Hey, sorry it took so long.

Disclaimer: I do not own Free!, High Speed or any characters or images used.

**Makoto's POV**

It's Friday now, another week has been and gone. It's lunch time and I'm sitting on the rooftop with my friends, it's so fun and relaxing. It's hard to be bored when Nagisa is around, and it's hard not to laugh when Rei takes everything so seriously but most of all, it's hard to feel anything but blessed when Haru is around. He may not have a lot to say, but he doesn't need to. To others he seems mysterious and even vacant, but to me, those glistening blue eyes hold a thousand thoughts and feelings of the deepest kind, just waiting for me to voice them. We had always been like that, the perfect duo. Haru was our strength, and I was our voice. We've been friends for the longest time, and I can't help but smile when I think about how lucky I am.

This week was different though, in fact, come to think of it, the past few weeks have been a little odd; but it took this weeks events for me to figure that out. I picked Haru up from his house every day as usual, and we walked to school, the same as always. He seemed vacant though, more so than usual. Like he was deep in thought, but refused to show it. When we got to class he would keep his head down, not writing anything, or even drawing, just gazing at his desk. I asked him what was wrong, maybe a hundred times, but he refused to look at me, which kind of hurt. He would just say "nothing" as he continued to inspect his desk. No matter what, Haru has never avoided eye contact with me; even when he's been at his lowest. Maybe Haru is trying to keep me out or push me away? By denying me the ability to read him, I'm powerless to help. I hope he's okay. Maybe it's because Rin's back in Japan? No, why would he keep that from me? Maybe I've done something wrong? I mean, he's stopped waiting for me after class, which he has always done, and as soon as he finishes his lunch he leaves the roof. Nagisa and Rei were suspicious too at first, and were surprised when I couldn't form a coherent reason for Haru's behaviour. They shrugged it off, but I suspect it's still bugging them too. Right now Nagisa is teasing Rei, and he's getting pretty flustered which is always fun to watch. Even though it's hard to be unhappy when you have such wonderful friends, I was somehow pulling myself further and further into a sadness I couldn't escape.

I love Haru, as a friend, and... well as more too, but I could never tell him that. Especially not now, when it seems that he's doing everything in his power to avoid me. It's possible that Haru has just outgrown me. I guess I am a little to clingy. Perhaps he will come back if I give him some space... all I know is that there is a vacant spot next to me, which is usually filled by the most perfect specimen to roam this earth, and I miss him. I saw him 10 minutes ago, but what good is it to see the person you love, if what you're seeing is the growing distance between you? Maybe I'll just ask him, yes, that would be perfectly acceptable wouldn't it? Even Haru couldn't avoid such a straight forward question as 'what the hell is up with us? Are you trying to push me away?' I sighed as I reminded myself that I would never say something so bold and outlandish, especially not to him.

As Rei excused himself, in his usual manner, as appropriately as one can say they're going to the toilet without actually saying it, I had an idea, I would talk to Nagisa. After all, he'd known Haru a long time too, this could help.. maybe.

"Hey, Nagisa. Can I talk to you about something?"
Nagisa's eyes widened, but then they drooped down in disappointment as he sighed.

"I'm sorry Mako-chan, I've asked Haru-chan what's bothering him and he won't tell me either. I'm getting really worried. It's one thing for him not to tell me, but you? Have you done anything that would upset him?"

I thought for a moment.. what could I possibly do that would cause Haru to act this way? He was always so placid. Nothing affected Haru, usually. I shook my head, after raking my brain for an explanation.

"Well Mako-chan, I can see by your face that you're terrified of loosing him, so why don't you dive in at the deep end, take a risk, and let him know how you're really feeling, I mean, it doesn't take a genius to work out that you love him."

You love him. Those three words circled in my head for the next thirty minutes until I was brought back to earth by the toll of the bell signalling the end of lunch.

As I skulked back to my desk I saw Haru taking his seat. I smiled at him, more out of habit than happiness. At the end of class, I decided to collar him before he left.

"Hey Haru-chan. I guess I won't be seeing you tonight, for whatever reason, but I just want to say I hope you have a nice weekend, and look after yourself."

His gaze lifted to meet me, but only for a moment, before he shifted his eyes to the side.

"Drop the chan. You can still stay over, if you want to that is. I just assumed you'd have plans."

This shocked me, I never have plans that don't involve Haru. I feel like he doesn't really want me to stay, but feels like he has to offer anyway. If it hadn't been for the talk I had with Nagisa a few hours ago, I would have declined, gone home and sulked all weekend. But this was my chance. Maybe I should tell him. If he's trying to get rid of me anyway, what more harm could be done?

"Sure, I'll be there for five."

He nodded, and turned to leave. I watched him from my desk, he always looks so perfect, even when he's breaking my heart in two.

"Hey Makoto?"

"Yeah?"

"Walk home with me?"