Testing The Waters
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Chapter 27
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When Makoto had roused that morning, it had been usual routine. He contemplated whether or not he should awake Mamoru as he usually did, but it seemed they weren't exactly on speaking terms as of the moment. He eventually decided to leave her alone, giving her her desired space.
Had he really been bothering her to that much of an extent? He didn't mean to make her feel that way, but to his defense he had been giving her enough space, and he was merely worried of her well-being. She came home with a bruise and didn't even elaborate on how she had gotten it. His Dad was the one to break the news to him that he had told her everything.
A few years after Mamoru had left with her mother when they were kids—his Dad had told him in a simple tone when he had asked, that Mamoru's father wasn't well and didn't exactly treat Sachiko or Mamoru well either. At first it had hit him hard—someone who's been with him since birth had been enduring this—and he didn't know? Some part of him was ultimately glad she could not remember something like this, and he took her arrival as a new start. She was offered another chance—metaphorically speaking. She could start anew, yet she shut everyone out. She had snuck off to gain answers that he knew she wouldn't like, and it had ended up in the worst case scenario.
He wanted to talk with her, he wanted her to vent to him so that she wouldn't hold in her troubles. Keeping everything inside wouldn't make anything better, and he just wanted his little cousin back. Was it selfish to want that? Even Haru was confused as to what was going on.
He sighed. Would waiting it out do anything positive? He couldn't just wait until she wanted to talk to him—because who knew how long that would take. He made up his mind, crossing the hall and reaching Mamoru's door. Two reverberating knocks rapt the door. He waited patiently. She must be sleeping—he thought. He twisted the knob and pushed the door open, peering in hesitantly. There was a lump bundled under the covers, and he approached what he thought was Mamoru. "Mamo-chan?" He tried. Up close he could make out that it wasn't the silhouette of a curled up body. Suspicious, he yanked away the blankets, and to his dismay, there was nothing but a note. The feeling of dread crept up his spine. Had she left again? But where would she go this time? The curiosity could not be quelled as he unfolded the paper. Two simple sentences of chicken-scratch was what met his eyes.
'Sorry for leaving a measly note again. I'm sorry, and Goodbye.'
Goodbye? Why use such a final word? Wasn't she coming back?
Unknowingly, he had crumpled up the paper in his tightening grip. Had he really been too late?
No. She shouldn't be too far, right?
He would need help though. He flipped out his phone, contacting the first list of people he could think of.
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"Have you found her yet, Nagisa?" Rin hollered from over the phone.
"Not yet!" Was the crow back over the line.
"No luck here!" Was Rei's voice.
"Mako-chan, did you get a hold of Haru-chan?"
"No I—Wait! I'm getting a call!"
"Is it Haru-chan?"
"Hello."
"Haru!"
"Haruka-senpai!"
"Guys?" Was the response. "Are we on a 5 way?"
"That's not important!" Rin snapped. "Get your ass out here, we're looking for that damn Mamoru."
"Ehh? Since when were you on a first name basis with Mamo-chan?"
"Shut up, Nagisa." Rin growled. "If I say Tachibana I'll only think of Makoto!"
"Of me?"
"Guys." Said Haru.
"Still, that's never stopped you before!" Nagisa teased.
"—Guys."
"Shut it, Nagisa."
"—Guys."
"H-hey, Haru's trying to speak! Please quiet down." Makoto voiced.
"What is it, Haruka-senpai?"
"Mamoru's here. She's sleeping in my bed."
"What." Rin blanched. "D-did you guys do anything?"
"Huh? Is RinRin jealous?!"
"Haah? What are you saying, idiot?!"
"I shouldn't be too far, I'm coming over!" Makoto said promptly.
"Me too! Let's meet up first, 'kay?"
"Alright."
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They met up in front of Makoto's house, all nodding to each other before darting towards Haru's place. Nagisa didn't bother knocking as he burst through the entrance, the others following suite. They reached the living room first, and true to Haru's words stood Mamoru, blinking wildly at the sudden arrival of swimmers.
"W-what are you guys doing here..?" She blurted, her green eyes pin-balling from one person to the other.
"Finally found you.." Rei panted. They were all out of breath, and Rin was the first to recover—eyes blazing and fury provoked.
