Chapter 4 (PART 1) : Butterflies In My Belly
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I finally updated! I'M REALLY SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING ON HERE FOR SO LONG! I completely forgot. Honestly after this story was taken down the first time I temporarily had no inspiration or desire to use this site... OTL but if you want to be sure to stay updated please keep up with me on my DeviantArt account, CryKunAnime ! With this chapter we go a lil' more into the "love" for a certain boy, and the intro to some more possible "love" with another! *whispers* It's okay. Its a WWYFF. ALSO, apologies for the sudden POV change.. from first person to third again- if I must, then I'll reformat it! Don't want to be taken down again.
"Uwaaaagh..."
My head is pounding... Your mind grumbled.
"-Neh? So thats right?" Mother had just been speaking, but about what again? Oh... yeah I think it was- "Hoi! THIS COLOR IS IN RIGHT!?" -Fashion designs again. Shaking the wobbling stool underneath you, you clutched onto its rims, suddenly springing up and sitting on it like a cat would.
"Hai hai! T-That color is perfect for Spring- I mean Summer- I mean-"
Being cut off by a rather calloused, yet slender finger, you looked at your extravagent mother, who was the captor of your words. Her brows furrowed, scanning over your face with utmost... motherly concentration. She moved her appendage, suddenly grabbing your sides, unintentionally shooting a wake up call to your tickling nerves. "GYAH~!"
She suddenly lifted you up off the stool just enough to set your body back down, now sitting properly. "Hn. I thought so..." "-Eh?" Her iron hands grasped tense shoulders, shaking them around like a wild animal with its prey. "M-M-M-M-MA!" You could swear your brain had split itself in two after pounding against the perimeter of skull too harshly.
Her hands suddenly pulled you into a tight embrace, nearly squeezing what was left of a shallow life line from your lungs. What is happening?! "MY BABY IS SICK!" She cried, her loud voice like large bells ringing in some imaginary clock work... well... broken imaginary clock work in your head. "Uuuuu..."
Was the world spinning?
Your head cranked backwards as she released you, finally, and a strained huff let loose as my your eyesight went back to normal. She thinks you're sick and goes on to make you sick...er. "Are you okay? You look pale! You should stay inside today! Maybe stay home! OR I could follow you to school and take care of you in the nurse's office-" She stopped, pressing a finger to her chin.
"But then you wouldn't be able to spend time with your boys..."
Urk! "H-Hey! They aren't like tha- AH- AH- CHOO!" Cupping both hands over the lower portion of your face, you barely managed to stop a loud and sputteringly disgusting sneeze from shooting your mother to death. An instantly worried look dawned upon her tired face. Wiping the reddened bridge of your nose, you sniffled in the most discreet way humanly possible. "I...I'm not sick..."
Her nostrils flared, "Yes you are! I can tell..." Her face then lit up, eyes sparking in delight. "AHAH! I can whip up some of your Grandma's old medicine!" A sharp in take of breath sent you flying off the side of my chair. Grandmother's medicine had possessed a putrid taste, a mix of various "fresh" herbs and other household items... the smell alone seemed to make anyone feel worse. Only thing was, both mother and her mother had themselves convinced it was the medicine alone that made one of you better; even though the fact was, none who took it healed until about a week after stopping.
Planting your feet on the floor as she rummaged frantically through all the shelves and cabinets, you waited until she was distracted by reaching for an item out of her range, and bolted out of the kitchen. You scooped up your book bag and practically ran into your awaiting shoes as you unlocked the front door.
"I'll cya after school, Mother! A..ah..!"
After taking a mere step out the door, the time it took for your foot to get caught in the doorway- was time enough for the other female to stick her head out of the arch of the kitchen. "Ahh?" You yelped, sneezed, and was off from there!
After running from the door all the way to the border of the complex of houses, you stopped to catch your breath, feeling much more tired out than you would usually have after such a short run. "...I hate being sick..." But, wait, you are not! You will not be sick! You can't miss school..._... not while the club is in such a vulnerable position! Uuuu... You caught your forehead in your palm as you continued on, pace slowed to a walk as your shoes met the concrete of the train station.
