I blame this chapter on the anime. All the talk of schools and what not made me do it. I twisted Haru a bit but keeps his attachment to Makoto which I just couldn't come to break. Well enjoy we will see what comes in the next couple of days.

*Buzz*

Natsumi glanced down at her phone. She reached out, hitting a button to stop it. Makoto's name flashed then vanished. A notice for voicemail popped up, it stated that 5 waited for her to hear. Looking back at the letters around her, she frowned when her mother placed a cup of tea by her.

"This is a big decision...I think you two should talk before you make your decision," Natsumi looked up at her mother. The older woman placed a firm hand on her shoulder, hoping to give her some kind of reassurance.

"I know...I know he's had offers," Natsumi picked up her tea as she picked up the closest letter. The letter was addressed to her, further into the letter the words "You've been accepted," stood out. She placed the letter down and took a sip.

Sitting just drinking, Natsumi, ran over the events of the last month. December, a happy time, had been anything but. At the beginning, the teachers had been pressuring the 3rd years to make their final plans for graduation. Natsumi had applied to a few colleges, none that really caught her interest...but swimming had not been the only thing scouted that autumn.

A few art school's had sent their approval. Most were in Tokyo, a few others in Okinawa. Natsumi picked up one other letter and wanted to cry. It was a school out of country.

Finishing her tea, Natsumi pulled the letters together. Kissing her mother's cheek she said bye as she got ready for a walk. She needed fresh air, maybe along the way she'd find her answer.

Setting the phone down, Makoto laid back as his friends looked at him. They were currently at Haruka's house. They were going over there plan for the upcoming tournament. All of them had been focused except there love struck captain. He'd received call's this morning and even a few letters, but all the talk around the table had struck a chord in him.

Call after call, message after message. Still he couldn't bring himself to care about the tournament.

"Still ignoring you?" Haruka asked glancing down at his friend. Makoto rolled to his side, reaching out to pinch Haru. The dark haired boy jumped and glared down at the sulking boy.

"Have you two talked to the recruiters?" Asked Gou. She was showing Rei his times from the last week. Nagisa bounced around excited, 1 for his times were up, 2 he wanted to know about the other boys. Makoto's hand rose up and he pointed at Haru.

"He will accept one if I accept the same," Makoto rolled onto his back.

"Haruka Sempai...that seems kind of a lot to put on Makoto sempai." Spoke Rei as he adjusted his glasses writing a few notes down.

"No, it's not. I only swim for myself...and my friends. I've said this before," Said Haru as he turned the page of the magazine he was reading. The others thought it over and seemed to figure it made sense.

If Haruka was with Makoto, he'd be the best person to stand by and be the support for Haruka. Makoto sat up and pinched Haruka again.

"I've only been called by two schools...you have five!" The older exclaimed as he stood up and swiped his phone up. Heading out of the living room, Makoto made his way outside.

"He'll get over it," Muttered Haruka as he went back to reading his magazine.

Mrs. Tachibana smiled as she let Natsumi in. The teen smiled as the older woman brought her into the kitchen.

"It's good to see you again Natsumi," Natsumi took a seat as the sound of footsteps came barreling her way.

"Natsumi!" The twins yelled as they attached themselves on either side of her. Chuckling she greeted each one before being dragged out of the chair and into the living room. They chatted on and on, covering that Makoto was out. A swim meeting was being held. That he'd gotten a few calls as of late and a letter came in for him. Once there brother had been covered they talked about school and all the activities they were involved in.

Nodding here or there, Natsumi couldn't help but let the gloom that had surrounded her this morning, disappear. The twin's were infectious in their happiness and she smiled as they eventually settled down, Ren in her lap while Ran played with her hair. She hummed a bit as the two settled against her.

"Natsumi?" Ren asked. She replied with a "hmm" and then continued to hum for the two.

"Will Onii-Chan...go to school with you?" Ran asked as the girl came down and leaned against Natsumi. She wrapped her arms around the two holding on to them.

"I don't know, it's alot to go over." She laid her head on Ren's head and the boy cuddled up close to her.

"Onii-chan likes you alot Tsumi-chan," She chuckled at the small girl's nickname for her. She ran her hand in Ran's hair and nodded.

"Do you like Oniichan a lot?" Asked Ren.

"I think I like him more," She whispered as she felt Ran yawn and move to sit better in her lap. She chuckled as both curled up and drifted into nap time.

"Those kids," Mrs. Tachibana sighed as she watched Natsumi hold them close. She didn't seem in any hurry, or bothered, by the two. The older woman stepped up reaching for her son.

"There fine...I don't know when I'll get them like this again," Natsumi gave the woman a smile before looking down back and the two and holding them close.

"I'm home," Makoto announced as he took his shoes off. His mother came forward and greeted the boy. He kissed her on the cheek as he stepped towards the living room.

"Makoto, can you wake Natsumi-chan?" He stopped in his tracks spotting his girlfriend with his siblings draped over her.

"How long has she been here?"

"Couple of hours now, I just couldn't bring myself to wake her. She seemed worn out when she got here," His mother placed a hand on her eldest son's shoulder.

"You two need to talk, now that she's rested. I'm sure she'll be more open to what's going on," He nodded as he moved and reached for Ren. The boy slowly woke as he pulled at his sister, who in turn woke as well.

"Oni~!" He placed a hand over both of there mouths. Natsumi slowly stirred and the twins looked to the girl. She made a face as her head slowly bent forward resting her chin on her chest. The twins giggled as they slowly got up and hugged there brother.

"Go and play upstairs, I need to talk with Natsumi," The twins nodded heading upstairs. Moving to sit next to her, Makoto wrapped an arm around Natsumi and slowly shook her awake. Natsumi groaned as she turned into Makoto's arms. She held onto him as he he shook her a bit more.

"Time to get up Natsumi," He shook a bit more this time causing the girl to push at him. Slowly she woke rubbing at her eyes and yawning a bit.

"Morning Sleepy head," He said kissing her cheek. She leaned into the kiss rubbing at her eyes. Planting one on his she curled up against him.

"Afternoon Mako…"

"Had me worried. Wanna explain to me about today?" He asked. Natsumi pulled away at that. She sat next to him looking at her hands. Her mind was turbulent still as she thought of the schools that had requested her. She sighed as she answered.

"The twins said you've gotten calls from recruiters...I head even Haruka got some," Bringing up the other boy caused Makoto to sigh.

"Ya about him...He's made his decision….based off my decision," Her hands clenched tight and then looked to him.

"So you've decided." He ran his hand through his hair pushing his bangs up. He looked adorable to her right now, with his other hand he reached out and took her hand. He undid her fist and threaded his hand with hers.

"We have two that are the same. So depending on whichever schools closest...to Natsumi...is the school I'll be going to," Makoto blushed as he pulled her hand up and kissed at the knuckles.

"Ma..Makoto," She gripped his hand tighter as he pulled it close to herself.

"You're...you'd really do that? Choose something close to me?" She asked.

"That's if you want to...be close to me…" He gulped a bit running his hand in his hair more. She chuckled watching him and leaned close to him.

"Thank you Makoto…" She leaned up and kissed him sweetly before placing her forehead against his. He grinned as he took her face in his hands.

"I love you Natsumi," He kissed deeply wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to sit on his lap.