Summary: Makoto goes on a group date.
A/N: Contains a reference to Free! ES drama cd vol.2 (Makoto studying track), where Haru, Nagisa and Rei made Makoto an omamori (lucky charm)
"I apologise, Makoto-senpai… Nagisa-kun and I would love to visit, but we are currently occupied with tests and upcoming exams…"
"So we shall leave this important mission to you! Mako-chan, fighto!"
"At least provide some constructive ideas, Nagisa-kun! Makoto-senpai, in the case of the food, a nutritious home-cooked meal would be ideal in my opinion. The table set-up should be perfect with an elegant floral centrepiece, candles—"
"Yes, yes! A candlelight dinner! As cliché as always, as expected from Rei-chan!"
"While I am not certain whether that was supposed to be a compliment… Makoto-senpai, please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any advice—"
"It's okay! I'm sure Haru-chan will like anything from Mako-chan!"
Makoto sighs, lowering his gaze to his fingers. He feels guilty for not telling the truth, but the "group project discussion" he told Haru about was actually a video conference with Nagisa and Rei. He hasn't seen Haru for most of the week, having been busy preparing his birthday gift for Haru. Though, it hasn't exactly been going very well.
Over the years, he's given Haru an assortment of items for his birthday, from origami fish to hand-drawn birthday cards to new swimsuits to the mackerel dakimakura... Last year, Haru knitted a new muffler for him, and the year before that, Haru made him his favourite dishes and baked a chocolate cake for his birthday. Makoto really wants to do something special and memorable for Haru too, especially when this is the first time they will be celebrating Haru's birthday away from Iwatobi. On top of dinner plans, he's thinking of making an omamori for Haru, matching the one that Haru has sewn for him as an encouragement for his final year exams, a joint gift from Nagisa and Rei which he treasures dearly. He wants to give Haru a handmade gift as well, something personal.
Through regular cooking lessons with Haru back in Iwatobi and self-practice during these few days, he thinks he has finally achieved the right flavour for his main dish without thoroughly burning it, but he hasn't been as successful with the omamori. He has always been clumsy with his fingers after all, often getting poor grades for his Home Economics subject in middle school, so unlike Haru with his deft, delicate hands…
He leans back in his seat and closes his eyes. Haru… He won't be seeing Haru today too. He wonders what Haru is doing right now. At this time on Fridays he'll usually be on his way to meet Haru for dinner, but today…
"Yo, Tachibana!"
Makoto feels a tap on his shoulder and sits up, whipping his head around. He relaxes and smiles when he meets his grinning friend.
"Ready to go?" Takao asks cheerily, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
Looking around, Makoto realises that most of the other students are already streaming out of the lecture theatre.
"A-Ah! Yeah!" Makoto scrambles to pack his notes and stationery, embarrassed to have kept this friend waiting due to his daydreaming.
"What's wrong? You're usually all eager to leave by the end of this lecture." Takao contemplates for a while before he smirks, playfully nudges Makoto with his elbow. "Not in a rush to meet them since they're not Haru, right?" he teases, looking amused.
"Um…" Makoto doesn't really know what to say. Takao glances at him and offers a small smile, as if in understanding.
"Well..." Takao folds his arms behind his head as he walks. "I'm not all that interested in picking up any date either…" Lowering his voice to a whisper and gesturing Makoto closer, "To be honest, I'm going mainly for the free food. The organiser of this thing offered to pay for everything, so this is a rare opportunity for me to order as much as I want, you know?"
Makoto shakes his head, smiling as he's being reminded of Nagisa. "But is it really okay? I don't even know him..."
"No worries, that guy does this all the time! Besides," Takao laughs, putting his arm around Makoto's shoulders. "He owes you a favour."
"Huh?"
"I have to wonder how many of those girls only agreed to join us because they heard Tachibana-kun will coming, hmm~"
Takao gives him a mischievous wink and stares at him expectantly, but as Makoto only frowns in confusion he lets out a dramatic sigh and pats his back.
