Name: Letting Go
Chapter 2: The Calm Before The Storm
"Mako-nii!" Hayato's cheerful voice filled the classroom as Makoto stepped in. He ran over to the tall green eyed man he had grown to love and trust, his big brother. "I did it! I did it!" The high pitched squeal exclaimed as the small boy held up a sheet of paper with the written words 'Great Job! A+' on it.
Makoto chuckled softly at Hayato's excitement as he kneeled down to eye level with him placing one hand on the boys head and giving his pink salmon colored hair a ruffle. "That's great Hayato. I knew you could do it. I'm so proud of you" He praised then looked up as Hayato's teacher approached them. He stood giving her a courteous nod.
"Mr. Tachibana. It is to my understanding that you've been tutoring Hayato these past few weeks in his studies. I must say, he's been doing exceptionally better in all areas."
Makoto nodded with a smile "Yes, I have been" he said with a sense of pride as he glanced to Hayato who was rocking back and forth on his heels smiling big at the praise from his teacher with a light blush on his small cheeks. "I'm so glad to hear he's doing better" Mako continued on as his gaze went back to the teacher. "Thank you for the update on his progress." With that he reached over taking Hayato's hand "we should get going. You don't want to be late for your swimming practice."
Brightly smiling Hayato squeezed the mans hand who he now looked up to as his idol. "Will you be helping with the coach today?"
With a soft chuckle at the boys excitement Makoto pulled Hayato up and sat him on his shoulders "it just so happens that today I am" He answered as they arrived at the pool. He sat the young boy down and went inside. "Hayato, you go get ready and I'll meet you at the pool with the others in your class and remember, the relay race is today, so stay focused."
Kisumi had just finished all his daily tasks around the house. Living room picked up and vacuumed, kitchen and bathroom swept and mopped, even dinner had been started. He felt a sense of accomplishment today, usually he'd never be done this early. The only thing that remained now was the laundry.
He quickly gathered Hayato's things then went and corralled his and Makoto's and headed down stairs to the laundry room. Piece by piece he loaded the washer making sure to check the pockets for whatever may or may not have been emptied and forgotten. He was on the last one of Mako's when he found a neatly folded slip of paper. As he brought it out his eyes widened slightly as he read the name on the front of the folded paper. "Haru.." his lips mouthed the name quietly.
He felt a sudden sinking feeling as he just stared blankly at the paper, debating whether to open it and read it or just put it up for later. Kisumi shook his head quickly as he made his way back up stairs. ~No, I shouldn't.~ he told himself in his mind ~But I want to know what it says..~ he couldn't figure what could be on the paper of why Makoto would be writing to his ex lover but he could tell from the feeling in his gut that he wouldn't like what he found, or that's the feeling he got at least.
Finally his curiosity got the better of him. He started to unfold the letter when suddenly the front door opened and Hayato ran in causing him to jump and quickly he shoved the paper into his pocket.
"Onii-chan!" He called out excitedly as he wrapped his small arms around his brother and looked up with big bright and sparkling eyes. "Guess what! Guess what!" Hayato help up his paper showing his grades. "And guess what again! My team won our relay race today! Mako-nii said that I swam faster than I ever had before! He said I made my own new record." Pride filled Hayato's voice as it rang out proudly around the house.
Kisumi smiled widely "that's so great ototo, you did really good!" He praised giving the same amount of energy his little brother was giving off then looked over as Makoto entered and shut the door. At that instance his thoughts of the letter quickly faded from his mind. He walked up with a softer smile "welcome home Makoto"
A soft kiss was placed on Kisumi's cheeks then his nose from Makoto as he sat his and Hayato's bags down on the couch. "its good to be home, thank you" Mako trailed off as he made a few sniffs "something really smells good!"
The pink headed man gasped and ran to the kitchen. With everything that had been swimming in his head he had completely forgotten about dinner. "You boys are just in time, dinners just finished" With that he brought everything to the table just as Makoto and Hayato were sitting down then fixed all three plates.
Dinner went as it usually did, nothing different. Every one was quiet for the most part. A few words were exchanged about the day that had unfolded then once everyone had finished Hayato was sent up to do his homework then prepare for bed. Kisumi cleaned off the table and took the dishes to the sink and began to rinse and wash them.
Makoto slipped up behind him wrapping his arms around his lovers waist from behind laying his chin gently on his shoulder and leaning his head to Kisumi's giving an affectionate nuzzle. "Dinner was amazing" he whispered and kissed Kisumi's cheek.
