The final day of the program was more tiring than Haru would have thought it should be — though falling asleep on the floor may also have had something to do with it.
Given Hideaki's antics, they were forced to catch up on their missing activities right before their return flight. Neither he nor Makoto had packed, but (Haru thought) enjoying the water with his friends — Aika and Sayuri too — was definitely preferable.
"Well then." Kaida's voice echoed from the other end of the pool. "I'd say that should do it for today. Good work everyone."
"Thank goodness," Aika groaned. She dragged her body from the pool, then collapsed ungraciously onto the tiles. "They're trying to kill us."
Makoto glided up to her, Haru and Sayuri following close behind, then climbed out of the pool. He offered his hand to Haru, who took it with no qualms this time.
"Thanks," he said. Makoto beamed at him.
"So I was thinking…" Sayuri began. She shuffled uncomfortably in her spot. "Since it's the last day…we should celebrate!"
"Oh yeah?" Aika asked, surprised.
"Yeah! You know, I saw the biggest cake in the shop down the street…I was thinking it would make for a nice ending to everything."
"Ah, that sounds like a great plan!" Aika grinned. "Hang on let me, get my things and I'll come with"-
"No."
Aika frowned.
"No? But…"
"You're amazing, Aika," Sayuri smiled. "But…I think it's time I start learning to do things on my own because I know now…" she shot a glance at Makoto. "Even if I do need your help sometimes…I want you to be able to depend on me too…I want to be amazing for you!"
"Sa-chan…"
Sayuri giggled.
"I'll be back in a bit! You guys wait here!"
She ran off, leaving Aika open-mouthed. Her eyes were shimmering.
"You idiot."
She turned around, startled by the sound of Haru's voice.
"Huh?"
"Don't you realise you're in love with her?"
Aika's eyes widened. "Hey, wait a minute…you told Makoto, didn't you?!"
"Don't change the subject."
"Told me what?" Makoto asked, bewildered.
"So you guys are a thing now?" Aika whispered, ignoring him.
"Haru! You told her about that?!" Makoto yelped. Haru looked away, disgruntled.
"Ohh, so you are a thing?" Aika noted slyly. "Looks like it was a good thing I talked to you then. Otherwise, who knows how long you would have kept your mouth shut?"
"Yeah…" Haru said. He hesitated. "Aika?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
Aika stared at him for a second, then grinned. "Eh, don't sweat it. Just invite me to the wedding, okay?"
"What exactly did you two talk about?!"
Aika giggled.
"Relax, I'm just messing with you. Haruka didn't even say anything about a wedding."
"I'm more concerned about what he did say," Makoto mumbled, disconcerted.
Haru offered him a slight, warm smile. "I'll tell you about it later," he said. Makoto blinked, then laughed in return.
"Okay!"
"You know, it's strange," Aika said, surveying them with affection in her eyes.
"Hmmm?" Makoto asked. She smiled.
"It's like nothing's changed between you two."
Haru gazed at her for a moment…his eyes softened. "I guess nothing much had to."
After much laughter, cake-eating and picture-taking, Haru and Makoto finally found themselves at the airport. Aika and Sayuri had waved them off with the promise of a relay in the near future, and since there was a small one being held at the pool where Makoto coached, all four of them had agreed to meet up and train together beforehand.
That, however, was a story for another day. For now, it was just Haru and Makoto.
Save for a few tourists taking pictures of the aeroplanes through the glass, the waiting area was empty.
"Hey…Haru?" Makoto asked, glancing sideways at him.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for bringing me here. I had fun."
Haru hesitated.
"Makoto."
"Yeah?"
"I had fun too." He leaned in, pecked Makoto on the lips, then swung back into his seat.
"H-haru!" Makoto clapped his hands to his mouth, then dissolved into laughter.
Haru looked away, blushing.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing…you're just cute, that's all."
And Haru had thought his face couldn't get any redder.
It wasn't long before they were climbing the stairs to Makoto's apartment.
"I'm beat," Makoto yawned, collapsing on his bed.
"Yeah," Haru said. He lowered himself onto the sheets next to him. "You should get some sleep."
Makoto smiled through a yawn.
"You're probably right," he murmured. He hesitated. "See you in the morning, Haru?"
Haru hummed affirmatively. Then, he stretched and curled up on the part of the bed not occupied by Makoto, his back resting against the wall. "Good night, Makoto."
Makoto could have fainted.
"Are…are you staying here?" he yelped.
Haru opened his eyes and blinked at him. "Is it a problem?"
Makoto turned red.
"Of course not!" he said, holding his hands up and shaking his head wildly. "I was just surprised, that's all."
Careful not to disturb the blankets around Haru, he manoeuvred himself under the covers. A pair of arms encircled him and he smiled.
He squeezed the hand resting on his chest and sighed.
"Good night, Haru-chan," he whispered.
"No -chan."
"Sorry!" he squeaked.
"Tch. Go to sleep. Don't forget we're flying in to Iwatobi tomorrow."
"Is that tomorrow?!"
"…You forgot, didn't you?"
Makoto laughed sheepishly.
"I guess I must've." His heart jumped a little when Haru's arms tightened around him
"It'll be good to see the others again," he mused, pressing his nose into the base of Makoto's neck.
Makoto closed his eyes contentedly.
"Yeah…I wonder what they've been up to…"