Haruka walked into the classroom on the next day. There was a crowd again at Makoto's seat.

Maybe he had dreadlocks this time. Out of my seat, please. Haru glared at Jun-san who was sitting on his seat. Before he sits, Haru catch a glimpse of Makoto.

"What happened to you?" he asked.

Makoto was back to himself. No more goatee, no more stylish hairstyle, just like he was before, except the glasses. "Good morning to you too." Makoto gave him the smile. He no longer looks like he was seducing anyone.

"Tachibana-kun, come on, it's a shame. You really looked good."

"Thanks, Tezuka-san, I'm flattered. But I don't feel like myself when I looked like that. It's kind of awkward actually. I always wake up not knowing who was that in the mirror. Several times I thought it was my dad and greeted him."

The crowds laughed with him. As they laughed, Takashi grabbed Makoto by the shoulder. "At least us boys won't have to feel insecure whenever you are around anymore, ah? Hey, you got Mimi-chan's confession yesterday, right? Mind if you-"

The door slid open and Amakata-sensei walked in. The crowd hurriedly walked towards their seats.

And here I thought the factor that attracts me towards that guy is his looks. Why am I still feeling it?

Haruka's heart continues to pound underneath his chest when Makoto smiled at him before gesturing him to focus in class. At times, he would reminisce the times he used to spend with Makoto when they were little. He was actually looking for a reason why he was hurt when Makoto rejected him. He knew he likes Makoto, but what he wanted to know is since when, and how. Maybe it started off last few days when Makoto changed his looks and capture everyone's hearts including himself and Nagisa. But if so, that must have meant that he fall for his model-like looks and not Makoto himself.

After swimming practice, Haru waited for Makoto. It wasn't really a routine. Haru actually think that it's a bother, but Makoto always waits for him before heading home, that it would be weird to not to wait for him.

He's late. For once. I wonder if I can still go for a swim before he came.

"Haru?" Makoto called in disbelief. "I thought you said that it's a bother to go home with me often."

This guy. Really!

"If you know that, why are you always waiting for me," Haru walked ahead.

Makoto chuckled. "I had to lock the entrance to the pool, you were always the last one to leave. Plus, it'd be lonely to walk home alone. And we are heading the same way."

"Haru, mind me asking. Is that a new scarf?" Makoto pointed to the scarf in Haruka's bag. It was long and was dragging on the floor.

"Ah, I met a strange couple of boys on the way to school. They were about our age. One is a blond and another have a very lame bowl cut. The bowl cut guy was wearing this scarf and has his fingers stuck under the blond's arm. The blond was squirming as they fought and he threw this scarf."

"Who would wear a scarf on this weather?" Makoto made a worried face. "Maybe he's sick. You ought to return it back when you picked it this morning."

"I would, but they were a distant away from me, and it's a bother to call out to them." Haruka pulled it out and handed it to Makoto. "You return it."

"But I haven't seen them before. Are they from our school?"

"Highly unlikely. That lame bowl cut, haven't seen him anywhere near our school. Plus, he sounded a lot like you. Perverted though. Maybe it's easier for you to find him."

"What kind of logic is that?"

As they were about to walk down to the street where Makoto lives, Haruka voiced out. "You've been quiet."

Makoto was not even paying attention. His mind wandered off.

"Makoto!"

"Yes. What?"

"You're awfully quiet today."

"Am I?" Makoto rubbed his neck. Clearly he has something on his mind.

"Anything you want to talk about?"

"None in particular."

Haruka knows best when something was on Makoto's mind, and if he had some kind of trouble, he wouldn't say it, even to his own best friend. Makoto is the guy that will solve whatever that's been bothering him before telling it to anyone. Makoto's mother once told him that Makoto worries a lot, and he didn't want anyone he knew feels the same way. He's not the one to be soothed by others. And he was never the guy to express his discomfort. Usually, when something bad happens, he would take it in, comfort himself and rationalize before letting anyone know. And his mother wants Haruka to help his teenage son.

"Does it have anything to do with why you are late?"

"More or less."

"Well, I'll listen." For once Haruka actually wanted to know what's bothering Makoto.

"Okay."

Haruka waited for Makoto's long reply, but it never came. He knew Makoto wasn't ready to tell him. As they reached Makoto's house, Makoto turned to him and hold his shoulder, "Thanks for waiting." But his face translated, 'I'm sorry, but I'll tell you someday.'

When Haruka reached home, his cellphone was blinking, indicating a new message.

"Haru-chan, sorry for being insensitive, I didn't know you like Mako-chan too. I'll confess to Mako-chan. You should too." – Nagisa. Sent 5.45pm today.

Haruka couldn't help but blush when blunt words of "…I didn't know you like Mako-chan too…" appeared and read by his own mind. It was too blunt but it was the truth.

What am I to do? Should I?