Nitori asks Sousuke for some dating advice, this dating advice flows into how Sousuke wins Haruka over. I don't know how to explain it. But I guess it should make sense as you read it.

Sousuke sat, legs spread out, relaxing as he sipped on his soda. Rin was out for the day, a visit to his sister long overdue. The butterfly swimmer was enjoying the time to himself. Silence. Rare since transferring to Samazuka and becoming roommates with the chatty redhead. As much as he loved Rin, the boy was a chatterbox, a constant noise in his ear. Sousuke sighed, he did have an assessment to get started. Perhaps with the absent of nonstop chatter, he'd be able to concentrate.

A knock on his door had the teen's hand stop inches away from his textbook. Placing his soda down, on a placemat because of some eagle eye, shark boy will know if it's on the desk and he doesn't have the energy for another pointless argument went over to the door.

"Sousuke-senpai." The visitor seemed surprised. "Is Rin-senpai here?"

"No. What's up Ai?"

The young boy seemed conflicted, unsure whether to confide into Sousuke. Not that he blamed the boy, he never showed any sign of emotion besides pain. Nitori seemed to make up his mind and piped up.

"Can I ask you something?"

Sousuke nodded, offering Nitori to come inside. Leaning against the open door, arms crossed he watched Nitori shuffled on the spot before flexing his hands and made eye contact with the taller male.

"How do you make someone fall in love with you?"

"Ah, er." Sousuke scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I'm not really the person to ask that."

"Sorry." Nitori bowed, blushing immensely. "I'll come back later when Rin-senpai is back."

Sousuke knew that the boy felt humiliated and spoke before he really thought about it.

"You can't make someone fall in love with you."

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't work like that." Sousuke explained, "They either love you or they don't."

"But you can make someone fall for you, though." Nitori pointed out.

"Well yes, you can." Sousuke nodded.

"But how?" Nitori strained, "How do I get someone to notice me?"

"I guess you could start off with finding out their interests and taking an interest in that."

He wasn't sure when it happened, but when he started to notice Haruka for more than just a swimmer, he knew he was screwed. He hated the fact Haru held this allure over everyone. He was once proud of the fact he was one of a few who could resist the temptation. Sousuke couldn't pinpoint exactly the moment he started to be aware of his feelings of affection, but one swim practice where Haruka and Sousuke were the last to leave, Haruka had left a book sitting on the bench. Sousuke found the boy outside the building, head practically inside his bag, looking for his book no doubt.

"You looking for this?"

Haru turned to find Sousuke holding his book, Haru sighed a little in relief before taking the novel offered to him. "Thank you."

Sousuke didn't say a word. He watched as Haruka placed the book carefully into his bag before walking off.

"Books, huh?" Sousuke muttered, he'd seen the author's name, maybe he'd have a little read.

"So what do you do once you find out what they're interested in?" Nitori asked.

"You somehow incorporate it into a conversation or try to hint at it. Depends on what it is."

It had become kind of a tradition once every week, Sousuke and Haruka would be the last two to stay behind after swim practice. Sometimes Haru would leave first, sometimes Sousuke would. They never spoke, no gestures of acknowledgement. Sousuke wasn't sure if he did with intention or it was an accident but as he walked out, heading to the door, Haruka called out.

"Yamazaki."

Sousuke twisted, to see Haruka walk up to him, fully dressed and holding the book Sousuke had bought out of curiosity. He'd done what he said, he bought several books from Haru's author and read them. He enjoyed the novels, Haruka had good taste in literature.

"Thanks, Nanase." Sousuke took the novel back, stuffing it into his bag.

"I didn't know you liked Goren Firten." Haruka piped up, uncomfortable in his position. The two never spoke more than a few words to each other, usually in acknowledgement. Haruka was striking up a conversation and Sousuke was taken aback.

"Yeah, I mean, he's a good writer." Sousuke stumbled.

"I haven't read that one. Do you think I could borrow that when you're done?"

Sousuke switched from Haru to his book, before nodding.

"Yeah I don't see why not."

