Testing The Waters

.

.

Chapter 20

.

.

.

The amusement park was nothing of what I expected. Since Kiriyamacho was a relatively small town, I had the impression that the entertainment was minor, if not less than efficient. That wasn't the case. Tall, powerful, intimidating rollercoasters rose up from the ground like a tower. Mind you their are only two of the sorts, but they were landmarks in themselves.

"Amazing!" Nagisa beamed, the others nodding in agreement, adding their own commentaries as well. The blonde spun to face Rei.

"Rei-chan! We have to ride everything!" The bespectacled boy pushed his framed glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"We might not have- Oi! Nagisa. Don't just drag me!"

"C'mon Rei-chan!" The blonde exclaimed, tugging the other boy in the direction of the ticket booth. Makoto chuckled and Haru sighed. I watched Rei in pity. Then again, better someone else than me, I say.

Makoto smiled at Haru and I. "Let's go get our tickets." Haru nodded and I blinked.

"Hey, guys!" Called a familiar voice. We looked back, seeing Gou and her friend Chigusa trailing behind. "What're the odds?" The redhead smiled.

"Kou-chan!" Makoto smiled pleasantly upon seeing the familiar female. "You're here too?"

"Yup!" She beamed, brighter than ever now that Makoto used her feminine name. "We were just about to get our tickets." Chigusa smiled at both of us, and I returned it politely.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom." I said suddenly, my stomach churning in agreement.

"Oh, don't go alone, you might get lost. I'll go with you." Makoto instantly said, and I sighed.

"It's fine, it's fine." I was trying not to bother him anymore. "I won't get lost."

A small frown. "You sure?" Yes mom, I refrained from saying aloud.

I nodded. He smiled. "Well.. alright. We'll be right here."

.

Portapottis were always such a hassle. They were cramped, stuffy, and holy hell it smells like death. I scowled, a small distasteful grimace upon my lips when I pushed the door open. I patted over to where the makeshift sink was, cleaning my hands as much as I can. Eventually I ended up dosing my palms with sanitizer, rubbing my hands together and mildly entertaining myself with the liquid-y squishy sounds the sanitizer brought. That's when I noticed the figure watching me blankly. I turned my head slowly to meet the steady gaze of Haru, and jolted.

"Don't sneak up on me!" I hissed, a hand to my heart. He rose an eyebrow, although didn't comment. I exhaled a sigh. "What're you doing here?"

"Makoto asked me to come with you so you wouldn't get lost." He said dryly. Whoa. Someone's sassy today.

I sighed again. "I said I wouldn't get lost." I rubbed the back of my neck. Besides, if I got lost, I could just text them, right? I had no idea why they felt the need to coddle me, I wasn't a child, and I was not trying to be a burden any longer. I lightened a bit. Yeah, soon I won't be a bother to them. I wouldn't just be 'Makoto's cousin that moved in with him' anymore. My father would accept me, right? He had to. He even wanted to contact me! That had to say something, right? He was given the option whether or not he would want to speak to me, and he chose it -unlike Makoto and his family, who were forced into the predicament of taking care of me. Yeah, I nodded to myself. Things will be better this time around. Things will fit back into place, like how they did when Mom was still alive.

.

Mom

.

Strange. I haven't been thinking of her lately. Before I could mull over it, Haru spoke up.

"What are you thinking about?" I blinked, surprised by the sudden question. I glanced at him, who was watching me intently. I blinked again.

"Nothing." I said instinctively. Haru frowned, but didn't pry. We started back to where Makoto and the others were. All was quiet, until-

"You said you didn't like him." It took me a moment to realize what he was talking about, and I blinked again.

"Huh?" I paused. "Are you talking about.. Nitori-kun?" I looked around as if his name was a hoax. Haru didn't look at me. Blatantly, I stared. "...Hey." A smirk was tugging at my lips. "Are you jealous?" He snapped a glare at me and I snorted. "You are!"

"Don't assume things." For some reason, his tone made my smirk widen.

I weaved my hands around his arm, leering at him in a joking manner. "Don't worry Haru-chan! It's just a date." He twitched at the use of his nickname, his eye narrowing. At his glare, I sighed. "Sheesh. I was kiddin'! I know you're not jealous." I let go of him and placed my hands behind my head. "That'd be impossible." I snorted.

.

Nagisa, Rei and I had a blast at the amusement park. For once, I think Nagisa and I had formed a short-term truce between each other, agreeing only to tease Rei for now- who was red and flustered by our advances. Makoto skipped out on the rollercoaster rides after riding the first one, and Haru stuck by his side. I think that may have been too much for my softhearted cousin. We met up with Gou and her friend again for lunch, eating out. Although, for some reason, it seemed Haru was in an even worse mood than before. I tried talking to him, but he literally ignored me. I had to do a double take. Was he actually ignoring me?

It felt odd, but that didn't warrant a 'good' type of odd. I've never felt that neglected before. Had I upset him? What did I even do? I couldn't help but feel my eyes glaze when I thought about it. I guess that just proves it, right? I really didn't belong with them at all. No, I shook my head. I wouldn't think about such depressing things when I was out with everyone, I'd just start crying, and lord knows how awkward that would be.