Yes, the train station was this close. It was more on Haru's side of the block though, which brings up the attention that, you probably ran straight by it. Wonder if he's even left the house yet; your highest hope was for the boy not to be late, or at least get Makoto to drop by and get him going. Sigh...
All of a sudden a choppy, jumble of gibberish caught your ears. Eh? "...Legs moving at speed x. Acceleration at a 'c'..." Looking across the empty train tracks, you saw a boy with dark blue hair, running in the same direction you were headed. Only difference was he was wearing a track jacket, and his steady jogging was quickly catching you up. "Hey..."
The dead silence of the train station boggled you, but you may very well have incidentally zoned out the loud noises of the small, but bustling crowd walking past. Feet speeding up their leisurely rate, gaining a little bit of ground and, with much effort, keeping a small tail on the other. "You're Ryugazaki-kun...!" Your voice came out weaker than intended, due to the harsh breaths. But it had finally clicked, that pair of red glasses and focused demeanor... the same guy from Recruiting day!
His head snapped up, spinning toward you as his feet stumbled, his body lurching forward. "(L/n)..?" Since his focus was fondled with, his feet slowed, both going at a different rate and causing him to lose balance. "Ryugazaki...! C-Careful!" Ah, you sounded like Makoto, but- A loud, piercing sound of a train coming to a halt resounded suddenly, of course, the vehicle itself followed just after, cutting the first-year from your sights. Ehh? How did I not see this coming..!
Huffing as the train stopped completely, you tried your best to weave through the crowds of people that were slowly flowing from the opening doors. Why was Rei running anyway? The train was... urhm... literally right there. Just as you reached the last door of the train, you ran into someone else. "Ah~! Nagisa-kun!?" The blond spun on his heel and stumbled back, swaying but keeping himself up.
"OH! _-chan! I'm sorry! I was just about to get someon-"
You gripped his sleeve and started running again, sneezing once more and breaking the crowd of scared girls as they squealed. "Sorry! Sorry!" "-Where we going, _-chan?!" You glanced back, pouting as you panted, heaving in some deep breaths as you put forth the effort a sick body needed to. "To find Rei Ryugazaki!" You knew that must've been who he was looking for, based on the sharp increase of pace after you bellowed his name. After barely a moments notice, Nagisa was already the one pulling you along instead. "Huff.. huff..."
Upon getting to the head of the train, and running across the tracks, you guys looked to and fro for the boy. "Ryugazaki-kun..! Wait..." Blinking as you stopped, the other side of the train was already barren, not a single track star in sight... "...up.."
Track star..
It would figure he would already be well in the crowd and heading inside by now. Sigh. The blond jogged forward, looking over a few other's shoulders before lowering his own. "Nothing..." Swallowing the thick saliva cowering in your throat, you crossed your arms, turning toward the school building just across the way. "Mhn... we can maybe find someone else... I guess." Deadpanning as the train took off once more, you waited until it was out of your way to head toward the building.
"Oh, by the way, _-chan! Did you hear the news about Rin-chan?"
Your mouth opened immediately. "About him being on Samezuka's 'elite' swim team...?"
You'd most definitely heard a lot of things... about and from that boy lately. Though, you weren't complaining in the least! When was the last time you'd done either of those things before this year anyway...!
"HAI! I knew it was strange of Rin-chan to put off swimming- after all that with Haru-chan. Ano, speaking of which... we really do need another member on our team. We're barely hanging on as we speak, and if we're ever going to convince anyone to do a relay again- we need REI!"
"Does it have to be Rei?" you threw out, a tad disappointed in our lost cause. You could clearly see Nagisa's view point in wanting him; he's a great candidate; but you just couldn't think of ways to persuade such a set guy into leaving his own sport. Whatever he specialized in, had to be a passion, right? He was always focused on working, and more importantly, working at his club goals.. maybe too hard based on his personality.
You had yet to see the boy in action- in all honesty, you'd never truly watched any track or pole-vault take place.
"YES! Well.. technically, no, but- he's a perfect athlete! He has to be a good swimmer in his condition!"
"True..." you chuckled at Nagisa's ever lasting enthusiasm and mindset. Coughing softly into the crook of your arm sleeve, you followed Nagisa to the gates of the school yard, seeing as most kids were gathered outside or heading in early for lockers. With a small snort of amusement and jest, you rambled, "We could always just invite Rin to join our team again." Of course you were joking, but fact of the matter was, it was much more saddening by how making that true was practically impossible. The red haired boy had no interest in his old team reuniting.
