:Wednesday:

Hump day felt ten times more exhausting then the beginning days of the week. Makoto knew by the end of the school day he'd be at Samezuka Academy for a joint practice. Which he wasn't sure he was really emotionally or physically prepared for.

Throughout the day, much to his discomfort, both Haruka and Gou were still acting the same; as if every thing was hunky-dory and nothing was different. Makoto found himself wanting to address the elephant in the room, but being the shy guy he already was, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

And so, the school day finished just as if everything was right as rain. When, obviously, things were definitely not.

Upon reaching Samezuka, Makoto gave his face a small smack. He had to get himself out of this stupor if he was going to improve on his performance from yesterday. Of course, thinking of yesterday brought other memories that he gave the cold shoulder to.

He and his team mates, along with the Samezuka team, all got dressed. Boys laughed, joked, argued, and the whole thing seemed sickeningly normal. Makoto pulled on his bathing suit in silence; his face turned towards the lockers. A loud whistle made him jump as the Samezuka coach yelled for all of them to hustle out to the pool.

Makoto had been so caught up in his thoughts that he was not ready to leave just yet. He sighed and folded his school uniform and began stuffing it into his sports bag. The locker room grew quiet and he could hear the echoed splash of the first swimmers already beginning to warm up. He pushed his bag in the locker and was about to shut it when it began to shut by itself. He jumped and turned to his left to see Rin standing there. His arm was stretched out on the locker, fingers spread wide as he slammed the locker shut. The lock clanged against the metal and Makoto grabbed at it to stop it.

Rin's eyes were cast down at his feet, his brows furrowed, and his mouth in the usual frown.

"Ah, Rin!" Makoto smiled, he assumed he was angry with him. When was he not? "Sorry forrr," his eyes wandered momentarily as he searched for a good reason to be sorry and hoped it was correct, "not properly saying hi earlier. I've had a lot on my mind. It's great to see you...again..." His voice slowed as Rin looked up at him looking oddly flustered. His red eyes gleamed with a determination so painfully familiar that it made Makoto's stomach sink.

"Can I tell you something, um" Rin said in a mumble, "personal?"

Makoto smiled, a bit weakly, and nodded, "S-sure, Rin. You can tell me anything."

Rin bit his lower lip, and it made Makoto wonder if that actually hurt a lot.

"I wanted to tell you that, um," he sighed and stretched his back as he became frustrated at his words, "I look up to you alright?" He outstretched his hand holding his goggles and pointed a strong finger at Makoto.

"Oh." Makoto said dumbly.

Rin spun his goggles on his finger and turned to lean against the lockers. "Listen, I know I constantly babble about Haruka and his abilities," he stared straight ahead, avoiding Makoto's gaze, "When actually, I've been blinded by a shining talent. Your shining talent."

Makoto's expression flattened and he narrowed his eyes, confused. He felt a bit rude for reacting in such a way. But, he had had a rough week so far, so give him a break.

Rin ignored this and continued, "Will you," he cleared his throat and turned towards his friend, "take me under your wing?"

"Uhh,"

"I want to be just as good as you!"

Without warning, Rin grabbed Makoto roughly and pulled him into a tight embrace. Their bare skin pressed against each other and it made Makoto's heart pound obnoxiously in his chest. He held his arms out awkwardly for a moment, before relaxing just a bit. He pressed his lips into a thin line and pat Rin on the back a few times.

"I want you to teach me everything you know!" Rin spoke into his shoulder.

"Rin, you are much better than I am. What are you talking about?" Makoto went to pull away from the hug-thinking it was just one of those 1,2,3 okay we're done hugs- but Rin did not budge.

"Um." Makoto began to dread what was about to happen.

"Makoto, I," Rin's voice was softer and less forceful than usual.

He felt Rin begin to pull slowly away from the hug, but with that same hesitence that hinted at a certain action which Makoto wasn't 100% game on.

"Ohh, wow! Would you look at the time?!" He exclaimed, pointing to the wall with no clock on it, "We better get going!" Makoto lightly pushed Rin away, who showed a very hurt expression on his face, and practically ran out into the pool area.

'Oh my God. oh my God. Has everyone gone insane?!' he thought as he pulled his swim cap over his hair.

Thank the heavens practice went about as usual. Makoto's times were a bit off in the beginning, but not as much as yesterday. He tried his very best to avoid eye contact with Rin, who he felt staring at him the entire time. As he jumped into the pool and grabbed the side railing, his mind was screaming 'stop it! stop it!' because he knew Rin was just off to the side boring holes into him. As the whistle blew, Makoto pressed off the edge and began his laps.

He managed to choke on water as it shot up his nose and lose his goggles as he turned.

Perfect.

But other than that, practice did go about normally. In fact, Makoto eventually ended up setting a new personal best. This was enough to get his spirits up.

The teams were wrapping up and members were given specific duties. The pool was going to be vacant for a while because Samezuka was going to a different location to train. So, the pool needed to be covered. The coach pointed at Nitori, who nervously bounced, and told him to retrieve the pool cover from the shed.

"B-by myself, sir?" He squeaked.

The coach just scoffed and continued to give boys assignments.

Makoto was waiting to be given a duty when he felt a small presence behind him

"Um," Nitori's small voice called out, "Mr. Tachibana, um, sir?"

Makoto turned and looked down to see him blushing and avoiding eye contact. He looked like a small, begging puppy. "Would y-you please help me get the cover? It's pretty heavy and I don't want to ask Matsuoka-senpai for any help because he might get upset."

Makoto laughed and agreed to help out. And so, the two walked out to the pool supply shed.

The whole thing is a cluttered mess so they have to, begrudgingly, move some things to actually get to the rolled up cover. They successfully dragged it halfway out the shed when Nitori suddenly announced, "Oh! I don't think the skimmer head is in the pool! I'll get that too." He dropped his end of the cover and grabbed a stool. He placed it to the side of the shelf and reached to the top one to feel around for it.

Makoto stood off to the side of Nitori patiently, ready to offer any help if needed.

Nitori, still unsuccessfully finding what he searched for, began to start a conversation. It was small talk; swimming, school, some family stuff. Nothing special. Makoto could sense Nitori's growing anxiety as he couldn't find the skimmer. His voice quivered nervously as he talked about something totally unrelated.

After a few moments, Nitori happily and thankfully exclaimed that he found the skimmer. He held it up in a victory pose.

There was a pause and he then said quietly, "You know, you are such cool and collected guy."

"Oh, well, not really..."

"I wish I could have that kind of control over my own emotions. I'm always a blubbering mess."

"It's a lot harder than you'd think..." Makoto said a bit somberly.

Nitori, still on the stepping stool, waved Makoto over.

"Hm? Oh." Makoto leaves his spot and comes over to his small friend, who was now at the same height as he was.

Makoto was about to ask what he needed help with when suddenly Nitori leaned over and kissed him on the lips.

As if he had just stepped on hot coals, Makoto leaped back. His back knocked into the shelf and caused an array of junk to topple down. He slapped his hand over his mouth, his face flaring up. His eyes completely filled with exhausting disbelief.

"Can you teach me how to be as cool as you?" Nitori squeaks out with a nervous expression.

Makoto shakes his head crazily and runs out, dragging the huge pool cover with him. "No. No, I really can't! I'm sorry!"

Nitori stood frozen on the stool, his face red as a street light.

:End of Wednesday: