Shout out to ameranthus13 who was responsible for this chapter's beta!

It's Free if it Takes Over Thirty Minutes

Chapter 10

Makoto followed Sousuke out of the apartment, locking the door as they left. Both were bundled up in heavy coats and scarfs. Makoto's nose instantly turned red when it hit the outside air, like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. It was only the first week of December, and it was already freezing temperatures. If there was more moisture in the air, it would be snowing, but it was really dry out. The two headed towards the metro to get to the city.

Makoto had no idea where they were headed, so he blindly followed Sousuke who seemed to have a good idea. It took Makoto about fifteen to twenty minutes to finally build up the courage and ask Sousuke where they were headed or what they were doing. That was about when they got off the train.

"Yamazaki, where are we going, exactly?"

"Not sure," Sousuke answered, the words rolling off his tongue.

"Wait, you don't know? Then why am I just following you!"

Ignoring Makoto's comment, he said, "I want coffee."

"There's one on the next block," Makoto sighed.

"Great."

They walked in silence until they got to the Starbucks. There were plenty of people walking in the streets as well, and tall buildings blocking the sky. Even though Makoto was still taller than everyone around, being next to Sousuke made him feel so small. Makoto had always been the tallest. He was much taller that Haru, Rin, and Rei, and the only one who even compared in height was Kisumi. He wasn't exactly sure how to feel about being shorter than Sousuke. It was just a strange concept to him.

"Something wrong, Tachibana?" Sousuke asked as he opened the Starbuck's door and let Makoto in first.

"Thanks," he said for holding the door, "No, nothing's wrong, why?"

"You had a distant look on your face. Just checking."

"Thanks."

The Starbucks was pretty packed, packed with people trying to escape the cold December weather. There was a line of about six people, and plenty of people were lingering about, either waiting for their orders, or waiting for someone else. They both took off their gloves and rubbed their hands together on instinct. Sousuke knew exactly what he wanted, but Makoto was never that sure. So, Makoto glanced at the menu and specials board that was hanging up. He was worried that Sousuke might judge him depending on what he orders. When Makoto realized there were too many options and couldn't really decide, he thought he would settle with a hot chocolate. His logic behind it was there is no age for hot chocolate.

Still waiting in line, Sousuke turned to Makoto and asked, "Was there anything you wanted to do while we were out? I thought I might think of something on our way here, but I have no ideas."

"Let me think," Makoto took a minute, "The only thing I can think of that I needed to do here in the city was some Christmas shopping . . ."

Taking a step forward as the line moved, it was Sousuke's turn to order.

"Hi, how can I help you?" the lady behind the counter asked.

"One Venti espresso and whatever he's having," Sousuke motioned his head towards Makoto.

"I can get my own-"

"Shut up Tachibana, I'm paying."

"I don't really need the caffeine, so can I just get a tall hot chocolate?" Makoto said to the lady behind the counter who smiled and nodded. She was short and spunky, you could tell, by the way she must smile at everyone with that dark hair and those dark eyes.

To Makoto's relief, Sousuke didn't say anything about the hot chocolate. They found one open table out of the three small ones and the booth was full. They sat their beverages down once they got them, along with gloves, scarves, and the hat Sousuke was wearing.

"Did you want to go Christmas shopping?" Sousuke sipped on his coffee.

"What?" Makoto had forgotten that he had mentioned shopping. "Oh, no! I'll get that done on my own time."

"I'm serious, if that's what you have to do, it'd be stupid to make another trip out here. Plus, I'll do anything to avoid working on that project

Makoto laughed, "I never would have pegged you for the procrastinating type of person."

"Really? The only person I've met that isn't is Rin."

Hearing the name gave Makoto shivers, "Have you been in touch with him?"

"No. I tried to contact him several times, but no reply. You?"

"No."

"Shame," Sousuke said, fiddling with the lid on his disposable cup.

Hesitantly, Makoto decided to bring up Haru, "But,"

"But?" Sousuke's eyes shot up and narrowed in one fluid motion.

"Haru has."

"He stayed in contact with Nanase?"

"Not exactly," Makoto's voice was quiet.

"Then what?"

"Rin transferred to Haru's school. Not knowing Haru went there."

"What?!" the shock evident in Sousuke's voice.

"I've been too scared to talk to Rin, but Haru told me that they've recently been hanging out a lot? I'm not really sure."

"What an asshole. I thought of anyone he would have contacted, it would be Nanase."

"I assumed you two were still in contact . . ."

"Why would you assume that? He obviously likes you guys, Nanase and all you better than me or anyone who went to Sano or Samezuka," a feeling of disappointment was in his words.

"No way! He idolized you in particular. He'd always talk about how you were like a god to him. He always says that you are his best friend and that nobody understands him like you do."

"Bullshit. Then why didn't he ever reply to my messages?"

"I couldn't tell you."

"Whatever. Shopping. You ready?" Sousuke said, ending the conversation suddenly by putting his hat back on and wrapping his scarf around his neck.

"If you're alright with it," Makoto followed Sousuke's lead.

When they had left Starbucks, they made their way to the shopping district. They could see their breaths as they walked. Makoto's nose had reverted back to its red state as well.

"Who are you shopping for? Nanase?" Sousuke asked as they walked.

Makoto avoided the crack in the pavement as he replied, "My twin brother and sister actually."

"You have siblings?"

"Isn't that what I just said?"

"Yeah, well,"

"I'm guessing you don't then."

"Yeah, I'm an only child. I like to think of Gou as a sister though, just because the Matsuoka had been so welcoming when I was younger."

"That's adorable!"

"Shut up. It's not."

Makoto realized in that moment that he was being way too friendly with Sousuke. What did Makoto know about him anyways? Nothing! Why was Sousuke being so friendly with him? It was obvious that he didn't really like Makoto or anyone from Iwatobi.

Interrupting Makoto's thoughts Sousuke spoke again, "Where are we headed from here?"

The two had hit an intersection with stores on all sides. "Just strait for now, I guess."

"Pretty solid plan."

Makoto replied with a weak and distant, "Yeah," looking down at his feet.

"Makoto?"

"Hm? What?"

"Are you on planet earth?"

"Yeah?" He looked back up.

"You were spacing out a bit. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm perfectly fine, sorry to worry you."

"Don't apologize."

"I'm-"

"No,"

"Okay," Makoto gave up.

"What are their names?"

"Names? Who?"

"Your siblings? We were just discussing them. Remember?"

"Ran and Ren,"

"Cute names."

"Yeah, they are adorable. They also probably want something from this store," Makoto said, turning into a small toy store with candy in the window display.

Sousuke followed Makoto in the store. They towered so tall over the children that kids steered clear of them. Makoto was able to pick out a few toys including action figures and stuffed dolls. As he walked around the store with Sousuke, he came to one conclusion: he enjoyed being shorter than someone.