The blond clutched his paper bags full of fliers and Iwatobi-chan figures excruciatingly tight, to the point of loud crinkling as he stopped. He turned quickly to you, ceasing your shoulders with the same subtle force. "I know you want to, _-chan! IN FACT, WE SHOULD! I mean, he's still our Rin-chan deep inside that grumpy... mass of grumpy muscle, neh? And you care about him a lot, so you need him by your side too, neh?" His pinkish eyes shone with mixed emotions.
What an awkward.. 'insult'. And what a strange reaction.
Your smile turned apologetic as you held his hands, just before entering the hallways. "Nagisa... I really wish we could. And- of course I want him by our sides! He's our friend. And you're my friend Nagisa, so don't go thinking I had favorites when we were kids!" you puffed out your cheeks whilst bumping him cutely.
(His brows furrowed in the slightest each time you said 'we' or 'our')
Just prior to parting at the center of the hall, Nagisa laughed to himself, "I really am jealous, _-chan."
"What did ya say, Nagisa-?"
"Cya later, _-chan! Gou-chan has something exciting to tell all of us after school today~!"
Rubbing the back of your head you took a deep breath-
And sneezed once more.
~~ After School: Pool Locker Room ~~
After a rather, difficult day (not really with academics- but with your allergies), you quickly reported to what seemed to be becoming the meeting spot for the new club. Gou was there and waiting, along with an impatient Nagisa, and thoughtful Makoto. As per usual, Haru was off being fashionably late- or you could say, busying himself with the water.
It was practically his soul mate after all.
Rubbing the underside of your nose as you walked in, Gou smiled widely, and fisted her hand around whatever document she was hiding behind her back from the other boys.
"Ah, _-chan~! You're finally here!"
"Finally..? I came right over!" you exclaimed exhaustedly, feeling your lungs straining slightly even after the (short) brisk jog made over here. Gou simply shrugged it off, and held up the poster.
It was an advertisement on a local Sports Gym not too far from the school, pretty new, and pretty nice- from it's outside appearance at least. You'd never been inside a normal gym before. Since childhood you were healthily active, out of sheer will and attitude, and of course... got a fair amount of exercise through swimming.
"We can train here over the off-season~!"
"Awesome!" Nagisa interjected, practically grabbing at the poster with his eyes.
"Right?" Gou chuckled, moving it away from her face to take another glance at it, as if she hadn't been eagerly reading over all the , minimal, details that were printed on the page. "I'm thinking that schools like us, without indoor pools probably use facilities like these."
Not a moment later, Haruka sauntered in silently, scaring the living daylights out of you when you'd turned your head to cough into the crook of your arm. Haru noticeably gazed at your ginger form a second longer at this action- making you drop your arm back to the side and also, awkwardly try to play it off as a wave in his direction.
He showed concern, but quickly averted his eyes to the poster in the new manager's hands, stealing it away from her.
"How do we pay for it?" His flat tone inquired, more to himself really, as he stared at the mocking photo of the indoor pool's glory. "With out club budget of course," Gou answered surely, intertwining her dainty hands into one another.
Well... that 'of course' was spoken a little too soon.
Later that afternoon all of you confronted dear Amataka-sensei, only to hear some... well- more than disappointing news? It's not so bad though, right?
. . .
"-That's not happening."
Spinning on the swivel of her desk chair, Ama-chan pursed her lip to stare up at all of you.
"Eh?"
"Why?"
She turned her head a fraction more upward, confused, almost, as to how you hadn't already known this would be the given answer. She shut her eyes. "The school just won't fund that much money toward a brand new club with no accomplishments. You see," She wiggled a finger. "There is an aphorism from the Bible..."
Oh boy.
"-He who shall not work, neither shall he eat."
"I don't think you're using that correctly..." Makoto murmured, while you let your own head loll back. "You can't eat a pool anyway..." On the other hand, Gou was still lively, and alter enough to press on the matter. "So we would get money if we deliver accomplishments?"
Miss Amataka's large eyes shifted to the red-haired one, blinking. "I suppose. That's the best way to secure lots of money for your club~!"