Kisumi blushed smiling as he nuzzled his green eyed lover back and put his hands on Mako's arms rubbing them softly and leaned back against him. "Well you deserve a good meal after a long day of working plus helping with the swimming classes" he turned to face Makoto with a warm smile "you're so amazing, you know that, right?" Laying his head on Mako's chest he sighed in content "I think Hayato should be done, I'll go run you a hot bath so you can relax." Without giving Makoto a chance to respond, Kisumi kissed his lips then pulled away from him and went up stairs.
Watching, Makoto just shook his head softly as he began to loosen his tie. The promise of the hot bath already had his muscles yearning for that warm relaxed feeling. He'd had a long day and tomorrow would be no different. He started to make his way upstairs when his phone began to ring in his pocket, he paused at the bottom step as he took it out and a widen smile appeared on his lips.
"Haru!" Makoto held the phone tightly to the side of his face as he slipped out of the sliding glass door that led to the balcony and closed it. "Haru. Its been a few days since I last heard from you, is everything ok? You usually don't call so late. How are you? ... What?! You're in town?!" He exclaimed trying to keep his voice down. He smiled more as he listened to the receiving end of the call. "Yes, of course I can meet you. Where are you? ... Yes, I remember the hotel we stayed at during our last competition. But Haru, why are you at 'that one'? ... No no, I'll be right over. It's no trouble at all. Give me half an hour. ... ok, see you soon!"
Makoto closed his phone and hung up taking a deep breath then looked out at the shore as he slid the phone back into his pocket. His heart was pounding in his chest just from the few minutes of hearing Haru's voice. He went inside and made his way to the bedroom, quickly changing clothes then poked his head into the bathroom. "Kisumi, something has come up. I have to go"
Kisumi looked over having just turned off the water from the freshly drawn bath. "Makoto? What?" A bit of worry overcame him. "Its late Makoto. Where could you possibly be going at this hour? And your bath is-..."
"It's Haru. He just called." Mako half cut off his lovers words. "He said he is in town but he's leaving back out in the morning. Can you believe it? He's on his way to see about a job and decided to stay in town for the night since he was passing through."
Kisumi froze at the mention of Makoto's blue eyed ex. "You can't go out. Surely there will be other times to see him. Not to mention you have work in the morning."
With a simple smile, Makoto placed his hand on Kisumi's shoulder. "It'll be alright. I promise. It will only be for a few hours, just to catch up then I'll be back." He assured then leaned in and lifted Kisumi's chin lightly placing a soft kiss on his lips then turned and walked out leaving his lover staring blankly.
The pink haired man sat there at a loss for words. As Makoto left, Kisumi heard the front door open and then close, his hands clinched tightly. After letting the water drain he went downstairs and into the living room. He reached into his pocket for his phone but his eyes widened as he pulled out the paper he'd found earlier. He clinched it in his fist half way balling it up and started to just throw it away out of anger but stopped. He shook his head and unfolded it. Makoto had left to go to HIM, why shouldn't he read it.
His blue eyes began to focus on the words and quickly he sucked in his bottom lip and bit it as he sat down on the couch to read.
[Haru,
I just wanted to write you. I know it's been a while since my last letter. How are you? Things are going well here. I met with Rin the other day. Would you believe he found work at the local aquarium? He really loves it. We talked about you for a bit over lunch.
Things are getting better for me as well and I'm loving work. The new school year has just started and my students are just as sweet, cute and smart as last years. I'm so glad I took your advice and persued a career in teaching. You were right, I'm good with children. What job did you end taking when you moved? You never got around to telling me before you left.
I don't have much time. I'm on my lunch break right now and its almost over so I have to cut this letter short but I promise I'll write you again soon. I miss you Haru. There hasn't been a day that's passed that I haven't thought about you since you left. Sometimes I take a walk along the beach and just listen to the waves when they hit the shore. I can't wait to see you again. We'll have to plan a whole day together. Don't worry, of course we'll go swimming. Just like old times. Well, I'll write again soon Haru. I love you.
Until next time, Makoto Tachibana~]
Kisumi crumpled up the letter in his fist, his teeth clamped down together. A few tears caught in his eyes but he quickly wiped them. As he stood a tear slid down his cheek but he wasn't sure if it were from the sadness that he felt in his chest or the anger that burnt within him. He shredded the letter into fine pieces and took his phone out. He scrolled through his contacts as he made his way to the kitchen and threw away the shreds that he had been clinching. A familiar voice sounded on the other end of the phone as the line was answered. "Rin, It's Kisumi. I'm sorry for calling so late but it's Makoto. It's happened again."