I was being oversensitive - yet I had to wonder why. In America, I hadn't really been emotionally attached to anyone of interest, with the exception of my mother. Emotions were messy and frivolous, is what I told myself. It wasn't built on logic. Therefore my own were barely explored. To be called a bitch wouldn't matter, seeing as that person didn't matter to me. Yet to be ignored so blatantly, by someone who I considered a friend felt like a slap to the face, and I was surprised. I was surprised by how sensitive I actually was.

The train ride back had been quiet. Everyone was a bit tuckered out, and the adrenaline was flushing out of our system. Nagisa sat slump in his seat, resting his head against Rei's shoulder, who was also out like a light. Gou was rubbing her eyes, and her friend was on her phone. I kept blinking, trying to keep my eyelids awake, yet it proved difficult each time. To my right sat Haru, who stared out at the passing scenery, and beside him was Makoto, who was in a light daze - completely spaced out.

I kept to myself, not wanting to bother Haru anymore than I already had, yet the silence only lulled me to desire sleep. I sighed, tension streaming out of my shoulders. I closed my eyes, my head falling forwards, then jolting back up. I blinked, determined to stay awake.

A few minutes ticked away, my head was falling forward again, and I did nothing to stop it but lean my back against my seat. Sleep was calling to me, and I laid my head against something comfortable, which was stiff and warm.

Haru glanced at Mamoru when she leaned on the passenger beside her, who blinked at the stranger sleeping on him. He looked around, his eyes wide, then blinked again - obviously confused. Haru sighed, a hand reaching out to guide Mamoru's head onto his shoulder. The stranger smiled in thanks and Haru nodded. Her body curled up against his, an arm weaving around his own, mumbling something incoherent. Haru stared, a small, rare smile tilting the corners of his lips. It was wiped away when he heard her mumbling again.

"No.. you bastard.. that's my grain of.. cheese." Haru deadpanned, silently wondering what type of dream she was having. Quietly, he rested his head on her own, listening to her slurred words in silent amusement.

"...mhm.. a.. new hat.."

Imagine my surprise when I woke up in my own bed, tucked in without my shoes. I assumed Makoto did it. He seemed like the type to do so. I sighed. Somehow I still managed to have fallen asleep. Maybe the day had tired me out much more than I expected?

I shook my head. It was the weekend, and-

I gasped. I could finally call him! I scrambled for my phone, finding it on my nightstand. I snatched it, and with a grin rolled up my sleeve, exposing my arm. The numbers were smudged but were still literate. I dialed the number, about to hit the call button when I paused. Hesitation was like a splash of cool water. I gulped, my heart beating wildly in my chest. My fingers trembled, and I started to sweat out of nervousness. Finally, I shook it off, cringing as I pressed 'call'.

One ring.

Two rings.

Three- "..Hello?"

I almost threw the phone away with a squeal, but immediately calmed down. The voice spoke again. It was relatively childish, and I couldn't decipher whether it was a young boy or girl. "..Hellooooo?"

"Yes, hello!" I blinked. "Is.. Is Fuzen Fujiwara there?"

"Uhhhh..." I twitched. "Yup!" The voice grew faint, as if the kid had pulled it away from his mouth. "Dad! Some weird lady is on the phone!" I twitched again. Ungrateful, impolite little-

"Hello?" This time I froze. The voice was deep and masculine. I gulped.

"Y-yes, hello!" My excitement laced into my voice, and I inwardly cursed. "Uh.. this is.. Mamoru Tachibana.." I trailed off, feeling sheepish.

"Ah!" Surprise was in his voice. "Mamoru!" I was suddenly grinning like a fool. "I was expecting your call yesterday."

"Oh, that.." I drawled. "I was out with some friends, and hadn't got home until really late."

"That's understandable." Awkward silence. "...How are you?"

For some reason, my vision was blurring in and out of focus. "G-good!" I spluttered, surprised when I felt familiar stinging in my eyes. "I'm really good!"

"That's good." He echoed, and I sniffled. "I heard about your mother. I flew in for the funeral, I think I missed you."

My shoulder's started trembling, and a hand flew to my mouth, stifling any noises that might've escaped. "Are you alright?" He asked tentatively. I tried to compose myself, but the embarrassment and guilt gnawed at me.

"I.. I'm fine.." I stuttered out. "I'm just.. a bit overwhelmed."

"I understand." Said the voice of my father. "Do you wish for me to call back?"

"No!" A desperate plea. "S-sorry. It's just.." I shook my head. "I'm fine now."

It was quiet for a long time. Suddenly, "Who are you staying with now?"

"M-my uncle." I swallowed the dryness in my throat. "And aunt."

"In Iwatobi?" He sounded surprised.

"Yeah.." I murmured.

"Then you're in Japan."

I nodded, though stopped when I realized he couldn't see me. "Yes."

It was quiet again. "..I wonder if it's too much to ask, if you come visit me here in Tokyo?" I froze, the trembling in my hands intensifying erratically. It took both hands so that I would not drop my phone. Before I could say anything, Fuzen continued. "I could pay for the trip by train. I would like you to meet my family. I.. would really like to speak with you in person as well, Mamoru."

I stared down at my lap, then I grinned, so brightly, so happily - it hurt my face. "...I-I would love to." Wetness started rolling down my cheeks, dangling off my chin until blotching on the lap of my pants. I was crying. "Yes, yes. I want to."

"That's good to hear. I look forward to it." And like that, we started planning the day and time we were to meet.

.

.

.

A/n: Dun dun DUUNN. Okay, I was going to update yesterday, but I got so distracted with rp on tumblr* :o Please review!