"Accomplishments..." You heard Haruka mutter just behind, gazing off into space with those- suddenly
expressive eyes of his. You smiled warmly at him. "I'm sure we can place in the Summer Tournament this year and get the money for that pool, Haru-kun...!" You reassured, flashing teeth, before grinning at everyone else.
"-What if we did place in the Summer Tournament, Amataka-sensei?" The tall brunette of your co. hitched his lips up expectantly. "Your request might be approved at the second term budget review meeting, then." Nodding in agreement with her own words, Ama-chan crossed her ankles.
Taking in a long, ecstatic draw through your lips, the cold conditioned air tickled. Haruka, too, was radiating determination. Now that you had a goal to work to clearly set- you'd all surely do better!
"You'd still need at least five people for your team, remember that~!"
"Hai, thank you very much, Amataka-sensei~!"
Unfortunately enough, the rest of the after school period held no greater luck than the first recruiting day, and all the students had either already joined another club- or were flat out uninterested. Wasn't swimming a beautiful, amazing thing? Even if it was, a fact- that it was, people just weren't willing to join..! Not exactly the perfect remedy for getting better huh...
~~ The Next Afternoon ~~
You were sitting cross-legged underneath the cherry blossom tree near the outdoor pool. It was a stellar day today, in weather, at the very least, and to be honest- letting the pink buds sway over head was making you feel better. Not only did pretending to take (rather than taking) that horrid, medicine mom tried to give you save your stomach, but also getting rest last night bettered the condition.
Now you were just relaxing on campus, sketching out a small picture and awaiting mother's call. Letting the unreasonably, short pencil skid along the lined pages of my notebook, you helplessly focused on drawing the four animals that most frequently popped into your big head; for good reason.
In the middle of "fixing" the mishapped "beak" of the chubby penguin you'd been "drawing"... the inspiration hiding behind it jumped into your peripheral vision, succeeding in making your hand waver- and drop the pad onto the concrete.
Nagisa gaped at it, twisting his body to get a good look at the pencil art the right side up. You scrambled to pick up the note pad, furrowing your thin eyebrows. "Oi! Don't look at it, Nagisa-kun!"
"Ahhhh? But why? It's a nice vulture, _-Chan~!" He giggled, kidding around.
You snatched the pad off the ground and puffed out your cheeks; upon looking closely at his smiling expression- you did realized he was only joking.
Oh.
"Ano, don't be joking about other people's work..!" While scolding the blond light-heartedly, he
grabbed your shirt sleeve. "I wasn't joking! It's really good, _-chan~!" And he meant it. When the seriousness of his perception settled in, you couldn't help but pout and smack his arm.
"You're so mean, Nagisaaaa!"
The puzzled blond whined as he rubbed his "hurt" arm, pulling you along to gather our friends. "I don't understand what I did wrong, _-chan! Gomenasaiii!" His eyes were glossy in apology while he took you along with him. Soon enough, you were cooling down... mostly... and Haruka, Makoto, and Gou were accompanying in this mysterious... Hazuki journey.
However, Nagisa, being Nagisa, pepped up just as quick, and was pulling you all through the fence gate of the track area. "This way~!" "What is it.." Haru sighed, hesitantly having himself dragged further in. You'd managed to wriggle from the blond's grasp on the way, now wandering along side the more sensible two in the back.
"I found the perfect person!"
Nagisa stopped, looking alertedly around the dirt area. Gou cocked her head. "The track team...?" Makoto sweatdropped. "They can't join us then, Nagisa..." Even through their remarks, as expected, the shota still pointed. "Look. There~! It's his fate..!" While you each blinked at the obvious figure of Ryugazaki, in his orange athletic sunglasses and track wear, Haruka took the objective to ask a question. "Was he on his middle school swim team..?"
"Does he hold some sorta record...?" said Gou, raising a brow to you, if you knew. In return, a shrug, simply letting Nagisa say his dues. It was a habit, to have to just let him say what he needed- even if it was sometimes pointless- it never disappointed in making one chuckle.
"-It's his name!"
Eh?
"YUP! It's Ryugazaki, Rei-chan! He's the same as us! A boy with a girly name~!'
