Haru took a deep breath as if to dive into a deep blue sea, as he reached the door to his classroom. To Haru, his classroom is as suffocating as the deep blue sea on occasions, which can be either on a day with a wonderful weather, or after a break. The green tie he was wearing felt too tight, since today fits both of the criteria, even if it was only a three-day weekend. And Makoto, he never showed up at Haru's house today. He doesn't come to fetch Haru often, only on the days when Haru could have skipped on purpose. Such days also fit the two criteria.
Ah. The area of his seat and Makoto's were surrounded by their classmates. Pain, such a pain, so early in the morning. Not exactly early, however.
The whole class turned to greet him, but before doing so, their face changed from enthusiasm to disappointment, making the greeting a bit limp.
"Ah, what a disappointment. We thought Nanase also joined you"
"I told you, Haru isn't in the dare. This is between me and my family on a warm and long Thursday night." Haru heard Makoto's voice in amongst the students. He was probably in his seat, which Haru should to, so he walked towards his seat which is located at the back of the class, besides the window.
"Good morning, Haru-chan." Makoto greeted him.
"I told you to lay off the '–chan', especially in scho-" Haru stopped as to see a patch of olive coloured hair on Makoto's chin. "What happened to you?"
To add up on the sight, Makoto was wearing his black-rimmed glasses. Haru's heart skipped a beat. He looks dashing. Makoto's face was average, the usual Japanese boy his age. However, the way he did his hair, the goatee and the glasses, made some classmates looked at him in admiration.
Makoto didn't answer his question, he smiled to Haru, as Amakata-sensei stepped into the classroom.
"Ara? Tachibana-kun?" Amakata-sensei, or as the class called her, Amachan, noticed Makoto while taking the attendance. She took a dramatic pause. Haru saw Makoto's attention was on her as if he hoped that Amachan-sensei would say something that he would want to hear.
"Isn't it nice to be young." She continued taking the attendance.
Makoto dropped his head on the table in disappointment. Some of the classmates in front of him chuckled as the turned to him. He saw some of his classmates handing over some money to the other. Did they bet on something? Not that he's interested to know. But, Makoto is involved.
"Thank you, Amachan-sensei!" Someone from the front of the class said as she finished taking the attendance. "We made a bet that you would not ask Tachibana to change back to his previous image."
"I hope that your bet does not involve with money, or you will have a bad time." Amachan-sensei warned them with her usual innocent smile. However, her tone made it sounded like a threat.
"I don't think he did much offence to the school rules. Plus, doesn't he look better like this?" Amachan-sensei organised her papers that had been spread on the teacher's desk before leaving.
I guess he is.
Haru caught himself staring at Makoto when he's not looking everytime he get the chance.