It's Free if it Takes Over Thirty Minutes

Chapter 4

Haru. The name was a sour taste in Makoto's mouth. Why in the world was Yamazaki asking about Haru? Makoto couldn't sleep at all that night, thankful Rei had just woken up where he was.

It was 12:06 AM in Tokyo, Japan, and Makoto Tachibana was absolutely restless. Not even considering the time it might be in America, he texted both Rei and Nagisa. He got an immediate text back from Rei which Makoto took for granted at the time. It wasn't every day, or night in this case, he'd get a reply so quickly from someone in another time zone. The text read:

Hey, Makoto-Senpai, what's wrong? Isn't it pretty late there?

It wasn't until then did he consider Rei's very own time. He calculated it to be about ten in the morning, so he wasn't being too obnoxious to his glasses-wearing friend. Frantically, he typed back:

Sorry to bother you, I'm having trouble sleeping. Can I ask you something? Have you talked to Haru at all recently?

Rei's reply was a fast as his first.

It's fine, Makoto-Senpai. Nagisa's asleep still anyways, and I don't have any morning classes. No, I haven't talked to Haru. Is something up?

I overheard Yamazaki talking to my roommate. He was asking questions about Haru.

Like what?

I don't know, I didn't hear the main conversation, just the end.

Do you have any idea of what they may have talked about?

No clue, that's why I'm freaking out.

I'm sorry, Senpai, I don't think I can help you out very much.

It's okay, I just wanted to talk to somebody.

It was Saturday. That meant Makoto had to work, and no, he wasn't paid for his work. He didn't really care about money anyways. Let's just say Makoto's family wasn't poor. Every weekend, and some random days of the week, Makoto volunteered his time at the Fire Department. He wanted to help a lot of people. He grabbed his coat and wallet to catch the first train in that direction.

Haru wasn't going to say anything to Rin. He didn't care to. He wasn't sure why he didn't care, he should, but he felt that it was more Rin who didn't want to talk to him. That was completely untrue, but even believing so, Haru just didn't care. Maybe something was wrong with him. He dried off after his long swim and stepped into the showers to rinse the chlorine off his body. He thoroughly scrubbed his head running fingers through his hair and enjoyed the hot water running down his back. Drying off again, he threw his clothes over the top of his swimsuit.

Rin wanted to talk to Haru desperately, but couldn't think of anything to say. He wasn't normally like this, usually he would talk to anyone about anything, no hesitation. Why was he beating himself up over talking to Haru though? He watched Haru leave the locker room and opened his mouth to call out Haru's name. But, no sound came out. Haru left and Rin couldn't even say a word. It looks like Rin would have to go with plan-B.

Sousuke's shoulder brace was fucking annoying. That's all that could be said about it. It was bulky underneath his clothes, it was uncomfortable, and worst of all, could be rarely taken off. That shoulder of his was past its days of return. Doctors had told him that he may have to live with the brace for at least 3 years, or they may have to perform surgery. Surgery was the last thing Sousuke wanted, but if it came down to it, he'd do it. Surgery meant another couple of months or so in unwanted physical therapy though, which really turned Sousuke off. Sousuke had absolutely no idea of want he planned to major in or do after college. He was planning on working for his father's company, but that wasn't necessarily what he wanted to do.

Sousuke was pleased with the fact he resided in a single person dorm room. He really didn't want to deal with sharing the room. Sousuke didn't really have a lot of friends at his school nor did he care to socialize. He learned his lesson about making friends when Rin abandoned him for a second time. How selfish could the brat be? Pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind he adjusted the stupid brace and left his room to grab some food. The mini fridge in his dorm was completely empty.

Rin couldn't take it anymore. He was going to do it. He flopped on the couch and dialed the number he had written on a scrap piece of paper. Although he didn't order the first pizza, he sure could order a second. He quickly shot up when the phone started to ring and began to pace nervously. After about three rings, someone finally picked up.

"Sekai Saikō no Piza, can we take your order?" The voice was too deep to belong to Haru. Rin sighed and relaxed a bit.

"Yes, I'd like to order a pizza for Matsuoka?"

Haru had only a few deliveries that day, and Matsuoka was last on his list. Haru was confused at why Rin might order a pizza after that last mishap and began to wonder if Rin actually had ordered the first. Haru was too tired on a Saturday night to do anything that night, so he looked forward to crashing out in his dorm. He thought of movie he could watch that night to get his mind off school, swimming, and work. Although he loved swimming, it wasn't like it was in high school. That's why he preferred the smaller, outdoors pool. He witnessed the smile on a six-year-old's face and the wrinkles of an old man who purchased a plain pizza before he reached his old friend's new apartment.

He rang the doorbell and felt no need for his routine chanting. He just waited for someone to open the door, and was going to leave as soon as possible. Rin opened the door and hid back a smile when he saw Haru. Haru shoved the pizza toward him without a word and waited for Rin to pull give him the money.

"So, Haru, I wasn't aware that we were going to the same school this semester."

"Yeah."

"What are you up to now? Working?"

"No, you're the last delivery."

"What are you doing now then?" Rin's wallet finally emerged and he started to scan through it for bills.

"Nothing."

Rin bit his lip as he handed Haru the money and a tip. "Would you like to stay? Maybe catch up a bit?"

Haru desperately wanted to say no, but he would sound rude if he refused the offer. So, like a dickhead, he didn't answer at all. He just stood there on the doorstep.

"Seriously, come in."

"I-I, uh, have to-"

"Bullshit. You said you were free. C'mon," Rin cut him off, practically dragging him inside, "I can't finish this whole pizza myself."

Finally giving up, Haru walked inside, shaking his wrist from Rin's hand. Rin's apartment was part of a huge house that looked old, and haunted. The floorboards were creaky, but the rest of the house was pretty elegant. The man upstairs didn't appear to be home at the time, which made Rin feel at ease.

"Make yourself at home, couch's over there," Rin pointed, "I'll put in a movie."

Hello, I'm Lavi. Thank you for reading! I'm trying to post a new chapter every other day, so bear with me if I'm a day late. Please, leave feedback! My Tumblr is : / / okcat1 . tumblr , feel free to check me out. Thank you!

-Lavi