Well... you might wanna take that back. This just made you face palm- just a bit. Oh Nagisa-kun.
"R-Really? That's why you've been perusing him so much, Nagi-kun?" "That's your reason?" You and Gou chorused, both mirroring a shocked expression. Nagisa nodded without skipping a beat. Though at first, Gou looked unamused, she stood up straighter, before taking a long... long look at Rei.
"...But I guess I'd have to agree..."
"How so?" you looked up.
Gou's eyes shone. "...Look at those deltoids.~"
Makoto had drawn a last straw, eyes widening. "That's your reason?!" "Hai!" "Do you really think your reasons are good enough...?" He wondered openly, wary of both. The both of them, though, were supportive of their own backbones. "My reason is good!" She countered, while Nagisa went on. "That's right Mako-chan! Go with your guts on these things~!"
Somewhere in the back of that mind you'd managed to hear the speaker say: "Next, Ryugazaki."
Your hand half raised itself, finger lazily pointing as you fluttered yout lashes. "Oi, it looks like he's about to jump?" Watching, Rei rocked back on his right foot, adjusting his hands on the pole mounted vertically in them. Before he took off running, he whispered somethings to himself. All of your eyes followed suit as he thrust the pole's end into the indent in the ground, and pushed himself gracefully into the air. It looked... perfect!
"His form is amazing!"
Body twisting in the air and bending at the back, it looked like he'd clear the height no problem- though he did end up bumping the stick. He plopped down onto the mat down below, staring upward. Either way, he did look like a legitimate candidate for the swim team! Balling your small fists, you smirked, running up to him to help him up.
"That was great! I bet if you just work a little more, you'll be clearing that height without any effort~!" You exclaimed, holding a hand out to him. Nagisa yelled from close behind. "Neh neh, _-chan, you're suppose to get him off the track team!" "SHHH!"
The track star knit his brows at the center, but took your hand gratefully. He dusted himself off and stepped off the mat. "Thank you, but I'm still not going to join the swim team... and," he locked eyes with you for a fleeting second before turning to stretch again. "Nothing can be without effort... I need to make better calculations next time..." After that, he had started rambling like the other morning- ignoring you and Nagisa's efforts for him to join.
Damn.
Nagisa squeezed his own face, whimpering at the difficulty of it all. "_-channnnnn... Why does' Rei-chan hate us so much?" You pat his shoulder with a mushroom sigh, walking back. "Don't worry... we'll manage to get that last member." your gaze flickered back to that stubborn glasses boy one more time. "I know it~!"
~~ Back at the train station ~~
Waiting in the closed booth aside the train tracks, you boredly opened and closed your notebook, having completed your homework for the day. A few more minutes, and light footsteps approached your location. Ah!
"-Rei-kun~!" Calling from your seat, you hopped up and put away your things. The blue haired boy stopped.
"R-Rei-kun?!"
"Yeah, -kun since you're a boy and all~! I'm used to boys with girlish names, so I wouldn't dream of making it any worse than it should. You can call me _-chan if you want though."
He pushed up his glasses, looking at your – cute - face for a good moment. Usually he didn't tolerate people going straight to a first name basis right away, but he also wasn't accustomed to someone being so considerate to the sensitive subject of names. In your eyes, you only took notice of a skeptical, slightly uneasy look. Turning your head to look forward at the train tracks, you let the silence sit there- as if he'd say something first.
"Oh... would you rather me call you Rei-chan?" you inquired innocently. It was unlikely, but just... polite to ask, right? The indigo haired male flinched, his eyes breaking away from the portable book held open in one hand. "No! Of course not! But I couldn't call you by that name... we're not that close."
You pouted, looking down at your shoes and pressing your toes together. Well... Nagisa had persuaded you into trying to get this guy to join your club. Therefore, you had to at least... hm.. sneak that in there, right?
You slapped your fist into the palm of your hand in agreement – with your innerself – and pivoted on your heel. Rei now seemed more apprehensive of you then before. But have no fear..!
"Well, we could always get closer if we were in the same club~!"
You smiled confidently, knowing he'd get your not so subtle hint.
At joining the -
"You want to join the Track team?" The taller of you raised a brow, making his glasses reflect the setting sunlight. "If you do you'll have to talk to the coach, not me."
joining the swim team, you meant.
