Haruka was a morning person. It meant more time in the bath before Makoto came to coax him out of the house for the day. This particular morning was different. Haruka woke up early to check if there were any messages from Makoto. He never placed any importance in having a phone before. He had only agreed to get it because it would be easier to keep in contact with his parents. Now he spent every moment hoping that he would hear the ringtone blearing "Splash Free." The "ping" sound of a message that once annoyed him to no end became a comforting sound he looked forward to hearing.
With a dejected look on his face, Haruka put his phone to sleep. There were no messages or calls from Makoto. He wondered if the reason was that it was too early or if Makoto was just busy. There were so many reasons that whirled around in his head.
'Should I call him? What if he's still asleep? Makoto isn't a late sleeper, he should be awake. Maybe I should text him instead.'
After mulling around what he should send, Haruka finally decided on a simple "How is everything in Tokyo?" He hoped that he wouldn't have to wait a whole day for a reply. 'Is this how other people feel when they call or text me? Do they wonder whether it'll take a whole day for me to reply? Nagisa would probably call this karma.'
Makoto woke up later than usual that day. The toll of being in an unfamiliar place and the energy used up sightseeing the day before caught up to him.
"I'm so sorry. This has never happened before. I usually wake up early." Makoto apologized profusely to Kuroko's mother. He didn't want to come off as a lazy person who liked to wake up late.
"It's no problem. Yesterday was a long day. You both woke up early and came back home late. I don't mind that you slept in. School is starting in a few days so you won't have the luxury of sleeping in anymore. Better to do it now. Isn't that right?"
"That's right."
Makoto and Kuroko's mother both jumped at the voice.
"Tetsu-kun, did you just wake up?"
"I've been sitting here for the past 30 minutes now."
Both Makoto and Kuroko's mother sweat dropped.
"Are you two hungry? I put this morning's breakfast in the refrigerator."
"I've already made plans with Kagami today. We're taking Makoto out to Akihabara and a few other places."
"Well have fun you two."
Instead of meeting Kagami at his apartment this time, they met at Akihabara Station. It was crowded. It amazed Makoto how many people lived in Tokyo. He had always thought that he would spend his life close by Iwatobi… close by Haru. Being in the big city made him realize that the world was a much bigger place than the small town he lived in. Maybe he would decide to cast his lot in this sleepless city; maybe he would return to the quietness of Iwatobi. At this moment though, Makoto was glad that he came to Tokyo. He was glad that he met Kuroko and Kagami. Wondering about the many friends he would be able to make in Tokyo made his heart swell with happiness. He remembered a saying he once read somewhere.
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
Makoto genuinely felt that new worlds were being born inside of him. Little by little, he became less afraid. Even if his future has sadness and tears, he would move forward. He wanted to be happy. He wanted to smile with tears in his eyes. No matter what, he wouldn't go back. For Makoto, there was no going back. He hoped to treasure the new worlds being born in his heart even more.
"KUROKOCHII!"
"We should go this way." Kuroko calmly said.
"So mean Kurokochii! Don't walk away!" The owner of the voice was a tall young man with hair and eyes like the sun. He reminded Makoto of Nagisa, except taller… much taller.
"Che. Anyone would walk away with you screaming their name out like that." The owner of this voice was also tall. Tall, dark, and intimidating with that permanent scowl on his face. He reminded Makoto of a panther.
"Kise-kun. Aomine-kun." Kuroko greeted them.
"Yo, Tetsu. Who's this?"
"This is Tachibana Makoto. He's a transfer from Iwatobi High School for this semester. Makoto-senpai, this is Kise Ryota and Aomine Daiki. They go to different schools but they're my old classmates from Teiko Middle School."
"Pleased to meet you."
"Same here. Iwatobi? I've never heard of that place before." Said Kise.
"It's a small town by the sea."
"By the sea? You must have good crawfish there." Said Aomine.
"Aomine-kun, I know you like crawfish but you should watch your health. You might get high cholesterol." Said Kuroko.
"Shut up Tetsu. And stop snickering Bakagami!"
"What did you say Ahomine?" Not even a second later Kagami and Aomine were up in each other's faces. Makoto had a vision of a ferocious tiger and a sleek black panther growling at each other.
"Now now you two, you're making a scene. How about we go to a café I know a couple blocks from here. It has a friendly atmosphere. We can get to know each other there as well." Kise said while getting between the two.
