25.

Makoto couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but something was off about Gou, and it wasn't exactly We're-Really-At-Prefecturals jitters. Her smile seemed different, but he was sure he had seen her with that expression before. It might have been easier to pinpoint if he hadn't been spending so much time with Gou, because now there were even more moments for him to sift through and remember.

"Makoto, you remember the order of all the events, right?"

"Huh? Oh! Yeah, I remember." He chuckled, putting a hand on her arm while she put a hand over her face. "Don't worry. I've been in a lot of swim meets, you know that."

She narrowed her eyes. "I know it's been a few years."

"It's fine! Mako has a really good memory!" Nagisa appeared at his side, gripping his arm. "He can remember everyone's birthday, and what they like to eat and—"

"What clothes they've worn." Makoto smiled.

Gou looked up at the sky, hiding half of her face behind her notebook. "That doesn't have anything to do with a swim meet."

"Ah, well, I'm sure we can depend on Rei to remember the order for everyone," Nagisa reasoned.

Rei looked up at the mention of his name, and nodded. "Of course. There's nothing to worry about."

Gou nodded but didn't seem entirely convinced. When Rei and Nagisa had sat down on the bleachers, Makoto remained standing next to Gou, leaning against the railing and looking out at the pool. Her enthusiasm for admiring muscles had waned since Haruka had left.

He sighed, leaning down and looking at her. "It's pretty nerve wracking waiting for their race to start."

She frowned, pressing her notebook against her lips. He wanted to reach out and put a hand on her back like he had before, but he settled for catching her eye and smiling. She giggled, lowering the notebook with a sigh. "It's not exactly how I pictured it… and I might be putting too much on this one race but—"

"I know. You can't help it." He chuckled, tapping his fingers on the railing, inching his way across until he lightly tapped her arm. "I feel the same way. I hope it all goes well for Rin and Haru, and for you as well, Gou."

A blush spread across her cheeks as she tapped his arm in return. "Thanks."