Haruka let the tiniest of smiles etch itself on his face before nodding in farewell before heading out. Sousuke hummed in surprise, stroking the spine of the book.

"Well, what do you know. It works."

"Okay, so when they figure out I like the same stuff as them, then what?" Nitori asked. "There's got to be more to it."

"You've tried this already, haven't you?"

Nitori blushed, hiding his face in his hands. Sousuke rose a brow and sighed.

"It's Momo, isn't it?"

Nitori peeked through his hands and nodded slowly.

"Bugs then." Sousuke hummed in thought. "I recall Momo talking about some kind of bug watch coming up. You should invite him to that."

"You think?"

Sousuke had given Haru the novel he requested and smiled knowing he was making progress. They had small conversations now. Usually about the book, which Sousuke didn't mind, but literature wasn't his passion. He was rushing back to the pool after his physio, which Rin knew as 'It's something I gotta do. Now back off.'

The physiotherapist spoke of a book signing and had announced that he'd seen the novel and thought Sousuke would like to know. As Sousuke turned the corner, the school gates in sight, maybe what his physio offered wasn't a bad idea. He was sure Haruka would enjoy it.

"Book signing tomorrow. Wanna go?"

"With you?"

"Well, who else would you go with?"

"Makoto."

Sousuke let out a little sigh and his eyes seemed to narrow. "Alright then."

"So what time?"

Sousuke rose a surprised brow. "Tomorrow at eleven."

"Haru-chan, come on! We gotta get going." Nagisa exclaimed, waving frantically at the two. Haruka began to walk off before he glanced over his shoulder.

"I'll see you then."

Sousuke took a sip of his soda, waiting for Nitori to ask another question. A question Sousuke wasn't expecting.

"What if it doesn't go well?"

"You know Ai." Sousuke itched the back of his neck guiltily. "That I know about."

Sousuke and Haruka had been standing in line for over an hour. Sousuke was getting irritated as much as he liked Haru, standing in line for hours for some ink on paper was a waste of time. Haru seemed to tell Sousuke was annoyed and nudged him.

"Wanna get out of here?"

Sousuke nodded, relief spread through his being and Haru let a smirk form on his face. He followed the taller male away from the building.

"What do you want to do?"

"I know this was supposed to be a date."

Sousuke seemed to choke on the air, twisting around to stand off against the obviously right raven haired male.

"No, it wasn't." Sousuke denied. Haruka let out an amused noise.

"So buying and reading the same author as me after you found my book is just a coincidence?"

"Yes." Sousuke nodded unconvincingly.

"Shame." Haru shrugged, pinching his lips together in mock disappointment. "I guess I enjoyed your attempts at courting me."

"I was not courting you!" Sousuke barked.

"I guess telling the truth would be a good start," Sousuke advised. "Whatever you do don't deny it's not a date if they catch you out."

"Noted." Nitori nodded.

"If it all goes wrong. From personal experience. it's best to just spill it all."

It had been a few days since Sousuke's terrible attempt at a date with Haruka. They were back to where they started, few words and noddings of acknowledgement. Sousuke had had enough. He was going to get his man. Whether he had to kill someone or open up. It was the day the two of them were alone and Sousuke stood by the door waiting for Haruka to appear from the lockers. As much as Sousuke enjoyed the sight of Haruka in his swimmers this conversation was not a half naked situation.

"Yamazaki, can I help you?"

"Will you go out with me?"

"And why would I do that?" Haruka crossed his arms.

"Because I like you." Sousuke flinched at the unconvinced stare. "I lied to you the other day. It was supposed to be a date."

Haruka seemed to lighten up his intense gaze.

"You just caught me like a deer in headlights and I panicked. I have been trying to court you. Sorry for being an idiot."

"You are an idiot." Haruka walked over, gently grasping the butterflies face. "But you're my idiot."

Their lips connected briefly before Haru pulled back.

"So what do you like to do?"

"Gym and running."

"Let's start with your physio."

"Did it turn out okay?" Nitori wondered.

"Yeah, it did." Sousuke smiled, "You'll find out they knew things that you thought no one knew."