"What the hell Mamoru!" He exploded. "Are you an idiot?! Leaving a note for Makoto and ditching the place for you only to be here?! Are you serious?! We thought you ran away again you little shit! We were looking all over town for you and you were here the entire time?!" His stormed up to her, grabbing a handful of the front of her shirt, shaking her with each word that tumbled out of his mouth. "What the hell's your problem, haah?! Do you think pulling this type of shit is hilarious?!"
"R-Rin, I think you're being too rough!" Makoto intervened, but did not come to her defense.
"No way! She's definitely asking for it!" He glared over his shoulder. "This little shit thinks this is funny! Here we are busting our asses to find her and she was lounging comfortably in Haru's damn bed!" He snarled. He turned a frightening glare back at the speechless Mamoru. He shook her again. "Do you even know how much stress you're putting on Makoto?! Doing this type of shit again!? I swear if you weren't a girl—"
"Rin!" Haru. Said male turned his glare towards the raven. "You're wrong. She was trying to runaway last night. I told her to stay here for the night, and if she still wanted to go, I wouldn't stop her."
"H-Haru.." Makoto breathed. "Why..?" He trailed off.
"I said I wouldn't stop her." Haru continued. He closed his eyes momentarily, and when he reopened them, there was the barest hint of a smirk on his face. "I never said anything about you guys."
"Y-you—" Mamoru whorled around to stare at the water-infatuated boy in disbelief. "You lied!"
"Oi! Shut up!" Rin barked. "I'm still not finished with you."
"Mamo-chan?! Why were you trying to leave?! Do you not like us anymore?" Nagisa prodded with teary eyes.
Said female shook her head. "That's not it!—"
"Then what is it, Mamoru?" Makoto took a step forward, his eyes intense and his expression pleading. "Please tell us."
"I-I—" When had it gotten so stuffy in here, she thought. This was overwhelming, but it seemed as if she didn't have a choice in the matter. The answer was forcefully being pried away. Something that she's kept to herself. She couldn't do this. She needed air. No I don't want to say it I'm scared I'm scared—
"Oi! We're waiting!"
"Rin!" Haru snapped in an almost scolding tone. The redhead backed down with a huff, his fingers finally unclasping the front of her shirt. Haru placed a hand unto her shoulder, and when she looked up to meet his eyes, he nodded. "Go on." He muttered. She gulped thickly and looked back to the group of boys. She let out a humorlessly laugh, as to distract herself from the hammering in her chest, thumping in her veins. She scratched her cheek, the feeling of vulnerability lain strewn for all the see.
"I-I thought.. I was bothering everyone.. So it'd be better if I l-left." She was shaking like a shivering chihuahua, her hand's trembling and moisturizing with sweat. She gripped the hem of her shirt tightly, unable to look any of them in the eye and purely focusing on her toes. "I thought.. s-since I was forced here that.. I wasn't wanted in the first place. I-I mean, it makes sense right? S-some random person being forced to live with your family. Y-you would think they're a-a burden right? You'd have to show her around and introduce her to your friends because y-you'd feel bad if she were all alone, right? I-If that was the case.. it'd be better if that person was never there to begin with.. S-she should just disappear, because she's annoying.."
"M-Mamoru-san.." Rei echoed in bewilderment.
Before anyone could speak, a punch to her head was granted. A chorus of gasps as a lump formed and Mamoru cradled her head. "OW!"
"You fuckin' idiot!" Rin bellowed in a surly tone. A stressmark had appeared onto his forehead as he towered the cowering girl who held her head with teary eyes. "Where the hell is this coming from, huh?! Do you really think we'd spend our time with you if it wasn't worth it?! Or if you were a burden?! You're annoying as hell, but we don't dislike you, stupid! Why would I even spend my time here looking for you when I could've already finish my morning run, hah?!"
"Rin-san lacks any type of sensitivity." Rei commented. Haru nodded in agreement.
"Mamo-chan, you're so dumb!" Nagisa wailed. "We love you!" He latched onto her. "Why didn't you just say something huh? Leaving like this is not cool at all!" He hugged her tightly. "If you ever try to leave again, I won't forgive you!" He sent her a firm glare.
"Neither would I, Mamoru-san." Rei smiled.
"H-huh?" She blanched. "W-what're you guys saying?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Rin snapped.