Nearly facepalming at your mediocre attempt, you straightened yourself once again. "Actually, I meant you joining the Iwatobi Swim Team!" Crossing both your arms behind your waist, you stared intently at him as he tensed.
"As I told your friend,"
"Nagisa-kun."
"...Yes. I'm not going to join the swim team." He uttered this almost gently, as he brought the book closer to his face.
"And why is it exactly you're so disinterested in swimming, anyway...?"
His mouth twitched, "I'm only interested in sports that are beautiful."
At that, it was your turn to be confused by the company's behavior. Your brows shot up and you hesitated in scooting your self over, pretending to be curious about his book. Really you were just curious about his reasons.
"Like... track?"
"Yes. It's a sport known for beautiful events such as pole vaulting." His chin raised and he seemed to look farther. "With that, you can attain perfect form through theory and calculation!" Your head dipped to the side, seeing as he'd zoned out, and shut his eyes.
What was his deal anyway?
"Well... isn't swimming beautiful as well?" You hummed. He blinked. "When you see the clear blue waters ripple under your toes at the beach, or the amazing sound of the ocean crashing against the shore, don't you find that beautiful? With swimming, you're engulfed in that beauty an-"
"-Afterall, humans evolved to live on land." You opened your mouth to retort his statement, but he allowed no such thing- and placed his hand to his forehead. "Why would you go backwards and play sports in water? It defies reason!" He bent his knees, and for a second, you were convinced he'd drop his book fully.
"Don't forget water has 12 to 13 times the visocity of air!"
Instead of being utterly – freaked – like most would be, you chuckled ingenuously, eyes narrowing In jest. He froze in his position. "Well, maybe instead of joining our team you should be a teacher, Rei-kun~! You're smart. But.. a little uptight." You placed a hand over your lips, knitting your brows as you smiled slightly. "Do you really think humans evolved just for the land? If we really were only meant for land, we wouldn't have invented boats!"
Dropping your hand, your let your eyelids lower completely, and the smile stay put. "...Think of it this way. Humans are evolved to live on land, yet, you were flying today. And," you quickly went onto your tippy-toes to snatch away his red frames. "Do you really think we invented glasses like these right away? It's all about change, and with change," you placed the frames on your nose. "You learn to see the world more broadly- to see the beauty in everything...~!" His eyes turned side ways, brimming with a rivet.
You crinkled your nose as he gaped and sluggishly tried taking his glasses back. "Well, maybe not with these- I can't see a thing!" You chirped, squeezing your eyes shut as you gave them back to him.
His eyes widened slightly in surprise, hands- almost untensing from their crooked positions clutching at the air in front of him. Then you felt a vibrate in your pocket. Your mom was probably wondering what was taking so long, and only when you glanced down at your phone- you realized the train had been running late. Huh. Wonder how you got distracted so easily?
Finally taking a step away from Rei, you opened your phone. "Well, I hope you can think over that, neh? Swimming can be beautiful too, if you choose to take the path to make it that way... but I understand, Rei- I uh, mean, Ryugazaki..-kun?" You gave a half smile. You were one to respect other's wishes, and currently, he wanted no "first-name basis"~! But that's alright. He'd come around sometime! You clicked the answer button, and bowed to him in respect, jogging the oppostie direction.
"Hai...? Oh- Wha? Oka-san, calm down! … No, no I'm not being kidnapped- was I with the boys? Well I was just talking to..."
"Goodnight, _.." Rei murmured- flustered, and fixing his glasses as he looked after you. You must've looked strangely embarrassing indeed?
Your brows perked up as you glanced back, only to see the train suddenly pulling up- after you'd already jogged a ways away. You skidded, and nearly fell over at seeing the doors briskly sliding open, letting Rei onto it's boarding.
"...AH?! The train! – Wait, What? THEY'RE NOT MY BOYFRIENDS! N-None of them!" you screeched, blushing furiously at the rambling on the other end of the line. Nevertheless, you stumbled to get on the train, and just as the doors began slipping back shut, a hand shot between them. "Oh, thank.. you." Panting, you just barely had time to take a glance at the certain Track star that had caused you so much trouble today, who'd caught the door for you.
TO BE CONTINUED