said, walking out her shared dorm room.

After a long day at her part-time job, Gou just wanted to throw herself on her bed and put herself in a coma. It's not even finals yet and I'm already stressed. Why did I take this job? She shook her head from her wandering thoughts and walked faster to her upcoming anatomy class. She wanted to get there on time to get a good seat and hopefully get a decent lab partner.

It took her 10 minutes to walk across campus to her destination, huffing from her quick pacing to make it on time. She grabbed her water bottle and took a big gulp before putting it away and heading to the second floor of the science building, where her anatomy class awaits. Once she got there, Gou almost smacked herself in the head for not being on time. In the classroom, every spot was filled by every student except for one blacktop table in the far back of the classroom. Coincidentally, that table was occupied by one student, an olive-haired young man, while the rest of tables were filled with two partners each.

"Ahem, take a seat please."

A voice from behind her startled her. She quickly dashed towards the last open seat, catching the eye of her partner when she took her seat next to him. He couldn't help but chuckle at her frantic state when she sat next to him.

"Good morning class. My name is Professor Izumi and welcome to my anatomy course. The person sitting next to you will be your partner for the rest of the year, so I'll have you all do your greetings in a few minutes. Right now, I will do roll call."

After a quiet and awkward roll call, Professor Izumi had everyone get to know each other, briefly in two minutes, before he started class. Gou released a sigh and turned to her left to face the olive-haired boy sitting next to her. When she made eye contact with him, her words turned to mush. Shit, he's gorgeous! And I probably embarrassed myself enough for him to think I'm weird. Oh my god, look at his muscles, he's so huge and ripped, aughhh, focus Gou! He gave her a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Makoto Tachibana. I hope you take care of me for the year."

"Oh I will—gah, my name is Gou Matsuoka and I hope you take care of me as well!" Gou blurted out, her cheeks turning red. Makoto suddenly started laughing, trying hard not to be loud enough to disturb the class. "What's so funny?"

"Oh gosh, okay two things. One, your face is as red as your hair and two, we both have names that are for different genders, respectfully. It's just refreshing to know someone that deals with the same kind of stuff I do, you know?"

Gou huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, I'm glad I gave you a great laugh for today."

Makoto placed his hands in front of him in surrender. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just couldn't help it!" He turned in his seat to face her more. "So tell me, Gou-chan, what year are you and what are you studying for?"

"Gou-chan? Already? You're quick."

"My goodness, just answer the question."

"Fine! I'm a first year and I'm studying sports therapy. Your turn."

Makoto chuckled. "No need for the hostility, Gou-chan. I'm a second year and I'm studying to be a teacher, specifically being a swimming instructor for kids."

Gou's eyebrow quirked up. "Wow, so I take it you swim yourself?"

"Of course. I was in swim club all my life, but I didn't really want to become a professional. After a small gig from the local swim club in my town, I fell in love with teaching children how to swim. It just makes me happy how much I helped them."

Oh god, why's he so perfect. "That's actually really awesome, Makoto. Good for you."

"Thank you, Gou-chan. So, why did you decide to go in sports therapy?"

"I, well—"

Professor Izumi cleared his throat. "Okay, quiet everyone. Time to start class." Every student halted their tongue and sat in silence, waiting on the professor's instructions. "Alright, I will pass out the textbooks for each student." Professor Izumi went back and forth passing a textbook to each student until he reached the last tables, which consisted of Makoto and Gou. "Uh, that's strange. Well, looks like you both have to share this textbook, if that's okay with you two. If not, I can see if I can order another one—"

"It's okay, Professor Izumi. We can share, if that's okay with Matsuoka-san?" Makoto interrupted, looking towards Gou.

She was about to gasp, but held her tongue. So in front of people, I'm Matsuoka-san? Well, at least he's being polite. She cleared her throat. "No, that's okay; I don't mind sharing, Professor."

Professor Izumi nodded his head. "Good, good."

After forty five minutes of lecture, break was let out before the students came back for another forty five minutes of more lecture. Gou sat at her desk and pulled out her sandwich from her backpack, making sure to eat as soon as possible.

"So Gou-chan, should we schedule different times for us to take the textbook back home with us? Like you take it first then the next day of class I take it home?"

Gou swallowed a bite of her sandwich. "That actually sounds good. And when we have upcoming tests, we can study together to make it easier."

It was like Makoto was smiling with his eyes, his grin had Gou smiling too; his smiles were that contagious. "That's a great idea, Gou-chan! So how about it, you take the textbook home with you first?"

Gou finished up her sandwich, dusting her hands together to get rid of crumbs. "I love your chivalry, I do, but you don't have to be so polite into letting me take it first."

This caught Makoto off guard. "But Gou-chan, I insist."

Gou sighed and faced Makoto. "Okay, I think there's only one solution to this." She propped up her arm on her table. "We have to arm wrestle."

Makoto just stared at her deadpanned. "Gou-chan, you know I will beat you, even if I wasn't a male." He flexed his arm to show her.

"Ugh, you're right. Oh! Do you have a coin?"

He fished out a coin from his pocket. "I sure do. I call heads, you tails?" Gou nodded her head in affirmation. He flipped the coin, causing it to land on the desk. They both leaned forward to see the result. "It's heads."

"See? Fair and square."

Makoto chuckled. "Right, definitely fair and square. I'll bring it back to you next class, which will be Thursday."

About an hour later, class was released. Makoto and Gou exchanged their goodbyes and then Gou headed back to her dorm. Once she walked in her dorm, her eyes popped out. Chigusa lying on the floor, face first. Gou ran to her. "Chigusa! What happened? Are you okay?!" She carefully flipped her over so she can see her face.

Chigusa groaned. "Gouuuuuu."

"What is it? What's wrong?!"

"Gouuuuuu, I'm starving." Gou rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a protein bar, before shoving it into Chigusa's mouth. "What the hell, Gou?! You almost killed me!"

Gou stood up from her spot and headed to her closet. "Don't even start, Chigusa. You scared me half to death."

"Oh come on, it was just a joke."

"It's not a joke when that's exactly how I found my mom!" Gou whipped her head back to Chigusa, her tear-filled eyes glaring at her.

"Oh god, I'm sorry. I really sorry, I completely forgot. I just, I'm an idiot." Chigusa walked up and enveloped Gou in a comforting hug. "I didn't mean it, I'm so sorry."

Gou smacked her face, getting rid of the rest of tears forcefully. "No, it's fine. It's been a few years already." She leaned back and patted Chigusa on the shoulder. "It's alright."

Gou took out her pajamas and started changing while Chigusa awkwardly sat on her bed. "So, how was class today?"

"Good. I met a boy."

Chigusa instantly beamed. "A boy? Give me the details, hon!"

Gou rolled her eyes. "Chigusa, it's no big deal, he's just my lab partner."

"Whatever, he could be the one."

"The one what? It's nothing. Now drop it and go to bed."

"So I take it you're not a night person?" Makoto's voice rang on Gou's left side. She was currently laying her head on her desk when Makoto came up and sat beside her before the break for Anatomy was over. She switched sides to look up at Makoto's curious gaze beside her.

"Nor am I a morning person." She groaned. She sat back up and stretched her arms in front of her. "Sorry, I'm just tired from my job this morning."

"If you don't mind me asking, what job do you do?" Makoto queried.

"I am a work-study student in the cashier's office. We deal with student payments and refunds, so we usually get the nasty kids. 'I want my money now' or 'it's this much for classes' is what I get all the time and usually they are not the kindest. That's why we have a bulletproof window when speaking to students."

Makoto gulped. "B-bulletproof?"

Gou nodded nonchalantly. "Yep, it's mostly for people that want to hit us. It's all good, I'm safe. I just dealt with a lot of rude students this morning and that's why I'm exhausted."

"I see. I'm sorry you had to deal with all of that. If it makes you feel any better, I can take notes for you so you won't strain your eyes."

"Oh, Makoto, you don't have to, really. I need to pay attention and I don't want to burden you. It's all good, so don't worry." Gou said, giving him a soft smile.

Makoto tilted his head to the side. "Okay, if you say so. Just don't push yourself too hard now."

Gou rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, really."

Before Makoto could say anymore, he was cut off by the professor's voice announcing the end of their break to start the rest of lecture.

While the professor was going over his lecture, Makoto glanced from his notes and checked on Gou. He couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment. Gou was fast asleep with her hand supporting her head from falling to the side. He grinned at her before turning back to his notes. She owes me later on. He quickly took out another piece of paper to copy what he already had on his note page and continued copying down notes for two.

"Gou, wake up. Come on." Gou felt a nudge on her shoulder before opening her eyes. She was met with Makoto's emerald-colored eyes facing her own.

"Oh god, I'm sorry." She said, quickly sitting up in her seat. Class had just dismissed and students were busy putting their stuff away in their backpacks. "Was I out the whole time?" she asked Makoto.

He nodded and chuckled. "Yep. It's no problem, just try not to do it again. Here, today is your turn for the textbook." He passed the book to Gou, their fingers touching slightly. He gave her a warm smile. "Make sure to catch up on chapter 2, okay?"

Gou gave him a smile back. "Thank you. Are you sure you don't need it over the weekend?"

"Nope, I think I got everything I need for now. See you next Tuesday." Makoto waved then left with the rest of the students.

Gou looked back down at the textbook in her hand and opened it up to chapter 2. "Well I'll be damned." There in the textbook were the notes for today and a little scribble at the bottom of the page that said: "I told you so." Makoto signed his name and wrote his number for Gou. "That little…"

She left the classroom with the biggest grin on her face. "Chigusa is going to have a kick out of this."

So as I hope you can tell, I have the same job as Gou. But I'm not a work-study person anymore, I got a promotion to a higher position!

Let me know what you think, I honestly hope you enjoyed it so far. :D