She blinked a few times, examining the faces of the swimmers. Rin was scowling, Haru and Makoto were smiling, Nagisa was pouting, and Rei was adjusting his glasses with a smirk. They was no contempt in their eyes. They didn't look at her the way Mika had. They.. didn't consider her a burden.
She smiled.
They didn't consider her a burden.
Vision blurry, nose starting to become stuffy, her cheeks reddening as she looked down at her feet, her shoulder trembling.
Stupid, she thought, so stupid.
"Huh? M-Mamo-chan, why are you crying?" Nagisa peered at her face, his eyebrows flying up in surprise. He sent a pointed look over at Rin. "RinRin, you made her cry!"
"I-I didn't do anything wrong!" He immediately defended. He was just speaking his mind! Upon seeing the fat tears roll to cup her face, he turned to Haru for help, but the raven shrugged.
"T-that's not it.." Mamoru murmured with a voice thick with tears. "I-I'm just.. really happy." She breathed. "I'm happy." She repeated with a whimper, the tension rolling off her in waves. She felt light—no, she felt free.
"Mamo-chan.." Nagisa sniffled. "Now you're making me cry." Hearing the over-dramatic boy's words, she couldn't help but giggle. The sound was foreign and childish that made the majority of the boy blink in surprise. It sounded cute. It sounded real.
Haru smiled at Makoto, who seemed to mirror it's radiance times 10 with relief. The brunette turned towards his cousin and held out a hand for her to take. "Let's go home, okay?" He waited until Nagisa had reluctantly let go of her, she took the hand with a smile.
"A-alright."
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"You're grounded."
"What?"
"You're grounded." Her Uncle smiled, repeating after his wife. He felt no regret upon seeing the crestfallen face Mamoru gave. "For a month. When you're out, you must call either of us and be with Makoto. After school, you're only allowed out of your room for bathroom breaks and food. If you leave and you don't tell either us or Makoto, your time is doubled. That means two months. Everyday you must walk home with either Makoto or Haruka-kun, and we're disabling the internet."
"B-but—"
"No buts." Makoto's mother frowned. "We had told you that the first time you left, you wouldn't be punished—but this is the second time and you've proved yourself untrustworthy. You have to earn our trust back. Now please go to your room."
"I—"
"Go."
Her shoulders slumped and she dragged her feet as she sluggishly made her way to her room. Who knew Makoto's parents were that strict. And to even cut off the internet? How cruel.
Makoto sighed as he watched his cousin leave. His mother turned to her eldest son. "Makoto," Said boy jolted.
"Y-yeah?"
"That means you can't visit her in her room either." She smiled knowingly, although he could still pick up the faint traces of motherly fury in her expression. "So make the most out of this one visit, alright?"
He nodded with a smile, following after his cousin. When he entered her room, he blinked when he saw her slumped over her bed lazily. He knocked on the door, as to announce his entry.
"Came here to laugh?"
He frowned. "That's not it." He sighed, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. "..Why didn't you say anything?'
She stiffened. "Mamoru?"
"I didn't thought it wouldn't make a difference. And.. it's sort of hard for someone like me to admit what's bothering them.."
"That didn't stop you before." His frown deepened. She sighed, and he looked over to peer at her face.
"Why did you leave that stupid message?"
"Huh?" He blinked.
She finally turned to face him. "Why did you leave that message when I left to see my father?" She was frowning."You made it seem as if you didn't care whether I came back or not."
"Mamo-chan.." He stared. "I thought you wanted space." He hesitated, but continued regardless. He couldn't keep trying to spare her feelings is that meant sparing her from the truth as well. "You kept pushing everyone away, that I started to think you didn't want anyone around you. What you said earlier.. really surprised me. All this time, Haru and I thought that you were trying to leave because you didn't want to be here."He paused, then stared at her, his eyes boring into hers without a blink. "You.. hurt a lot of people, Mamoru." He didn't mean to seem as if he were blaming her, but he felt as if she needed to hear this. "I think you should think about your actions." He hefted himself up and patted away imaginary dust from his pants. When he looked back at her, she was staring at him, her eyes big and confused. He sent her a smile regardless, to let her know that he wasn't angry with her, but was just upset for the moment. Hopefully the message had transferred to her. She needed to learn her lesson, so that something like this did not happen again. He returned to the frame of the door with a last glance back at her,
"I'll see you in the morning, okay?"
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