An hour later all of them were sitting at a table in the Cat's Eye Café while listening to a beautiful woman with curly black hair cascading down her back sing on stage.
toki no mukou kaze no machi e
nee, tsureteitte
shiroi hana no yume kanaete
amai yubi de kono te wo tori
nee, tooi michi wo
michibiite hoshii no
anata no soba e
sono utagoe taenai hirusagari
mezamete futari wa hitotsu ni nari
shiawase no imi wo hajimete shiru no deshou
tsureteitte...
sono utagoe setsunaku takaraka ni
subete no kokoro ni hibiku no deshou
shiawase no imi wo shirazu ni nemuru yoru ni...
mada shiranai yume no mukou
nee, tooi michi wo
futari de yukeru wa
kaze no machi e
(To the town of wind on the other side of time
Come on, take me there
Make my dream of white flowers come true
Take this hand with your sweet fingers
Come on, I want you to lead me
On the distant road
To your side
That singing voice won't cease in the afternoon
Together we wake to become one
We will know the meaning of happiness for the first time
Take me with you...
That singing voice will heartrendingly and loudly
Echo in every heart
Never knowing the meaning of happiness when they sleep at night...
The other side of our dreams are still unknown to us
Come on, together we can go
On the distant road
To the town of wind)
"Wow. That was beautiful." Kise voiced the thought that went through everyone's brain.
"Oruha-san is a talented singer and a beautiful person as well. We're lucky to have her sing at our café. The voice belonged to a foreigner with golden hair and blue eyes. His hair fell in a way that gave him a halo effect and his eyes reminded Makoto of sapphires. He introduced himself as the bartender Fai. Three others worked the café with him. One was a tall man with black hair and red eyes named Kurogane. One was a young man with chestnut brown hair and eyes named Syaoran. The last was a pretty young girl with auburn hair and eyes like emeralds (which Kuroko commented that she and Makoto have very similar eyes) named Sakura. There was also a mascot that looked like a bunny (but not) named Mokona. It seemed to like Kagami's and Aomine's head since it would keep jumping on top of them. Unfortunately, Kagami and Aomine were thoroughly annoyed. They kept trying to catch Mokona however, their efforts ended in epic failure.
"I agree. I wish I could sing like that." Makoto said.
"I've heard Makoto-senpai sing in the shower. I think you have a very pleasing voice." Said Kuroko.
"EHHHH? Was I that loud?" Makoto asked. His face was as red as Kagami's hair.
"I want to hear you sing. I nominate Makochii to sing next." Kise urged.
"EHHHHHHHHH?!"
It took nearly 10 minutes for everyone to convince Makoto to go up on stage. The only reason he relented was only because they would get a discount if Makoto went up and sang. Kuroko complimented Fai on playing dirty. They gave each other a high-five. Next to them Kise was preparing to videotape the performance on his cell phone.
Makoto never sang on stage before. Even though there were only a few tables filled, the thought of having an audience terrified him. He closed his eyes and let the piano music flow soothe him.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
And I will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
And anywhere I would've followed you (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something...
By the end of the song, tears were falling from Makoto's eyes. Even so there was a feeling of exhilaration flowing through him. He excused himself for some air outside as everyone applauded his performance. Fortunately for Makoto, his friends understood that he wanted to be alone and so they didn't disturb him. It was a few minutes later when he felt his back being covered. Makoto looked up and saw Sakura standing over him.
"I thought you would be cold out here without a jacket so I brought yours out for you."
"Thank you Sakura-chan."
Instead of going back inside, Sakura sat next to Makoto. Nothing was said between them. It was a comforting silence until "Splash Free" disturbed it. Makoto looked at the caller ID but didn't pick up.
"Haru-chan? Is that the name of your special person?"
"Hai."
"Is he also the person you were thinking about when you were singing?"
Makoto looked up at the stars with a sad smile. He looked down in surprise when he felt a hand covering his.
"Everything will be all right. I'm sure of it. Your special person will surely one day understand the feelings you want to convey."
Makoto didn't know why but he truly believed in Sakura's words. It didn't give him hope. It was more like a fact. Everything will be all right.
Sakura went back inside first while Makoto stayed outside to make a long awaited phone call.
"Is everything all right Sakura-chan?" Fai asked when Sakura walked into the kitchen.
"Hai. I'm sure everything will be all right."
"That's good. It's a little weird to meet Makoto without Haruka by his side. In every world we went to they were always together."
"I know. In a way, they remind me of my big brother and Yukito. Those two are always together in every world. For the Makoto and Haruka of this world, I truly hope the many tears that will be shed, will be worth it."
Damn. Just... damn. Haven't updated in so long. Sorry to everyone who waited and I hope you like this chapter. I think this is my longest chapter yet and also makes it official that I suck at dialogues. Oh well. Anyways, if you like the story please comment. I love comments from my readers. And follows and favorites _.
I also hope you guys like the crossover in this chapter. I love CLAMP and all their works. They have influenced my life and way of thinking for a very long time. They will always define "soulmate" for me. Fist bump to CLAMP fans who are reading my story and to those who aren't, I recommend you go read their works. So many feels man T_T. They will fucking destroy you and break you down into tears and WTF moments. God I love them.
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -Anais Nin
