So I hope you guys enjoy this next chapter. Leave your reviews so I know how you like it!


Chapter 3:

Back in Jupiter, Haruka finished up his meal, threw on a jacket and headed out the door while leaving the small kitten behind. Haruka made his way to the old swim club where they used to swim and where Makoto used to teach.

As Haruka walked toward the entrance to the Jupiter Eels Swimclub, he saw Rin leaning against the wall of the building.

"Rin." Haruka stopped before reaching the entrance to the club.

Rin looked up and saw Haruka. He gave a small mischievous grin. "Haru." Rin pushed himself from the wall and walked slowly toward Haruka stopping mere inches in front of the man.

"I knew you couldn't stay away. The water calls you like a melody to a musician's ear. I knew I could find you here." Rin stood tall in front of Haruka wearing nothing, but his swim jammer and goggles, which lay around his neck.

Haruka stood in front of Rin and stared at his feet. He didn't want to start confrontation.

The redheaded shark was annoyed by Haruka's silence and grabbed the man lifting him up by his shirt. "What happened to you, Haru?!" Rin screamed at Haruka. Tears were beginning to fall down his cheeks.

Haruka looked blankly at Rin.

Rin shook Haruka and screamed at him again. "What aren't you telling me?!"

A man who happened to be passing by saw Rin and Haruka. When Rin noticed the man, he put Haruka down and walked away. Haruka stood there in a daze as Rin's words floated through his mind.

Minutes later, a man walked out of the club and noticed Haruka. This particular man happened to own the club and was Makoto's former employer. When he saw Haruka he tapped him on the shoulder breaking Haruka's daze. "Excuse me." The man said.

"Hmm?" Haruka pulled his head up and noticed the man. "Oh. Hello."

"You're Haruka aren't you? Makoto's friend." The man asked.

Haruka nodded. "Yes."

The man smiled happily and continued. "Great! I have a proposition for you. Since Makoto left for University I have an open position here at the club. Would you be interested in teaching kids how to swim?"

Haruka thought for a second and then answered, "I only swim free." He walked past the man and into the club. During this time, the pool was usually empty so Haruka took advantage and always went to swim.

Haruka striped down to him swim Jammer, which was black with a purple stripe down both sides and dove into the water. He allowed himself to float and his mind to wander.

Allowing his mind to wander wasn't always a good thing. Haruka often thought about where his life was heading. He felt stuck, alone and like he had failed. He didn't know where he belonged in the world, but he did know one thing. He missed Makoto, a fact he would never admit to himself or anyone.

Haruka was a great swimmer. He could have even been an Olympic swimmer like Rin, but he chose to go to college and be closer to Makoto, but after the incident at University, Haruka didn't know what he wanted anymore.

I only swim free. I only swim for my friends.

Meanwhile, at IwatobiUniversity Makoto had helped Sosuke move in. The two men had worked up quite an appetite so they headed out to a nearby pub just outside of campus.

Sosuke and Makoto walked in and took a seat at a table and waiting only a few minutes before a waitress approached them. "Welcome to the Whale Shark Pub. Can I get you something to drink or are you ready to order?"

The two looked at each other and then up at the waitress. Makoto answered. "Uhh can you bring us two sodas and a basket of fries to start? We still need a minute."

The waitress nodded. "Okay I'll be right back with that."

Makoto and Sosuke opened the menus that have been lying on the table in front of them since they sat down. "Let's see. Looks like a good selection. Get what you want, Sosuke. I'm buying."

Sosuke looked up from his menu and smiled nervously. "No that's okay, Makoto. Let me. You did help me move in tonight."

Makoto sighed. "Fine, but next time I'm buying." He gave Sosuke a slight smirk.

Sosuke looked back at his menu. The waitress soon came back with their fries and beverages. "Are you ready to place your order?" She asked

The two looked up at her and nodded. "Yes." Sosuke replied

"Okay. What can I get for you?" The girl held out her pen and pad ready to take their order.

Sosuke answered with quite a tall order. "Okay I'll have the Bacon Swiss burger, Chicken Tenders with sauce and Mozzarella Sticks. How about you Mako?" The waitress along with Sosuke looked over at Makoto. Makoto chuckled. "That's quite a big order, Yamazaki. Okay, Uhh…I'll have a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato and a salad with French dressing please."

The waitress read back the order and walked away. Makoto and Sosuke were having a good time. They talked about their likes and dislikes, friends and families and enjoyed getting to know one another.

Actually Makoto really enjoyed it. For Makoto it was nice to be around someone else for a change, but it didn't mean he missed Haruka any less. Actually, he spoke fondly of Haruka through most of dinner since Haruka was Makoto's family. He was all he had besides Nagisa and Rei and Makoto cared very deeply for the man more than anyone else, a fact he often denied.

"So does Haruka go to University too?" Sosuke inquired very curiously.

"No. He lives back home in Jupiter." Makoto answered him

"They way you talk about him. I thought you two were together." Sosuke continued. Makoto began fidgeting nervously "Me and Haruka? No way. He's my best friend."

Sosuke raised an eyebrow at him. "Okay." He placed the money for the bill on the table and stood. "Ready to go?"

Makoto nodded. "Yeah." The two of them walked out the door and back toward campus. "It's a nice night out."

Sosuke smiled and placed a gentle hand on Makoto's shoulder. "Yeah. It sure it. Hey, Mako?"

"Yeah, Yamazaki?" Mako replied.

Sosuke stopped and made Makoto face him. "I—" He paused.

"Yeah, Sosuke?" Makoto watched the man intently ready to listen.

"Thank you, for everything today. I had a lot of fun." Sosuke's statement surprised Makoto. He thought for sure the blue-eyed dreamboat was going to admit to feelings toward him. Makoto gave a half-hearted smile. "Uhh- yeah, sure. It was great."

Sosuke noticed the change in the brunette's voice. "Mako?" Makoto looked up into Sosuke's clear blue eyes trying to hide his disappointment. "Yeah?"

Sosuke leaned in a kissed Makoto gently on the cheek. "I had a wonderful time tonight. Would you like to do it again sometime?" Makoto blushed.

"Uhh…Yeah. Sure. I'd love too." He smiled brightly at Sosuke and the two of them walked back to their dorms where they said goodnight before they each walked into their respective rooms.

In Jupiter, Haruka had returned home after another day wasted. Rin, while Haruka was swimming at the club, snuck into the locker room and stole Makoto's cellphone number from his phone. Rin decided to call Makoto that night and find out the reason behind Haruka's behavior.

Ring Ring

"Hello?"

Makoto, It's Rin.

Hey, Rin. What's up?

We need to talk about Haru…


Ok. Instead of a Whale joke, I have a Dolphin joke this time. Ready?

Does a dolphin ever do something by accident?

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No, they do everything on porpoise!