Chapter 2

Rei smiled as Haru walked off towards the distance but it wasn't a true smile at all. Rei knew that he was the weakest in the team and that if anyone was to screw up the team it would be him. The boy who swam butterfly also realised that no matter how much theory he put into it, it would not get better without the use of other approaches. Rei needed to see Rin.

After the race they all headed for home. Rei, Nagisa, Makoto and Haru walked together heading in the same direction. As they walked Nagisa and Rei entered mindless conversation for which Haru didn't seem to be bothered to pay attention, instead he let his thoughts wonder to Makoto. Meanwhile Haru was thinking about Makoto, the backstroke swimmer was doing the exact same but in reverse.

Both boys were thinking of each other, thinking how it would be a dream if the two were together in a relationship. The daydreaming of thoughts soon came to a road block when Nagisa interrupted.

'Haru-chan, Mako-chan!'

'What is it?' Makoto said back with a gentle smile

'Nothing.'

Makoto looked confused and Haru's eyes widened. What did the blonde boy mean? What was the point in getting their attention just to say it was nothing. The two looked at Rei for an explanation as he was the logical one. Rei smirked and readjusted his glasses. 'Don't you get it you two? You weren't paying attention to our conversation. Something's up!'

Haru's eyes widened and his mouth opened a little in shock whilst Makoto did the same in unison.

'What's so surprising?' Nagisa asked in a mockingly way.

'Nothing.' Haru replied, playing the blonde haired boy at his own game.

'Ah, nothing!' Makoto added causing Nagisa to shrug and sigh before continuing back to walking.

Minutes later the group split into two with Rei and Nagisa splitting off into a different direction to Makoto and Haru. They said the brief goodbyes and got on their separate ways.

The walk between Makoto and Haru started silent, not one of them mentioned anything. Haru was thinking if Makoto was okay as he wasn't listening to Nagisa earlier. His best friend was really respectful to everyone and even more so his friends. Why didn't Makoto listen to Nagisa rant about pointless things? Was he deep in thought?

Yet again on another similar note, Makoto was silent as he was deep in thought. Was Haru okay? It's not unusual for him not to pay attention to mindless banter but usually Nagisa never notices…Was his best friend really okay?

The silence continued for a little longer until Haru broke the deadly silence, 'Mako, are you okay?'

Mako gave a gentle smile and claimed that he was okay, 'what about you Haru-chan?'

Haru went to interrupt Makoto and remind him about not using 'chan but instead smiled. Haru knew that if he smiled everyone would think he's okay as he was one not to smile much. Haru never used this approach often but only towards Mako as he knew he was the most caring of people and if he ever thought that Haru was not okay then it could make him not feel okay.

The approach worked to an extent. Makoto smiled back and seemed to accept that Haru was okay but deep down a voice whispered into his ear and told him Haru was not okay. The brown haired boy knew his friend was fragile even though others didn't think so which was why he decided to leave it at that and ask no further questions.

Soon enough it was time for the pair to split up and head their separate ways.

Haru was now alone and left to his thoughts and sure enough Makoto entered them. Visual images of him and Makoto together flashed through his mind, the gentle smile that Mako always did towards Haru was there in his thoughts. He knew it was the final year of schooling and Makoto still hadn't even thought about where he wanted to go after. Questions began to rise in Haru's busy mind for where Makoto was going to go. Makoto was so handsome that he could get a job at anything and sure enough abandon Haru.

A tear made its way down Haru's face and many more were to follow but they were stopped. 'Haru!' A voice shouted behind him. It was Makoto's voice. Haru knew for sure that he couldn't let his best friend see him like this so he decided not to face him for a few seconds trying his hardest to clear his negative feelings and create a positive facial expression.

'Haru, what's wrong?'

Haru shot around towards Makoto and gave the smallest smile. 'What was it?'

'You forgot your book you placed in my bag!' Makoto said whilst handing a book to Haru.

'Thanks' The boy with the ocean blue eyes replied.

The two said their goodbyes again and were both on their own way to their homes.

Rei had parted off from Nagisa and was now able to meet Rin to get extra help with swimming as for Rin was rather good at butterfly. The two were in the olympic sized pool and the teaching began. Rei's performance started slow but prevailed as the lesson went on causing Rin to cheer and be happy for the butterfly boy.

As the lesson came to an end the two entered conversation about useless things until it turned towards Haru.

'How is Haru?' Rin asked Rei

Rei looked a little confused thinking that Rin would know.

'You see him everyday nearly!' Rin added.

'Oh, he's good and doing fine and so are the others.

Rin nodded and asked another question. 'Does any girl like him or have a got a chance with him you think!'

Rei laughed a little just at the idea of Haru in a relationship with a human. The only thing Haru really cared to be in a relationship with was water. 'Uh i'm sure there are loads of girls who like him but he hasn't done anything with a girl, he seems to be focused just on swimming.'

'Ah' Rin replied with a smirk before getting out the pool with the butterfly boy.

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