They meet up with the four other boys at the university's entrance, and they head to the place together. It's only a short walk to the dining bar, the one that Makoto and Haru regularly pass by on their way to the ramen shop but have never entered. The interior is rather spacious, warmly illuminated by cylindrical ceiling lamps hanging over long wooden tables and chairs.
They sit themselves down at a long table, and are soon joined by the girls who settle themselves across from each of them. Makoto only recognises Tanaka who sits across from him, a classmate from one of his tutorial classes whom he and Haru had ran into the last time they went grocery shopping together. He greets her, and after everyone introduces themselves to one another, Sakamoto—the organiser, invites them to order anything they want.
Makoto flips through the menu and brightens when he finds mackerel in it. He turns to his left to ask Haru which dish he prefers—and promptly turns back to the menu in his hands. He slumps, a small sigh escaping him. When Takao asks him for his order, he points to the grilled mackerel anyway. In a hushed voice Takao chides him for ordering so little, and Makoto smiles apologetically. Once all the orders are placed, everyone begins chatting among themselves, while Makoto is content just watching and listening. It feels weird not having Haru with him in a setting like this, even if he knows he has to get used to it someday...
"T-T-Tachibana-kun…"
Makoto looks up to meet Tanaka, who pushes her glasses up her nose and fidgets in her seat.
"Yes...?"
"I just wanted to ask… I..." Tanaka nods to herself, seeming determined to start a conversation. "What are Tachibana-kun's hobbies?"
"Um..." Makoto scratches his cheek. "I like swimming, and playing video games, and I enjoy playing with my siblings back home..." With Haru. He's about to ask Tanaka in return but her next question comes quicker than he's able to, so Makoto settles with just answering.
"I see... Ah, who do you usually spend your free time with, if I may ask?" She looks hopeful, but softly adds, "I-It's okay if you don't wish to answer…"
Haru, his mind automatically provides. "It's okay, I don't mind! I mostly spend it with Haru—A-Ah, Haru is my childhood best friend. You've met him too."
Makoto thinks Tanaka's eyes are shining, but it's possibly his imagination. She seems calmer now, even excited. "I see! He seems like a nice person! It must be nice to have a childhood friend... You two seem really close too!"
Makoto hums. "I've known Haru for as long as I remember… Haru is really amazing, and the kindest person I know." Talented, kind, beautiful.
Tanaka stares at him intently and beams, and Makoto blinks and smiles back. The others then join in, interested in their conversation. Makoto is suddenly bombarded with various questions about himself, to which he tries his best to answer. When asked if he has any "type" he prefers, the first image his mind conjures up is a pair of deep ocean blue eyes that he so often feels can see right through him, within which he finds hold so much—kindness, affection, strength, vulnerability... He thinks of a warm, gentle hand that conveys a quiet confidence and understanding. A presence that brings him happiness and assurance.
Before he comes up with an answer the food arrives, and the other girls disperse to their seats. Makoto takes a bite of his mackerel, and expectedly finds it incomparable to Haru's cooking. He assesses the impressive spread before him, but doesn't find anything particularly appetizing either.
"M'koto—" Takao says between mouthfuls before swallowing, adding food to Makoto's bowl before Makoto can stop him. "Eat more, don't be shy!"
Makoto smiles resignedly and thanks Takao, thinking he might as well indulge rather than let the food go to waste. In overall it has been an enjoyable evening talking and laughing with new friends, but Makoto can't help but wish Haru were here with him.
There's a tap on his shoulder and he looks up to see Takao grinning at him and offering him a glass of beer—or at least he thinks it is. He takes it without thinking, looks around to see everyone raising theirs for a toast and does the same. They clink their glasses together with a chorused 'Cheers!' before downing the liquid. Makoto takes a tentative sip at first, but gulps the entire thing down when everyone else starts to spur him on. It's bitter, and he doesn't like it.
His face suddenly feels hot and his head feels dizzy... The world around him begins to blur and spin, before it fades to black completely.
