It's Free if it Takes Over Thirty Minutes

Chapter 8

Makoto was tired, but he was unusually ready for class that morning. He had Japanese Literature that morning, and he had an essay to hand in that he was completely confident about. Makoto never did extremely well in school, but he never did poorly. He was completely average with his grades. He didn't want to be just average now that he was in college. The past year, his grades had improved slightly, and this year, he was trying his hardest to excel even more. He didn't think it would be so different his second year of college, he wasn't exactly prepared for so much responsibility.

Walking to class across campus, Makoto checked his phone for texts from Haru. He hadn't heard from Haru at all that week, and he had recalled from their last phone call that Haru was getting sick. Not wanting to bother Haru, Makoto simply texted his other friends, including Rei and Nagisa, to see if they had heard anything from Haru recently. He put his phone away when he walked in, followed by the professor and the clock.

Class was over before he knew it. His professor had just announced that their next assignment would be a project in which the students had to partner up; roadblock number one. Makoto didn't know anybody in his Lit class. Well, there was one familiar face. And, the face was approaching slowly . . . Makoto held his breath as a tall figure with searching eyes and hands in his jacket pocket walked forward.

"Oi, Tachibana. I'm not familiar with anyone here," He looked behind his shoulder, "and everyone seems to have partnered up," returning his face forward, "do you want to get this project over with?"

"Uh, sure, Yamazaki."

"Can I get your cell so that we can plan a time and place to get together?"

"Uh, sure," Makoto mumbled, fumbling through his shoulder bag for his phone. When Sousuke held out his hand, Makoto hesitantly grabbed it and typed in his number. His fingers lightly touched the screen, surprisingly typing actual numbers of a phone number. Sousuke did the same, and they parted ways.

Within the next two hours, Makoto received a text from Sousuke.

Hey. lets get together sometime later today if youre free. i want to finish it asap.

Makoto sighed, and realizing he was free he agreed that would be wise. He also checked to see if Rei or Nagisa had replied, but neither of them had.

Yeah. Would you like to stop by my place later today? I'll be here all day.

He didn't actually get a reply from Sousuke. He was too tired to focus on homework, which made him a little moody. His tiredness had finally hit. But, Makoto had set his phone down and hadn't checked it again since, so it was possible Sousuke had replied. Well, it didn't matter because Sousuke eventually just showed up to his apartment.

Kisumi was very confused when he went to answer the door to their apartment and found his friend standing outside.

"Sousuke? How can I help you?" He motioned for Sousuke to come inside and shut the door when Sousuke was completely accounted for, tall head and all.

Walking inside the apartment and removing his shoes, Sousuke asked, "Where's Tachibana?"

"His room. What's up?"

"Tachibana and I are working on a Jap. Lit. Project."

Kisumi pointed Sousuke in the direction of Makoto's room and resumed his Netflix binge-watching. His legs were dangling off the couch that he was perched in sideways. When Sousuke knocked on Makoto's door, Makoto jumped in fright. He had completely forgotten Sousuke was even planning on coming over. Being too lost in his other work, he didn't even think about .He quickly rushed to answer the door, completely scattering the papers he was working on before.

When Makoto opened the door, Sousuke started to scan him from the feet up. Sousuke knew Makoto was tall, but he never really paid attention to what Makoto really looked like. Normally people would notice Makoto's piercing green eyes, but they were hidden behind glasses.

Sousuke raised an eyebrow when his eyes met Makoto's, "You wear glasses?"

"Shit, I'm wearing my glasses? Damn, I know they look stupid. Forget you saw them."

"Woah, I didn't know you had a mouth like that."

"Sorry, judge me if you want. Let's just get this stupid project over with."

"Hey, I didn't mean it like that. I like your glasses."

"Thanks," Makoto adjusted his glasses on his nose, "I'm sorry, come in. Set your stuff . . . anywhere."

"Okay."

"Um, so, where do we start?"

"Well, we should probably pick a book first."

Makoto laughed, "You may be right about that."

"Well, are we just going to use one of the books we had to read for class?"

"What about Oku no Hosomichi?"

"Can we please do something more modern?"

"Okay, A Personal Matter then?"

"That's a bit better."

"Alright, well, we know where to start now."

The boys worked on their project for a good hour, discussing effects the book may have had on different readers. They worked on their presentations, and when that hour was up, they agreed on a snack break.

Kisumi had left the apartment. No note. No message, nothing. Makoto had no clue where he had gone. He couldn't recall Kisumi mentioning anything going on that day, and he knew that Kisumi didn't have any classes that night. Maybe he had a date? Makoto thought. The thought hurt Makoto because Kisumi always told Makoto almost everything. It wasn't too much that they were close, than the fact Kisumi had a loud mouth. It was just unusual for Kisumi not to say, and made the chance seem very unusual. Makoto explored the idea there was a basketball game that night or maybe he went out with some friends for karaoke. Finally giving up thinking, the two started their own conversation.

"So. What's your deal?" Sousuke leaned on the counter and took a sip of his soda.

"My deal?"

"I don't know anything about you. Shed some light on the subject."

"I like kittens? And I volunteer at the Fire Department?"

"You volunteer at the Fire Department? That's super great."

"Really?"

"That's inspiring, really. I've done shit with my life, spent the whole time swimming and look where that's gotten me. You've already done important things."

"By the way, how is the . . . ?"

"Shoulder? Fucking awful," Sousuke tugged at his button down's collar, revealing his shoulder brace.

"I'm sorry,"

"It's my fault, whatever."

"Would you mind if I asked, when-what happened?

"I overworked myself. Trained too hard. It began to break down in my first years of high school. Now it's next to useless."

"What do the doctors say about it?"

"I'm stuck with this brace for too long, and no more swimming."

"There's no way for it to heal?"

"They offered me surgery, but they said I still won't be able to ever competitively swim," setting his soda can down.

Makoto looked at Sousuke with understanding and sympathetic eyes. "I'm sorry for prying, that was me being inconsiderate. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I have to live with this shit, I better accept it."

"Do you want to get back to the project? I know you said earlier you wanted to get it done as soon as we could."

Sousuke grabbed his cot and flung it over his good shoulder, "Nah, fuck it. Let's get out of here."

What's up? Lavi here. I'm so sorry the new update was so late! I've been crazy busy with school and work.
Please leave feedback, comments much appreciated!
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-Lavi